An official wedding

"What?" Norah frowned. No, her daughter will not sign their bullshit contracts. Ziana cannot sell away her freedom like her father. She deserved a chance to choose her own destiny and live a happy life unlike them.

"We need to form a mortal connection with her to protect her. That would alert us whenever she is in danger or needs help." Lady Winter tried to explain the real reason behind the contract.

"Don't worry we have made it look like a marriage contract you humans use these days and she won't suspect it."

"Are you kidding me?" Norah asked in frustration. Marriage contract? That was absurd!

"But that's the only way we can protect her, Norah." Lady Winter uttered and taking a deep breath, she further explained, "This contract will also bind her eternally to the reaper, granting her the powers to slowly build her own resistance against these evil forces. And even if we end the contract one day, her body will still continue to defend them."

When Norah looked unhappy, she continued, "Moreover, when she forms a bond with a grim reaper, creatures hiding in the shadows will think twice before attacking her. So it's worth signing it."

"But I heard she had been attacked twice already." Norah commented as Zayden had briefly explained the recent incidents to her this morning. "I guess it is nothing but a useless contract." She added making the lady sigh.

"That's because Zayden failed to seal the contract. But once they seal it, Ziana will face no such attacks in the future." Lady Winter said, partly irritated. "And let's not forget, we managed to save her from all the attacks."

"I even let her be reborn after that vampire attack on the road." Lady Winter grumbled sensing her displeasure. Ziana could live again because of this marriage contract. And she needed to consider it.

"And if you still think we are trying to lure her like your husband, you can break this contract and protect her with your limited powers." She commented harshly. Everyone doubted her actions and her patience was running thin.

"How long will you guys stay here?" Norah asked with a helpless sigh. She was back in the endless tunnel again, a dark place that threatened to shatter her family. And Ziana was the bait this time.

"Three months is all we need." Lady Winter answered with a small smile. "We will close every portal to the human world during this period."

"So you guys finally decided to do it." Norah said with a scoff.

When there was a similar problem in the past, Kaylan begged them to close these portals permanently. Unfortunately, his pleas fell on deaf ears. If only the afterlife authorities had considered his suggestions, her children would have grown up with a father.

Lady Winter didn't comment on it. Yes, they were at fault and she had the right to blame them.

Norah took a deep breath and tried to hold back her emotions. She couldn't change the past but at least protect her children's future.

"Let me know if you need any help." She said with a small sigh. Grim reapers struggled to settle among humans and adjust to their social norms.

"I actually need your help." Lady Winter replied with a smile.

"You already know there are dark creatures living as humans in this world. They hunt people suspicious of them and specifically anyone belonging to the Defenders Cult." And when Norah nodded, she requested something nerve-wracking.

"I want to hold an official human wedding and declare our links with Ziana."

"The news would spread faster through gossip and everyone would back off their plans to kill the next-in-line defender." Lady Winter finished and held her breath. That would only put Ziana at greater risk but she wanted to try it.

"That would also provide Zayden with a chance to seal the contract. Once sealed, Ziana would be guarded well by us." She tried to convince Norah who sat like a ghost.

Norah took a few seconds to think about it. Ziana was already tied to Zayden through this stupid contract. They had even registered under the laws to keep it natural. So having a wedding wouldn't be a great deal.

"We can continue with this old neighbor act and persuade Ziana to agree with it. She won't be suspicious if you bring it yourself." Lady Winter added sensing an okay from Norah.

"And how are you planning to end this marriage? People would surely talk about my daughter's character if he suddenly disappears after three months."

"He will die in an accident. We will prepare his fake body and even hold a funeral so no one suspects Ziana and even my fake human family." Lady Winter explained with a smile.

Norah thought about it and sighed. Her daughter would kill Zayden if he tries to kiss her. And since it was mandatory to seal the contract, an official wedding was the only solution. It would also warn the dark creatures, so she had no reason to deny it.

"Alright. I will try to talk to her." Norah said with a sigh. She would also be at ease if Zayden always stayed with Ziana. And a wedding will force her stubborn daughter to let him stay with her.

"Thank you." Lady Winter replied with a bright smile. Finally, things were proceeding according to her plans, and that made her sigh in relief.

She decided to talk about Kate another day. She was a threat too, but Norah had been through enough for today.

---

Meanwhile in the arcade.

Ziana was tired of watching Ivan running around the place. Both Xavier and Lia followed him and even played games with him. However, she didn't care to entertain him or the guy who had just been following her everywhere.

"What's your problem?" Ziana asked turning around to face him. For god's sake, people needed to leave her alone and let her breathe peacefully.

"I am bored. Let's play some games." Zayden answered with an innocent face.

"I am not interested." Ziana declared and turned around to leave. She decided to go to the small cafe around the corner and drink something cold.

"Let's go!" But Zayden held her hand and pulled her in the opposite direction.

"Leave me, asshole!" She grumbled struggling to free her wrist and her words caught the passerby's attention.

"Whoever loses will buy a gift for the winner." Zayden declared dragging her toward the center of the room.

"No, thank you!" Ziana freed her wrist and moved away from him. The offer was tempting, but the person who offered it was disgusting.

"Come on! It's such a cool deal." Zayden grumbled as he scanned around the arena, but nothing caught his attention. He needed to play some interesting games with her.

"I will buy anything if you win." He smiled.

"Anything?" Ziana raised her brow at the offer.

She could ask for a car maybe? No, wait! A brand new phone! Yes, she needed to buy one but was penniless. And her mother would rather ask her to sell a kidney than lend money.

"Yes."

"Make it everything and I will play with you." She demanded crossing her arms. If he was willing to buy her anything, he could certainly afford everything. Right?

Zayden laughed at her statement. She was greedy but a dignified one.

"I will buy everything you touch, princess." He smiled coldly.

"But I will decide the game." Ziana demanded again and he nodded smiling. As long as she agreed, he would play any game.

Ziana grinned happily and looked around the place. She definitely needed to choose something she was skilled at. Scanning all the games, her eyes landed on the cute corner of the room.

She pointed at it and smiled. "That one."

Zayden looked in that direction and frowned. Some baby pink claw machines caught his eyes and he blinked in confusion.

"No!" He shook his head in disagreement. "Choose something else." He said as she turned to him.

"No!" Ziana shook her head. "Either play it or leave me alone!" She declared with a pout.

"I am leaving then." She said as he stared at the claw machines.

Zayden caught her arm and mumbled, "Alright."

"Let's go!" Ziana grinned and holding his hand, she dragged him towards it. She had been a pro since childhood and would definitely win it.

"You first." She smiled as they stopped in front of the big claw machine. The children around looked at them in surprise and Zayden sighed.

He stood in front of the machine and read the instructions written on the corner. It was basically his first time but he could cheat and win it.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you the rules." Ziana replied and smiled. "Whoever catches more toys in twenty minutes wins this match."

Zayden nodded and rolled up his sleeves. Taking out a few tokens from his pocket, he inserted them into the cashier and stretched his fingers. His eyes spotted the cutest plush toy inside the machine and held the joystick.

He moved the crane and elegantly caught a donkey. And with a few more moves, he managed to drop the plushie in the collector.

"Good choice!" Ziana praised him and he smiled taking out the donkey.

"It looks exactly like you."

And her comment made him frown. Some kids who had gathered around them giggled and she laughed with them.

"Time is running. Come on!" She said showing the timer she started on her smartwatch.

Zayden sneered at her before focusing on the game. This time he would get something like her.

A piglet!

Yes, it looks exactly like her. He smirked as a pink piglet plushie caught his eyes.