The Price of a Contracted Heart

In a society dominated by psychic abilities, where power determines status and value, Edmund Hawthorne stands as an outcast, branded an F-rank with no psychic talents. His once-bright future is shatte red when his fiancée, Aveline Heart—a coveted A-rank—abandons him upon learning of his dismal rank. Alone and destitute, Edmund's world turns bleak until an unexpected proposal from the formidable General Arthur Blackwood, an SS-rank officer, disrupts his despair. The general's intentions are far from romantic; he seeks a strategic marriage that could advance his own agenda. When Edmund is forcibly brought before the enigmatic general, he finds himself caught in an intense power dynamic. The initial meeting brims with tension as the handsome and imposing Arthur offers Edmund a lifeline, suggesting a contractual union that comes with unprecedented benefits. Yet beneath the allure of an SS-rank partnership lies a chasm of uncertainty for Edmund—a man shunned by his peers, grappling with feelings of inferiority and betrayal. As Edmund reluctantly accepts the deal, the stakes rise. He requests a grand wedding broadcasted live to showcase his newfound status, to not just reclaim his dignity but to wound Aveline's pride. But behind the façade of glory is a palpable fear: Can he truly support a partner of Arthur’s caliber, especially as they face the cold judgment of society? The insecurities begin to fester when he learns about the bitter aftermath of his ex-fiancée's elopement with another man, leaving him feeling like a pawn rather than a partner. Amid societal pressures and internal struggles, Edmund's journey unfolds with suspense. Will he adapt to the role imposed on him by circumstance, or will he succumb to the loneliness he once feared? With rumors of jealousy and potential threats swirling around them, the question looms larger: can the arrangement withstand the weight of their contrasting worlds, or will it crumble under the strain of unspoken emotions? In a narrative woven with conflict, aspirations, and the need for acceptance, Edmund's future depends on navigating an unpredictable path alongside an enigmatic general. ...