Free Purchase Isn't a Permanent One
"Then let's call our engagement settled, and I'll head out now. Oh, could you send something like a certificate to my family?"
"Leaving already?"
"It's a blind date for marriage—what else is there to do here? Come see me for a date next time. Or do you want to do that instead?"
"No. Just go carefully."
"I'm kidding. I just really don't want to go home."
Why the hell would I crawl back into that shithole house early just 'cause I'm so great?
I gotta milk this rare chance to be out as long as possible and sneak back in around when Sis crashes.
If I go in now, it'll be obvious—I'll pass out for the whole day, and even after, she'll wake me up and stomp me into the ground again.
Reason? Probably 'cause I'm engaged to Kane after all the investments they've dumped into me.
Sis is a total Kane stan.
No matter what people say, she loves him 'cause he's hot and ripped, even if he's dumb.
When I said I was going on the blind date, she stomped me with her boot heel whining why not her.
Now that the engagement's locked in, who knows how far she'll go.
No matter what she does, they just shove potions down my throat or slather 'em on, and I'm good as new.
"Potions for the win..."
"Huh? Why mention potions?"
"I hate 'em. If you ever need to use one on me later, make it strawberry flavor, please."
Cheap ones taste like filthy sewage.
I've heard fancy potions these days taste good.
But the ones they use on me? Performance goes up, taste stays shit.
Really don't get it.
As I pondered what awaited back home, Kane started rummaging for his shirt.
Thinking about it, he'd been shirtless the whole time.
I had no clue what kind of grass-fed herbivore logic that was—stripping just the top to play the playboy.
If he'd stripped everything and waited, I'd have pegged him for a total scumbag.
"What are you gonna do with me from now on?"
"Date, right?"
"Maybe. Sorry, I've got some paranoia."
"Can't be helped. Let's just head out."
My paranoia is real, but he doesn't believe me.
After all the crap I've been through, it's natural to get paranoid.
I can't even eat, sleep, or bathe without watching my back every second.
Last time, leeches got loose in the cold bath water.
The bites healed perfectly with potions—no scars.
"Ah, I just wanna run far, far away."
"What do you mean?"
"Just wanna disappear somewhere no one can find me. Quietly, secretly."
"Your family's fault?"
How has a guy this nice pulled off the playboy act so well for so long?
But prying into a lady's secrets on the first meeting? That's shitty character.
I pressed my index finger to Kane's lips, signaling him to drop it.
He could fix it in a snap, but honestly, it was embarrassing.
Air out my dirty laundry to a stranger?
Call it pride or whatever.
"Let's just go. I wouldn't dream of ditching my brand-new fiancé."
"Ha... How'd I end up engaged to a girl like you..."
"If you don't like 'engagement,' say you got me for free?"
"You know that's not what I meant."
"No idea? Everyone'd be jealous you scored a girl like me for free—why not lean into it?"
"Don't have friends who'd envy that. Quit messing around and let's go. I won't ask."
"Deal."
Weird.
Just different words, same meaning.
And I softened it compared to what I hear at home.
I kept that to myself and followed Kane out of the hotel.
God, how long since I'd stepped outside on my own two feet? The sun stung like hell.
Bet I'll be lobster-red by the time I get home.
"Nice weather."
"Days like this are normal here—capital's a great city."
"Is it? First time out in ages, so I wouldn't know."
"Still don't wanna talk about it?"
"Yeah."
"Then... Nah. I won't ask."
Kane really doesn't get people.
Shouldn't he pry till the end and help?
Not that I'd love it.
If he fixed it, I'd open up happily later.
Heaven doesn't get human hearts.
Third prince status means he wouldn't grasp a paranoid mess like me.
"Wanna do something?"
"No clue what's out there, and too many ideas—dunno."
Ow, sun hurts.
Extra potions at home for 'wasting' 'em.
To escape the sun, I slipped into Kane's shadow.
Ended up diagonally behind him—perfect spot for a backstab.
He stopped when I lagged. "What's up?"
"Sun's too harsh after so long inside."
"Huh? You should've said—your skin's already red."
"Potion at home'll fix it."
"Potions aren't magic. Overuse builds resistance."
"Noted."
Kane grabbed my wrist and pulled me into a nearby clothing shop.
High-end place, racks of dresses like the one I wore—same price range.
What the hell here? Then he handed me a parasol.
Glanced at the tag—one parasol cost more than the dresses beside it.
Weird they sold parasols in a fancy lady shop, but a stick with fabric that pricey? Insane.
"This price could buy me ten thousand times over."
"Didn't you say I already got permanent free ownership?"
"Not permanent. I wanna bail someday—let me go then? Till then, tell me what you want. No holding back on the way out—honor, body, whatever."
"You're... Just take it. Gift from your fiancé."
Kane sighed dramatically and headed out.
I followed carefully, popping the parasol.
"Whoa, this is neat."
"What?"
"Sunlight filters soft—like perfect warmth."
Parasols do this too?
Stinging sun now felt cozy. Heated skin cooled in the shop's AC.
To thank parasol-giver Kane, I hooked my arm in his and pressed close.
Only payback I had was my body—most valuable part in public? These hefty tits.
"Like it? Better than 5 silver, right?"
"Yeah, great. Hot—mind backing off?"
"Consider it parasol payback. Want more? I could ditch my honor for bigger thanks."
"No need. Let's stroll. Park nearby."
"Yes sir. Bush-hiding in the park your kink?"
"No."
He said that but didn't shake off my arm, guiding me.
I hadn't felt this warmth of someone close in ages—didn't let go.
For this life me, human contact meant bruises and scrapes.
But this—soft, warm, and...
"Hard and damp..."
"What...?"
"Your body's great. Pervert thoughts?"
"You're the one making me think 'em."
"Can't help it with a first-meet stranger."
"You know you're no proper lady."
"Yeah. Wonder why."
Wonder why, my ass.
Past life dude, this life never treated like a lady.
Whore's spawn treatment only.
I grumpily clung tighter to Kane's arm and fast-walked to the distant park.
Damn talk stirred memories.
But walking with someone after so long? Nice.
Not Sis's leash drags in the garden.
Having too much fun to wanna go home.
...
But time to split.
Won't get beaten half to death now.
"Gotta head back."
"You okay?"
"It's home—what can I do? And overnighting with fiancé on day one? Slutty."
I really didn't wanna go but shoved Kane away.
Perfect—right at Luniel Mansion. Go in now.
Came this way on purpose for clean break.
House close, so gotta go.
"Got it. Won't butt in—see ya."
"Yeah. Go safe."
Kane backed off graciously despite his sharpness.
Waited till he was out of sight, then entered.
"Look who crawls in now?"
Ha... fucking hell.
This is why I didn't wanna come.
"Yes, Sis. Blind date with Kane went well—late return. Sorry."
"Sorry? Strip and kneel then."
Ah, fuck.