Chapter 12: The Sacred Vow

“Yes.”

Fine nodded.

“Then, make your vow.”

Prompted, Fine placed her hand on the hilt of the sword Hawk held.

“I swear by this sword and the omniscient god.

While I’m here, I’ll devote myself wholly to Rosaider’s prosperity.

In return, no children for two years.”

“What?”

Hawk’s voice dropped.

“Why such a condition?”

“Pregnancy restricts a woman’s actions.

I want to focus on enriching the territory first.”

Fine appealed to Hawk.

She’d wanted to vow for a divorce in two years but feared rejection, so she chose “no children” instead.

If a noble lord remained childless, divorce was more likely to be approved, typically after two years.

She planned to request a divorce then.

“I see?”

Hawk nodded, half-convinced.

“Then the oath is sealed.

I’ll provide you treatment befitting a countess, and you’ll strive for Rosaider’s benefit.

In return, you won’t betray me, and I won’t make you pregnant for two years.”

“Pregnant…”

Fine blushed.

“That’s what you wanted, right?”

True, but the phrasing was blunt.

“It’ll sting a bit, forgive me.

Blood is needed for the oath.”

“Yes.”

Hawk nicked Fine’s fingertip with the sword, then did the same to his own.

As their blood dripped onto the blade, a deep navy mist rose, enveloping them.

‘Is this the magic?’

Ancient magic, once common in noble power struggles, was now rare.

This was Fine’s first time witnessing it.

The mist dissipated, and the room returned to silence.

Hawk effortlessly returned the sword to its stand by the wall, then approached the bed, standing before her.

‘Huh?’

As his hand reached out, he cupped her chin and kissed her roughly.

Pushing against his chest did nothing, and when he finally released her lips, Fine was breathless.

“What are you doing?!

We just agreed—no children for two years—”

Fine glared, protesting.

They’d just made the oath, and he was already breaking it.

“Oh, I won’t make children.”

“Then why—”

“Children come from planting my seed here.

Didn’t you know?

I never promised not to touch you.”

Hawk traced her lower abdomen with his fingertip.

“What?!”

Blushing furiously, Fine saw Hawk’s lips curl into a smile.

Her memory blurred after that, overwhelmed by his teasing.

‘Didn’t he just make love to his mistress, Sherry?!’

Did soldiers have such stamina?

‘I can’t… anymore…’

Drifting off, Fine fell asleep.

*

A little earlier.

After escorting Fine to her room, Hawk returned to his private chambers.

He had a meeting with his aide, Carl.

“Working while neglecting your new wife?”

Carl glanced at the door connecting to the bedroom and Fine’s room.

“It’s fine.

I told her.”

“If you say so.

I caught a glimpse of her getting off the carriage—quite a beauty.”

“Indeed.”

Hawk nodded.

Her long reddish-brown hair reached her waist, her large green eyes framed by long lashes.

A refined nose, rosy cheeks, pink lips—she was, conservatively, stunning.

“Worth staying single so long, huh?”

“I wasn’t holding out.

No woman seemed suited to marry into Rosaider.”

“And she is?

Didn’t know you were so swayed by looks.”

“No, it’s not about looks.

She’s delicate but resolute.”

Hawk gently refuted the “swayed by looks” remark.

A beautiful wife was nice, but that wasn’t why he proposed to Fine.