VALERIA

"Why not? Are you afraid someone will find out you’re a cheater? Look at this serious maid here; she’ll know exactly how to choose the most handsome one, won’t you, darling?"

He threw his arm over my shoulders, and I froze completely.

Clearly, the “darling” was meant to sway me in his favor.

I was about to pull away any way I could when—

"What the hell?! S-sir?" His voice trembled, and I wished I could melt into the floorboards.

His arm was yanked roughly off my shoulders, and a pained groan escaped his lips, though he tried to mask it.

"Touch my maid so casually again, Dave, and I’ll cut off your arm," Aldric’s cold voice rang out from behind me, sending chills through my entire body.

"Y-your maid? By the Goddess, I’ve completely lost my mind! I didn’t know, sir! If I had, I’d never have been so bold," Dave stammered.

"M-maid— I mean, forgive Guardian Valeria— wait, damn it! Forgive me, I mean Guardian Dave…"

"Pft, if you propose to your mate like that, she’ll kick your 4ss,