Chapter 9

Mr. Finch was gone for a long time.

So long that I grew drowsy.

Liam had held me the entire time. He seemed a little tired, lowering his head to touch my nose with his forehead, then straightened up, blushing.

"Seraphina, you smell so good..."

Clapping sounds echoed.

The crisp sound of leather shoes on the hall floor.

I looked up. Damian, impeccably dressed, leaned against the doorframe, lazily watching us, and let out a scoff.

"You chose such a penniless nobody just to get yourself married?"

I closed my eyes, not looking at him.

"Master, please, just let it go. You have no shortage of women. Please..."

"I'd like to let it go, but the Thorne family has traditions, Seraphina. Those who defy certain oaths... pay a price. Thirty lashes. Do you remember?"

He watched me with a smirk.

"Family traditions are absolute. I can't go against them. As soon as you endure thirty lashes, I'll no longer stand in your way."

I froze for a moment, utterly bewildered.

The Thorne family upheld their vows strictly, and I knew about their traditions concerning oaths.

But Damian was the current head of the family!

Everyone in the Thorne family relied on him; if he didn't bring it up, who would dare raise an objection?

He was deliberately making things difficult for me!

After the words "thirty lashes" fell, the room plunged into a deathly silence.

Mr. Finch looked at me, then at Damian, disapprovingly, finally sighing helplessly.

"Miss Seraphina, just try to be a little yielding with the master. He was actually already making arrangements for your wedding to him—"

"Silence!"

Damian cut him off coldly.

His narrow, predatory eyes fixated on me.

Seeing that I had no intention of begging, he turned to Mr. Finch.

"Prepare everything."