There are tis when people find themselves in trouble no matter how careful they are. Fate, after all, has a way of playing cruel tricks.
Xion was no exception. In fact, trouble seed drawn to him, as if he carried a magnet for misfortune.
One mont, he was speaking with Nikolai, casually sipping the floral pink drink, and the next, his gaze caught sight of Allen in the distance.
In an instant, he knew that sothing was wrong.
Allen’s usual composed deanor was nowhere to be seen. His shoulders were stiff, his movents a little too controlled and his always calm face was tense.
It was like a man trying to hold his anger not making a scene.
Xion lowered his glass. "I’ll be back."
He did not even spare Nikolai a glance before making his way toward the other side.
Nikolai was instantly sward by people who had been waiting just for the perfect mont.
And so, he played the role of the charming prince, flashing polite smiles, all while helplessly watching Xion slip away.
Can you at least stay with for now?
But Xion wasn’t aware of his thoughts, and even if he had been, his answer would still be the sa. A big no.
By the ti Xion reached Allen, the words he overheard nearly made him laugh in anger.
"This is Lady Rosiele. She is the one we chose for you."
Allen’s father had a proud smile stretched across his face as he introduced a young woman to Allen.
If soone dared to tell him that this wasn’t a blatant attempt to force Allen into submission, he would personally make sure they never spoke nonsense again.
This wasn’t just a simple introduction. It was a carefully laid trap.
No one would discuss sothing as serious as a marriage arrangent at an event like this. Especially if it was the first ti introduction.
Not unless they wanted to corner the other party.
Allen’s father had intentionally chosen this mont, this setting, where every word spoken would be witnessed by influential eyes and ears.
By bringing it up here, he left Allen with no room to refuse.
If Allen outright rejected the proposal, it would be seen as a public insult to Baron Orion and his daughter.
A direct humiliation of a powerful businessman like Baron Orion would only force Allen under the heavy scrutiny of many others who benefitted from Baron’s business.
If he tried to evade the topic or remain silent, it wouldn’t matter. The re association of two families would be enough for the rumor mill to start spinning.
By tomorrow, whispers of an engagent would already be spreading everywhere, and even if Allen later denied it, his reputation would take the blow.
A man who didn’t uphold his promises. A man of questionable character.
And once that stain settled, it wouldn’t just affect Allen.
It would inevitably drag Darius into the ss.
Allen was known as Darius’ alchemist. His personal expert, soone closely tied to the archduke’s na.
Any scandal surrounding him would reflect poorly on Darius himself.
But this wasn’t rely about forcing Allen into marriage. His father was playing a far more calculated ga.
By making this arrangent public, he was forcing his disobedient son into submission while also making the connection with Baron who had enough riches to push even the marquis to bow.
And beyond that, the most insidious part was that he was forging an association with the archduke.
After all, Allen was Darius’ person. No matter how distant it was, having Allen as a son-in-law ant gaining a path toward the archduke.
Allen’s father had so much greed, so much desire to covet fortunes, that he did not care how it was affecting his son.
And Xion hated that.
So, he took a step forward and stood in front of Allen.
Then an embarrassing scene happened.
What Xion wanted to do was hide Allen behind him from those greedy eyes.
But... But!
His height was too short!
Xion forgot that he was not an adult yet. Nonetheless, even if he were, with Allen’s fra which was even taller than Ray’s, how could he hide him?
Soon his ears turned red. Due to his blunder, his anger rose to another level.
He glared at the culprit of it all. "Enough." His voice was not loud, but it was not suppressed either.
"This lady," Xion looked at the young girl who was presented like a gift to please others, "Do you like my brother?"
Now how could she answer that?
If she admitted it directly, would that not make her shaless? And if she said no, that would be against her father’s orders.
So, she could only blankly stare at Xion.
Xion had been waiting for this mont. With her silence, it had already tilted the situation in a way he wanted it to.
Xion let out a soft hum, as if deep in thought. Then, he smiled.
"Ah, I understand now." Xion clapped his hands lightly. With a bright and amused smile, he spoke. "This isn’t a matter of love, is it? You guys actually t for the first ti.
The young woman’s eyes widened slightly, but she remained silent.
Xion turned to the Baron who had just stepped closer to their group.
"They should be given a proper opportunity to know each other. Don’t you think so, Mr. Baron?"
Xion had no idea what his na was so he could only use his title.
"Of course, Lord Xion. That is why we are here."
Xion humd lightly and turned around. He glanced at Allen to see his situation. Much to his surprise, there was a slight smile on Alchemist’s lips.
And how could Allen not when Xion was protecting him like this?
It actually reminded him of young Darius. When he almost lost his life, it was Ray who found him and then he was taken to His Grace who was not yet the archduke.
He still rembered it as if was yesterday. He was exactly Xion’s age at that ti. After surviving the disaster of freezing to death, he was kneeling in front of the archduke in a plea to let him stay.
Theodore ordered his servants to throw him away, but the young Lord Darkhelm had directly stood in front of him.
"He is my person now. If he is a spy, then I’ll take full responsibility."
Allen could only stare at the tiny back of the child.
Whether it was the stubbornness of standing on his own ground or it was a simple way of defying the control of Theodore, the young lord had fiercely protected him.
And now, Xion was doing exactly the sa, and in the sa way too.
Allen could only stand there and listen to Xion’s words with curiosity.
"If it is about letting them et, should you not choose such a quieter place?"
Baron frowned slightly. He glanced at Allen’s father in silent inquiry.
According to the plan, everything should have been smooth, and they should soon be talking to the archduke about the new proposal for mining in the north.
But why was this bastard jumping around?
The fact that Xion was the son of the Marquis made his social standing higher than him. He could not even dismiss him!
"There might be so misunderstanding. Allen knows my daughter-"
"Hold on." Xion stopped them from speaking further.
"Brother, do you know her?"
Allen obviously did not know her. So, he shook his head in denial, "No, teacher."
Xion looked at Allen’s father with a smile, "Ah, I see it now."
With an exaggerated voice, he continued, "It’s about honor, isn’t it? About strengthening ties between families. About ensuring mutual benefit."
His words were diplomatic, but the amusent in his tone made them feel like a veiled mockery.
Allen’s father, sensing sothing was amiss, narrowed his eyes. "Of course, marriage is about bringing two respectable families together. You wouldn’t understand, Lord Xion. We all know about the situation of your mother, and we sympathize with you."
You are just a bastard. Your mother is so random whore. What do you understand about marriage? Shut up and leave.
This was what the old man was implying, and his thoughts were not the least bit hidden.
With feigned innocence, Xion chuckled "Oh? But I do understand. And I understand sothing else as well..."
His eyes flickered toward the girl. "Even if you are using your children as a ladder to climb up, you should at least respect their decision. Look how afraid the lady looks."
The young woman was pale. Hence, his words gave the girl an imdiate escape.
At the sa ti, Xion turned back to Allen’s father, his smile fading slightly. "And forcing soone into an arrangent in public like this. That too without any prior discussions... well, that seems rather improper."
His aning was clear.
It wasn’t Allen rejecting the marriage nor was he treating others lightly. It was how Allen’s father had orchestrated this entire setup.
Gasps rippled through the onlookers.
Allen’s father clenched his jaw. Now, he looked like the reckless one for putting a noble lady in such a precarious position.
Before he could retaliate, Xion turned to the girl’s father, Baron, and gave him a polite nod. "Baron, a decision like this should be made carefully, don’t you think? In a proper setting, with mutual consent."
The baron, now caught between his daughter’s dignity and Allen’s father’s sche, could only nod stiffly. "Of course."
Xion’s sweet smile returned on his face, "Then I will take my brother away. Thank you for your ti."
Just like that, the situation had been defused. The girl was no longer on the spot, Allen was freed from the trap, and Allen’s father...
Well, he was furious.
And that was exactly what Xion wanted.
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