Swoosh. Swoosh.
A young boy with white hair and empty eyes was seen slashing at the training dummy standing in the middle of a vast field.
Sweat trickled into his eyes, yet he didn't even blink. He kept swinging his blade as if that very act was the purpose of his existence.
"Come out. Don't lurk around like that," the young Arthur said, glancing behind him.
A faint sound came from behind a white pillar. A glimpse of bluish hair caught Arthur's attention.
After a few seconds, a girl stepped out from behind the pillar. She wore a white dress that perfectly matched the color of her hair.
Her head hung low, fingers intertwined nervously. Her eyes struggled to meet Arthur's.
"You must be… Amira Rafael, my fiancée."
The young Amira nodded.
Arthur approached her, then sat down on a long bench beside her.
He took a towel and wiped the sweat off his face.
"Why did you choose me to be your fiancé?" Arthur asked.
Amira didn't reply. Her bangs hid her eyes, and her cheeks flushed red.
"Come, sit." Arthur patted the empty spot next to him.
Amira hesitated for a moment, then finally sat down.
"So… what's the reason?"
Arthur studied her expression. He caught a small murmur from her lips, his sharp hearing allowed him to make it out clearly.
Calm yourself, Amira. That's what she seemed to whisper to herself.
She took a deep breath and raised her gaze toward Arthur.
Arthur was slightly surprised by the change in her expression. The timidness was gone, her face was now composed, proper, like a true Cardian.
"Actually… it wasn't me who wanted this engagement," Amira said softly. "Just like in those books, our parents arranged it."
Arthur rubbed his chin, thinking for a moment.
Then he sighed.
"Haaa… that old man. He never stop annoying me. First, he forced me to take dance lessons, and now he's forcing me into an engagement." He shook his head in exasperation.
Amira quietly observed him. She began to realize that Arthur, despite being the same age as her—fifteen—was not like most boys she knew.
Arthur looked back at her. "So… you don't mind this engagement at all?"
Amira stayed silent, unable to meet his eyes. Because, in truth, it was she who had requested this engagement to be made official. It wasn't forced upon her; she wanted it.
Why? Simple. She found Arthur fascinating, different.
A week ago, Amira had been kidnapped by a group of Absorber bandits who wanted her power. She could have easily escaped using her abilities, yet Arthur appeared and saved her.
He didn't use brute force to do it. Amira had seen him whisper something to the bandits, and moments later, they smiled and untied her ropes.
Before leaving, Arthur had turned to her and said, "Be careful. Your eyes is too bright, people will notice that you're not ordinary. You're a Cardian."
At that moment, a small pebble dropped into the calm lake within Amira's heart.
She couldn't help but want to know who this boy really was. That curiosity had led her to this very moment, Arthur Salvatore, son and heir of Duke Nero Salvatore.
He, too, was a Cardian, just like her.
"Hey, are you seriously daydreaming in the middle of our conversation?" Arthur asked, frowning.
Amira flinched, quickly brushing her hair behind her ear.
"Mind? Of course, I mind… a little," she lied.
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
The air between them grew quiet, heavy with awkwardness.
Arthur was the first to break it. "Amira, tell me something. Would you really be willing to be engaged to someone whose true character you don't even know? This is a lifelong matter, once we're married, there's no turning back. You and I will be bound forever."
That's exactly what I want! Amira screamed internally.
"Judging by your expression, it seems you don't want to be with me," Arthur said seriously. "I don't, either. First of all, because I don't like you."
Amira felt a sting at his words.
"Second, maybe you've simply never seen how vast this world truly is, how many fascinating, charismatic people there are out there."
You're more fascinating than any of them, Amira thought. Others flaunt their strength, their wealth, their charm, but you didn't. You saved me without showing off your power, your riches, or your charisma. I may not know you well yet, but I'm certain of one thing.
You're different.
For some reason, she could only confess these things within her heart, never aloud.
"And lastly," Arthur continued, "I'm not the kind of man who likes to force or control women. In this patriarchal era, I believe in equality."
"So I think it's best if we end this engagement, Amira. For both our sakes."
Amira clenched her fists beneath her dress, unseen by Arthur. Throughout this entire conversation, her pride had taken blow after blow.
Why did Arthur seem so unwilling to be engaged to her? Was she not pretty enough? Not charming enough? Or did he simply… dislike her?
Those questions stirred discomfort deep in her chest, forming into a small, swirling knot of emotion.
"No," Amira said at last, her tone calm yet commanding, like that of a noble lady. "We should not end this engagement."
Arthur blinked, taken aback.
"Why?" he asked. "Is it because I saved you last week?"
Amira smiled faintly. So you remember.
"Of course not. Do you take me for some shallow woman? I am Amira Rafael, a Cardian, and a noble of House Rafael."
Arthur fell silent. For a moment, they simply sat there, listening to the chirping of birds in the distance.
Then, Arthur chuckled softly.
"So what's your real reason? You've been dodging my question for quite a while."
Amira cleared her throat, trying to push away her earlier embarrassment.
"You know your family is famous for slaying countless Entropy Beasts."
Arthur nodded.
"And my family is renowned for our engineering prowess in crafting artifacts. To make high-grade artifacts, we require top-quality Entropy cores."
Arthur nodded again, an ohh escaping his lips as realization dawned.
"Exactly," Amira said, clapping her hands lightly. "Your family provides the cores, and we create the artifacts. Together, our houses will only grow stronger!"
Arthur stroked his chin. "Ah, I see. That's… a reasonable explanation."
Amira pumped her fist subtly, whispering yes in her heart.
"But still," Arthur added, "let me ask again, Amira. Are you truly fine with this engagement? I don't want us to end up like those tragic couples in romance novels. Forced engagements always lead to misery."
Amira's lips twitched. A small laugh escaped her.
"Haha, really now. I never thought someone like you would actually read romance novels."
Arthur's mouth fell open. He quickly turned away, his ears burning red.
Seeing that reaction, Amira couldn't resist teasing him further. She poked his shoulder repeatedly with her finger.
"Hey, hey, tell me what happens in the story you read."
Arthur shut his eyes tightly, trying to endure her playful teasing.
Then, regaining his composure, he opened them again.
"Forget what I said earlier. Instead, Amira. May i get to know you better with this engagement." Arthur said sincerely.
Amira's cheeks flushed crimson
"Yes… I'd like that too."