The morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and burning firewood. Redbrook was waking up, merchants setting up their stalls, blacksmiths hammering steel, and farmers leading carts of fresh produce into the marketplace. The town, once a den of lawlessness under the Iron Fang mercenaries, now thrived under Yuuto's rule.
In the heart of it all, Elena Wyndell stood on the balcony of the Reinhardt estate, overlooking the town she was now tasked with managing. A fresh breeze tugged at her auburn hair as she sipped from a silver goblet of warm cider.
Last night still lingered in her mind.
The moment Yuuto had claimed her.
Her body still tingled from his touch, but more than that—she felt different. She couldn't explain it, but something had changed within her. A strange sense of warmth, of belonging.
And she knew exactly why.
The Binding.
She glanced down at her hands. There was no mark, no visible proof, but she could feel it. Her loyalty to Yuuto was now unwavering—not forced, not mindless, but deeply ingrained. Even if she had doubts before, they were gone now. She was his.
A soft knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.
"Enter," she called.
The door opened, revealing Selene, her silver hair cascading down her back like moonlight. The maid's crimson eyes flickered with amusement.
"Elena," Selene greeted smoothly, stepping inside. "Enjoying your new position?"
Elena raised an eyebrow. "As Redbrook's trade overseer? Or as Yuuto's woman?"
Selene smirked. "Both."
Elena sighed, setting her goblet down. "It's... overwhelming. The Binding—I didn't expect it to feel like this."
Selene's gaze softened slightly. "It's different for everyone. Some struggle, some embrace it. But in the end, you'll find that being bound to Yuuto is not a burden—it's a privilege."
Elena crossed her arms. "I wasn't forced, but I wonder… how much of my will is still my own?"
Selene chuckled. "All of it. That's the beauty of it. The Binding doesn't strip us of our thoughts, our personalities. It simply ensures one thing."
Elena tilted her head. "And that is?"
Selene's crimson eyes gleamed.
"That we will never betray him."
A shiver ran down Elena's spine—not of fear, but of realization.
She nodded slowly. "I see."
---
Later that day, Elena found herself in the bustling Redbrook trade hall, a newly refurbished building near the heart of the market district. Merchants, artisans, and traders moved about, discussing deals, setting prices, and inspecting goods.
Seated in a private meeting chamber, she reviewed documents detailing the new trade routes Yuuto had secured. The Wyndell Merchant Company had already begun funneling resources into Redbrook, and profits were rising.
But not everyone was pleased.
"Elena," a voice called from the doorway.
She looked up to see Gregor Walden, an older merchant from a prominent trading family, stepping inside. His beady eyes glinted with caution as he took a seat across from her.
"I hear you've aligned yourself with the new lord of Redbrook," Gregor stated.
Elena sipped her tea. "Lord Yuuto is bringing prosperity to this town. It would be foolish not to support him."
Gregor's lips pressed into a thin line. "Support him? Or serve him?"
Elena smiled faintly. "What's the difference?"
The older merchant leaned forward. "Elena, you're a smart woman. But Redbrook is still just a frontier town. Do you really think a single man can hold power here forever?"
Elena's expression didn't waver. "You underestimate him."
Gregor scoffed. "I fear him." He glanced around the room, then lowered his voice. "Rumors are spreading, Elena. The noble houses are taking notice. They won't stand by while some upstart consolidates power."
Elena set her cup down. "And what do you suggest?"
Gregor hesitated. Then, he slid a sealed letter across the table.
Elena picked it up, breaking the wax seal. Her eyes scanned the contents—and her blood ran cold.
A noble crest was stamped at the bottom.
House Ravencroft.
They were one of the wealthiest merchant-backed noble families in the kingdom. Ruthless. Cunning. And now, they were watching Redbrook.
She inhaled sharply.
"I suggest," Gregor said in a hushed tone, "that you think carefully about where your loyalties lie."
Elena's grip on the letter tightened. Her loyalty was already decided.
But this was bigger than her now.
Yuuto needed to know.
---
That evening, Elena sat across from Yuuto in his study, the candlelight casting flickering shadows across the room. She had given him the letter, watching as he read it in silence.
Finally, he leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips.
"They're moving faster than I expected," he mused.
Elena furrowed her brows. "You knew this would happen?"
"Of course." He set the letter down. "Power doesn't grow unnoticed. The moment I took control of Redbrook, it was inevitable that the noble houses would take interest."
Elena exhaled. "So what now? Do we negotiate? Or prepare for war?"
Yuuto chuckled. "Neither."
She frowned. "Then—"
He reached out, cupping her chin. "We play the game."
Elena's breath hitched at his touch.
"I'll send them a reply," Yuuto continued. "An invitation to discuss trade opportunities."
She blinked. "You're bringing them here?"
Yuuto's eyes gleamed. "Let them come. Let them see what I've built. And then…"
His fingers traced along her jaw, sending shivers down her spine.
"…we'll see who is truly in control."
Elena swallowed, heat rising to her cheeks. Gods, he was terrifyingly confident.
But… she trusted him.
Completely.
As the night deepened, she remained by his side, discussing plans, strategies, and Redbrook's future.
And when the candlelight dimmed, she found herself once again in his embrace.
The night was long.
And by morning, Elena Wyndell was no longer just a merchant's daughter.
She was Yuuto's woman in both body and spirit.
And she would help him reshape the world.