rlin fell silent at his mother's words. He hadn't expected the engagent issue to resurface so gradually.
As far as he could rember, the engagent between rlin Clay and Luna Tharot had been arranged when he was nine—technically, just a year ago.
Inevitably, he suspected that all of this was the result of the butterfly effect he had triggered two years earlier.
'The consequences turned out to be enormous. Could it be that the main character really won't appear...?' he muttered, his voice tense.
This fear had lingered for two whole years. Abel, who was supposed to be found by the royal family within the next year, might never be located.
If that happened, the future would descend into true chaos.
"rlin? Why are you so quiet? Do you disagree with this engagent?"
His mother's worried voice pulled him from his thoughts.
He realized his father, mother, and sister were all watching him anxiously.
Catrine, in particular, looked tense, yet there was a gleam of happiness in her round eyes, as if she were secretly delighted by her mother's words.
"No, Mother," rlin said, shaking his head. "This matter is too important to be decided by one side alone. What do you think about this engagent?"
He sipped his mango juice, looking at his parents with an inquiring gaze.
"As for , I actually disagree," Ardhis said frankly. "I've heard that the daughter of the Tharot family is arrogant, cold, and tends to be cunning. For , having a daughter-in-law like that would be like bringing a wolf into the house."
For Ardhis, the ideal woman was like Livia—comforting, firm, yet gentle.
Well, Livia could be intimidating when angry, but that was understandable and reasonable.
anwhile, Luna Tharot truly embodied the image of a high-class noble girl. That was why Ardhis felt his son and Luna were not a good match.
"I also disagree," Livia said, frowning. "That girl doesn't fit the image of the ideal partner in my mind. It's not about her looks but her character. To be honest, I don't like her at all. On the contrary..."
She looked at Catrine affectionately. "I prefer Catrine as your partner. Isn't that right, my dear?"
Ardhis imdiately understood the aning behind her gaze.
"Yes, I agree with your mother," he said.
Livia's words left Catrine embarrassed. Her pale face turned as red as a tomato, and she glanced at rlin beside her, shy and nervous.
rlin chuckled softly as he rubbed her head, realizing that his parents were trying to set him up with Catrine.
Of course, it was perfectly legal. There was no blood relation between him and his sister, especially since Catrine's status as an adopted child was widely known throughout the kingdom.
He had no personal objection, but he didn't want it to happen so soon. After all… ahem… there were still many heroines he wanted to et.
"I understand. But a unilateral breakup isn't the solution—on the contrary, it could have a negative impact on our family. So, let's just proceed as usual. I'll et Luna Tharot and discuss the breakup with her," rlin said seriously.
Among all the female heroes, Luna Tharot was the one he didn't want to have any contact with under any circumstances.
Her cunning, cruel, and manipulative nature was truly terrifying.
Certainly, from readers' perspective, Luna had once seed like an intriguing heroine—rlin had thought so too.
But after entering the body of rlin Clay two years ago and realizing the unfortunate fate that awaited him, his outlook had changed.
For a girl who could threaten his future, he would not hesitate to sever ties.
"Since you've said that, I won't comnt further," Ardhis said with a casual smile. "The eting will be at their mansion, so you'll be going with Jas later. Understood?"
rlin was clearly surprised by his father's words. "What do you an, Father? You and Mother aren't coming with ? Isn't the eting supposed to be between the two families?"
His mother had indeed ntioned earlier that the eting would begin next week, so it was only natural for rlin to assu they would accompany him.
"Your mother and I have business in the capital next week, so we can't go with you," Ardhis said, sipping his coffee. "Jas will represent and protect you. I've already told Frederin, and he understood the situation."
rlin was silent for a mont, then sighed deeply.
"Business in the capital, you say? You're not selling your child to them, are you?" His eyes narrowed suspiciously.
Ardhis frowned at the accusation. "You're really cruel, kid. Do you think your father and mother are that heartless? His Majesty asked to co advise on the managent of Droswen over the past two years. He's very interested in how our city has progressed so quickly."
"So if you want to bla soone, bla yourself for being too remarkable."
Ever since rlin had shown him how to manage taxes effectively, Ardhis had grown increasingly impressed with the boy.
He even sotis sought rlin's advice on other matters—like designing irrigation channels for farrs who had opened rice fields two kiloters from the city, arranging pathways so as not to disturb pedestrians, and more.
Surprisingly, his son was both clever and capable!
His intelligence had clearly helped Ardhis manage Droswen, a city experiencing rapid progress.
As a result, the imperial palace had taken notice of these achievents and invited him to the capital next week.
rlin hadn't expected sothing of this magnitude to happen. As a child, he felt genuinely proud of his father.
But the engagent… Wasn't it too risky for him to handle alone?
As if reading his mind, Livia imdiately reassured him.
"It's okay, dear. Actually, your father and I t with Frederin and his wife last month. We also discussed this engagent issue beforehand, so you can relax."
"Huh…" rlin sighed deeply. "Okay, I understand. I'll take care of it—you can leave it to ."
"Great!" Ardhis nodded, clearly pleased. "I trust you, son."
Catrine, sitting beside him, suddenly grabbed his arm and whispered, "Brother…"
rlin turned to her and gently stroked her head. "Don't worry. Leave this to , okay?"
Catrine pursed her lips and nodded weakly.
"Um… I trust you…"
...
A week later…
rlin stood in front of the hall, the horse-drawn carriage ready. Jas was already seated in the coachman's seat, waiting for him.
rlin glanced at Catrine, then stepped forward and hugged her tightly.
"Don't worry. I'll be back in a few days. Please take care of the house while I'm gone, okay?" He said softly, his voice full of affection.
His parents had already left, leaving Catrine alone in the house. Of course, "alone" didn't an completely lonely—maids and guards were still on duty around the clock.
"Um… be careful, brother," Catrine said weakly.
She didn't want them to part, but she knew it was impossible to stop the engagent between her brother and the daughter of the Tharot family. All she could do was hope he could handle the situation and break it off.
rlin nodded slightly and patted her back gently.
After a few brief exchanges, he walked to the carriage, climbed in, and the carriage slowly rolled away until it disappeared from view.
Watching him leave, Catrine bit her lower lip, sadness tugging at her heart.
Suddenly, a mysterious voice echoed in her mind:
"Do you want to beco strong?"
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