EPISODE 2

Night had settled in.

Mabel sat on the chair, quietly eating the meal that had been brought to her.

“Sigh… He said we’ll leave tomorrow. Is he really going to accompany me? Favour, my ass. This man is unbelievably infuriating.”

She finished her food quickly and leaned back against the chair.

“Dad and that woman are going to drown me in taunts… I don’t want to go back yet.”

Closing her eyes, memories rushed in uninvited.

She had argued with her father..again. His new wife hadn’t missed the chance to interfere, turning the argument into complete chaos. In the end, Mabel had stormed out of the mansion with nothing but three thousand varl in her pocket. It was supposed to be a rebellion that lasted three days—just long enough to cool off.

But then Irene had asked for help with her research thesis, unaware of the fight or Mabel leaving home. What was meant to be a short escape stretched into two weeks of defiance. And now she was declared a runaway—with no money left.

Mabel exhaled slowly.

“I could have left Orenvell in disguise… but I don’t even have the money to travel.”

She had been planning to ask Irene for help—but now…

“…. I really do have to accept a favour from that man.”

She stood up and began pacing the room, restlessness settling deep in her chest.

“And it’s not just that. Since I’m no longer in line for the heir position and have no financial backing…”

Her jaw tightened.

“Dad will try to marry me off soon. I know it.”

She grabbed her hair, tugging at the strands in irritation.

“I’ll show him… and that woman. They really think they can control me.”

She tilted her head back, staring at the ceiling, her voice sharpening until it nearly broke into a scream.

“Damn it. I just want to escape that ridiculous house—get away from that woman, her daughter, and Father. I swear I’ll never show my face there again. What do they even take me for? Shameless fools.”

She huffed out a breath—

A knock sounded.

“Miss Alkiza.”

She froze.

Her eyes widened in horror as she slowly turned toward the door, throat dry, heat flooding her face. She recognized the voice instantly—calm, cold, unmistakable.

Edric.

She patted her cheeks as if to erase the moment, then quickly opened the door.

Edric blinked once before speaking. “I only came to inform you that we’ll be leaving in the morning. I have business in Eryda as well, and since its important I’ll need your cooperation during my meeting. After that, I’ll take you to the Alkiza manor.”

She nodded stiffly. “Yes…”

"See ? " she muttered inwardly. " this man is so cunning ... He has business there anyway, dragged me along because of Lovis, and still calls it a ‘favor’ I have to repay."

Edric gave a brief nod and turned to leave. Then, as he walked away, he added coolly,

“Also, keep in mind that this corridor isn’t restricted. Hotel staff pass through here often. If you’d rather not have the entire hotel informed of how frustrated you are, I suggest keeping your voice down.”

She froze again, brows lifting as irritation and embarrassment tangled in her chest.

“Damn it…”

She slammed the door shut.

Edric glanced sideways as the door shut with a sharp thud. He exhaled softly.

He had heard everything.

Her words echoed in his mind.

Escape that house… get away…

“She sounded almost desperate,” he thought.

His steps slowed as something clicked into place.

"Desperate. Good background. Well-educated. "

Edric blinked slowly and released a quiet breath, as if trying to dismiss the thought before it rooted itself.

He entered the hotel’s private suite and began changing his clothes when a knock broke the silence.

“Come in.”

Cael stepped inside. “Everything is prepared.”

Edric hummed in acknowledgment. As Cael turned to leave, Edric spoke again.

“Cael.”

He stopped. “Yes, Master?”

“You investigated Mabel Alkiza,” Edric said evenly. “What’s her situation at home? Is she… not on good terms with her father?”

Cael blinked, brows lifting slightly. “That’s sudden, but yes. Their relationship is strained. Since she’s been removed from the line of inheritance, her standing in the family isn’t good.”

He studied Edric, whose expression had gone distant. Cael’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“…You’re planning something, aren’t you?”

Edric exhaled. “Yes. She fits all three criteria.”

A brief pause.

“We’ll see tomorrow whether she agrees.”

Cael tilted his head. “You sound awfully calm for someone considering marriage.”

Edric slipped into his night robe, fastening it without hesitation.

“It’s just a contract,” he said coolly. “Nothing more.”

....

The sun was already up when Mabel tightened the zipper of her dress brought to her last night and glanced at her reflection in the mirror.

"Hm… this fits well, " she thought absently.

A knock broke the quiet.

“Miss Alkiza, are you ready? Master is asking for you for breakfast.”

Mabel blinked. “Huh… with me?”

A short while later, she followed Cael through the private suite. Her gaze wandered as they walked , everything about the place was refined, muted luxury. They stopped at the dining room, where Edric was already seated, waiting in silence.

Cael gestured for her to enter, then quietly withdrew.

Mabel walked in and sat across from Edric.

“I hope you rested well, Miss Alkiza,” he said calmly.

She nodded. “Yes.”

They began eating in silence. Mabel glanced at him once, unease stirring in her chest.

"I have a feeling he wants to talk about something…"

A few minutes later, Edric lifted his teacup, took a slow sip, and spoke.

“Miss Alkiza.”

Mabel paused and looked up. “Yes… Mr. Thorne?”

Edric blinked once, his expression calm.

“Let’s get married.”

Mabel froze.

Her eyes widened as the words registered a little too late. She choked on her tea, coughing violently as she struggled to breathe.

Edric remained silent, calm, as if he had expected that reaction.

Mabel finally steadied herself and stared at him as though she were looking at a runaway lunatic.

“What..?!”

Edric spoke evenly. “It’s a contract marriage. I need a wife to secure my position in the Thorne hotel division. You...” he paused briefly, “ ..will benefit as well. It’s temporary. Once everything is settled, we divorce.”

She blinked, eyes still wide, brows knitting together. After a moment once the words truly sank in she asked, “And how exactly is this beneficial for me?”

Edric replied calmly, “You want to distance yourself from your household. You also need financial security. I will pay you for playing the role of my wife, and you’ll receive a generous alimony after the divorce.”

Her expression twisted. She looked down, thoughts spiraling.

"So… he heard everything last night.And now he’s using it...Great. He really is that cunning."

Then another thought followed, heavier, more honest.

"But he’s not wrong."

He would pay her. Finding a job would take time, and her father would make sure no respectable firm hired her. It would “tarnish” his precious reputation.

"So this is my only way out...Marriage…..But to a man I met just yesterday."

Edric watched her quietly, sipping his tea. “Take your time.”

She looked up at him.

He reached into his pocket and placed a card on the table. “You can meet me anytime. Show this card to my men. My landline number is written there as well.”

Edric stood. “I can’t give you much time, though. Try to give me an answer within a month.”

She nodded, still taken aback.

Edric hummed, seemingly satisfied.

The journey was unusually quiet. Inside the motor vehicle, Mabel stared out the window while Edric and Cael exchanged brief conversations about business matters. The train ride that followed was just as silent , Edric sat reading the newspaper, while Mabel remained still, occasionally glancing at him, her thoughts clearly tangled around his so-called contract.

It was late afternoon when they reached Eryda. The station was crowded and noisy. Edric led her toward the waiting vehicle outside, and they soon set off again.

Throughout the ride, Edric finally spoke to her.

“We’ll need to stop at a place called Berl Boutique,” he said calmly. “If we go directly to Alkiza Manor, it will take time, and my meeting there is important.”

Mabel replied evenly, “You mentioned that last night already. I agreed to cooperate. It’s fine.”

He hummed in response, saying nothing more.

As they arrived at the boutique, Edric, accompanied by a few men moved toward the inner corridor without a backward glance.

Mabel remained behind, settling onto a couch near the wide window. She leaned back, fingers curling into the fabric of her dress as her thoughts spiraled.

"He’s a stranger," she thought. "Even if it’s just a contract… I need to think carefully."

The Thorne name carried weight , too much weight. And from what she had heard, there were internal conflicts brewing within the family. That urgency of his, the sudden proposal , it must be due to this reason.

After a while, Her gaze drifted absently toward the street.

Then she froze.

Her eyes widened as a familiar figure stepped into view,..Rebecca.

Her stepsister walked toward the entrance, laughing lightly, a group of friends clustered around her.

Mabel’s breath hitched.

She stood abruptly and hurried toward a nearby counter where silk scarves were displayed in neat rows.

“P-Please,” she said quickly, grabbing one at random, “that scarf how much?”

The receptionist blinked at her sudden urgency. “Three hundred varl.”

Mabel nodded at once. She counted out the coins almost all she had left. With the remaining money, she ordered a fruit juice, then quickly wrapped the scarf around her face, lowering her head.

Rebecca and her friends entered moments later, their chatter filling the boutique as they settled at a table not far away.

Keeping her posture casual, Mabel carried her drink and chose a seat close enough to hear. She tilted her head slightly, pretending to stare out the window as she listened.

Rebecca laughed lightly. “Yes, she ran away. God knows where she is, it’s been weeks.”

One of the girls arched her brows. “So the rumours were true? Even if it wasn’t announced, people are already talking.”

Rebecca leaned back, crossing her legs. “It’s true. She fell into depression after losing her position and Father’s trust.”

Mabel’s jaw tightened, her fist curling in her lap.

Rebecca sighed, a hint of satisfaction in her tone. “She’s always been stubborn and proud. The mansion feels peaceful without her. Father is furious though who knows what he’ll do if she comes back.”

They laughed softly.

Mabel muttered a string of inaudible curses under her breath.

That was when she saw him.

Edric was walking toward her. Perhaps it was her posture, or the familiar dress beneath the scarf, but he recognised her immediately. His brows narrowed in confusion as his gaze fixed on her covered face.

He opened his mouth. “Miss Al...”

Before he could finish, Mabel rushed to him, grabbed his arm in panic, and whispered urgently, “Let’s go. Fast.”

Edric stiffened caught off guard both by her sudden grip and the force with which she pulled him along.

Behind them, Cael raised a brow, watching the scene unfold with growing amusement.

As Mabel hurriedly dragged Edric toward the exit, Rebecca and her friends watched.

“Whoa,” one of them muttered. “That woman looked weird from the start. She’s so possessive, he must be her husband. Did you see how she pulled him?”

Another girl nodded. “Yeah, she looks like the type who bosses her man around. Pity though he’s good-looking.”

They chuckled.

A few steps behind, Cael barely managed to suppress his laughter.

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