"By the way, will the engagent with the Tharot family really happen?"
Upon hearing that, Ardhis stopped chewing for a few seconds before continuing.
"The engagent... I haven't decided yet," he replied after swallowing his food and letting out a long sigh.
There was an agreent between the Clay and Tharot families. The Tharot family was a duke family, a high-ranking noble house.
Compared to the Clays, the Tharots clearly stood on a higher social level.
The agreent stipulated that the next generations of both families would be betrothed.
It had originally been made by Ardhis' father and the parents of Fredrin Tharot, the current head of the Tharot family.
Since both fathers had sons, the arrangent was passed down to their children.
As it happened, the Clay family had rlin and the Tharot family had Luna, so the agreent from the past naturally remained in effect.
To be honest, Ardhis was strongly against the engagent. The Clay and Tharot families were three ranks apart—Count, Marquis, and then Duke.
Although both were noble families, their classes were different, which could easily harm the relationship between their children later on.
Of course, Ardhis would never humble himself, not even before Fredrin Tharot.
He had his pride, but this issue had beco a lingering dilemma. So, he decided to wait for his son's advice first.
Livia fell silent at that. Her expression revealed a complexity she could not hide.
She was well aware of her husband's predicant, and truthfully, she did not want rlin engaged to Luna Tharot.
It wasn't that she disliked the girl, but she felt the two were from different worlds. Besides, she had already promised her son to Catrine.
The little girl had been under her care since infancy, so she knew her very well. Moreover, Catrine loved rlin deeply.
Though both were still young, it was not a serious issue.
anwhile, Catrine, who had overheard the conversation, was stunned.
She lifted her head, eyes wide, staring at her parents in surprise.
"Father, Mother, what were you just talking about? Big brother… has a fiancée? Since when? Why didn't I know?" She asked in a panicked voice.
She had no idea such a huge secret had been kept from her.
Ardhis, anticipating her reaction, hurried to reassure her. "Don't panic, my dear. It's not what you think."
"Not what I think?" Catrine repeated doubtfully. "Then what does it an?"
Ardhis picked up his glass, took a small sip, and then said, "This matter is a bit complicated, but I'll explain it to you."
He went on to explain everything. Catrine was no longer the innocent little girl who knew nothing—at nine years old, her mind was already beginning to mature.
Fifteen minutes passed before Ardhis finally stopped and let out a long sigh.
"It's like this, my dear. This is an agreent made by my father—or rather, your grandfather. There's really nothing I can do about it," he said, his tone tinged with helplessness.
If he were to break off the engagent unilaterally, the Tharot family would surely take it as an insult, and hostility between the two families would be inevitable.
Moreover, his relationship with Fredrin was actually quite good, and he didn't want to ruin it.
Catrine fell silent, biting her lower lip. She understood her father's predicant but still felt sad and frustrated.
Not at her parents—but at herself.
Had she been as strong as Linda, perhaps she could have prevented the engagent between her brother and the Tharot daughter.
But reality struck hard. She was too weak and powerless to do anything.
"But don't worry just yet," Ardhis' voice ca again. "We'll wait for rlin's advice. That boy is incredibly intelligent—I'm sure he'll have so ideas about this."
Catrine simply nodded without saying another word. She continued her breakfast, though it sohow felt bland.
Noticing her daughter's mood, Livia felt a pang of worry. But as Ardhis had said, there was nothing they could do for now.
The only option was to wait for their son's arrival.
They continued their al, each lost in their own thoughts.
Suddenly, footsteps sounded from the dining room door. They naturally turned and saw rlin entering.
At the sight of him, Catrine's expression brightened for a mont—but it quickly faded. She returned to her indifferent deanor, continuing her al as if he weren't there.
rlin noticed her reaction and felt puzzled.
'What's going on? Why does Catrine seem upset with ?' He wondered silently.
As far as he could rember, he hadn't done anything to offend her. So why was she angry?
Lost in thought, he walked over and was greeted by his parents.
"Just woke up? Didn't I tell Maya to wake you? What happened?" Livia asked, her tone tinged with annoyance.
"Ahem!" rlin coughed, embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Mother. It's not that Maya didn't wake , but there was a big incident earlier. I can't explain it now, but I'll tell you later."
The matter of Maya's awakening had to be discussed seriously with his parents.
After all, it was almost impossible—but it had happened. rlin needed a plausible explanation ready for their questions later.
Despite her suspicions, Livia did not press further.
"Sit down and eat first. We have sothing important to discuss—it concerns your future."
rlin was taken aback by her words. He frowned, trying to guess what his mother ant.
Still, without asking further, he nodded obediently and walked over to Catrine, sitting down beside her.
"Did you have a good breakfast?" rlin asked casually.
To his surprise, Catrine didn't answer. She only shot him a quick glance and snorted softly.
rlin felt confused but didn't mind. He quietly continued his breakfast.
Halfway through his al, his mother spoke up.
"rlin, you're getting older, and we'd like to ask your opinion on sothing."
rlin paused and nodded slowly.
"Of course, Mother. Please tell ."
"Your engagent to the girl from the Tharot family is about to take place. They've requested a eting between the two families within a week. What do you think?"
"Ahem!" rlin imdiately choked and hurriedly gulped down his drink.
Ardhis chuckled and shook his head. "Careful, kid. If you choke to death, I can't help you."
Livia stared at him intently, and Ardhis was instantly left speechless.
rlin wiped his lips with a napkin and asked in a panic, "Mother, are you serious? Has the Tharot family really decided to make this engagent official?"
The word "betrothal" sent an inexplicable shiver down his spine. The real rlin Clay was about to beco the lapdog of one of the heroines—Luna Tharot.
That girl was cold, cruel, and unsettling. In the novel, she manipulated the real rlin Clay, playing tricks on him while secretly scheming with the main character.
She was cunning and… utterly repulsive.
"Yes," Livia replied. "The Tharot family wants to formalize the betrothal between you and their daughter. So tell , how do you feel about it?"
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