My situation? Is he talking about before or…

  The portal creatures had forcibly tangled Eine with them in various pces and situations—from featureless children with blood-red mouths stretching too wide for their faces to hideous monsters discarding barracks of corpses in their rampage and, currently, impersonators of voices and maniputors of emotions, luring brainwashed victims to their doom. With their ceaseless metamorphosis and evolving stratagems, the malevolent entities taunted Eine. Leaving her in perpetual bewilderment and despair with no clear path to combat them. Her body tensed, trembling hands joined and squeezed tightly together as she waited patiently for the bck-haired young man to eborate.

  "My blood," Elias stated. His steadied gaze locked with hers as the words escaped his lips.

  Eine stiffened, and the palpitations in her chest momentarily halted. "My apologies, milord. I may have misheard you," she stalled, unable to respond to the disclosed information. His solution was too surreal for Eine to digest.

  "You did not mishear, midy," Elias confirmed. "The blood coursing in my vein possesses unique properties that could repel the portal creatures."

  "But to spill your blood…" Although she realized their conversation would not leak outside the sound barrier, her eyes instinctively darted around the room, checking for eavesdroppers. "I am grateful for your kindness, Sir d'Amboise. However, with deep regret, I must decline your generous offer." Eine sighed. Fully aware of their acrimonious future, she could not, in good conscience, permit herself to receive such a disproportionate favor from the male protagonist. The guilt would prevent her from fulfilling Estel's role as the Crown Princess and her subsequent morally reprehensible actions in the original story.

  The bck-haired young man's expression preserved its composure as though he had already foreseen her response. "Rather than a favor, perhaps a mutual exchange would be more agreeable to your inclination?"

  If it is a trade, then it might be possible.

  She contempted his proposal. "Pray tell, milord, what would you consider a suitable exchange between us? Though I implore you to refrain from futile efforts, for no amount of persuasion shall compel me to betray His Grace." Despite her overwhelming interest, Eine set limitations before negotiating with the male protagonist. She did not wish to be involved with him for more than an arm-length retionship. Destiny had carved their inevitable paths, and Eine would rather continue suffering under the portal creatures than sabotage its course.

  An amused smile tugged at Elias' lips. "Worry not, midy. I would not impose on you an impusible task. We shall exchange my blood for a request."

  "A request?"

  "Yes. When times come, I may make a request of you. Naturally, should you deem it unreasonable, you are at liberty to decline."

  A future favor could be small or untenable. However, the male protagonist appended a condition that she could refuse his request based on her judgment. "I accept," she said. Though uncertainty remained regarding the favor Elias would seek from an enemy's daughter, enough restrictions were pced on the proposal to pcate Eine's concerns.

  "Then the agreement is complete." The bck-haired young man stood up. "Let us resume our conversation at another time, for the wandering eyes have increased substantially since we started." His eyes panned the room.

  Eine followed his gaze and realized the dining areas were more crowded than earlier. Everyone was eating or conversing, yet once in a while, their fleeting gazes would trace back to her location. "I understand."

  "I shall send Cra to deliver the goods ter today."

  Elias' swift departure left Eine at the table by herself. The sound barrier disintegrated, and a plethora of noises again stormed her hearing. Cecil and Mariam approached Eine and waited behind her. "Let us also depart," she directed, rising from her seat.

  "As you wish, midy." They bowed, then heeled Eine back to her chamber.

  For the rest of the morning, Eine mused about the information she gained from Elias. Despite his detailed expnation, new questions emerged, piling up on the unanswered ones. One matter that triumphed over others was his connection with the Ruinas. If the male protagonist's cim were accurate, then his bloodline must be connected to the ancient beings. She suspected the link could be traced to his mother's ancestors—the Wandering Wisemen. No, I only need it for the protection. Eine rubbed her temples and warned herself not to delve deeper into affairs unreted to her. It might backfire into situations she could not handle.

  Three light knocks garnered Eine's attention. "Midy, Miss Cra seeks an audience with you," Mariam notified her from behind the door.

  "Let her in."

  The raven-haired young girl cautiously entered and inclined her body before Eine.

  "Welcome, Miss Cra," she greeted the young girl with an amiable smile. "What item have you brought me?"

  Cra pulled a tiny crimson vial from her sleeve. "The Commander has requested me to deliver this to you." She carefully pced the vial on both palms like a precious treasure and presented it to Eine.

  Eine accepted the object and tucked it away without an examination. "Send my appreciation to Sir d'Amboise."

  "Yes, Lady Estel." Cra bowed and turned on her heels.

  However, before the raven-haired young girl traversed the threshold, Eine caught her furtive gaze, peeking back at the location storing the vial. Reflected in the depth of the girl's amethyst eyes were traces of disinclination and regret. Her figure then disappeared behind the door.

  Eine creased her brows, perplexed by Cra's expression. Did the blood contain significances unknown to her? When she was alone again, Eine extracted the crimson liquid-filled object from storage and held it under the luminous sunlight.