Someday when Kaden left her, Lina was sure the memories would haunt him for good. Lina knew there was no eternity with a man who went off to war. They'd die in battle. They'd risk their life for the country.

  And Lina? She was an heiress by blood. If Altan didn't want her anymore, if the Medeors rejected her, and if the Yangs hated her, she could always be sold off to another man. He'd be older, his breath putrid, and his divorces endless.

  Lina knew the two of them could never last. She was naive, but not stupid. She was knowledgeable about the future. She knew there would be no future. No marriage.

  In the end, it would just be a fling.

  So, Lina pretended she wouldn't leave this room heartbroken. She pretended they would last. She pretended this generation of her family wouldn't be wiped from history, burned, and forgotten for how sinful of an act she had committed.

  "What are you thinking about, dove?"

  "I do not know."

  Kaden let out a laugh at her daring words. He rolled onto his back, forcing her body on top of his. She let out a shaky breath, peering down at him with large eyes. She held the universe in her eyes, her name beautiful as a devastating poem, and her face sculptured by the gods themselves.

  In the years he had lived without her, Kaden discovered his mission on earth. He realized what he was destined to do. He'd had enough dreams of the past to realize there was no salvation for him, except for Lina.

  This was only his first life on earth, whereas it was Lina's second. Perhaps that was why it was so different. The first one failed in a tragedy, so the gods blessed Atlan in hopes that he'd be able to woo her as someone worthy to stand by herself.

  Kaden realized how different Lina was. In her first life, she was daring and bold with skills that most women her age would not know. This ended in her death. In her second life, she was naive and loving, but would not last long. There was one more life to go… and it would be the perfect blend of both worlds. The perfect Lina.

  But Kaden wasn't worried about the future yet. His head was in the moment right now.

  "You must be hungry," Kaden said, cupping the side of her face.

  Lina leaned into his gentle caress, releasing a soft breath. She closed her eyes and fell straight into his loving touch. His thumb stroked circles on her cheek as her hands clutched his wrist.

  "You can't be this adoring, dove of mine. I will want what I can't have forever more." Kaden could feel his groin stir from her trusting actions. She was scared of him, but still relished in his adoration.

  "I'm hungry," Lina finally decided.

  Kaden let out a slow chuckle. He sat up, forcing her into his lap. She was shivering and he wrapped her in the blanket. She blinked, the abrupt warmth surprising her. Then, he reached forward and brought her a bowl of sliced fruits.

  "Eat this first, it will soothe your belly," Kaden instructed, handing her the chopsticks.

  Lina placed the first bite of melon into her mouth and groaned. The sweetness burst on her tongue and she happily chewed. She began to dive into the rest of the fruit, enjoying the exquisite flavor of the expensive and exotic fruits. She hated how natural it felt to sit in his lap and feel his arms tight around her body. She had never felt more comfortable in her entire life.

  Soon, the bowl was empty and he placed toast in front of her.

  Lina shook her head, pushing the foreign food away.

  "Would you like rice porridge then?" Kaden murmured, worried for her appetite. She was like a child in his lap, resisting this and that, but eating what she enjoyed.

  "No," Lina said. "I want a bath."

  "Yes, you will feel much more comfortable," Kaden agreed, settling her back onto the bed. "Wait for me, dove, I'll bring you a bath."

  Lina hummed in response, sliding back into the bed. She was always cared for. But this was a different kind of attention. She stretched on the mattress, feeling his eyes wander all over her body. Then, she turned, her back facing him, as she buried her face into the pillow.

  Kaden chuckled at her behavior. He tentatively stroked her hair, sprawled over the soft material. Then, he departed the room, hellbent on chasing someone down for a bath.

  "Hmm…" Lina began to close her eyes, suddenly realizing she was still exhausted. Slowly, she yawned, her mouth widening and her lids drooping. Eventually, she began to fall into a slumber.

  A knock echoed in the room, forcing Lina to groan. She turned in bed to see the doors opening without her permission. Lina let out a cry, tossing the nearest pillow at the intruder.

  "Belle!" Lina gasped in disbelief.

  "My goodness," Belle murmured, her eyes wandering to the discarded clothes on the floor. "Your parents will shoot me dead."

  "What are you doing here?" Lina asked, sliding deeper under the blankets, even though Belle already knew about the events that had taken place last night. She had caught her best friend's gaze whilst walking up the stairs.

  "To snoop around and ask how large he is—"

  "I won't tell you."

  "Prude," Belle snorted. "Do you understand how much he harassed my employees this morning just to get you fed? Now, he's chasing down another poor staff member to fetch you a bath."

  "I—"

  "Come now, you must tell me how good he was in bed. Given your sore throat, I can only assume you took him with your mouth as well—"

  "I did not!" Lina exclaimed in horror.

  "Don't tell me you didn't return the favor after sending the bed rattling so much, I had to make sure no guest was sleeping on this floor?"

  "This is an indecent conversation," Lina whispered, dismayed that her friend would ask for such personal details.

  Belle plopped down on the edge of the bed, wriggling her brows. "If I'm going to be shot to death by the Yangs for allowing their precious pearl to be deflowered in some club, at least I should die knowing how good the Commander is in bed."

  "He was amazing, now can you please leave?" Lina asked.

  "No, no, I need more than a single adjective! You have to tell me more," Belle complained, pawing at the blankets. "Come on—"

  Belle's voice died in her throat. She let out a wolf-whistle, her attention raking over Lina's exposed shoulders. There were bruises and a faint bite mark.

  "Well then, needless to say, I might become an aunt," Belle snickered. "Luckily for you, I'm brewing you a contraceptive tonic as we speak. Your family would dump me in the ocean if you were pregnant too."

  "I—"

  "Altan came by this morning," Belle suddenly said in a lowered voice. "Something about you running away?"

  Lina sobered up immediately. She knew when Belle dropped the playful tone, it was time to get serious. Although embarrassed by Belle's probing questions, Lina was grateful that the mood was eased at first.

  "And what did you tell him?" Lina tentatively asked.

  "He came with your father's men who spotted you entering the club, but never saw you leave," Belle said. "You're lucky the Commander was downstairs first."

  "What?"

  "You mean he didn't tell you?" Belle deadpanned.

  "N-no—"

  "The two almost ended up in a brawl!" Belle exasperated. "I thought I would be wiping Medeor and Yang blood off my floors today!"

  "Why would there be a fight? Altan doesn't know that I—"

  "He does," Belle stated. "Everyone in the entire club knew you slept with the Commander. And the word has already reached the Elders…… There's a manhunt for you, Lina."