Chapter 1

I stood by the window, packing my magical gear into the dimensional pouch one piece at a time.

Leena Night stared at me in disbelief. "Lilian, are you really going back for that marriage alliance?"

I kept busying myself without looking up. "Yes, the portal's already arranged. I'm leaving in seven days."

She hesitated. "Are you willing to leave this place? Are you willing to leave my cousin?"

I frowned, feeling an inexplicable irritation bubble inside of me. "I don't even remember that cousin of yours. Why would I be unwilling to leave him? Was I madly in love with him or something?"

Leena pulled out a thick magic journal from the drawer and shoved it into my hands. "You were absolutely crazy about him! This thing records the five years you spent chasing after him!"

As I flipped through the pages, a dull ache spread across my chest. I felt as if a giant invisible boulder had settled over my heart.

The entries were filled with the pain of 999 confessions and that many rejections. After each confession, there was always a third name—Shia Lynch.

Leena sighed as she continued with a conflicted tone, "Shia is his treasure, his so-called first love."

I closed the journal, and the pressure in my chest finally lifted. "What's so special about a goblin that has rejected me 999 times? I'll be marrying a half-elf when I go back."

"What goblin? What marriage?" A cold voice was suddenly heard behind us.

I turned to see a tall goblin leaning against the doorframe. His skin was an uncommon shade of dark green, and he wore luxurious royal robes.

It was Cole Hutch.

His gaze was sharp and cold as he mocked, "Lilian, what kind of reverse psychology trick are you trying this time?"

Leena quickly tried to explain, "Cole, she—"

Cole interrupted her before she could even say that I had lost my memories. "I didn't ask you."

His gaze was piercing as he looked right at me. "Lilian, I've already agreed to marry you. I expect you not to play games behind my back, and don't even think about bothering Shia."

His tone left no room for argument. "Get ready. You're coming with me to the magical auction."

I frowned. "Why?"

"Shia's pregnant and emotionally unstable." Cole's voice was unusually soft. "I need to buy her a few magical gears to cheer her up. She has no official status with me, so bringing her to that kind of event would cause gossip. No one would say a word if I took you."

I was stunned for a moment, then rage filled my head. "You scumbag! I'm not going!"

Cole clearly hadn't expected me to refuse. He froze for a moment, then his eyes grew even colder.

He walked over and grabbed my wrist, dragging me out with him.

The wound on my back hadn't fully healed. His forceful tug tore at it, and the pain of ripping flesh tore through me. Blood began to seep through my clothes.

"Cole!" A honeyed voice called out.