“Hahaha…”
Instead of answering, he laughed.
God, how can someone laugh and still look that handsome?
Get a grip, Sierra. This is not the time to be mesmerized!
“If I’m not human, then what do you think I am?” he asked, clearly toying with me, and I hated guessing games.
“A vampire or a zombie, maybe,” I replied casually, shrugging. “Oh, or a werewolf. A shape-shifter, perhaps?”
He only laughed harder at my answer. What a weirdo. Instead of responding, he just kept laughing.
“You’re really funny,” he said at last.
“Ha... ha... I wasn’t joking, sir,” I replied sarcastically.
“I’ll answer everything, but... can we sign the contract first? I don't want to lose out if you find out too much and run away from me again,” he said, his tone far too perceptive.
I hadn't been planning on signing his contract.
“I only ran from you because you were terrifying back then,” I muttered, shooting him a sharp look. “And you still haven’t told me who you really are.”
Caelan didn’t respond right away. He just stared at me calmly—coldly, even—as if deciding not whether to answer me, but whether I was worthy of the answer.
Then he walked toward a tall shelf and pulled out a black leather folder with a single motion. He came back, placing it on the round table between us.
“Sit down. Let’s discuss the contract first, shall we?” he said with a sly grin.
Yeah, he wasn’t easy to trick.
Without a word, I sat on the sofa across from him.
I stared at the folder like it was a ticking time bomb.
“What’s in it?”
“The same contract. Nothing’s changed,” he replied calmly. “The basics. You stay with me until the baby is born. You’ll receive full protection, the best medical care, and all your needs will be taken care of. But you can’t leave without my permission, you can’t contact the outside world without my consent, and most importantly—you must not break the rules of this place.”
I frowned. “Rules? Like curfews and no cell phones?” I asked. “Sounds like a fancy prison to me.”
He looked at me without a hint of amusement.
“Some rules might save your life, Sierra. They’re not meant to cage you.”
I bit my lip, still unwilling to touch the folder.
“And what if I don’t sign it?” I asked quietly.
Caelan leaned in. His voice dropped to a whisper, but it sent my pulse racing.
“Then your body will keep changing on its own. Without guidance. Without protection. And you know... that’s not a pleasant experience.”
Instinctively, I touched my wrist—where he had held me earlier. I could still feel the calming sensation. When he let go, the world became noisy and overwhelming again. It was unbearable.
Damn it.
“I don’t like feeling trapped,” I whispered, but my eyes started scanning the first page of the contract.
“I don’t like seeing you hurt,” he replied.
Those words made me pause.
Why did they sound so sincere?
With a slightly trembling hand, I reached for the pen that had already been prepared. My hand hovered over the signature line.
“I still don’t know who you really are,” I said, half-questioning.
Caelan looked at me—softer now, but still unreadable.
“You’ll know. Just... not yet.”
I exhaled deeply… and signed the contract.
The black ink felt like it bound me to something far bigger than I could comprehend.
When I looked up, Caelan was watching me… and he smiled faintly.
“Alright. Thank you for cooperating,” he said, extending his hand to me.
I took it with a skeptical look.
“Yeah, I hope this wasn’t a mistake.”
His hand was large and warm, firm but not forceful. There was something odd in his grip, like a subtle vibration—an energy—that coursed through me. And that gaze… like he knew more about me than I knew myself.
Caelan didn’t let go immediately. He looked deep into my eyes, as if trying to read every flicker of doubt in them.
“I won’t promise this will be easy,” he said quietly. “But I promise you won’t be alone.”
I was the first to let go.
“We’ll see,” I replied flatly.
He gave a faint smile and handed the contract folder to someone who had apparently been standing quietly behind the door. His movements were smooth and practiced—like someone used to managing things from the shadows.
“Your room is ready,” Caelan said after the man left. “You need rest. Your body needs time to adjust to this place. I’ll have your things moved here right away.”
Yeah. I didn’t think anything was ever difficult for someone like him.
I gave a small nod, too tired to argue or ask more questions. My mind felt foggy ever since I signed that contract. A kind of pressure was starting to lift, but it was being replaced by a thickening curiosity.
Footsteps echoed behind me, and a woman appeared. Jet-black hair tied neatly, a face cold and beautiful like a marble statue. She wore a black uniform—like a noble’s maid in an old movie.
“My name is Mireya,” she said softly. “I’ll take you to your room.”
I looked at Caelan for confirmation, and he gave a small nod.
“I’ll see you later,” he said.
Without waiting for my response, Caelan turned and walked away, leaving me with Mireya, who now stood like a loyal guard by the door.
The hallway was long and tall. Our footsteps echoed softly across the black marble floor, reflecting the dim golden lights from antique sconces. The walls were adorned with ancient paintings, strange symbols, and carvings I didn’t recognize.
But weirdly, it all felt... familiar.
Like I’d been here before.
“This castle… is really old, isn’t it?” I asked quietly, just to break the silence.
“It predates the first republic,” Mireya replied without turning. “And it will still stand long after we’re gone.”
Her answer gave me chills.
Who are these people, really? Are they… actually vampires?
Mireya finally stopped in front of a pair of double doors carved with ornate designs. She pushed them open gently and gestured for me to enter.
The room was… incredible.
A large bed with cream-colored canopy curtains, deep burgundy rugs, antique wardrobes, a wide window showing the silhouette of trees outside. But what I felt most was the calm. The air here was lighter than anywhere else in the castle.
“If you need anything, just press the silver bell on the desk,” Mireya said, pointing. “I’ll be nearby.”
I simply nodded, and she left, closing the doors behind her.
I stood in the middle of the room, taking a deep breath. The pressure in my chest was gone. The scent of old wood and lavender was so calming, almost intoxicating.
“Damn!” I suddenly shouted.
“What is this place? It’s like stepping into a fairy tale.”
I looked around. There was even a dedicated dressing room filled with women’s clothing and accessories. What shocked me most was… everything was already prepared. As if they knew a woman would be living here.
I walked into the dressing room, eyes wide with disbelief.
It looked luxurious and impeccably organized, like a personal boutique. Some clothes were still wrapped in plastic, with designer labels I’d only ever seen in fashion magazines.
I pulled a small box from a shelf—it even contained lingerie and silky pajamas. Soft, expensive, and completely unused. And the brands… definitely not the kind I could ever afford, even if I spent Ranon’s entire year’s salary.
My heart started pounding.
“What the hell is all this?” I whispered in horror.
It felt like a trap. Who prepared all of this? When?
And more importantly—how did they know my exact clothing size? Even my shoe size?
Was this… just a coincidence?
I stepped back and shut the wardrobe door, holding my breath.
My head was spinning. This was all too much.
I sat at the edge of the bed, staring at my own hands.
“I don’t even know these people. I don’t know who Caelan really is.
But why do I feel... like I belong here?”
The words just slipped from my lips.
***
Aksara