Chapter 91

Elise needed a moment to process what she had just heard. Atticus took in her reaction and continued, "The old man doesn't have the will to go on anymore. It's been tough for him to live by himself. Yet, he promised Victoria that he would have your back. Now that I'm all grown up, I can take over that role." He paused before adding, "Also, if you marry me, you'll also gain access to what you're really interested in. For instance, traditional medicine." "But…" Elise finally found her voice. She hadn't expected things to take such a turn. "I could just find someone to teach me…" "Dream on, El. If that were possible, he'd have taken you as his student ages ago. After all, you've known him since you were little." "C-Can't I learn from you?" He smirked devilishly. "No can do. Neither my father nor I inherited his skills. The old man swore his knowledge would only ever be passed down to his own kin." In other words, she had no choice but to marry him. Elise couldn't bring herself to