"Can you help me?" asked Lina, putting up of a brave face.

"Yes, I can, but why do you need my help?"

"For me to stand up against myself."

"You want to stand against yourself?" asked James in a confused tone.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I have been doing whatever they told me to & a part of me is just used to it. It feels like I just can't say no & the result is this. Always causing problems for others."

James nodded, saying nothing as it was mostly true & judging from her background, it was not strange for her to not be able to say no.

"So, I want you to stand behind me so my family won't be able to force me to do things."

"Just me standing."

"Your name is more than enough." replied Lina, matching his gaze. The Esper's name carried far more importance than any other thing in the entire empire standing beside the royal family. They were one of many few people who wrote the very law that governed this country, so the authority & responsibility came with it.

"How will that work?" James couldn't understand what this girl was planning to do with his name. And what did she mean by standing behind her?

"In the last ditch effort to make thing right, father came up with this pregnancy drama. I was never pregnant but to prove things, he had ordered me to sleep with you in any ways possible to do things. I said no, but it was an order & who am I to disagree with that? Also, this is the reason for me being here." Added the girl with a sigh, as Leon had to know everything before she could ask him for more.

"So..."

"They know nothing about me telling you all this & I don't want them to know. So I am giving you an offer to use me as a tool to get information from them. You already know our relationship with Arlets & they will not stop until they take you all down. I want you to keep me with you so I can tell you everything you need to know to avoid further issues. This upcoming civil war is the golden opportunity for them to clean the slate for once & for all."

Hearing the Arlet's mention, James's facial expression changed into a serious one. Lina told the same things as Leon's mother said. Arlet's name kept creeping up in every damn situation. They were the one who provoked him, cut the deal from their side & now this.

Her words were true & he didn't need more proof as it was in plain sight for everyone to see. Abercron & Arlets, they were all in this together to take Espers down, and this conflict was in perfect time to execute their plan.

People were already not happy with the current situation & if they saw their ruler getting involved in nonsensical things except fixing the problem, then James wouldn't even have 6 months before everything would come crashing down on him.

Still, there was one thing left & that was why she wanted to get used by him. Just a moment ago, she mentioned she hated herself for getting manipulated by others, but now was asking him to use her from her side.

It didn't add up. Things seemed too good to be true & he was not someone who was going to but that. It could be another plan by that moron named Karl to gain his trust by manipulating her. There was no fair play in this game, so there was no point in believing others or taking a lip of faith.

"Why? Why are you telling me all this?"

"Cause I want you to trust me & in return I want to trust you." replied Lina as she already expected such questions from him.

"Just a moment ago you said you hated getting used by your family, but now you want me to use you, exploit you, to get information. I want to know why? Why you want me to use you? It is the same using game & you will get used nonetheless.

So why me a complete stranger about whom you know nothing, but not your family who raised you from the very day you came to this world. It's not just about trusting Lina, it's not. Tell me the real reason. Tell me what you really want?" asked James in a tone devoid of any emotion.

He was not getting fooled again for trusting someone. He was here to change & he would change it, no matter the cost.

"I knew you will say that. It will be foolish of me to think that you will trust me after all this, but I will answer your question, as you deserve to know the answer." said Lina with a smile to which Leon didn't even react in the slightest.

"Yes, I hate getting used by others but I won't mind getting used by you cause I know you will not use me for nonsensical reasons like getting profits or more land. I know you will value me as a person & treat me like a human being, not like an object.

I am even willing to give myself to you if you will accept me as your wife. We can have kids if you ever wanted & I will raise them without giving you any burden. You don't even need to treat me like your wife. Just treat me like any other maid & I will be more than happy to serve you."

Hearing the words, James' mouth was hung open in shock as to what this girl was speaking. Just how bad the situation was for her? How badly was she treated by her parents?

"Why you are going this far?"

"I just want you to accept me as someone, not something. I want you to trust me. I want you to see who am I not what am I. I want a life where I won't have to worry about saying no. Every decision I make would be mine. And you are the only one who can give this life to me.

Just allow me to stay with you & I promise I won't cause you any problems. You can be the master & I can be a servant, but please accept me. You can use me in any way you want. Physically, mentally, I swear I will never object."

Lina was going this far because it was the only choice she had left with her for a better life. Leon could be a worthless piece of garbage, but he disrespected no one for no reason. He valued each & every person & treated them with respect. It was one of the many words taught to him by his mother & he followed it like a lifeline.

This was the reason for saying her inner thoughts to Leon, which she couldn't explain to anyone. He would treat her with respect & she would have a life, and getting used or becoming his plaything was just a mere price to pay.

"It won't have to be me, right? It can be anyone as long as they can give you the freedom you desire."

"No. It has to be you. Because in this whole wide world, there is only one Leonhart who can see me & give me the life I want." replied Lina in a determined tone.

"Why are being so desperate?" asked James in a confused tone. Her words seemed as if there was no time left for her to live or go anywhere. And at any moment, someone would come to take her away.

"I am being desperate because I have little time left to do anything. If I fail at convincing you now, then there is no point in living this life anymore. They will take me away & I will keep playing for them for as long as I can remember." said Lina with a sad expression. If Loen won't help her, then there was no point in going back, as the outcome was already pre-written.

"You sure you are not playing some game with me organised by your brother?"

"I swear I am not." replied Lina, with a shocked expression. "I can prove you anyway you want? Just tell me what to do?" She would do anything he wanted to prove that she was doing all this by her heart's content, not because of some external planning.

To this question, he had no answers, as he hadn't thought of any way to test the integrity of her words. Still, she didn't seem to be lying. Her expressions were too genuine to be faked. Her words, tone, eyes they really were telling the truth.

Seeing the confused expression on Leon's face, Lina spoke once again, trying to convince him.

"If you want, do something with me or play with my body, then please do. I will not stop you. And if you want, I can sleep with you naked every day. I can also..."

"What the...? Where did you get all these weird ideas?" shouted James, hearing her weird ass ideas to prove things.

"Don't you have fantasies like other men? All men want to do many weird stuff with their women so I thought..." said Lina like an innocent child who had done something wrong.

"Yes, every man has fantasies, but they want them to with their women means their wife, someone they love. They won't just do it to anyone. And for the love of God, where did you read all this?"

"In library. There are a lot of books regarding how to satisfy man & I read those for my future husband." said Lina, like an innocent child who had done something wrong.

"You can do all that with your husband. Not with me." replied Leon massaging his eyelids. Just a moment ago she was acting like a mature lady, but in just a minute she was behaving like a child.

"Then be my husband. I can fulfill all your desires & fantasies. I promise I will do whatever you will tell me to."

"No. I won't be your husband. A man & a woman become husband & wife when they love each other & marry, not just in a snap like that."

"Love me then."

"Love doesn't happen in a day."

"Then take your time. I will be waiting."

"Why you are going to wait...? You know what fine. I will allow you to stay with me but in another room. You will help me with everything needed & will tell me what your family is planning next. Don't break my trust & nothing will happen. And if you ever thought about breaking it, then I swear it won't end well for you." said James in an indifferent tone as to warn the girl about the consequences.

He was searching for people who could help him in future & Lina was one of the many few who could help him if used properly. He hated using people for his gain, but no one was playing the fair game anymore & he was not someone to stick with the rules.

He would bend it if the situation demands & now was one of those times.