Chapter 4

Chapter 4

That day was the twenty-fourth of the twelfth lunar month. I accompanied Jeremy to the most famous brothel in Ruepfield to meet several other princes.

At that time, I had no idea what kind of danger a face too beautiful could bring.

The second prince, Domenic, who was extremely fond of beauty, noticed me. His lecherous gaze fixated on me.

"Who is this beauty beside my brother? I don't think I've ever seen her before."

He leered as he approached me, lifting my chin with the cool handle of his jade fan. "Truly a striking face."

I felt a surge of disgust and instinctively stepped back, trying to distance myself from him.

Jeremy's fingers tightened around his wine cup, but his face remained calm. "It is her fortune to be favored by you, brother."

Domenic clapped his hands and laughed, his actions becoming even more brazen as he attempted to get closer to me.

Jeremy's words had unsettled me, and I failed to evade Domenic's intimate grasp as he led me upstairs.

His intentions were clear without needing to be spoken.

The second floor of the establishment was specially designed for high-ranking officials, with many girls from the brothel waiting at the staircase to attract customers.

I knew resistance was futile.

Jeremy probably intended to send me away.

I closed my eyes, resigned to my fate, but suddenly, a pair of hands appeared in front of me.

Those hands had taught me to write, to practice martial arts, and they were roughened.

Domenic squinted his eyes at Jeremy, his tone displeased. "What is the meaning of this, brother?"

"I never said I would give her to you."

His words were firm and resolute as he pulled me behind him.

"If you like beauties, I will personally find some and send them to your residence another day."

Domenic suddenly laughed, pointing at me with a determined expression. "What if I want her?"

"Sorry," Jeremy replied calmly, looking him straight in the eye. "She is not available."

The hero saving the damsel in distress is the most clichéd plot in stories.

I had read some and always scoffed at them.

But at this moment, with his warm palm pressed against my wrist, I realized that the heart-pounding feelings described in those stories were real.

In front of me was his straight back, and my mind flashed with scenes of him.

I didn't even realize how clearly I remembered them.

The grip on my wrist suddenly tightened, and Jeremy led me out of the establishment, only slowing down when we returned to the residence.

He let go, and my wrist, still warm from his touch, was exposed to the cool air.

I paused, knelt on the ground, and said softly, "I have caused you trouble. Please punish me."

"You did nothing wrong."

His voice was calm as he stood not far from me.

"But you must remember, I did not raise you to serve them."

Then what was it for?

I didn't dare ask, so I just nodded in agreement.

He suddenly approached, taking a jade pendant from his waist and handing it to me.

The jade was warm and of excellent quality, with my name seemingly engraved on it.

"Your name, I carved it myself."

He said.

For children like us, raised by him, we could leave after ten years.

But once I accepted that jade pendant, it meant I was willing to be his devoted protector, devoted to him for life.

I felt that, in his eyes, I might be a bit different from others.

But for that slight difference, I was willing to become the most trusted weapon in his hand.

I reached out to take it and asked, "Aren't you afraid I might betray you?"

"It is of no concern."

Jeremy helped me up from the ground, his dark eyes reflecting my smiling face.

"I will always trust you."