Rafal returned to Ahrens. After freshening up from his sweaty appearance at his own residence, the first thing he did was go to see his sister.
Erin was sitting in her study, reading books, when she heard her third brother was here to et her. "He must have heard the news of my marriage," she thought. She put the books aside and walked out to the drawing room.
"Brother," she politely greeted him.
Rafal, who was sitting in a chair, stood up. "How have you been? I did not get much ti to talk with you?"
"I understand, brother. You are a knight and you have to be with Her Highness all the ti," she replied.
He looked at her with the gaze that showed worry of a brother. "Erin, I heard about your marriage arrangents."
She nodded. "And you heard right."
"Oh, so I heard it right as well," another man entered the drawing room along with Euron.
It was Erin’s second brother, Rowan Ahren. Another of the Ahren family’s gems, a tall and handso man sharing the perfect genes of their family just like his other two brothers. He wore an off-white tunic shirt and beige pants along with long boots. His short hair was a little ssy and lazy, adding charm to his cool personality.
Walys Ahren had four children: Euron, Rowan, Rafal, and Erin, the youngest. Eldest son Euron handled the family business and supported his father with royal court matters. Rowan, the second son, was always outside and never liked to stay in one place. He managed external business matters and acted as a secret adviser and informant due to his connections, supporting Arlan’s dark forces while staying away from direct matters. The third son, Rafal, carried the family legacy of being a royal knight.
Rowan walked towards them, patting Rafal’s shoulder in a brotherly greeting. "Ron," Rafal greeted him. The three brothers called each other by nas in private, regardless of who was older or younger.
"I heard you have an interesting job of teaching sword skills to soone," Rowan comnted.
"Nothing is unknown to you," Rafal didn’t deny it.
He then turned to his sister, who greeted politely, "Brother Ron."
His lips curved into a playful smirk as he flicked his finger on her forehead.
"Ah... brother..." she rubbed her forehead.
"Why so formal with , little sweet? Is it because you’re getting married that you’re acting like a lady in front of ?" Rowan asked.
She stopped rubbing her forehead and looked at him. "I was simply greeting you the way I did brother Rafal."
Rowan gently rubbed the red spot on her forehead. "Well, you can keep the ladylike show for our other brothers," he countered. "I’ve taken so many efforts to spoil you, and this is how you repay —by acting like a lady. What has changed, my sister, hmm?"
"I am not a child now, brother Ron," she replied, a little annoyed.
In response, Rowan simply stared at her and then looked at his other two brothers as if asking what happened. Rafal had no clue, while Euron chose silence.
"Stop teasing her and take a seat first," Euron instructed.
Rafal and Euron sat in the chairs while Rowan sat on the sofa with Erin.
"So, what made you fond of getting married all of a sudden and that too in the northeast?" Rowan asked, not beating around the bush.
Euron and Rafal were the kind who would think before talking, while Rowan was the one with no hesitation or filter.
"Brother Ron, if you’re forgetting, your sister is of age to get married now," Erin replied. "I am going to follow our father’s wishes."
"Then why don’t you look excited?"
"Do you want to act like those annoying girls who feel shy and blush for nothing just at the ntion of getting married or at the na of their husband?" she countered. "Please do not expect that from . I am sane enough to know marriage is inevitable, and one day I have to go through it."
"From the na of husband, do you even know who you are getting married to?" Rowan asked.
"Do I really need to prove to you that I am not an idiot?" she retorted.
"Though you do not want to act shy like those other girls, the expression you have doesn’t bode well with the situation."
"I am always like this, brother."
"I don’t rember."
Erin sighed as there was no way she could ever win against this brother of hers.
Rowan asked, "Rafal, you have worked closely with Aaron. What do you think about him?"
"You have worked with him as well, being the dark forces’ esteed inforr," Rafal countered.
"I see him in high regard, but I want to know your opinion. After all, it’s about our dear sister," Rowan added.
"He is a good man. Erin would not have any issues with him. She won’t live a restricted life but one with freedom. He is not the kind of person to control or restrict soone."
"What do you think, Euron?" Rowan asked again.
"I agree with what Rafal said."
"Well, as we three agree with him as our sister’s husband, I see no issue," Rowan spoke and turned to Erin. "I like your choice, Erin."
"You should thank our father instead," she retorted, not excited at the praise.
"Now we’ve praised the man you agreed to marry, why do you still have these sullen expressions? Is anyone forcing you?" Rowan asked.
She shook her head. "That’s my decision."
Euron spoke up. "Maybe she isn’t familiar with Lord Wynter yet, so there’s no excitent about getting married."
"Is that it?" Rowan asked.
"I have seen him a few tis with brother Rafal," Erin inford.
"But that can’t be enough," Rowan said, looking at Rafal, who had been quiet. "How about you propose to Aaron to et our sister before he leaves for the northeast?"
"There is no need," Erin interrupted.
Rowan raised an eyebrow. "He is the man you’re going to marry. You should et him..."
"I trust our father’s and your judgnts about him. Once I get married, I’ll know him anyway." The reluctance to et anyone was evident in her eyes.
All three brothers simply looked at her in silence, making her nervous under scrutinising their gazes.
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