WebNovels

Chapter 4 - Thea Griffin

"What different destiny?" He asked.

*Ding! 

[The destiny is a secret of heaven, host. You may not question it.]

Qin Wei narrowed his eyes. He wouldn't need to speak anymore. If he thinks about it, the system is actually giving him a choice.

No, in disguise, it was asking him to break the marriage and escape. After all, it is obvious that talent points would be more precious than credits.

"Break the engagement, huh?" he muttered. "And piss off a clan that has Grandmaster-level martial artists?" He immediately scoffed at that thought and leaned back again. "No thanks."

He wasn't dumb.

Maybe in the stories he used to write, the protagonist could slap their fiancée's father in the face and escape with just a dramatic exit.

Or stage a death to run away.

But this reality.

No matter how much plot armor he created for his main protagonists, he wasn't that delusional to think that he had some kind of plot armor that could save him from any reckless situation. Even if he is a Codex system user, even if he transmigrated with such superpowers, he wouldn't expect that favor from a system with such a mean personality.

Well, yes, due to the backing of the Emperor, he might be spared from death, but he wouldn't want to put his life in danger.

He scratched his cheek, muttering bitterly in the end. "Let's just marry her for now and divorce her later. Since she doesn't like me, it will be easier to do it this way."

Meanwhile, at the northern ridge of Ashenford City;

In the center courtyard of Immortal Guild, blades clashed against each other.

Clang!

Thea stepped forward with a sharp thrust with her sword, glinting silver like lightning. Her long, ink-black hair was tied into a high warrior's knot, and her robes seemed to be soaking with sweat.

Meanwhile, her senior brother grunted, barely managing to parry her strike.

"You're too impatient today, Thea," Ryder said, twirling his blade back in defense. "Your wrist gives away your next move."

Thea said nothing. Her calm and cold eyes locked onto him again. Then she lunged.

Clang! Clang!

Blade clashed again, but every time they clashed, her opponent was forced to push backward.

After the fifth strike, the blade in his hand flew away, and her sword stopped just short of his throat. He raised both hands immediately. "All right, all right. I yield."

As she stepped back without a word and lowered her sword, the man wiped his brow with a sleeve, "Your attacks are too aggressive, Thea. It's as if you are fighting an enemy, not a friendly spar."

Thea turned away as she replied. "Just calming my nerves. Sorry about that."

He gave a slow sigh and asked. "Is it about the wedding? Can't you call it off? It's not like House Phoenix exists to fight it."

She didn't reply. Instead, her gaze shifted toward the horizon.

"But the Emperor is still alive, Ryder. And House Griffin doesn't possess the power to call it off," she said quietly. She sheathed her sword with a sharp click and walked. Meanwhile, he fell in step beside her with his hands behind his back.

Ryder glanced sideways at her and said, "But your master has the power. She was one of the four half-Deities of the Empire. Surely, His Majesty would reconsider and annul your betrothal if she asks."

In response, Thea quietly plucked a falling leaf from the air and twirled it between her fingers. "This matter doesn't concern the Immortal Guild. It concerns House Griffin, and the Immortal Guild has no right to be involved in these matters."

"But it involves you." Ryder grabbed her arm, stopping her with a worried expression. As Thea raised her eyebrow in slight displeasure, he hurriedly removed his hand and said. "I mean, your opinion matters the most. It's not like you are a weak lady who needs to listen to their elders. You are a rank-7 swordswoman, likely to become a grandmaster in the future."

Thea's smile faded, and she looked at him blankly, shaking her head. "But I don't have any reason to stop this marriage."

"Eh?" Ryder was taken aback by her reply. "What do you mean? Everyone knows Icarus' reputation. He was a scourge of House Phoenix, known for chasing after skirts and gambling his wealth. His last source of background is his father, who is no more. His brothers don't support him. Despite being the son of an imperial princess, he wasn't given the title of Prince. The imperial family clearly sees him as a disgrace. And without mana, he didn't even have any future to think of. You have plenty of reasons to stop it."

At those words, she stopped and gazed at the sky. She stared at the clouds in silence for a while as if she had several thoughts in her head. In the end, a heavy escaped her lips before she spoke. "No matter how many negatives come in my head, just that one positive offsets everything."

"One positive?" Ryder tilted his head in wonder.

Thea didn't explain and simply continued to walk, waving her hand. "I need to return home. Tomorrow is my wedding, after all."

Back at Griffin Manor;

In the grand dining hall, the aroma of roasted duck, stir-fried lotus root, and various dishes filled the air while Thea and her family gathered for dinner.

But one of the designated chairs at the table remained empty.

"He's still asleep?" an elder asked, eyebrows furrowing.

The maid bowed her head low, her voice small. "Young Master Icarus said he is too tired and has been asleep since noon."

"Is he… back in a deep hibernation state again?" A worried voice rose from one of the distant seats.

The family exchanged uncertain glances. Some whispered while some merely sighed. Some even had these hopeful gazes as if they expected him to go back into a coma.

The Family head, Earl of Ashenford, Count Kaelen Griffin, seated at the head of the table, on the other hand, tapped against the side of his porcelain bowl and looked toward his daughter. "Thea, go check on your husband."

Thea blinked, looking at her father. "Eh? Father?"

"Milord, it's inappropriate for the bride to see her groom before the wedding," said an elder, almost immediately, as soon as Kaelen ordered his daughter to check on Qin Wei.

Kaelen shrugged. "What's inappropriate? They are going to be husband and wife tomorrow anyway." Taking a pause, his eyes narrowed as his gaze shifted to the elder who commented. "Unless you are expecting that the wedding will not happen tomorrow, due to unexpected reasons?"

Elder Lorcan hurriedly shook his head while beads of sweat formed on his forehead. "Not at all. Who would dare to even think about defying an imperial decree?"

"Good." Kaelen calmly nodded before shifting to his daughter. "Thea, what are you waiting for? You're his future wife. You'll need to get used to looking after him in the future, too."

She clenched her fists under the table but released them in the end and stood, her long sleeves brushing against the table as she turned and walked away.

Her footsteps were light and slow as if she wasn't in any hurry.

A few moments later, the door creaked open with a soft groan, and her eyes fell on the man sprawling across the mattress like he had no worries in the world. His chest rose and fell in deep, rhythmic breaths. His face looked almost peaceful.

Thea took a glance behind, her eyes darting left and right. As she spotted no one, she suddenly scurried on her toes, reaching him in an instant.

Her calm demeanor changed all of a sudden. Her cheeks turned rosy as she reached the bed, kneeling to the bed's height and watching Qin Wei's face up close.

"Icarus looks just as handsome as he was in his childhood... Thea... you are one lucky girl to marry your first love... Tomorrow, by now, he will be your husband. Husband? Keeee..." She almost squealed aloud, but shut her mouth. *Ahem* Clearing her throat, she murmured. "Thea... Don't forget. You are the heiress of House Griffin. Behave." But almost in the next second, her brows furrowed in thought. "But why wasn't he awake, though? It shouldn't be serious if Father didn't take any action. Let's check if there's something wrong with his body."

Taking a deep breath, she extended her hand and placed two fingers lightly on his wrist. Her senses penetrated his body, checking his condition.

Her frown only deepened further in a moment, "He looks perfectly alright."

As she was muddled in thoughts, a warm hand suddenly shot up and grabbed hers.

"Wha…"

Before she could react, Qin Wei's arm tugged her forward, pulling her off balance. With a soft yelp, Thea tumbled onto the bed and directly into his chest. He wrapped an arm around her, murmuring with a sleepy smile with his eyes still closed, "Mmm… warm pillow… don't go…"

Thea froze in place for a moment, and her cheeks started burning red. "Icarus... not now. We aren't married yet. It's wrong to... to..."

She was about to get free, but just then the door opened again.

Vanessa, the battle maid, entered with sheets in her hand, only to halt mid-step. Her eyes widened in surprise, spotting the scene. "Milady?"

"Oh! I… I apologize…" she squeaked, backing away so fast that her figure turned into a blur. "I didn't mean to disturb…" She darted out and slammed the door shut.

Thea's face was scarlet now as her fists clenched against his chest.

"W-Wait! That's not what it looks like…" she shouted after the retreating maid, even though the door was already closed.

She turned back to Qin Wei, who still hadn't opened his eyes."Icarus, you are going to destroy my hard-earned reputation at this rate..."

But right then, a smile appeared on his face as his hug tightened. "Mmm… Sophie… don't worry. I will come to visit Moon Pavilion again. So, let's just…"

Thea's face froze in an instant, her embarrassment gone, turning into anger all of a sudden.

*Slap*

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