"Hey…" Freya called out to ask the stranger what he was doing, only to pause when she realized she didn't even know his name.
She had agreed to marry him yet didn't even know what his name was. Well, he didn't know hers either, but that wasn't the point. It was the irony of the situation.
"Um… What's your name?" Freya finally asked with a cough.
The stranger, who was busy tapping on some strange device, turned to look at her and frowned. "Why?"
"Well, I think I should know that much if we're going to get married." Freya rolled her eyes.
Did this man really think he could marry someone without knowing their name? She wasn't keen on the idea of being in any relationship with this guy, but a deal was a deal. She would sign that paper.
That was all she believed their marriage would amount to anyway.
"Right… We're meant to get married." The stranger mused, going back to fiddling with that strange device.
The way he said that… Freya thought to herself before she asked aloud, "Do you not want to get married?"
She was totally up for that too as it saved her all the hassle. Of course, it did beg the question why he'd propose marriage in the first place if he wasn't interested in it.
"It's not that I'm not interested…." The stranger turned back to gaze at her with midnight black eyes. "But rather I don't expect you to keep your promise. Anyway, my name is Xavier."
"Freya." Freya muttered back before she added, "And just so you know, when I make a deal, I always keep it. Even if I'm not a fan of it, I'll keep my promise. You just better make sure that you don't try anything funny when we get married."
Freya wasn't sure why, but the thought of Xavier thinking she was going to break her promise had her fuming. Sure, she didn't exactly like the idea of marrying him, but that didn't mean she was going to dip when push came to shove.
This was a matter of her integrity. So, she would sign that paper when they got back to the city. And as long as Xavier didn't put her in harm's way, she'd stick around until she found a way home.
It was a crude plan, but it was the only one her worn out mind could think of.
"Alright, Freya, I won't question whether you'll keep your promise or not." Xavier suddenly said, straightening up before heading over to her. "But I'd like to perhaps alter our agreement a bit."
While they were getting away from the Bloodsucker monsters, Xavier had been thinking a bit about discovering that Freya was a guide. Like between A-class and S-class from his estimates.
And he found that this could be useful for him.
He wasn't delusional enough to think Freya was attracted to him. Marrying him was just a matter of keeping her promise to him it seemed. Thus he decided to make their marriage more beneficial for each other.
She'd gain access to his wealth and power in exchange for using her power to stop his power from consuming him. The Guide Center never allowed him to use their S-class guides despite it being the best option for him.
All because they wanted him only healed enough to be useful for them. As long as he got them their cores, they'd heal him so that the madness wouldn't get to them.
However, if he had Freya become his guide, he would need the Guide Center anymore. It was clear from one touch that she could properly get rid of his madness, so there was no way he would miss this grand opportunity.
"Alter?" Freya frowned. "How exactly?"
"I wish for you to use your guide abilities on me to completely stop my power from consuming me." Xavier stated, sitting across from her. "In exchange I'll give you free access to all my wealth and power."
"But I'm not really interested in power…" Freya mused.
Xavier raised an eyebrow. "You're not interested in power. But all… Nevermind, what do you want then?"
Only one thing came to mind when Xavier asked that question - she wanted to go back home. But it wasn't like she could ask him that. He'd probably think she was crazy.
Sighing, Freya finally answered, "Just let me do what I want. Don't get involved in my personal matters."
With freedom to do what she wanted without question, Freya was sure she could figure out a way home soon enough. Besides, it didn't really hurt her to use her guiding abilities on this guy if it meant keeping him sane.
If anything, it was beneficial to her. Because there was no way she wanted to hang around a crazy person.
"Alright. As long as you're not endangering yourself that works for me." Xavier said, pausing for a moment. He then added, "Just don't do anything stupid if you plan to get involved with other guys."
"WHAT?!" Freya exclaimed in horror, her face going red.
Other guys?! What the hell did he mean by other guys?! She was barely interested in getting involved with other men and this guy was assuming she was going to act like… some seductress?!
Had he not had a good look at her? She wasn't exactly what society thought of when they thought of a sexy woman.
Sure some might think curvy women were sexy too, but Freya was one curve away from being seen as a fatass. The only reason she never really crossed that line was because she was always exercising and trying to eat healthy.
Even if a pastry slipped past here and there. But that was like telling her to give up happiness.
"Why are you shouting?" Xavier muttered, covering his ears. "I'm not dumb enough to think you'll get involved with one beastman, so won't bother stopping you. Just don't be stupid."
Those words made Freya pause. So, it was like that in this world. Well, she wasn't interested in that anyway. She only had one goal in mind and that was it.