Chapter 38: Mark Me, Be My Guide!

Thanks to Zachary’s explanation, Lydia escaped her father and brothers’ lectures after returning from the hospital.

He had taken responsibility for the damage and assured her family that she would receive proper medical care, leaving them little reason to interrogate her further.

For once, Lydia could enjoy a peaceful night without her family breathing down her neck.

Or so she thought.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

"Lady Lydia! Please wake up!"

Erin’s frantic voice came from the other side of the door.

Lydia groaned and pulled the blanket over her head. Her head still throbbed from yesterday’s battle, and the doctor had ordered her to get plenty of rest. Whatever was happening could wait another hour.

"Lady Lydia!"

"What is it?" she mumbled.

"There’s a man downstairs who has just flooded the first floor with roses and mountains of gifts!" Erin exclaimed. "But Lord Vincent is absolutely furious! Please help us prevent bloodshed in the foyer!"

Mountains of gifts?

There was only one person that was shameless enough to pull a stunt like that.

"Senior Zach..."

She threw off her blanket and tried to get out of bed, only to wince when the movement made her head throb.

The bandage around Lydia’s head made changing clothes more difficult than expected, and she nearly gave up halfway through.

Erin helped her to change into a light dress and carefully adjusted the fabric around her shoulders. Once Lydia was ready, the maid took her hand and supported her as they hurried out of the bedroom.

"Please don’t rush, Lady Lydia! The doctor said you need to rest!"

"I’ll rest after I find out what that man is doing in my house."

By the time Lydia reached the staircase, the commotion downstairs had grown considerably louder.

Voices filled the entrance hall. Several maids even screamed when a sharp wind sliced through the metallic pillar.

Rose petals drifted through the air like a pink storm. The fragrance was so strong that Lydia could smell it before she even reached the first floor.

"So, YOU were the secret admirer?!" Vincent roared. "I never thought the heir of House Ludenberg would have so little shame!"

"Nice to meet you, my future brother-in-law-to-be."

Zachary shifted aside, dodging several wind slashes as they tore through the rose bouquets. There were so many roses that even a royal wedding would look like a budget dinner party in comparison.

Endless gift boxes surrounded him as several servants scrambled to rescue his remaining presents from Vincent’s wrath.

"How dare you visit my little sister at such an ungodly hour?!"

"Early bird gets the worm. Besides, I just wanted to visit Lydia, who was hurt from guiding me, Lord Vincent." He placed a hand over his chest and bowed with impeccable manners.

Vincen’t Spirit Animal features had appeared in full display. His falcon wings beat furiously, sending rose petals swirling through the air in a breathtaking rose storm.

Had I not known better, this scene might have come straight out of a BL novel on WebNovel. But nope, that’s not this novel’s genre. So please ignore the Author’s madness.

Lydia had barely recovered from yesterday’s battle, yet Zachary had already found another way to cause trouble at House Valendorf.

"A man should know better than to arrive empty-handed when he visits a woman."

"YOU—!"

Vincent summoned a spear with his Resonance and hurled it at Zachary without warning.

Several maids shrieked as Zachary casually evaded the spear, which struck the polished marble wall behind him and left a deep crack across its pristine surface.

Then he turned toward the staircase. His smile widened when his eyes met Lydia’s.

"Good morning, deerling."

Okay. I’ll let you continue your warm greeting. Go on without me. Time to go back to my bed and hit it off with my pillow. Have fun.

"Lydia! What are you doing standing there? You should be resting!" Vincent shrieked.

"I’m fine, brother."

"Fine?!" Vincent pointed at the bandage around her head. "You’re practically a living mummy!"

Paul coughed as he hurried to Vincent’s side. The old butler was trembling as he remind him.

"Lord Vincent, it is almost time for the weekly Imperial Elite Sentinel meeting."

"Don’t you dare to take Lydia anywhere! She’s injured, and she needs to rest. Especially after what a certain someone put her through!"

"Duly noted, Lord Vincent." Zachary bowed politely. "Have a pleasant day."

Vincent shot Zachary one last glare before storming off with Butler Paul at his heels. The moment his wings disappeared around the corner, the servants finally dare to breathe normally again.

"Senior Zach, what exactly are you planning to do with all those gifts?"

"Shower them to you, of course."

"I can see that." She glanced at the roses and gifts covering every available surface at the mansion. "But why so many?"

"Because I couldn’t decide which ones you would like."

At this point, Lydia wasn’t sure whether Zachary was genuinely serious or simply enjoying the chaos he had brought to House Valendorf.

With Vincent gone and the immediate threat of bloodshed over, Lydia decided to deal with her unexpected guest before he could cause any more trouble.

Erin soon brought out a pot of chamomile tea and some light snacks. Since the foyer was still buried under roses and gift boxes, Lydia decided to led Zachary to the mansion’s rose garden instead.

Lydia settled into a chair beside the small table while Zachary took the seat opposite her. Once they were comfortable, Erin placed the tea and snacks on the table before stepping away.

"Would you like anything else, Lady Lydia?"

"No, thank you. You can leave us alone for a while."

Erin glanced at Zachary, then back at Lydia. She seemed to understand that her lady wanted some privacy, so she bowed politely and withdrew without asking any further questions.

Once they were alone, Lydia poured both of them cups of chamomile tea. The warm fragrance soothed her slightly, and she took a small sip before turning her attention to the man sitting across from her.

"Now, Senior, what brought you here?"

"I can’t get you off my mind, deerling."

"Then you can do it from your house instead, Senior."

"Ouch! You’re as prickly as a rose, deerling. Beautiful, but dangerous! Anyway, let me get straight to the point. There’s something I need to check."

"That’s much better. Go on, then."

A faint smile appeared on his lips as Zachary lifted his wrist and activated his bracelet to scan her.

Lydia watched at his blue holographic screen over the rim of her teacup.

What was he checking?

Was that what this was about?

[Compatibility: 98%]

"Bingo. I knew it."

"What do you mean, Senior Zach?"

"You’re the answer, Lydia. My answer!!"

Zachary raised both hands with a bright grin, his black panther ears twitching happily as his long tail swished behind him.

"Your answer to what?"

Zachary didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he walked around the table and stopped beside her chair.

The playful grin remained on his face, but there was something different in his eyes now. For once, he wasn’t merely teasing her or trying to provoke a reaction.

Lydia nearly spilled her tea when he knelt before her.

"What in the world?! Senior Zach?"

Zachary gently took her free hand in his, his thumb resting against her knuckles.

The gesture was unexpectedly intimate, so different from his usual carefree behavior that Lydia momentarily forgot how to speak.

"Be my Guide." Zachary’s smile softened.

"Bond Mark me, my Guide, Lydia Valendorf."