"I'm serious."

Rant Valo looked back at Veia dead in the eye. He had regained the determination that he had almost lost.

"M-master…"

Veia felt her heart crumble into pieces. Her master, her hope, her sustenance, and her love… has abandoned her. Tears formed in her eyes and they slowly dripped down her cheeks before hitting the ground.

Veia's pale white face was full of sorrow. Just when she was about to succeed, her master pushed her away. It was all so close. Her dream of marrying her master.

"Veia…"

Rant Valo didn't feel good seeing Veia crying like that. Even he felt that he had gone too far. He bit his lip and was about to reach his hands out towards her when Floriana Sabina stopped him.

Rant Valo turned to Floriana Sabina and she shook her head slowly. As if to say that he shouldn't do it.

Rant Valo furrowed his eyebrows in pain before pulling back his hand and standing straight. This was a choice he had to make one day. Doing it later would only be detrimental to his growth. This was his chance to do it sooner.

"Master?"

Veia had seen the shadow of Rant Valo's hands and she looked up when she saw him pull it back. Her heart that had already crumbled into pieces became more fragile. The rekindled hope was snuffed out before it could even reach her.

Rant Valo looked away when he saw her look in his direction. If he looked at her right now, he might become soft.

Veia bit her lips when she saw Rant Valo look away. It was bitter. She felt very bitter. She clenched her fists together and jumped at Rant Valo.

"I'm not gonna give up!!"

Veia tackled Rant Valo to the ground. Her face was full of determination to not give up. Floriana Sabina was too shocked by the emotion in Veia's face to stop her. Rant Valo and Veia ended up rolling a few feet away.

"Let's run, Master!"

Veia stood up and held her hand out to Rant Valo. She was planning to elope with him. It was the only thing she could think of to salvage this situation she was in.

Rant Valo ignored Veia's held-out hand and stood up on his own. He patted his body before silently looking at her.

Veia froze in place. She looked away as tears once again fell from her eyes.

"Veia, I.."

Rant Valo opened his mouth to speak but he was interrupted by her.

"Don't. Don't say anymore, Master. I understand. You don't want me anymore."

Veia's voice was shaky. She wiped her tears away and stood up straight.

"Veia, I didn't say that. I only want you to stay away from me."

Rant Valo tried to console her.

"Master, can I leave?"

Veia opened her mouth to ask.

"L-leave? Where?"

Rant Valo asked bewildered. It was so sudden that his emotions were in a jumbled mess.

"I want to come back as the woman Master will marry no matter what."

There was determination in Veia's eyes. Her words were entirely serious. Not just that, she was also serious about Rant Valo so she was willing to part with him to become something that he will not be able to resist.

"V-veia…"

Tears formed in Rant Valo's eyes. He couldn't believe it. That someone would go this far just to become his wife. It was very moving for Rant Valo who has been avoided like a plague in the village.

Floriana Sabina was shocked at Veia's strong feelings that she would even be willing to go this far. Even she herself felt moved by it.

"Master, can I leave?"

Veia iterated once again after Rant Valo didn't respond to her. Just being in here right now felt so stressful to her. It felt like she didn't belong here. It was a lonely feeling after being with them for so long.

"No. Veia, you can't. You'll be with me forever. Don't worry."

Rant Valo didn't care anymore and he hugged her. Whatever cultivation? Whatever strength? If he was gonna lose Veia in the process then he wouldn't do it.

If she was left to roam around without any memories of anything, who knows what would happen to her? She might be taken advantage of especially with her stunning looks. As her Master, Rant Valo didn't like the idea of someone taking advantage of her.

Something inside Rant Valo is telling him to keep her. That she was his. No matter what happens that won't change.

Rant Valo didn't know it, but the feeling that he was feeling right now is a side effect of the Master-Slave Contract. It was a bind between two lives that won't be destroyed by something so simple.

"M-master…"

Veia's knees gave out and she fell into Rant Valo's embrace. Her master's words struck her heart. The broken pieces slowly started gathering together. And this time, it will be stronger than in the past.

Hope was once more formed inside Veia's heart. She wanted to be with her Master. She wants to please him. To do whatever he wants right now.

"W-wait, Veia! Why are you pulling down your panties!?"

Floriana Sabina was dumbfounded when she saw Veia slowly pull her panties down. It was so sudden that Rant Valo didn't even notice it.

"H-huh?"

He looked down at Veia who had pulled her panties halfway down her legs. His eyes froze in place and he became speechless from shock.

"??? I-I don't know. I just did it on instinct..."

Veia quickly pulled back her panties. Her face was blushing red after realizing that she just did something bold. It was so bold in fact that she herself wasn't prepared for it.

"'Instinct', huh."

Floriana Sabina grimaced at Veia's words. If that was instinct, then what would it be if she did it of her own will? Would her clothes magically disappear or something?

"I-I'm sorry Master!"

Veia immediately bowed to Rant Valo. It was her time to redeem herself but she just did something so scandalous. Her heart beat fast in worry.