An year before Will's awakening…
The afternoon sun shone gently over the wide garden, illuminating the neatly trimmed grass and flower beds that surrounded the estate. Laughter echoed through the open space as a young girl ran ahead, her light steps barely touching the ground.
"Young master, catch me if you can," the girl teased while glancing back at the white-haired boy chasing her.
"Stop it, Lia, I'm tired already," the boy replied, deliberately slowing his pace and pretending to gasp for breath.
In truth, Maximus Sinclair's stamina was far beyond that of an ordinary person his age.
A few miles of running was nothing to him, especially since he had been trained from childhood as the heir of House Sinclair. But in front of Lia, he chose to act weak, because seeing her smile was more important than proving his strength.
From the look in his eyes, it was clear that Maximus Sinclair was completely head over heels for the girl in front of him.
Despite pretending to be exhausted, he soon closed the distance between them and caught her, pulling her gently into his embrace.
"Caught you," he said with a grin.
For a noble like him, loving a commoner girl was considered taboo.
He could take her as a concubine in the future without much trouble, but showing this level of affection openly would only invite unnecessary attention and cause trouble for her.
That was why Maximus had dressed like a commoner today, abandoning his usual noble attire and hiding his true identity.
"Young master," Lia said softly while still in his arms, "let me show you something amazing. Something you've never tasted in your life."
Maximus's eyes lit up instantly. "Oh? So now we can finally kiss?"
Lia froze for a second, her face turning red. "T-that's not what I meant," she replied quickly. "I was talking about chocolate."
Seeing her shy reaction, Maximus laughed lightly. He took her hand and said, "Alright, then. Let's see what this chocolate is and how it tastes better than your lips."
"Young master, stop teasing me!" Lia pouted, though she didn't pull her hand away.
She led him through the streets until they arrived at a modest shop located in one corner of the market. The signboard read Infinity Chocolate House.
"The person who runs this shop is around our age," Lia explained excitedly. "People say he stumbled upon a secret family recipe. These chocolates are the most delicious desserts I've ever eaten, young master."
Seeing how passionately she praised the sweets, Maximus became curious. He peeked over the counter and noticed a blue-haired young man working diligently, scooping brown-colored desserts into small containers with practiced movements.
Maximus walked up to the counter confidently. "I would like to buy everything you have in this shop."
Behind him, Lia gasped. "Young mas— I mean, Max, there's no need to buy everything."
Maximus shook his head calmly. "Leave it to me, Lia."
His pocket money alone was more than enough to buy the entire shop, possibly even the shopkeeper.
Still, he restrained himself and maintained the demeanor of a wealthy commoner rather than a noble heir.
Behind the counter, the blue-haired young man paused for a brief moment, his eyes lighting up before returning to their usual calm state.
"Surely this must be his biggest purchase so far," Maximus thought confidently looking at Will's brightening eyes.
He couldn't have been more wrong.
"Giving free pudding to the villain's girlfriend has its perks," Will thought inwardly, suppressing a smile.
After a few minutes, Will returned with a red and brown layered cake placed neatly on a tray. He set it in front of the couple and spoke cheerfully.
"Mister and miss, this is our store's special edition red velvet chocolate cake. It's a complimentary treat for adorable lovers."
Hearing those words, Maximus felt his heart leap with excitement. They weren't officially lovers yet, but hearing someone acknowledge them as such gave him a strange sense of satisfaction and courage.
Lia, meanwhile, tried to hide her flushed face by lowering her head and gripping the edge of the counter.
[Hehe, red velvet my ass. You're making them commit acts of vampirism.]
"Shut up, bitch," Will muttered quietly under his breath.
After collecting an unreasonable amount of sweets, Maximus escorted Lia back to her home.
Lia was the daughter of one of the maids working under House Sinclair, and Maximus had bonded with her during childhood while they played together around the estate.
When they arrived, Maximus placed the sweets on a small table near the entrance. Lia bent down to arrange the shoes neatly by the rack, humming softly.
Before she could turn around, Maximus stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her gently into his embrace.
"Young master…" Lia whispered.
This time, she didn't resist much. Instead, she raised her hands and cupped his cheeks with her palms, her fingers trembling slightly.
Their faces were close enough that they could feel each other's breath. Slowly, hesitantly, their lips met. The kiss was soft at first, unsure and inexperienced, yet filled with genuine affection.
Time seemed to pass unnoticed as the two lingered in each other's warmth.
Eventually, they parted, both breathing lightly.
Maximus looked into Lia's eyes with a gentle smile. One hand rested on her waist while the other slowly brushed the back of her hair and neck.
"I want to make you mine, Lia," he said sincerely. "I want you to be mine forever."
He leaned forward and placed a gentle peck on her lips.
Lia's eyes shimmered with emotion. "Lia wants to be your bride, young master," she replied without hesitation. "Please make Lia yours."
She looked straight into his eyes, her voice firm despite her trembling hands.
They kissed again, this time deeper and longer, as if sealing a promise neither of them fully understood the consequences of.
Neither of them noticed the silent threads of fate tightening around them.
meanwhile a few streets away, Will smiled absent-mindedly "that brat should have gotten his first kiss right now" he spoke in empty air.
"whatever I got two binding opportunities" he said as he looked at the notifications
[ding!! do you want to bind Maximus Sinclair]
[ding!! do you want to bind Lia?]
"bind Maximus only"
meanwhile the binding was done Will returned to his work, but then suddenly he heard the system.
[what a pathetic virgin ass, not going ahead and stopping only at kiss, Yours truly would have breeded one thousand heirs till now]
"system" will called out
[what is it?]
"why don't you change your name from 'supreme system' to 'supreme horny system',"
[TSK....bastard]
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[ A/N - there won't be any snu-snu between them right now, they are minors]