When all the kids dispersed, Ignacio and Isidro stood alone.
"You did sothing stupid yet again... Why do you always pick on Luzia?" Isidro asked, his tone laced with frustration.
"Just stop it... She definitely cheated," Ignacio muttered, scowling.
"Ignacio, you—" Isidro began, but he was cut off.
"Ignacio."
The voice was firm, authoritative.
Ignacio stiffened. He turned slowly, and beside him, Isidro did the sa.
Duke Alejandro was approaching, his presence commanding as always. The weight of his gaze made Ignacio’s stomach twist, but he quickly masked any hesitation.
Both boys bowed in unison.
Duke Alejandro stopped in front of them, his sharp gaze settling on Ignacio. There was no imdiate anger in his expression, no raised voice—but that made it worse.
"Explain yourself," the Duke said evenly.
Ignacio clenched his jaw. "Father, she—"
"Enough." Alejandro’s tone silenced any excuse before it could fully form. "I watched everything."
Ignacio’s hands curled into fists at his sides.
"You let your emotions cloud your judgnt," Alejandro continued, his voice asured but firm. "You let yourself be humiliated, and worse—you made a fool of our na."
Ignacio flinched. His father’s words cut deeper than any slap could.
Isidro glanced at his friend, concern flickering in his eyes, but he remained silent.
"You are the son of House de Castillo," Alejandro said, his gaze never wavering. "Yet today, you acted no better than a common brat throwing a tantrum. Picking fights, shouting accusations without proof, losing your temper when challenged—tell , Ignacio, is that the behavior of a noble?"
Ignacio’s throat felt tight. He wanted to argue, to defend himself—but he knew better.
"No, Father," he forced out.
Alejandro studied him for a long mont before exhaling through his nose. "You will apologize to Luzia."
Ignacio’s head snapped up. "What?!"
The Duke’s gaze hardened. "Did I stutter?"
"But she—"
"Enough."
The weight of that single word crushed any further protest.
"You will not let your arrogance lead you into foolishness again," Alejandro said. "Or next ti, you will face consequences far worse than a bruised ego."
Ignacio swallowed hard, his pride warring with the command.
Alejandro turned his attention to Isidro. "And Isidro," he said, though his tone was less severe. "You have more sense than him. Make sure he does as he’s told."
Isidro nodded quickly. "Yes, my lord."
Alejandro gave Ignacio one last pointed look before turning on his heel and walking away.
The mont he was gone, Ignacio exhaled sharply, his fists shaking.
"You heard him," Isidro said, crossing his arms. "Better figure out how you’re going to apologize."
Ignacio scowled. "Like hell I will."
Isidro sighed. "Then I hope you enjoy whatever punishnt your father has planned next."
Ignacio gritted his teeth, seething. Luzia.
She would pay for this.
Ignacio exhaled sharply, his pride still stinging. His father’s command weighed on him, but there was no way he would let Luzia think she had won so easily. With a forced breath, he straightened his posture and turned in the direction where she stood with, Elena, and, Stephan.
Isidro watched him warily, already sensing trouble.
Ignacio approached Luzia, schooling his expression into sothing that resembled humility—at least on the surface.
While musicians played a lively tune in the background.
Standing before Luzia, with his father’s sharp gaze upon him, he exhaled through his nose. He had no choice.
"Fine." Ignacio’s voice was controlled, though his jaw tightened slightly. He turned to Luzia, inclining his head ever so slightly—just enough to be considered polite.
"Lady Luzia," he said, voice carefully asured. "I apologize for my... misjudgnt earlier."
Duke Alejandro arched a brow, surprised at his son’s willingness to comply so quickly.
Isidro let out a relieved breath, only for it to catch in his throat at what Ignacio said next.
"I was... wrong," he said carefully. "You probably didn’t cheat." A smirk curled at the edge of his lips. "I suppose even soone like you is capable of a lucky shot."
Duke Alejandro’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing, rely watching.
Luzia raised a brow.
"How generous of you, Lord Ignacio." Her voice was light, but her golden eyes held a sharp glint. "A lucky shot, was it? Interesting, considering how thoroughly I outperford you."
Ignacio’s smirk faltered for half a second before he crossed his arms, scoffing. "You did well for an orphan."
A dangerous silence fell over the small group.
Elena gasped softly, glancing nervously between them, while Stephan’s expression darkened ever so slightly.
Luzia, however, rely smiled. A slow, knowing smile that sent a chill down Ignacio’s spine.
"I do hope you’re not still clinging to that pathetic excuse to soothe your wounded ego, Lord Ignacio," she said smoothly. "It’s embarrassing."
Ignacio stiffened. "You—"
"Enough."
Duke Alejandro’s voice cut through the tension like a blade.
Everyone turned toward him as he stepped forward, his presence commanding, unreadable.
"Ignacio," the duke said, "I see now that discipline alone will not be enough to curb your recklessness. You need soone who will challenge you, humble you, and ensure you do not ruin yourself."
Ignacio frowned, confused. "What are you—"
Alejandro turned, his voice carrying across the grand hall.
"As Duke of House Castillo, I formally announce the betrothal of my son, Ignacio Castillo, to Lady Luzia Cazadores."
The room fell into stunned silence.
Ignacio’s blood ran cold.
Luzia’s eyes widened slightly before narrowing, her sharp gaze snapping toward the duke.
"Elena." Luzia’s voice was calm, but Stephan imdiately moved closer, sensing the storm brewing.
"Yes, my lady?" Elena whispered.
"...Did I mishear, or did the duke just say sothing absolutely ridiculous?"
"I-I believe you heard correctly," Elena murmured, her face pale.
anwhile, Ignacio’s mind was spinning. "What?!" He turned to his father, his composure cracking. "Father, you can’t be serious!"
Alejandro leveled him with a firm stare. "I am."
"I refuse—"
"You will accept."
Ignacio’s protests died in his throat.
Luzia, however, took a slow breath before tilting her head at Alejandro, her expression unreadable.
"How amusing," she mused. "And yet, I do not recall agreeing to such an arrangent."
The tension in the room thickened.
Ignacio whipped around to glare at her. "Of course you would say that."
Luzia t his gaze with unshaken confidence. "And why wouldn’t I? What sane woman would willingly marry you?"
A ripple of murmurs swept through the noble guests.
Ignacio looked ready to combust. "You—!"
Alejandro raised a hand, silencing him.
"Lady Luzia, your father already accepted this so You will both do as duty requires," the duke said. His tone left no room for argunt.
Luzia’s gaze darkened. She had faced many things in life, but being forced into marriage with Ignacio? That was the most insulting of all. And father agreed?
She exhaled, crossing her arms. "This is absurd."
Ignacio clenched his fists, gritting his teeth. "For once, I agree with you."
The two of them locked eyes, both furious, both unwilling to back down.
And the nobles watching?
Well, this engagent was already proving to be the most entertaining scandal of the year.
Princess Benedicta crossed her arms, a deep frown settling on her face as she watched the commotion from her seat among the noble guests. Her sharp eyes lingered on Luzia, assessing her with quiet disapproval.
A betrothal?
She wasn’t surprised.
She had been expecting this.
Beside her, Crisanto humd, swinging his legs beneath his chair. Unlike Benedicta, he looked more amused than anything, his bright eyes flicking between Luzia and Ignacio with growing interest.
He leaned forward slightly, resting his chin in his hands as a thought struck him.
"So she’s Lord Ramiro’s daughter..."
A grin tugged at his lips. He had heard stories about her. Now, watching her face twist in barely restrained irritation, he found himself liking her already.
Benedicta, however, was not as entertained.
"This arrangent isn’t it ridiculous?" she muttered.
Crisanto turned to her, tilting his head. "Why?"
Benedicta shot him an look. "Because Ignacio is the heir to House Castillo. He deserves a proper match, not so nobody."
Crisanto grinned. "But isn’t it fun? Look at them! They already hate each other."
Benedicta sighed, shaking her head. "You’re impossible."
Crisanto just laughed, kicking his feet as he turned his attention back to Luzia.
This is going to be interesting.
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