TOOCM | Chapter 048

Episode 48

Reina’s gaze lingered on Kaiden.

She wanted to memorize his face, one she’d never see again.

Kaiden felt stifled. Her words left too much unsaid.

He asked, “What do you mean?”

“The condition for my power’s awakening is losing my sight.”

“What?”

“Once the fever subsides, I won’t see anymore.”

His face cracked. Something clicked.

“Can aura make a blind person see?”

Her question from last night came to mind.

He’d brushed it off, thinking she meant someone else.

His grip on her tightened.

“You knew?” he asked, looking down.

“I’m sorry for not saying sooner. I kept trying, but I couldn’t find the courage.”

“Hah.”

Kaiden sighed softly.

Her judgment was correct.

If she’d mentioned blindness from the start, he might’ve hesitated to bring her North.

But not now.

Reina was no longer just a contract partner.

She was more.

Irreplaceable.

After realizing his feelings last night, this hit harder.

He regretted running.

He couldn’t fathom her anxiety and fear.

“What are you…”

Unable to continue, he turned back the way they came.

Reina looked puzzled, and he said.

“I haven’t fully explained something to you either.”

“What?”

“You asked if aura could make a blind person see.”

“…Yes, but you said there’s no way…”

“No. There is.”

“!”

Her heart raced at his certainty.

“Really?”

She’d resigned herself, convincing herself to be content with her new life.

Unlike before, she could move freely.

But a way existed.

Seeing her trembling arm, he continued.

“There are two types of oaths. The one Mernie and Crensia made was one-sided. What I’m proposing is mutual.”

“Mutual…”

“It could keep your eyes seeing.”

“Oh…”

The hope of sight made her sigh.

Seeing her expectant eyes, he added.

“But my life would be tied to yours. It’s a soul-binding contract.”

“I’ve never heard of this.”

“Of course. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime oath, only for one person, a secret of Crensia’s heirs.”

“!”

Reina’s eyes widened at “one person.”

It was irreversible.

A soul-bound contract lasted until death.

And his life tied to hers?

Too dangerous.

She refused firmly.

“No. Don’t do it.”

But Kaiden didn’t budge.

“No way.”

“Kaiden.”

“I don’t listen to others. You know that.”

Stubbornly, he quickened his pace.

Her refusal didn’t matter—he’d proceed.

She was bewildered. His decision was reckless.

For a mere contract marriage, it was too much.

His set jaw showed no room for compromise.

She hesitated, unable to argue.

Her heart wavered—hope for sight clashed with fear of burdening him.

If the Emperor learned, she’d be his weakness.

“No, Kaiden. You can’t…”

She pleaded, but he ignored her, adding lightly.

“You need to lean on me more.”

“…”

“Do you think I can’t protect you?”

“…”

“It’ll be our secret. Even Aiden doesn’t know. No risk of exposure.”

His logic made sense.

Still, she hesitated, fearing the worst.

Always assuming the worst, she couldn’t help her anxiety.

Lowering her head, she revealed her true fear.

“I’m scared of being a burden to you.”

How could she risk this second chance?

She feared causing him to lose everything again.

As she sank into despair, Kaiden said brightly.

“A burden this light?”

“…”

“I’ll carry it gladly.”

She looked up, stunned, and he grinned.

His smile silenced her refusals.

She entrusted herself to him, swallowing tears.

She wanted nothing more.

Soon, they reached a lone, majestic tree.

Its sacred aura was palpable. Kaiden gently set her down.

This must be the oath’s site.

Looking at the tree, he said.

“This is the sacred tree where Dragon Crensia and his wife rest. When ready, place your hand on it.”

He touched it first. Reina hesitated.

He asked, puzzled.

“Still hesitating?”

“Are you sure? You might regret using a once-in-a-lifetime oath on someone like me.”

“You need to stop belittling yourself.”

“What?”

“What’s ‘someone like you’ supposed to mean?”

“…”

She couldn’t answer, afraid of angering him.

Seeing her hesitation, he muttered.

Her reluctance burned him.

“This oath was useless to me anyway. I’m glad it has a purpose.”

He was sincere.

Never planning to marry, the oath was irrelevant.

As she wavered, he pressed.

“You said you’d help me.”

“…”

“Don’t hesitate before opportunity. It’s good for both of us.”

He waited silently for her.

His words were polished.

The oath wasn’t entirely selfless.

It was a binding contract, an “imprint.”

A vow of loyalty to one companion.

A token of trust and restriction by possessive Crensia.

Dragon Crensia loved only one human until death.

When she died, the immortal dragon joined her.

This tree grew where they rested.

No duchess had performed it since; it wasn’t needed after dragons became human.

This oath was purely his selfish desire.

Her sight restored, he’d have her bound to him.

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Note:

Dear readers, I apologize for making the classes 20 coins, I really need to work hard this year, I know it’s not a big income, but I apologize again, I will try to make a change that I hope will make it easier for you, as I will make 10 of the locked classes 15 coins only, wish me luck 🙏