Chapter 2

What I never told Cedric was that the Guardian’s Pact wasn't eternal.

Once a guardian protects their lord 9,999 times, the pact for that generation is automatically fulfilled.

The guardian is free to leave whenever they wish.

I could have left ten years ago. But I craved the pleasure of being by his side, yearned for our own eternal bond. I ignored my family’s call to return.

Now, I shut down all my magical communications.

If I was leaving, I was going to be thorough.

At two in the afternoon, the main gate of my ancestral home was blasted open by a powerful surge of magic.

Cedric’s right-hand, a blood thrall named Marcus, stormed in with four guards.

“Lady Alaina,” Marcus’s voice was polite, but his hand was already on the hilt of his sword. “The Lord wishes to see you.”

I didn’t look up, continuing to mend the tattered ancient spellbook before me. “Tell your lord I’m busy.”

“I’m afraid this isn’t a request.”

I set down my tools and stood up. “So you’re going to drag me back by force?”

Marcus didn’t deny it.

“The Lord’s orders. He needs you present to show Princess Valerius and the elders the unbreakable bond between the Thorne clan and its guardians. Don’t make this ugly.”

Twenty minutes later, the magical carriage stopped in front of the Thorne clan’s castle.

This place was once my sanctuary.

Now, it was just a gilded cage.

I was “escorted” to my old magic laboratory.

The moment the door opened, I froze.

The room was empty.

All my magic scrolls, my alchemy station, the night-blooming cereus I cultivated, our one and only magical photograph…

Every trace of my existence had vanished, wiped clean.

In its place was delicate, elven-style decor.

In the center of the wall hung a massive magical portrait.

It was Elsie, dressed in white, smiling like a moon goddess untouched by the world.

“Like it? Elsie picked it out herself.”

Cedric’s voice came from behind me.

He wore a custom-made black robe with magical embroidery. Flawless.

Elsie was on his arm, blonde and blue-eyed, like an angel.

“Elsie,” Cedric’s tone was flat. “This is Alaina. Our clan's most… capable asset.”

Elsie’s green eyes sparkled with innocence. Her voice was sweet.

"A pleasure to meet you. Cedric always says you're his most capable helper. I’m so grateful you handle all the clan’s tedious affairs. The dangerous ones, too. But don't worry. You'll be able to rest soon."

She was telling me that once she married Cedric, I would be cast out.

“It is my honor to serve the clan,” I replied, my voice laced with bitterness.

Cedric nodded, satisfied. He turned to Elsie. “My love, let me introduce you to the elders.”

He put his arm around her and led her toward the main hall. I followed like a shadow.

The clan elders were already waiting.

One of them, Elder Alaric, looked from me to Cedric and chuckled. “Cedric, Alaina has been by your side for so many years. We all thought…”

Cedric cut him off, his voice ice-cold.

“Elder Alaric.” His face darkened. “Do not say things that could be misunderstood.”

His gaze cut to me like a knife, his voice low but carrying through the silent room.

“I would sooner walk into the sun than enter an eternal bond with a human and tarnish my bloodline.”

I lowered my eyes to hide my pain. I forced a smile. “Elder Alaric, you misunderstand. The lord and I have always had a purely professional relationship.”

For a moment, Cedric’s expression froze.

He didn’t seem to expect me to play along so obediently, so decisively.

But then, a flicker of approval crossed his eyes, as if admiring a perfectly tamed tool.

The tension in the hall dissipated.

Elsie tightened her grip on Cedric’s arm and gave me a triumphant smile.

Cedric walked past me. He raised his hand. For a second, I thought he would pat my head like he always did.

But he stopped. And adjusted Elsie’s hair instead.

He leaned in, hissing in a low growl only I could hear.

“Well done. Remember what you said tonight. Don’t disappoint me.”

The banquet began.

I sat alone at the far end of the long table, watching Cedric and Elsie receive everyone’s blessings from the seats of honor.

Cedric felt my gaze. He turned and met my eyes.

He raised his goblet of blood to me. His gaze was cold, approving. The look a master gives his well-trained hound.

I raised my glass in return, a perfect smile on my lips.

Let’s see if you’re still smiling in seven days, Cedric, when I’m gone for good.

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