Chapter 403

---- 234.

DANGEROUS TREATMENT SIGRID He straightened up from his leaning position, one eyebrow raised, giving me a once-overI couldve sworn, even with disgust.

"You can sleep easy, I dont have the slightest interest in you." The way he said it, so direct and knowing his future, convinced me even more.

"Did you bring what I want?" I asked, watching as he finally pulled out the runes from his pocket, the ones I needed to assemble the artifact.

I actually had everything else, that was the only thing missing.

"Here are your pearls," I said, taking off the necklace I wore around my neck, where I'd cleverly hidden them before the fight.

On the count of three, we make the exchange." He nodded, stepping closer, one step at a time.

"One...

two..." I stared at his hand, waiting to see if he'd pull some trick.

"Three!" I snatched the rune map from him while he quickly grabbed the pearls.

We both sighed, having achieved our goals.

"Pll get dressed and leave.

Pleasure doing business with you," I told him, though honestly, I didnt think he could help me much with my mission.

---- I didnt like that the Vlads were conspiring with Lucrecia.

I didnt know how fate would twist things, but I wasnt here to fix everyone's lifejust to save one man, aman I had no clue how to approach.

"Actually, I'd like to ask you a personal favor." Oh, great, now hes being all formal.

1 froze, turning to face him again.

Tall, black hair, red pupilsthe very image of elegant danger.

He reminded me of Zarek, though the dark prince had a different kind of beauty...

more bloodthirsty.

"Pm all ears." "pretend you're my chosen fiancée." "What?" My mouth literally dropped open.

"Tneed my parents to stop trying to find me a match.

I need a stand -in...

time, and you can help me buy some." Time? For what? The more he explained, the crazier it sounded.

But at the same time, I was weaving my own plans and calculations.

"What do I get out of pretending to be your fiancée?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest with an air of defiance.

Lucrecia SilverI see how you look at her.

You want to destroy her.

But its very difficult for a De la Croix to be in the same circle ---- as Lucrecia and attack her.

However, if you partner with me, I can get you into more...

private parties, where you'll have the chance to cross paths."