Deacon''s POV


    She froze for a second as she was caught off guard by my calm but serious reply, making me hold my breath as I awaited her reaction.


    After a short pause, she blinked her eyes, unfreezing from her daze and leaned back in her seat. She tilted her head and stared at me, studying me. "That''s... far from many reasons I expected for your visit."


    My hands sped tighter, building up my courage, and I tried to sustain my calmness.


    Hundreds of battles. Liters of blood. Countless dead bodies hade my way, but I had never felt as nervous as I was now, sitting opposite the woman I''ve always looked forward to marrying while she studied my every


    movement.


    Taking deep breaths, I pulled myself together and tried to speak in a calm and gentle tone, not wanting to scare


    her off.


    "The Lycan King, my brother, has given you three months to choose a husband." I stared cautiously, watching her every reaction.


    When she didn''t say anything and her face remained nk of emotions, I continued, "I wanted to ask if you''ve given it any thought yet. Anyone in mind?"


    00


    I didn''t want to sound like I was prying, but I really needed to know before I told her my preposition. But that didn''t stop me from holding my breath, worrying that she might answer that she had a man in mind and that man happened not to be


    me.


    If that were really to happen, it''s something I''d never be ready for.


    She tapped her fingers on the armrest of her chair, eyes nk of emotions. She didn''t look surprised or anything. In fact, she seemed like she had no interest in any of it, as if she wasn''t given any ultimatum that she had to be worried about. "None."


    If I was anxious earlier that she might have someone she wanted who might not be me, her vivid disinterest in marriage unexpectedly brought me disappointment, which I hid behind my neutral expression.


    Leaning back on my seat, I rested my hands on the armrest, fingers tightening on the end underneath the table, asking nonchntly, "None at all?”


    "Why should I? Marriage is not something I find urgent. I''ve said that to you before. And the King''s ultimatum won''t change that." Shrugging her shoulders without worries, she continued, "At least not now."


    “So.....” stared at her, studying her reactions as I cautiously pushed further. “No one has really caught your interest?"


    I didn''t know what answer I wanted from her. Shouldn''t I be happy that it turned out that I had no rival in love with her? But, damn, does love could make someone so foolish,


    Elena probably found my unusual prying, so she chuckled, which surprised me.


    Easing out, tension finally slowly vanishing between us, she replied hoently, "Deacon, I spent thest few months right after my divorce on a battlefield with you.''


    Shaking her head, she emphasised, "I got no time to entertain suitors nor see anyone as a matter of fact aside from your and myrades. So, no, I haven''t formed any sort of interest to anyone."


    Silence stretched between us while I stared at her with hidden dumbfoundedness.


    I felt my heart skip a beat.


    That''s right; she was on the battlefield with us, surrounded by only men. Countless men, including me. She spent months with us, and she''s here now, wearing a beautiful dress and looking like a goddess, telling me right to my face that she developed no interest in anyone.


    Did that include me? Did she really never feel anything?


    I know that I controlled myself during the battle, but I''m pretty sure that I also took care of her more than a general would treat hisrades. Did she really not feel anything, or were my advances slower than a frog for her to notice anything?


    But then what about her reactions towards me when I get near her? What about the rush of blood on her cheeks when I make a subtle, flirtatious attempt? Were all those just my imagination brought on by my delusion out of my desire to marry her?


    After around half a minute of silence between us, Elena seemed to have caught on to something and narrowed her eyes slightly.


    Leaning on the table, she looked at me intensely and asked, "Did youe here to help me with this marriage issue, Deacon?"


    A small smile formed on her lips after a while. And with her slightly raised brows, it''s almost like she''s teasing


    I remained calm and silent for a little while before I involuntarily tightened my jaws


    and met her eyes. With a steady and unwavering voice, I nodded my head.


    "Yes. I''m here to help."


    Looking at me cautiously, she asked, "How?"


    Sitting straight, I firmly replied, "I want to you be your husband."