Chapter 36: FIRST SPOUSE CONFIRMED

VIVIAN / ASTON

Aston Fenrir stepped into the flower-filled courtyard.

He stopped. There she was.

Vivian sat beneath a flowering tree, her silver dress flowing around her. Her eyes were closed as she hummed softly to herself.

She looked unusually peaceful. What was she imagining or thinking about? She was smiling happily. He felt she must be having happy thoughts of him.

Aston smiled.

She must have missed me.

He had used his connections to trace the distress call she made. The moment he discovered she was at the Astronova mansion, he came straight here.

His gaze lingered on her dress.

The silver fabric exposed most of her back, while the thin straps were tied around her neck.

His smile disappeared.

She’s going to catch a cold wearing something like that.

He frowned.

Once our partnership is official, I’ll make sure she stops wearing dresses that expose this much skin.

His gaze suddenly shifted.

Elena stood several meters away. She was staring at Vivian. There was no warmth in her expression. Her fingers were tightly clenched. From all the good things he heard about Elena, her expression and little actions was saying another thing.

A servant moved forward, apparently intending to announce Aston’s arrival.

Aston raised one hand. The servant stopped.

He wanted to see what Elena would do.

It was only the second time Aston had seen her. The first had been at a high-class gathering where Emelianna had proudly introduced her to influential families.

Elena walked toward Vivian.

She leaned down and whispered something into her ear.

Aston watched Vivian’s expression change.

The happiness disappeared.

Her fingers tightened around her dress.

Her shoulders stiffened. Aston’s eyes narrowed.

So that was the distress call.

He had been right. Vivian didn’t want to stay here.

He walked over and cleared his throat.

Elena turned. Her expression instantly changed into a pleasant smile.

"Oh. You must be the merchant, Lucien."

Aston nodded.

"Yes."

Vivian slowly raised her head.

Her eyes met his. Elena smiled sweetly.

"I’ve heard about you from my sister. She really likes you and is looking forward to this partnership.."

She tilted her head. "Am.I.right Big sister?"

Vivian didn’t reply. She had a huge smirk..and thought Elena.was delusional.

She turned to Lucien. "Your family works under Aston Fenrir, doesn’t it?"

"Yes."

Elena’s smile widened.

"Aston happens to be one of my admirers. He will be one of my suitors very soon."

She paused deliberately. "He even donated a building in my name to Saint and Saintess.."

Aston’s eyes remained calm.

Elena continued. "So you should take good care of my sister. If you mistreat her, I’ll have no choice but to report your family to him."

She gave Vivian a sideways glance.

"My sister has always had a difficult temperament. She’s made quite a few terrible mistakes."

Her smile became colder. "But she’s still Mother’s favorite daughter."

Then she looked Lucien up and down.

"At least she’s beautiful. I’m sure she’ll produce beautiful offspring for your family..."

She gave Vivian one last smile.

"Enjoy your date."

Then she walked away. Lucien watched her leave.

He slowly sat opposite Vivian. "Your sister is strange."

Vivian immediately looked up. "You think so too?"

A smile appeared on her face. "I thought I was the only one. She is really weird."

Aston chuckled. "Is that why you tried to steal her fiancé? Because you hate her?"

Vivian’s smile vanished. She stared at him. "I really don’t like the way you talk to me."

He smiled. "But I like how evil you are...And you don’t hide it from me."

Vivian smirked. "You know what she whispered to me?"

Lucien leaned back. "No. I’m curious."

Vivian lowered her voice.

"She told me that someone like me should be grateful to have a man like you."

Lucien raised an eyebrow. "That doesn’t sound so terrible."

Vivian’s face twisted.

"She said, ’Don’t get too comfortable. Men like Lucien are the only kind of men a woman like you can hope for. Caelan would never choose you, so stop dreaming above your station.’ Vivian looked away. "She knows I was trying to seduce Caelan. But she believes Caelan will never stoop so low to choose me. She doesn’t know how far we have gone."

Aston’s expression darkened.

"How far have you gone with him? He still doesn’t like you."

Vivian scoffed. "If I was serious. Do you think I can’t have him? But her tone was annoying."

Aston studied her.

Then his voice became quieter. "I know you want to leave this mansion."

Vivian froze.

"I know you don’t want to stay with this family."

Her eyes narrowed. "How did you..."

"Shh."

Aston raised a finger. "I’ll end this ridiculous family facade for you."

Vivian stared at him.

"They don’t want you." His eyes held hers. "And you don’t want them."

Vivian remained silent.

Then she asked, "What’s your gain?"

Aston smiled.

She says. "Nobody does anything for free."

He stood. "You already know I’m a merchant. A royal spouse would give my family access to places ordinary merchants can never reach."

He knelt beside her. "So yes, I need you."

Vivian stared at him suspiciously. Lucien took her hand.

"But unlike the others, I’m willing to protect you."

He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. His lips and tongue lingered for half a second too long.

Vivian immediately pulled her hand away. "You’re bold."

"I’m a merchant. We negotiate aggressively."

She rolled her eyes. "You just need me to sign the partnership?"

"Yes."

He paused. "And I’ll make sure your enemies can’t touch you. I will clear all your bad deeds."

Vivian crossed her arms. "No."

Aston’s smile disappeared. "I don’t want a spouse."

"You already have one."

"I don’t want one."

"Are you still obsessed with Caelan?"

Vivian’s expression hardened. "Don’t remind me of him."

Aston’s eyes narrowed. "But Caelan doesn’t want you Vivian. Stop being so jealous of your sister. You are no longer a kid that wants to have whatever her little sister has."

Vivian’s fingers tightened. "Can you stop? No matter how long you spite me. I still don’t want a spouse."

He said. "He doesn’t want you. He despises you."

Vivian looked away.

Lucien strongly believes Vivian loves Caelan and he wants her to end such feelings. He continues. "And since the day I took you away, has he even contacted you?"

She kept silent, letting him spew nonsense. She said anything that makes him happy.

"To ask if you were alive?"

"To ask if you were hurt after losing that fake pregnancy?"

Vivian’s jaw tightened. She hated that Lucien knew about every ugly secret.

Her fake pregnancy. Her lies. And Real Vivian’s obsession with Caelan.

Everything! Lucien gently took her hand again.

"You don’t want everyone in the Astronova family knowing that you were the reason Elena and Caelan’s partnership almost collapsed."

Vivian looked directly into his eyes.

"Is that a threat?"

"No."

He smiled. "It’s a warning."

He leaned closer. "Without me, you’re vulnerable." His voice dropped. "I’m the only person who knows both the good and ugly sides of you... and I’m still willing to protect you."

Vivian studied him. This character Lucien I didn’t see in the book. Or is he a villain that showed up later in the book. I am sure he is a villain not a hero!! Why is he so cunning? So despicable!! I don’t like him!

Then she raised her hand and touched his face. "How can I trust you when I can’t even see your real face?"

Aston’s body stiffened.

For the briefest moment, something dangerous flashed in his eyes. He stood immediately.

He activated his communicator.

A holographic document appeared between them.

FEDERATION SPOUSE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

Lucien pointed toward the signature field.

"You only have to sign here."

Vivian stared at it. "You’ll protect me from everything?"

"Everything, all your crimes." His lips curved. "I’ll make them disappear."

Before Vivian could respond...

One of the household robots rushed into the courtyard.

"Princess Vivian!"

It stopped. "Federation soldiers have arrived."

Vivian immediately stood.

"Soldiers?"

"Many of them."

Her eyes brightened.

Finally! She turned toward the entrance.

Lucien caught her hand. "Where are you going?"

"To find out why they’re here."

He pulled her back. "Not yet."

"What are you doing?"

Aston placed her hand over the holographic signature field.

Vivian’s eyes widened.

"Wait..."

It showed scanning. The holographic document flashed.

SIGNATURE CONFIRMED.

Aston smiled. "Too late."

Vivian stared at the screen.

FEDERATION SPOUSE PARTNERSHIP SUCCESSFULLY REGISTERED.

She slowly turned toward him.

"You..."

Aston leaned closer.

"Congratulations, Vivian." His smile deepened. "I am officially your Spouse and our partnership is protected by the federation law.."