"Marry me."
"W-What?"
"Only then can that boy become my rightful heir."
"Rightful? How can that be? He has no connection whatsoever to the Valerian house."
"He has now. Rumors have already spread that I had a relationship with a young woman in the eastern region about eight years ago. Coincidentally, that woman gave birth to my child."
She was left speechless, unable to believe what she had just heard. Without even needing to ask, she knew that the young woman in question was herself, and the child born outside the territory was her son.
"So, remember this," he continued calmly. "From now on, the child's father's name is Caelis Iceberg Valerian. And the child's name will be Claude Iceberg Valerian."
She felt anger surge inside her chest. The man had decided everything unilaterally, without even asking her opinion. And he was not even her son's birth father!
"I am not willing to become your wife," she said firmly at last.
"Wife?" Caelis replied with a faint scoff. "To be honest, you are not worthy of becoming the Grand Duchess of the North. Simply think of it as a business arrangement. I will give you anything you desire as compensation."
"Didn't you hear me?" Her voice grew colder. "I am not willing to become your wife—nor your grand duchess." She clenched her fists tightly and stared straight at him with a defiant expression. "I would never let you control my son's life, however you please.
But in the end, she agreed after witnessing how genuinely the Grand Duke cared for and treated her son. The way he looked at Claude was no different from how a father would look at his own precious child. It was as if… he were the boy's true father, while she was merely an outsider.
Furthermore, as time passed, the Grand Duke's attitude toward her gradually softened. His hospitality grew warmer, more friendly, and far less distant. At times, he would even tease her lightly and behave like a refined gentleman in her presence.
It was a contractual marriage, one that could end after three years. Yet she found herself falling for him, her feelings deepening with every act of kindness he showed.
However…
"Where is she?"
The Grand Duke was furious. His golden eyes burned with rage as he stared at her, filled with hatred and murderous intent.
If she had not taken his mate hostage, she was certain that the Ice Dragon Lord would have already devoured her without hesitation.
"Before anything else," she said slowly, "I need your help—for the sake of this Oath Token."
"You want me to withdraw the bounty placed on your head?"
Her heart tightened painfully.
The man who once looked at her with calm warmth—whose gentle gaze had slowly melted her guarded heart—was now staring at her with nothing but disgust and cold hostility.
How she wished she could tell him the truth… especially about the identity of his mate.
But…
She needed his help.
She needed him… to save her son.
If he were to discover her true identity, she feared that everything would spiral further out of control.
She slowly lifted her head and gazed up at the sky, her thoughts tangled in confusion.
How in the world had she ended up in such a complicated situation?