Chapter 4
634words
Soon it was time for me to take over part of the family business. Since neither Karen nor I had plans to travel, we settled into my private estate together.
As a Pureblood Noble, I was born to manage vast family enterprises.
Karen had a background in architectural design, so after his transformation, he naturally joined our family's design firm.
Though my parents' marriage was politically arranged, their relationship had always been strong.
Father, with his iron will and Mother's wisdom, had expanded our family's business empire several times over.
Mother had no grand ambitions beyond ensuring our family could live through eternity in peace. The path hadn't been easy, but now we stood as the largest clan in the city.
In my imagined future, I would gradually take over the family business, allowing my parents to shed their burdens and travel the world.
Karen would become a renowned designer, and we would hold our Eternal Ceremony, then live in this city as each other's only companion for all time.
Everything that happened afterward mocked how naive I had been.
One day when I returned from work, Karen announced that Lorelei needed a safe haven.
Though I disliked her, where she sought refuge was her business, and I had no right to interfere.
I responded with indifference, but after hesitating for a long moment, he suddenly asked: "Alicia, could you help her find a position in your family business?"
I stared at him in shock. "Why should I find work for her?"
"Well…" he mumbled vaguely, "She's been… hunted by enemies all this time."
Our family businesses spread throughout the city, all with top-tier security systems.
While not as secure as our core manor, for someone like her—a declining descendant of an ordinary human family—it would be an impregnable fortress.
"Her enemies are her problem," I said flatly. "Why should I help? I won't help."
My refusal was direct.
"But your family has so many businesses," he pressed. "We could just give her a position somewhere…"
"No," I repeated firmly. "I won't do this."
"Come on, Alicia," he coaxed, hugging me from behind. "You're amazing. You just need to say the word and HR will make it happen. It's your family's company, after all."
"Besides," he added, "I've already promised her. Please, do this for me…"
But I remained unmoved.
"You promised you'd always be good to me," he said, his tone hardening. "Is this how you keep that promise? You can clearly help her, but you just won't. Do you really want to see me break my word?"
"We've been together for three years, Alicia. You were never this cold before…"
I closed my eyes. Yes, three years—and after three years together, he was blaming me over something so trivial.
"Karen," I said finally, "this is the last time. I'll help her this once, but will you stop contacting her afterward?"
In the end, I was the one who gave in.
He agreed without hesitation.
In the days that followed, he worked overtime to make me happy.
He knew me too well—exactly what to say and do to lift my spirits.
He even made a Blood Oath that once this matter was settled, unless absolutely necessary, he would never contact Lorelei again.
He swore that in this lifetime, he would love only me.
He promised we would spend our immortality in happiness together.
Under his charm offensive, my attitude gradually softened. I reasoned that if trading a job position could buy my peace of mind, it seemed worth the price.
Karen didn't lie—at least not technically. For a long time afterward, I heard nothing about Lorelei.
However, I would later discover that everything had been my naive delusion.
