Chapter 37: THE NEW GUARDIAN

VIVIAN

Vivian stared at the holographic document again.

FEDERATION SPOUSE PARTNERSHIP SUCCESSFULLY REGISTERED.

"You are shameless."

He smiled.."Trust me. I am doing this for you..You know that clearly. I won’t cheat you...I am the only one you really need right now. I will help you leave the family shackles."

Her expression remained dark. She had not planned to get married.

Especially not to a man whose real face she had never even seen.

But...Maybe this isn’t such a bad thing.

If Lucien had enough influence to get her out of the Astronova family’s control, perhaps this marriage could actually benefit her. After all they are both getting what they want. He wants royal status, she wants freedom.

At the very least, she wouldn’t be losing anything by using him.

As long as he doesn’t betray me by obeying the Astronova family. But if he does, I will let my lotus eat him alive.

Then another thought crossed her mind.

What if he’s ugly under that mask?

Vivian’s lips twitched.

She remembered something important about the laws of this world. Females had the right to terminate a spouse partnership.

Males didn’t have the same authority. Only if their child wants them.to end it. ..they COULD. Just like her.

She turned toward Lucien.

"As long as you respect my wishes, I don’t mind being married to you."

Lucien smiled. "Of course."

He tapped his communicator. "I’ll have my assistant transfer my salary to your account."

Vivian blinked. "Your salary?"

"Yes. My company’s monthly stipends."

He looked genuinely surprised that she didn’t know.

"In a Federation spouse partnership, the female partner controls the male partner’s income."

Vivian’s eyes widened.

She suddenly remembered her father.

So that’s why Isaac’s entire salary went to Emelianna.

She almost laughed. This system is ridiculous.

Lucien extended his hand. "Mistress, allow me to escort you."

Vivian stared at his hand. Then she placed hers in it.

His fingers closed gently around hers. The gesture was unexpectedly tender.

A faint blush crept onto her cheeks.

Why is he being so sweet?

She immediately shook herself mentally.

"Get a grip, Vivian! You have important things to do. Your father is waiting for her. I hope they gave him a female to sooth his Beast Frenzy."

She pulled herself together and walked outside with him. The moment the doors opened, the atmosphere changed.

Gun blasters were raised and other weapons pointed to each side.

Astronova guards stood on one side, their weapons aimed at the Federation soldiers.

Security robots hovered behind them, their weapons activated.

Across from them, Federation soldiers stood in formation.

Their weapons were pointed directly at the mansion.

At the center stood a man Vivian didn’t recognize.

Emelianna and Elena stood together.

Emelianna’s face was furious. "You have no right to take Vivian!"

She pointed toward the soldiers. "Vivian is my daughter. Her father is no longer capable of protecting her. I am her only remaining family!"

She took a step forward. "She isn’t even twenty. She has no authority to completely sever herself from the Astronova family!"

Vivian frowned.

Here we go again!. This delusional woman!!. She just doesn’t understand when I say I don’t want her as my Mother anymore.

Before she could respond, Lucien leaned closer. "That man is Darius Valen."

Vivian looked at him.

"Who?"

"Your father’s friend."

Lucien’s expression became serious. "He knows what happened to your father. You can ask him later."

Vivian’s heart jumped. "Why is he here?"

"I contacted them."

Her eyes widened. "You did?"

"I knew you needed someone you could trust."

Vivian stared at him for a moment. Trust? Then she smiled. "Thank you, Lucien."

She wondered if marrying him really was a good idea. He seems to be a good and kind man. Maybe it wasn’t a bad idea.

As long as he doesn’t betray me...

Her eyes narrowed.

Because if he does, I’ll really feed him to my Lotus.

Across the courtyard, Darius stepped forward.

His purple uniform immediately caught Vivian’s attention.

It wasn’t an ordinary military uniform.

The color represented a high-ranking Sentinel.

A soldier hurried from the Federation ship carrying a holographic projector.

He activated it.

A recording appeared.

Isaac Lilian’s face appeared above them.

Vivian froze. But she didn’t hear what Isaac said because she wasn’t very close to them.

"After my passing, I transfer the parental rights of my daughter, Vivian Lilian, to Darius Valen. He will become her legal guardian and adoptive father."

Emelianna’s face went pale. "How dare Isaac do this?!"

Darius looked at her coldly. "From this moment onward, she is under my protection."

He turned toward Vivian’s direction.. "She will no longer be registered under the Astronova family."

He paused.

"Her legal name will be Vivian Valen."

Vivian stared. She hadn’t expected to see his face appearing. And he looked very pale. She was worried why he looked so pale.

"Father....is he okay?" She thought.

Emelianna’s fists trembled.

She turned away. Her eyes were filled with hatred. She walked towards Vivian and passed her.

She suddenly stopped, glancing back at Vivian.

"You haven’t won."

Vivian said nothing.

Emelianna grabbed Elena’s arm and walked away.

Vivian watched them disappear into the mansion.

Then she turned toward Darius and walked up to him.

She bowed slightly.

"Commander Valen."

Darius nodded. "Come with me."

Vivian’s voice became urgent. "Please take me to my father."

His expression hardened. He didn’t answer immediately. Then he nodded. "Yes."

A soldier approached Vivian to escort her. But Lucien still hadn’t released her hand since they left the flower garden.

Vivian looked at him. "You can go. I’m fine."

Lucien reluctantly released her. "We’ll meet later."

She nodded.

As Vivian walked away, Darius’s eyes suddenly fell on Lucien’s ring.

His expression changed.

That emblem... He had seen it before. It wasn’t a merchant’s emblem.

It was the Fenrir family’s royal insignia.

A symbol that almost no one outside the royal family was permitted to possess.

Darius narrowed his eyes. He looked at Vivian.

"Who is that man?"

Vivian smiled.

"My spouse. A merchant." She paused. "Lucien."

Darius’s eyes darkened. "Lucien? The merchant your father said your mother chose for you? I heard the federation approved your partnership?"

She said, "Yes."

He thought. There was no royal family member named Lucien.

But that ring... He looked back at the man.

Something isn’t right.

Vivian reached the Federation hovercar. She stopped before entering.

Darius noticed. "What are you waiting for?"

"Someone."

"Who?"

Vivian looked toward the mansion. "Someone."

Darius frowned. "Who"

Vivian replied. "A friend."

INSIDE THE ASTRONOVA MANSION

Beeny was still trapped inside. She had spent far too long inside the maid’s body.

Her eyes were red. Her face was wet.

She sniffled while chopping onions. She had been helping in the kitchen for hours.

"I hate onions." she cried.

The kitchen staff ignored her. She had been ordered to remain inside the mansion and helped the kitchen staff.

But Beeny was already planning her escape.

This body is getting weaker.

She needed to leave. The moment the kitchen door opened slightly...

Beeny’s eyes lit up.

My chance!

She instantly abandoned the maid’s body. A tiny golden bee flew through the Orc’s ear opening.

The Orc maid she occupied her body collapsed. Her body hit the hard floor like a flat bread. She had stayed too long in her body and the Orc maid was already dead.

The other servants screamed. "What’s happening?!"

"She’s dead!"

"Look at her skin!"

The maid’s body rapidly turned black.

One servant screamed at the top of her lungs. "THE ZERGS ARE HERE!"

Chaos erupted. Beeny didn’t wait. She flew through the open doorway at an incredible speed.

She escaped the mansion, following Vivian’s body scent.

The moment she saw Vivian standing outside, she flew straight toward her.

Vivian suddenly felt something land on her shoulder.

She looked sideways.

"Beeny?"

The little bee smiled. "Pretty sister!"

She immediately flew into Vivian’s body.

Vivian’s eyes widened. "What took you so long."

Their connection was established. Beeny’s voice echoed inside her consciousness.

"I’m finally free! Do you know what I went through in that house? Onions almost took my life."

Vivian closed her eyes. A tired smile appeared on her lips. "We can go now." she said.

Behind her, Darius stared at the mansion. A sudden scream and an Emergency Alarm ringed inside the Astronova Mansion. Everyone was running around.

Something about the sudden chaos inside made Darius’ instincts uneasy.

And beside the Federation ship... Lucien watched Vivian leave.

His eyes remained fixed on her. His expression was impossible to read beneath his disguise.