The Boundaries of Possession - Chapter 11
The servants hadn’t even been dismissed yet. How inconsiderate of him. It was obvious he intended to stir rumors among them.
Although flustered, Elysia quickly collected herself and replied calmly in a soft voice.
“Isn’t our marriage supposed to be more than just that?”
[Let this agreement symbolize not only political significance but a new beginning.]
She threw Andreas’s own words back at him. Feeling her firm stance, he locked eyes with her again.
“Marriage, huh.”
A cold smile briefly crossed his lips before his gaze turned sharp. He walked past her and sat down at the table.
Elysia gently instructed the servants to leave, and the drawing room quickly emptied. Now left alone with Andreas, Elysia sensed the strange tension in the air and lowered the corners of her lips ever so slightly.
“I wish to protect my freedom,” he said.
“Freedom… What kind of freedom are you talking about?”
At her question, Andreas’s dark green eyes dropped toward the floor. An awkward silence settled between them. While waiting for his response, she studied his well-defined features, free of any excess. His face and physique were bold and prominent, so unlike her own delicate form, which had always resembled the fragile branches of a winter tree.
Her eyes lingered on his straight nose and sharper-than-expected jawline. His appearance didn’t inspire warmth—it was more of a magnetic pull. Just a slight downward glance revealed a neck too thick for her hands to wrap around, broad shoulders, and a solid frame sculpted with muscle that was unmistakably that of a dominant alpha.
“If together turns into shackles, then it won’t work,” he said indifferently.
Elysia’s gaze followed his hand as it lazily pushed aside the catalogs on the table. He had no intention of listening from the start.
Her pale face remained composed, though it took effort. Yes, she reminded herself, this wasn’t about emotions. It was about using each other for their respective families’ benefits, as many nobles did.
For Elysia, this marriage would set a precedent—a success story of an omega who climbed the ranks on her own terms. That alone would be a satisfying outcome. Her heavy eyelids lowered slightly.
“I understand,” she said.
“…Do you really?”
His low voice sent a shiver down her spine, its allure almost terrifying. Elysia met his gaze and smiled faintly. That precedent would grant her undeniable power and protection, leaving no gaps for others to exploit. And with Andreas as the future emperor, his name alone would serve as a shield.
Marrying for love was a luxury an omega couldn’t afford. Elysia reminded herself of this. What she needed now was a rational choice.
“We can each prepare for the wedding in our own way, then,” she said.
His short laugh made her lift the corners of her lips even higher. Andreas had always been quick to show his displeasure when his composure wavered. As he approached her without breaking eye contact, he was like a train blaring its horn, refusing to stop. Elysia had no intention of letting his sly tactics go unanswered.
“Are you planning to back down?” he asked.
“No,” she replied firmly.
Even if he didn’t attend the engagement banquet, she didn’t care. As long as she could keep him by her side. Her unwavering gaze made Andreas smirk crookedly.
Elysia straightened her back and met his gaze, her posture confident and unyielding. His towering frame leaned toward her, his breath brushing against her skin as he whispered threateningly.
“If you want to marry me, you’ll need to fix that habit of trying to lecture me.”
Their gazes locked, and her breath caught briefly. Andreas had a way of captivating people with just his eyes.
His pheromones spread in the air, making her legs tremble. Elysia felt relieved that she was wearing a dress—otherwise, the evidence of her reaction might have been visible between her legs. His pheromones were that irresistible.
Tilting her head slightly, she let out a soft laugh, refusing to be shaken by his provocative challenge.
“Lecture you, Your Grace? I’m simply trying to establish things clearly.”
“Establish things clearly, you say… That’s a good way to put it.”
As his large hand reached toward her face, she flinched, her shoulders trembling slightly. His thumb and fingers gripped her chin, which was barely the size of his two thumbs, as he smiled languidly.
His fingers gently pressed along her jawline, just like a man leaning in for a kiss. Elysia forced herself to purse her lips, afraid that the deep emotions swelling within her would burst out along with her breath.
“There’s something I need you to firmly establish for me.”
