[AFYC] Chapter 42

“What about Abel?” he asked, changing the subject. 

“He should arrive by evening.” 

Oscar nodded lightly, then remembered Seo Ah’s earlier question, which had seemed odd and out of place. 

It was an unusual question. Why would it matter to her when he would return? 

Oscar narrowed his eyes but quickly dismissed the thought. He had more pressing matters to attend to than pondering over the awkward phrasing of a foreigner. 

“Assign someone to accompany her when she goes to Felphe Bank. Don’t stop her from going anywhere; let her do as she pleases, and send someone to the hotel to buy her whatever she needs.” 

“Yes, Your Excellency.” 

Simon stopped in his tracks while Oscar continued walking without looking back. 

Oscar von Reinhardt. 

A breeze stirred in his wake. 

A faint scent lingered where he passed—one reminiscent of ash and smoke left after a fire. 

Seo Ah stood there, blinking in a daze before lowering her gaze to her hands. 

The pen was black and glossy, like obsidian. Gold accents adorned both ends, and the nib shone with a bright golden hue. 

With this pen, she had signed what they called a contract. 

A contract. 

Seo Ah turned to look at the desk. The contract, with both their names neatly written side by side, lay on the desk as if it were nothing special. 

The contract’s requirement that she sign with the same name as on her identification document from Felphe Bank suggested that they were preparing for any potential disputes with the bank. 

“You’ll see when we visit Felphe Bank later, but it will take at least six months to open the vault, even if everything goes smoothly. In the meantime, you’ll be under my protection and receive the equivalent of a mansion in exchange. It’s not a bad deal, is it? Especially when you consider the money inside the vault.” 

It sounded appealing, but in reality, it meant her freedom would be confined until the day the vault was opened. 

The clauses about placing her under his protection were explicit. 

She was required to reside in a location approved by the Marquis of Reinhardt. If she left the approved area, she had to be accompanied by individuals he also approved. In an emergency, she was to follow the orders of the Marquis or his designated representatives. 

But nowhere in the contract was the term “protection” clearly defined. So even if the protection meant nothing more than keeping her alive, even if it meant her body might not remain intact, he wouldn’t be in breach of the contract. 

“…” 

For now, it was enough. 

She exhaled a breath she hadn’t realised she’d been holding. The warmth of her breath felt like it was drying out her lips. Her heart pounded, and her back was damp with sweat. 

Yet, despite everything, 

For now, it was enough. 

♔♔♔ 

Beneath a massive tapestry adorned with scales, symbolising the steel vaults of Felphe Bank, stood a throne forged from steel. Sitting on this steel throne, representing the security and impenetrability of the Felphe Bank, was King Henry IV of Felphe, his brow furrowed in deep annoyance as he kept his eyes closed. 

“Your Majesty! That damn dog from Luxen is completely disrespecting Felphe and Your Majesty! How dare he be late when summoned by the King of Felphe!” 

The booming voice of Duke Baden kept irritating the king’s nerves. But it wasn’t just the loud voice that grated on him. 

A century ago, a religious reformation movement had swept through Western Norfolk, emphasising a pious and moral lifestyle. This wave of reform also influenced the customs of the aristocracy, where public adultery became the number one target for eradication. 

Of course, this didn’t mean that adultery was eliminated. However, at the very least, flaunting infidelity publicly, especially recognising illegitimate children, became strictly forbidden. 

Unfortunately, the winds of reform that had blown through Western Norfolk did not reach Eastern Norfolk. As a result, adultery and illegitimate children remained common among the Eastern Norfolk nobility, with some even romanticising it as a part of their culture and art. The most notable example of this was the previous king. 

The former king had openly committed adultery throughout his life, showing no regard for public opinion. Despite the presence of a legitimate queen, he had handed over the entire palace authority to his mistress and even publicly acknowledged their illegitimate child, bestowing upon him the title of Duke. 

“That child is Karl von Baden, that wretched man.” 

The king took off his glasses in irritation and finally opened his eyes.