Contract Marriage: The Replacement Groom

Rex stared at Valen for a while before asking, "don’t you feel she’s a thorn in your flesh–"

"She’s not."

"OK, I agree, she’s not. But look at you. You’re almost like a ghost who doesn’t exist. Everything you do now is for your sister and parents. It feels like you’re no longer living. Valen, this is not a good sign.

"Valen," Rex held his hands. "I know you’ve missed your parents. You are but a shell of yourself right now. You don’t even talk anymore these days. Look at you, you’ve grown thinner. Do you think Jeslyn will forgive herself if she comes back and sees you like this? Here is my suggestion. I’m sure it will help rekindle your hopes. Put Kaylus in school and pay your parents a visit."

Valen’s eyes shone. "Will I be able to see them?"

Rex shook his head, "I’m not certain but being around them should do the magic. What do you think?"

"OK." He agreed.

Meanwhile, Doyenne was seen talking on the phone with Lady Sabrina.

"What is going on, Doyenne? It’s been three years and you still haven’t gotten that child!"

"If you think it’s so easy, why don’t you go get her yourself?" Doyenne fired back.

"It looks to me that you’ve been lusting after men and aren’t doing your job! If I had the luxury to show myself in public, do you think we’d rely on you? We aren’t immortals, damn it!"

"What can I do?! That baby is being protected like they were told we are aiming for her."

"For the past two years, three of the witches have died of old age. No one to pass their gifts to. I don’t know if it will be my turn tomorrow. The earlier you get that child, the better for us all!"

Doyenne hissed in rage and threw her phone on the couch. This is so annoying. She never thought it would be this hard to get their hands on a child.

While she was thinking of what to do, the solution came right to her when she saw the news.

[...Kaylus Lu was spotted among her peers at school today... ]

Whatever was reported before and after that flew over her head. All she needed was to know that the child is away from home.

...

Ever since Kaylus started school, Valen had been enjoying more free time. So on this day, he decided to do what Rex suggested.

The child boarded one of their helicopters and headed in the direction of the rainborite stone. Getting there, it was a huge cave in a green land stretched as far as the eyes could see.

Valen walked to the entrance of the cage but it was sealed by multi-coloured stone.

"System, do you have any idea how one can go in?" Valen asked.

[ Only if the stone opens up. ]

"How long would that take?"

[ It won’t open up for you. While you’re here, you might need some stone. ]

"What for?"

[ You aren’t getting enough sleep. It can help you sleep more and worry less. ]

"I’m not interested."

[Your sister might be. A rainborite ruby on her necklace would look good on her. ]

"How do I get one?"

[ Just touch the stone and ask for a chunk. ]

Valen did as told and a big chunk of a glowing rainborote stone fell out from the cave.

"Isn’t this too big?"

[ You can make a lot of things from it. ]

"If I’m not mistaken, this weighs 2000 Ibs."

[ You’re right. Like I said, you can make a lot of things from it. ]

"Like what?"

[ Bullets from this stone are very destructive. A knife or sword, Jewellery for sale, a healing stone for the hospital, and a lot more. ]

"I heard it’s a gem that everyone in the world wants to have."

[ You shouldn’t worry about that. No one in their right frame of mind would start a fight with your family. Your family dominates the whole country. ]

Valen sat with crossed legs on the grass in front of the cave. He was wondering if the stone would help him transmit his words to his parents.

[ You can give it a try. Who knows, your parents might hear you. You’re not losing anything if you do. ]

Valen took a deep breath and opened his mouth.

"Dad, Mom, how are you doing? It’s been three years. Kaylus has grown. She is far from cute, quiet and obedient. She started nursery last week. Her teachers are pleased..."

Inside the round and huge stone with Crystal walls, Jeslyn was sleeping while Maverick was sitting crossed legs with his eyes closed.

"Dad, Mom..."

The voice echoed in his ear. He slowly opened his eyes and looked around. He couldn’t find anything aside from his wife and the little crystals on the white floor.

Maverick could hear everything his son was saying but what left him speechless was the date.

"Three years?" he mumbled.

He continued to listen to Valen’s words. The boy was only talking about his sister and everyone else but himself.

"What about you, son?" Maverick asked but surprisingly, his words couldn’t be transmitted to Valen.

Maverick soon realized that when Valen kept on talking without answering any of his questions.

"I shall be back to pay you another visit with Kaylus soon. I miss you, Dad... Mom!"

The child’s voice died afterwards. Maverick took a deep breath, then shifted his gaze to his wife. She had been like this ever since he brought her in here. She wouldn’t move but she was glowing and looking more beautiful and young daily.

As for him, he cannot say what he looks like because there’s nothing to see his appearance with.

The white crystal slowly turned blue, then green. The crystals had been changing colours but had never turned green before. While he was wondering, he saw Jeslyn’s fair and slender fingers move slightly.

Maverick’s eyes widened and he immediately changed his sitting position to observe his wife. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"Floss, are you awake?"

...

Meanwhile, it’s been three days since Valen returned from the green land and had been busy drawing a beautiful necklace for his sister and the women in his life. Once he was done, he’d send them to Lu’s jewellery company and have them made into jewellery.

Unlike before when no one, except Kaylus dared to disturb him while he’s busy, Code 2 rushed into his workshop.

"I’m sorry, little Master, little miss has been kidnapped."

Valen’s hand shook and the pencil drew a long line across the page. He lifted his eyes and asked calmly, "What did you say?"

"The little miss... was kidnapped from school." Valen got up and headed out with tons of guards following behind him.

With his reaction, Code 2 couldn’t help imagining the kid to be Maverick. This is exactly how calm Maverick always was when something bad happened.