General William noticed Rachel's distress and stopped her just as she was about to sob.

"My lady no need to arrange the preparations in the future. If you may go with me to the palace of Astrid right now, his majesty will look over your disobedience".

'Ouch! This is an ultimate kill. Let's hope he will not hang me or slash my neck'. She suddenly holds her neck tightly.'

"Then I will be in your care."

The knights are accompanying Rachel, and the duke's carriage is standing outside the department store. Several aristocrats and commoners witnessed her leaving with the duke's carriage emblem.

'I'm sure this will be in page 2 of the Daily Beast tomorrow.'

She gave a long sigh and the carriage started to move to the Astrid Palace.

***

Sir William opened the Duke's office and guided Rachel inside.

"I greet his Majesty, the Duke of Astrid, King of the north, Lady Rachel Lily Monchy is in your care".

She curtsied and bowed her head. Rachel is unable to control the shaking in her hands.

Sebastian dismissed his knights with a hand gesture.

"I see. You may raise your head".

She turns her head up and their eyes meet. She nearly exhales in shock at how close his handsome face was.

'As expected of the male lead all the shining light is encircling him'.

"Did you like what you saw?" the Duke teased her.

"......."

'Urgh! Even though I'm at the death row, I can't stop my fangirling'. Her face turned red because she was so ashamed.'

"Please have a seat Lady. We have a lot to talk about"

"I want to start by sincerely apologizing to his Majesty for my impolite behavior. I'll be fully accountable for my disobedience.".

"Ho. What do you think is the punishment for disobeying the royal invitation?".

'Shit! I'm dead because of my foolishness. I hope I can still keep my neck'.

"Whatever deemed necessary for the punishment of disobedience. His majesty is the ruler of the northern Kingdom, I am at your mercy".

She almost chokes her cry when she said this statement.

'She's cute' Sebastian smiled sinisterly and forced himself to stay focused on his thoughts.

Rachel was astounded when she noticed his dirty smile. I really hope I didn't offend him anymore, oh no.

"Hmm let's see I have a proposal which you can avoid the empire's punishment".

"Proposal?"

"Yes. I'm offering you a contract marriage proposal".

The Duke is impatient and wants to get to the point about why she is here.

Rachel almost drops herself in the chair and she suddenly feel a light dizziness in her head.

"What, why.... I don't think I am fit to be the Duchess of his Majesty. I am merely an insignificant subject compared to his Majesty".

"I disagree with your statement. In fact, you are more than capable to be the Duchess Astrid".

"What? I don't understand your Majesty".

"Hmm. Well I need your mana to purify the curse in my blood".

"I'm sorry your Majesty but I don't have the mana, maybe you mistaken me from someone else."

Sebastian laughs at her answer.

'What is funny? This bastard'.

"Lady I don't mistake you for someone else. We spent the whole night together and lasted until dawn. I am sure of what I'm talking about".

Rachel put her hand in her mouth, and the embarrassment on her face is evident.

'What a pervert! He has no sense of shame.'

"And.... while we were one, I saw your mana transferring to my body. The madness in my blood calmed down".

"I'm sorry your Majesty I beg you to please skip over the intimate part. I want to know the details of my mana".

Sebastian chuckled and gave her a naughty smile.

"All right as you wish my lady let's get down to business. I went to the temple and met the Pope. He can attest that your mana temporarily cleanses my blood, and the temple is inviting you to complete the rites again".

"But...I was tested when I was young, and I never had a mana".

Rachel is so shock of the new developments. 'Wait maybe the plot deviated since my soul transmigrated here? So, the script has changed?'

She has a thousand questions in her head and none of it makes sense.

"Lady, I will not offer you a marriage proposal if I'm not sure of your mana. But of course, this is not a normal marriage proposal".

"............"

"It will be a contract marriage. The contract will last for one year and until the madness blood is purified. By then, the temple will examine my blood to see if the curse has been lifted.".

"And what if it's still not cured? The contract will be extended?"

"Don't worry, I think the curse will be broken in less than a year. You have a strong mana currently flowing in your body and the madness in my blood hasn't responded in two weeks."

A new development has occurred. 'Relax, Rachel. I believe I can aid the duke in lifting the curse in his blood and perhaps save the catastrophic war and deaths in this world.' To sacrifice my body for a good cause.

"May I know the terms of the contract of this marriage?"

Sebastian took a document in his table and hand it over to Rachel.

"I will reinstate your nobility status and pardon your crime. You will perform the duchess duties when we are in public. The duchess of Astrid is equivalent to a royal queen. You will conduct yourself in such manner.

Sebastian pauses and look at her reaction and continue.

"For private matters such as copulating, you will make yourself available according to the needs of my blood lust. You will be taken care well of the Royal family doctors and Wizard healers".

"Your Majesty, let me go over the terms, and may I also add my terms to this contract?"

Sebastian is not surprised by her response because he anticipated that she would not accept all of the conditions of this contract marriage.

"You are welcome to put in your terms". He chuckled.

"Then please allow me three days to review this contract and I will give you my answer".

She gave a long sigh and continue to say.

"Your Majesty, I would like to meet the Pope and confirm the mana that you are talking about".

'Hah. I never thought she is capable; it seems she matured here in the north'.

"Alright I will arrange your visit to the temple. I will send you the carriage after three days and perhaps we can sign the contract here in my office".

Rachel nod in agreement.

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*photo used not mine. Taken from pinterest, all credits and rights to the original owner.