...What did I just hear? Although usually stoic and expressionless, Elaina displayed a visibly shocked expression in response to Melvin's words.

"What have you been doing outside? You wretched, filthy girl!" Melvin, seething with anger, grabbed Elaina by the collar and began shaking her violently, as though this would solve everything. But Elaina herself had nothing to say; her only outings were to a second-hand bookstore to deal with old books or to visit her unmarked mother's grave.

"I don't know anything about this!" Elaina protested weakly, but Melvin seemed utterly uninterested in listening.

"Master, His Highness the Prince..." interrupted the family butler, his voice shrunk in fear as if he were an animal chased by a hunter.

"I told you to wait!"

"Yes, I conveyed that, but..." Melvin paused his rampage.

"He forced his way in because..."

"..."

"He is waiting downstairs now. I fear he might come up here if we delay any longer."

This situation presented nothing good for Melvin. Perhaps realizing this, he forcefully let go of Elaina's collar. She gasped for air, sprawled weakly on the floor.

"Get yourself together and come down," Melvin commanded, looking down at her. "I don’t know what’s happened, but it absolutely cannot proceed. Just last night, Duke Hank sent another message, saying he could increase your dowry!"

Duke Hank—the very duke who, despite being as old as her grandfather, held possessions envied by many and was at the pinnacle of power, closely linked to the current emperor and the crown prince. For Melvin, there could be no more fitting reason for Elaina to be sold.

"Come down immediately and resolve this," Melvin threatened. "If you can't resolve it yourself, I’ll personally cripple your remaining leg."

"..."

"Even if Sinclair's tastes are peculiar, a woman with both legs disabled is surely too much!"

Those were his last words. Melvin left without looking back, taking the butler with him, and Elaina was left alone in the cramped, dirty attic, her eyes filled with confusion.

'Why...' All she knew about Sinclair were the unpleasant rumors known to others. Why then, had he sent a proposal to her? Even though he was a prince fallen out of favor with the emperor, his status was still that of royalty. Despite being driven to desperation and sent to the battlefield by the emperor, Sinclair Butler had indeed accumulated significant honors there. In other words, unless people were right about Sinclair being mad, there was no reason for him to propose to Elaina.

The Aswell family's half-penny. Limping Elaina. The daughter of Duke Aswell born to a commoner concubine. A woman who only carried half noble blood, completely shunned even by her own family, never truly recognized or valued.

Why me? Could the rumors be true? Has Sinclair truly lost his mind?

"..." Sitting blankly, Elaina blinked hard, as if trying to regain her composure. Melvin was right, after all. She had to meet him. Elaina hurriedly began to tidy her messy hair and then, limping, rose from her seat.

Thump.

The uneven sound of footsteps filled the staircase leading down to the first floor. Gripping the handrail with all her might, Elaina soon began to approach the drawing room, where she encountered a scene she had not anticipated. The Aswell family members, despite being the owners, stood cornered and unsure of what to do. Melvin's face had turned ashen, and Melissa trembled faintly behind him, while Layla also looked on in fear.

Nevertheless, Elaina continued to limp forward. Finally, in the center of the drawing room, she saw a man sitting arrogantly alone on a large sofa, legs crossed as if he owned the place. The rumors of yesterday echoed quietly in her ears—Sinclair, the mad prince, soaked in blood and violence, known for his ruthlessness even on the battlefield.

But standing before Sinclair, Elaina wondered if the rumors truly captured the whole truth, as rumors often distorted reality. Yet, the moment she saw him, she thought perhaps the rumors did not exaggerate. His presence was overwhelmingly intimidating, his cold gaze devoid of any warmth, and his demeanor haughty as if born to it.

Suddenly, Elaina's eyes met Sinclair's in the air. His golden eyes, shimmering like molten gold in the sunlight, seemed to pierce through her instantly, sending chills down her spine as if she were prey caught by a predator. Instinctively, she stepped back and stumbled, about to fall in front of everyone—no, in front of this man she hardly knew but who had sent her a proposal.

Elaina bit her lip as a rush of embarrassment surged through her, but unexpectedly, she did not fall. Instead, a strong arm caught her around the waist. It was Sinclair. Without saying a word, he steadied her and then seated her next to him, quite forcefully.

"Melvin Aswell," Sinclair finally turned his gaze to Melvin, who stood cowering in the background. "I would like you and your family to leave the room."

"Excuse me?" Melvin stuttered, taken aback by the request.

"I am Elaina Aswell's suitor, not you," Sinclair stated, making it clear that the proposal was intended for Elaina alone.

Melvin, momentarily lost for words and evidently terrified, quickly ushered Melissa and Layla out of the room. It was absurd, the way Sinclair commandeered the drawing room as if it were his right.

"Hello, Elaina Aswell," Sinclair finally addressed her directly, disregarding whatever thoughts she might have. "Has Melvin told you about my proposal?"

"..."

"No? Perhaps he hasn't conveyed it properly," Sinclair frowned slightly, then reached out and grabbed a document from the table. "Here, take this."

Elaina took the document in her hands, a proposal and a marriage contract from Prince Sinclair Butler to Elaina Aswell. "Before going to war, I made a wish to the Emperor."

[Why, Mrs. Yona's relatives at the gathering are of royal descent. She said that Sinclair had boldly set a condition before going to war.]

"A wish that must be granted no matter what."

[If I return victorious, grant me a wish.]

"The Emperor agreed, and I have returned victorious. By rejecting my proposal, you would be committing treason against the Emperor's command."

What was he talking about? Elaina's blue eyes trembled as she stared at Sinclair.

"Yes, that's right. My wish was this—to take Elaina Aswell, the Aswell family's half-penny and limping bastard, as my wife."

"..."

"So it would be wise not to refuse." Unless she wanted to die.

Unable to comprehend Sinclair's bizarre declaration, Elaina's gaze returned to the document. At the end of the marriage contract was the Emperor's seal of approval. What kind of proposal was this? It was nothing short of a coerced marriage.

'This... this is absurd...'

Elaina's hands trembled as she held the document, but unbeknownst to her, Sinclair's gaze lingered long on her injured leg.