Spoiled By My Nine Beast Husbands (Emma Tibarn) novel Chapter 172

**When She Opened the Door to the Life She Was Afraid to Live by Nora Vale Kingsley 172**
**Chapter 172 A Reckless Pledge**

“I even managed to make Ms. Tibarn worry about me… I… I truly deserve to die!”

His voice dripped with self-pity, each word laced with an almost theatrical flair that was hard to ignore.

Silas and Lucien exchanged a knowing glance, an unspoken understanding passing between them.

Both men were familiar with Malrik, having dealt with him on several occasions to acquire warships—some of which were secondhand, while others were brand new. Yet, their interactions had always been brief, conducted through intermediaries. They had never anticipated that beneath his polished exterior lay a master manipulator, a true showman who thrived on the drama of his own despair.

“Then why don’t you just die already? Can’t bear to?” Marcus interrupted, his voice a rasping whisper that sliced through the tension like a knife. “With you being this useless, what’s there to even miss?”

Merlin’s fists tightened into angry knots, the urge to lash out at this feeble creature swelling within him. He imagined poisoning Marcus on the spot, relishing the thought of silencing that insufferable tongue.

“You’re right,” Merlin replied, his voice quaking with emotion. “I do deserve to die. Having made it this far to see Ms. Tibarn, I have no regrets. I’ll die now.”

With a trembling resolve, he struggled to rise, swaying unsteadily as he staggered toward the door.

Damn it! Once he earned Emma’s complete trust, he would deal with this wolf first. Marcus, at Rank 11, wouldn’t stand a chance against him in a fair fight. Thankfully, he had some potent poison stashed away.

He had expected Lucien and the others to intervene, to stop him before he could make a foolish mistake. Instead, they merely stood there, arms crossed, observing the unfolding drama with a dispassionate air.

It was Corvin, bustling in from the kitchen with a tray of water, who noticed Merlin’s precarious state. He quickly set the tray down, his instincts kicking in as he rushed to steady the unsteady figure before him.

“Malrik, your wounds aren’t healed yet. Where do you think you’re going?” Corvin’s voice was filled with genuine concern. “Sit back down. If something happens to you, Emma will worry.”

At those words, Merlin’s resolve wavered, and his eyes brimmed with unexpected tears.

“Ms. Tibarn would worry about me? I’m so useless. I shouldn’t even be allowed near her,” he lamented, his voice cracking under the weight of his self-loathing.

Corvin, with his pure-hearted nature, failed to see the charade. All he perceived was a pitiful soul on the verge of breaking down.

“You just saved Ms. Tibarn. How could you be useless?” he countered, his voice earnest and encouraging. He helped Merlin back into a seated position and handed him the water. “Here, take a sip. You need it.”

Meanwhile, upstairs, Emma was changing her clothes, preparing herself to face the world outside her room. Lucien, glancing at the time, finally turned to Merlin, breaking the silence that had settled in the room.

“You’ve arrived, and Emina wants you to stay. I’ll find you a room on the first floor and help you settle in for now.”

Merlin held the cup of water with a grateful smile, his heart swelling with gratitude. “Thank you, Prince Lucien. On the outer battlefield, we’ve fought side by side so many times… and now, here we are, both matched to the same huntress. I came the latest, so I’ll rely on all of you from now on.”

Silas shot him a half-smile, the warmth of camaraderie evident in his gaze. “Don’t worry. We’re all family. We’ve got your back.”

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