Sorry for the late update. My city was devastated by a super typhoon called Kalmaegi, the whole city lost internet, electricity and even phone signal for 2 days. Part of my roof collapsed so I won't be able to update much in the near future.
After the storm is over, I will update regularly again
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Catrina stared at Lathel in shock. "Lathel! You... why do you want to meet the Grand Elder?"
"Of course—to discuss the matter between you and me." Lathel smiled. "What's wrong? Don't want me anymore? Think I'm too childish for you?"
"No!" Catrina shouted, gripping his wrists tightly, afraid he'd misunderstand. "I'm just worried they'll cause trouble for you."
"Don't worry," Lathel said calmly. "I'm the son of Duchess Valoria. They wouldn't dare harm me. Besides..." His tone softened. "You're my woman. I won't let those old men use you as some bargaining chip."
"Heh?!" Catrina's eyes widened. "How did you know about that?"
"Ah!" Lathel froze—he'd forgotten that only her family's inner circle knew about this. He only knew because the System had shown him the plot.
He quickly faked a laugh. "Hahaha... You know how vast a Duke's intelligence network is, right? Besides, the fact that your family elders are planning a marriage alliance in another kingdom isn't exactly a secret."
Catrina blinked, then nodded softly, believing him completely.
Lathel looked at her expression and asked, "You really trust me that much?"
Catrina nodded again. "I do. Whatever you say, I'll believe."
Lathel sighed quietly. 'A woman like her... how could I ever abandon her?' Yet fate had written them as two parallel lines in this novel's world.
Luckily, those lines had finally crossed. But for them to truly become one, Lathel knew he had to finish Catrina's scenario—otherwise, none of this would mean anything.
"Alright then. Prepare the carriage. We're going to meet the Grand Elder."
Catrina bit her lip, wanting to say something, but when she saw the unwavering determination on Lathel's face, warmth bloomed in her chest. She chose to stay silent and nodded instead.
As Catrina obediently walked off, Lathel frowned, heading back to his room to change into something proper.
From his pouch, he pulled out a small stone, gripping it tightly as he whispered, "Mother, I need your help."
The stone glowed brightly for a second—then vanished.
Lathel knew Valoria had received his message.
Still uneasy, he wrote a letter and instructed a servant to deliver it to Spring Garden.
When all was done, he exhaled deeply, gazing out the window. "I may not be the protagonist," he murmured, "but I hope I'm strong enough to give Catrina her freedom."
…
**The Montaline Family Estate**
Catrina and Lathel stood before a massive door.
Catrina turned to him and said softly, "Lathel, maybe... you should go back. This is between me and my family. I don't want to drag you into it."
Lathel had been nervous at first, but now that he was here, an unexpected calm settled over him—as if even death couldn't shake him.
He took her hand firmly. "Let's go. Together, we'll shatter the cage that's kept you trapped all this time—and make you truly mine."
Catrina's eyes shimmered, bright yet brimming with tears. She nodded, and together they pushed the door open. In her heart, she whispered, 'Lathel... if you've chosen to walk beside me, then even if I die, I won't let those Elders harm you.'
CREAK—
The grand doors slowly opened. Inside the opulent hall, rows of figures sat on either side, as if they'd been waiting for this very moment.
On the dais before them sat three elders—one old woman and two old men.
Lathel only needed a glance to recognize the man seated in the center—the Grand Elder of the Montaline family.
Catrina frowned as she felt the crushing pressure radiating from the elders and family members surrounding them.
She glanced anxiously at Lathel, but the moment she saw the fiery resolve in his eyes, all traces of regret vanished. Her hand tightened around his, as if clinging to her only source of courage.
Their every movement was watched by the people in the hall. Lathel could even feel the killing intent directed toward him.
But he wasn't afraid. Standing tall, he wanted to show Catrina that he wasn't some coward—that he would protect her no matter what.
After all, his greatest assurance was the "One Active Resurrection" the System had granted him.
Even if he died here, he could come back. And with his knowledge of the plot and the power of a Duke behind him, he would save Catrina no matter what.
"Hmph!" The old woman in black beside the Grand Elder snorted coldly. "Catrina, I didn't expect you to be such a filthy, cheap woman."
"Do you even know how old you are? Do you know your own status? You brought this useless man here just to mock us, didn't you?"
Catrina frowned. Normally, she could endure people insulting her. But insulting the man she loved... that was something else entirely.
She opened her mouth to speak, but Lathel was faster. His voice boomed across the hall like thunder:
"You decrepit hag! Who the hell are you calling useless?!"
The entire hall fell into stunned silence.
So silent that even the sound of people breathing became audible.
The old woman's face twisted, wrinkles trembling with rage.
"You... you..."
But Lathel didn't give her a chance to speak. "Old hag, do you even know who I am?"
"I don't care who you are!" she snapped. "I'm the Second Elder of the Montaline family! This is our domain, and you—"
"Ah! A Second Elder, huh?" Lathel sneered. "Your family's highest title is Count. I'm the son of Duchess Valoria. Even your family head would bow and call me Young Master! And you—what the hell are you, to speak to me like that?"
"Who gave you the confidence to think a Count-ranked elder can insult a Duke? Do you believe I won't peel every wrinkle off your face and feed them to the dogs?"
"You... you bastard!" the Second Elder roared, trembling with fury. "So what if you're a Duke's son? The title belongs to your mother, not you! You're just a useless brat!"
"This place doesn't welcome you! Get out of here before—"
"Before what?"
A chilling voice cut through the air, making everyone freeze.
Catrina's eyes widened—she knew that voice better than anyone.
BAM!
The doors were blown open with explosive force.
At the entrance stood a woman with flowing golden hair, clad in a knight's battle uniform. A crimson cloak billowed behind her like fire in the wind.
Her eyebrows were sharp as blades, eyes fierce, beauty dazzling—she was like a divine sword made flesh, radiating an aura so sharp it made everyone's breath hitch.
"Va... Valoria?!" the Second Elder stammered, voice trembling.
Indeed—it was her.
Valoria, Duchess of the Carol Empire, and mother of Lathel.
"I heard," Valoria said coldly, "that someone called my son useless."
Her expression darkened, a chilling aura radiating from her body. That coldness seemed to condense into a mist that blanketed the entire hall, making everyone's spine stiffen and skin crawl.
The Second Elder paled, trembling as she stammered, "Y-you... what are you doing? This is the Montaline Family! If you dare to kill anyone here, I... I'll—"
Though she tried to sound threatening, her quivering voice and bloodless face made her look more like a frightened patient than an elder.
"What will you do?" Valoria asked sharply, brows furrowing. "You dared to insult the son of a Duchess—do you even understand the consequences?"
"I... I..." The old woman wanted to retort, but Valoria's killing intent and overwhelming presence crushed the words in her throat.
CLACK! CLACK! CLACK!
Valoria's heels struck the marble floor as she strode into the hall. The silence was so absolute that each step echoed like thunder.
Then, a weary sigh broke the stillness.
"Ah... Valoria, why did you have to come?" The old man seated on the central throne—the Grand Elder—spoke with a heavy, resigned voice. "This is an internal matter of the Montaline Family. You have no right to interfere, not even as the Duchess of the Carol Empire."
Valoria laughed—a sharp, disdainful laugh. She approached Lathel, gaze softening slightly as she saw his steady expression and the quiet fire burning in his eyes. It made him look even more handsome.
Turning to the Grand Elder, she spoke firmly, "Why wouldn't it concern me? My son loves Catrina. He came here today to take her away, and of course, I came to help him."
"What?!"
The hall erupted in shock.
The Second Elder opened her mouth again, but the Grand Elder raised a hand to silence her.
He stared at Catrina and Lathel, then turned his frown to Valoria. "Do you even realize what you're saying? Such shameless words, and you dare speak them aloud?"
"Catrina is Arina's mother—and your friend! You know exactly how old she is!"
"So what?" Valoria replied with a mocking smile. "If my son desires her, even if he wanted the moon itself, I'd pluck it from the sky for him."
The Grand Elder's brow twitched. He could tell Valoria had no intention of backing down.
"Valoria," he said heavily, "are you truly going to do this? Our two families may not be close, but I have no wish for us to become enemies."
"Enemies?" Valoria laughed, a deep, scornful sound. "Rowan Montaline, you give yourself too much credit. In my eyes, you're nothing more than an old dog waiting to die. But if you're in such a hurry, I can arrange that for you."
BAM!
As she spoke, Valoria's aura exploded outward. The very air thickened like mud, and everyone felt as though a mountain had been dropped onto their chests.
The Grand Elder—Rowan—grimaced, beads of sweat forming on his wrinkled forehead. Still, he shouted back, "Valoria! Even if I'm weaker than you, if everyone here risks their lives, you won't leave unscathed!"
Catrina frowned, knowing Rowan wasn't wrong.
Even if Valoria was powerful, this was still their territory. If a fight truly broke out, even she might not withstand the combined might of the entire Montaline family.
No matter how strong a tiger was—it could still be torn apart by a pack of wolves.
As the air grew heavier and the tension sharpened like drawn blades, a seductive, feminine voice suddenly echoed through the hall.
"And what if you add me to the equation?"