With rage burning inside me, I clench my fists so hard my nails nearly dig into my palms as I stare at Miranda. Anger flashes through my eyes.

I want to do something right now, but I can’t afford to act recklessly in front of Cinder—an S-Rank Adventurer who could probably kill me with a flick of her wrist.

BAM!

Suddenly, Cinder slams both fists onto the armrests of her chair. The thunderous impact reverberates throughout the room, making everyone flinch. Somehow, the chair remains perfectly intact despite the force behind the blow, which probably means this isn’t the first time it’s suffered such abuse.

"Why does she look like she’s on the verge of death?!" Cinder roars, bloodlust flashing in her widened eyes as she glares at the guard.

"B-Boss, I swear I have no idea! It’s those damned reptilians! They claimed she wasn’t doing her job properly, so they decided to punish her!" the guard blurts out almost instantly, his legs shaking like he just survived a nightmare.

"Fine. Investigate this. I’ll deal with the perpetrators myself later. I clearly stated that slaves are not to be abused, regardless of whether they’re inner or outer slaves. Yet those fucking lizards dared harm slaves placed under their command."

Cinder’s gaze shifts toward Miranda, who continues staring at the floor, barely clinging to life.

"Take her away and give her a high-tier potion immediately."

"Okay, Boss!"

The guard quickly nods and escorts Miranda out of the room.

Once they’re gone, Cinder covers her face with a palm, looking genuinely embarrassed. Despite being a ruthless and cunning fox, she clearly isn’t the type to mistreat slaves. This incident probably dealt a serious blow to her pride.

If that’s the case, then I won’t hold her responsible for what happened to Miranda.

My revenge still stands, though. She did try to harm Aleena and me earlier. Sooner or later, I’ll settle that score.

Suddenly, Aleena leans closer and whispers into my ear.

"Darling, that giant guard should be as strong as me, maybe even stronger, yet he’s terrified of this woman. Let’s get the fuck out of here before our plot armor runs out."

Hearing her words, I almost laugh.

Part of me wants to pin her to the chair and demand an explanation for what she actually means by that.

But if we’re being serious, we’re only alive because of Edrel.

"Mr. Jacob, I sincerely apologize for everything that has happened today. I never intended for things to escalate this far. Not only did I act irrationally, but you also witnessed a slave being brutalized under my care, something that goes completely against my principles."

Cinder clasps her hands together respectfully.

"For that, I offer my apology. In addition, I’ll compensate you with fifty gold coins and waive the payment for the slave since you seem to care about her."

Her sincerity catches me off guard.

Although I can still see the fury lurking beneath her eyes, none of it is directed toward Aleena or me.

Someone is definitely going to lose their head today.

I gulp as fifty gold coins materialize in her hand.

However, I don’t accept them immediately.

I deliberately hesitate.

Beside me, Aleena visibly swallows.

"Very well. I accept your compensation, Lady Cinder. I hold no grudges."

Of course I still hold a grudge, bitch.

But fifty gold coins are fifty gold coins.

I step forward and take the money, quickly storing it inside my inventory.

Just as I turn around, I notice Cinder’s face has turned bright red while Aleena looks like she’s seen a ghost.

What the hell—

Oh.

My hand brushed against hers when I took the coins.

Wait.

Don’t tell me this sly fox is actually a virgin.

What the actual fuck?

"D-Don’t address me like that," she stutters, her voice low but carrying a deadly warning.

I immediately raise both hands.

"My apologies."

"I have something to take care of. My guard will return with the slave shortly. If you need help forming a contract with her, he’ll assist you."

The moment she finishes speaking, her figure vanishes in a blur.

After she’s gone, Aleena and I both release long sighs of relief.

She looks at me strangely.

"You almost got us killed today."

"I know. Sorry for dragging you into this."

"It’s fine." Aleena relaxes deeper into her chair. "Besides, as your wife, whatever happens, we face it together."

She slips her hand into mine and gently rubs the back of it.

After roughly twenty minutes, the burly guard returns with Miranda.

She’s wearing clean clothes now and appears to have taken a bath. Most of her wounds are gone, likely thanks to the potion.

However, the hopelessness and despair in her eyes remain.

Now she looks like I remember.

Dazzling green eyes.

Night-black hair cut into a bob with bangs.

A slightly elongated neck that’s only noticeable if you pay close attention.

I stand and walk toward her.

Although the chains have been removed from her wrists and ankles, she still refuses to look up.

The moment she notices my presence, she bows deeply.

"Master, this lowly slave will serve you with utmost loyalty."

Her voice sounds weak and lifeless.

Without thinking, I place a hand on her shoulder.

She immediately jerks in surprise but still doesn’t raise her head.

"Please look at me. Did you forget my promise?"

Miranda freezes. Then her ears twitch.

Slowly, she lifts her head and our eyes meet.

For several seconds, she simply stares at me as though trying to determine whether I’m real.

Well, I can’t really blame her. I was just one slave among many she cared for.

No reason for her to remember—

"Jacob?"

Her voice cracks.

"Are you Jacob?"

Tears immediately begin forming in her eyes.

I knew it.

There was a connection between us that day.

That’s why I couldn’t stop thinking about her.

"Yes, I’m Jacob—"

"THANK YOU! THANK YOU!"

Before I can finish, Miranda launches herself at me.

She wraps her arms around my neck and hugs me tightly.

"Uwaaaah... I knew you’d come for me! I’ve been dreaming about you ever since that day! I love you, Jacob!"

Sobbing uncontrollably, she wraps her legs around my waist while I instinctively support her weight.

Suddenly, a bright light flashes before my eyes.

[Ding!]

[Quest: The System has detected intertwining fate. System Perks fully unlocked. Miranda was originally destined to become the host’s fated partner, but the host defied fate. The host’s fate has now been patched and remains effective. Love Miranda and uncover her true origins.]

[Reward: Divine-Tier Martial Manual]

[Time Frame: Long-Term Quest / Undefined]

I stare blankly at the notification.

What the actual fuck is happening?

Before I can process it, Miranda cups my face with both hands.

Almost-dried tears still cling to her cheeks. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"Husband... kiss me," she says softly and leans forward.

A hand suddenly appears between us and pushes her face away.

I turn and see Aleena glaring at her.

Her breathing is rough.

"Jacob, what the hell is going on? Don’t you think you owe me an explanation?! You said you wanted to help her because she was nice to you! Why is she calling you husband? And why is she clinging to you like she owns you?!"

Aleena practically explodes.

"Oi, dumb elf. What are you talking about? Jacob and I are married."

Miranda says it with a completely straight face.

"Whaaaat?! Who are you calling a dumb elf?! When did you get married?! Where?! How?!"

Aleena’s outrage doubles instantly.

Even the burly guard looks utterly confused.

"Dumb elf. We got married in my dreams. Deal with it."

Miranda leans forward again.

This time Aleena successfully yanks her away before she can kiss me.

I decide not to interfere.

Mostly because I’m confused too.

Still, it does explain a few things.

The System literally called her my fated partner.

That probably explains why I couldn’t stop thinking about her and why she’s been dreaming about me nonstop ever since we met.

At this point, reality and dreams have probably started blending together in her mind.

I walk over to the guard and bow slightly.

"Thank you for your patience. Sorry for causing a scene. We’ll be leaving shortly."

"It’s no problem. She seems traumatized, but she’ll recover after a few days of proper care. I’ll personally investigate what happened and punish those responsible."

The guard pauses.

"I’m also sorry you witnessed the boss’s bad side today. She’s always like that during that time of the month."

He says it with a perfectly straight face.

The three of us can’t help but laugh.

So the sly fox was on her period.

Either way, her earlier actions remain unforgivable.

After Aleena and Miranda finally calm down, I grab both of them and leave the auction house.

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