Chapter 29

Lia was dazed, like someone had hit her over the head. She stayed frozen for a while, incredulous, then finally shook her head.

"Have you actually gone mad? I am a man."

"No, you're a woman. We can have the engagement next year. You can formally debut and go back to being Camellia Bale."

"Prince Ian!" Lia shouted, standing up. Her cheeks were flushed; whether it was from anger or embarrassment, she didn't know, but one thing was for certain: she could not understand a word he was saying.

"Why? Do you already fancy someone else? Ah, perhaps Lord Claude del Ihar?"

Ian swept back his wet hair with a sardonic laugh.

Lia, on the other hand, could barely breathe from the shock.

"Camellia, you have one year; take as long as you need to think about it. I'm the only person who can save you from Lady Bale, that witch."

"I don't want to," she blurted out.

Ian nodded as if he had expected this reply and sprawled on the couch with his hands clasped behind his head.