The Predator’s Contract Partner

Elisha finds herself in a perilous situation, regretting crossing a line with a man who has entwined himself with her. She remembers her past and a grim future: becoming the fake concubine of a demonic man from her own family, facing death down to her bone marrow, and witnessing the Cartier ducal family fracture due to a power struggle. To avert this fate, Elisha sought out Lucerne, her former life's archrival. Despite knowing Lucerne as the Empire's most notorious maniac, 20-year-old Elisha, burdened by a 30,000 gold coin debt, approaches him. After regressing in time to escape a life of financial ruin, she offers him all her information in exchange for money and a position as his subordinate. When Lucerne questions her trustworthiness, Elisha offers herself as collateral. Lucerne agrees, but on his terms, stating he will decide how to handle the collateral and, to Elisha's shock, demands she marry him. Her information exchange has unexpectedly become a marriage contract.