Chapter 2

I gently brushed a fallen leaf off Rhea's shoulder and said, "Everyone has their own fate. If this is mine, I believe I'll count on myself to live it well.

"It's just a shame that some people can only vent their frustration on others when life gets hard. That's pretty pathetic."

Rhea's pupils constricted violently. She grabbed my wrist hard and shrieked, "Astrid Silverhilt! You've been reborn too, haven't you?"

A young, unmarried maiden like me shouldn't have such a detached look in my eyes, so her conviction grew. "Even if you're reborn, so what! I'm the one marrying Flint now! You can just wait to cry over that ill-fated soul's death all you want!"

With that, she stormed off.

I watched her leave, deep in thought. Her words reminded me of what I would do if Drakon really died.

His clan was full of hungry, power-mad uncles and cousins, and I knew that a weak woman like me would likely be devoured alive, bones and all.

I brooded over it until nightfall, just as a soft whisper came from my window. When I opened it, I was utterly startled.

Drakon was hoisting himself up against the sill, drenched in sweat. With the moonlight tracing the sharp lines of his face, I couldn't help but suck in a breath at the sight of his striking looks.

"Don't get the wrong idea! I'm not some creep… I just heard you're supposed to marry me, so I wanted to see what my future wife looks like."

He was panting, but the excited sparkle in his eyes was impossible to miss.

"Can I ask you something?" he asked.

His hesitant manner made me nervous. "What is it?"

"Are you a fairy? How are you so breathtaking?" he blurted, his face flushing the moment the words left his mouth.

I couldn't help but laugh as footsteps sounded behind me.

"Well, well, Astrid! You're not even married yet, but you're already sneaking around with a man! How are you going to explain this?"

Rhea shoved the window open wider, only to freeze the moment she saw Drakon. "What are you doing here?"

Drakon could barely hide the disgust in his eyes. "What's wrong with me coming here to discuss wedding plans with my future wife? You, on the other hand, aren't taught any manners, judging from the way you sling baseless accusations."

Rhea's face turned red with fury, but there was nothing she could do other than direct her rage at me.

"Don't get too cocky! Even if you're getting along now, it doesn't matter because he's not going to live too long!"

Drakon clicked his tongue and flashed her a look of disdain. "What happens between my future wife and me is none of your concern. All I know is that I'll never mistreat Astrid."

Rhea clenched her jaw so hard she nearly crushed her teeth. "I can't wait to see the day you become a widow, Astrid!"

She couldn't stop bringing up being a widow. Her previous life's encounter had turned into a nightmare deeply ingrained in her bones.

That was why she was so pleased with Flint now. As long as he stayed alive, she was satisfied. Her bar was pathetically low.

"Better start learning how to cook and do laundry, Rhea. The wolves don't have maids attending to your needs, so you'll have to do everything yourself."

My words were a mild stab in her sore spot—the reality she least wanted to face. She furiously spun around and stormed off.

Downstairs, I soon heard her whining to Mother, demanding more wedding gifts.

Meanwhile, Drakon had returned to being a gentleman. Leaning on the windowsill, he looked at me and solemnly promised. "Trust me, Astrid. I'll never let you suffer as long as I'm alive."

My heart clenched painfully at the word "alive". Instinctively, I raised my hand and covered his lips.

The moment our skin touched, my heartbeat thundered.

Strange… I'd been married once in my previous life, so why was I still flustered now?

I feigned a cough to hide my panic and said, "I don't need wealth or glory, just that you stay alive and well, Drakon. Do you understand? Nothing matters more than that."

After a long silence, he looked up, as if having made up his mind. Then, he smiled. "I will."