Joshua also nonchalantly shrugged. "Your inability to gauge my son's capability is your shortcoming, not ours. You were the one adamant on dissolving the engagent and you chose the duel as a ans to accomplish that. It's hardly our fault that your plan backfired." He paused for a mont to take a breath before continuing, "Now, we demand that you return everything we have given you as part of the betrothal agreent. However, you may choose to break your word. It's not like I can stop you from eating your own words and acting shaless. We will allow you to leave our stronghold unscathed, but be prepared to answer a summons from the Queen's court."
Directing his gaze at the Queen's Guard, he asked in a straightforward tone, "Isn't that correct?"
"Indeed, Lord Joshua." The Queen's Guard nodded, reinforcing Joshua's statent with his own authority. "The conditions of the duel were explicitly outlined and mutually agreed upon by all parties involved. It's the duty of the Kendricks now to respect the terms of the duel. If they fail to do so," he turned to look directly at Hamilton and Adelina, "you, Lord Whitemore, reserve the right to escalate this issue to the Queen's court."
The Kendricks' face paled. They were well aware that in the Queen's court, they would have no chance of wriggling out of their obligations. They might even be sued for more than they owes. Acting sensibly, they decided to avoid further loss.
With a resigned sigh, they lowered their heads. It was a bitter acknowledgent of their defeat.
Caught in the web of their own scheming, the Kendricks had no choice but to comply with the wishes of the Whitemores!
"Fine," Hamilton finally conceded in a voice thick with frustration and bitterness. "We will honor the terms of the duel."
And just like that, the engagent between Val and Adelina, who proved to be an opportunist, was dissolved.
Val felt glad as he had avoided a red flag.
Adelina was ant for the street, not his lap. She definitely didn't deserve to marry him.
In the face of the growing pressure, the Kendricks returned all the betrothal gifts they had received from the Whitemores when Val was engaged to Adelina.
Once they had done what was expected of them, they quickly left the Whitemore estate and the IronSpire Stronghold, along with their entourage and the unconscious Seraphim Stroud.
Their swift departure gave the impression of fugitives escaping a calamity.
After seeing them scram back to the place they ca from, Joshua turned to face Val. Looking at him, his stern gaze softened. He approached Val and placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Val," he began, his voice laden with fatherly pride, "you've made proud today. The Whitemores have always been a lineage of warriors. It's heartening to see you carry that legacy."
"I deserve a reward, don't I?" Val couldn't help but ask, considering he had driven away the opportunists and brought honor to the family that had abandoned him.
Seeing his son's enthusiasm, Joshua chuckled, "Well, I am feeling rather generous today. Why don't you pick sothing for yourself from the betrothal gifts we've retrieved from those kendricks bastards?"
"Sure. Will do. Thanks, father."
Val's eyes scanned over the variety of items that had been returned by the Kendricks.
Among them, one particular object stood out: a small, dark obsidian sphere with shifting shadows beneath its surface.
The sphere was a cursed artifact, an item known as the Void Orb.
Joshua hadn't skimped on the betrothal gifts. His indulgence had been evident in the array of precious items he had sent to the Kendricks. He had not hesitated to include the valuable Void Orb in the assortnt, an artifact whose value was imasurable. This was the degree of his pride and his greed, wishing for nothing but the best for his son's betrothal. However, the Kendricks, blinded by their short-sighted sches and unable to appreciate the true value of their relationship with the Whitemores, had ended up losing everything. They lost the alliance, the betrothal gifts, and most importantly, the respect and trust they could have earned.
The Void Orb had been part of the Whitemore's generous betrothal gift but now, thanks to the actions of the Kendricks, it was back in their hands, right where it belonged.
Legend has it that once one conquers its corrosive force and forms a bond with it, the Void Orb would grants them a portable storage ability which can be used to store a plethora of items. Stored items can be pulled out at the behest of the user.
'So it's basically like the interspatial ring that I have read about in webnovels. Interesting.'
This could prove invaluable to him; a secure space to store his items.
With this, he could carry a multitude of objects without being burdened by their weight and he would also be able to keep them safe and accessible at any ti!
"I have decided. I want this cursed artifact."
"Sure. Take it."
Having gained the permission of his father, Val reached out and picked up the Void Orb.
It was surprisingly light, as though it weighed no more than a feather, and its dark surface seed to absorb all the surrounding light, rendering it a sight of captivating beauty.
Taking a deep breath, Val made a small incision on his palm with his nail, allowing his blood to seep into the surface of the orb.
The Void Orb responded instantly, a pulse of energy rippling across it as the blood infiltrated its cracks. The orb humd and vibrated gently in Val's hand.
Suddenly, a system notification appeared before him, bringing with it news that he found pleasant.
[System Notification: You have successfully bonded with the Rank-4 Cursed Artifact - 'Void Orb'.
[Effects: Grants a pocket dinsion in which you can store items. With a single thought, stored items can be equipped.]
A satisfied smirk graced Val's lips.
This indeed was a valuable acquisition!
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