In my past life, I had two girlfriends (not at the same time, obviously), but I'd never gotten engaged.
My first girlfriend was a shitty high school relationship, so it ended in like four months.
My second was much longer lasting, though also a high school relationship. It ended when we decided to enroll in different universities.
While I loved her, I did not want to move across the country to attend an overpriced college.
Some may suggest a long-distance relationship, but I vehemently refused that as I was far too possessive; I would never let my partner away from me for more than a week, let alone months in a long-distance relationship.
'Now, I will be getting engaged to Evelyn Emberhart—a brilliant prodigy from the Emberhart marquis house with heavenly talent, breathtaking beauty, and a grand reputation—and she will be mine…' I thought to myself, heading into the dining area donning a simple white robe.
In the novel, the people's hatred of me heightens further after my engagement with Evelyn.
This was because they firmly believed she was forced into marriage with me—a talentless trash drifting off my sister's talent—due to her family, a classic trope for a heroine in need of a savior.
However, based on my memory, that shouldn't be the case.
It is publicly known that Evelyn and Anastasia are great friends, besties even. And, being Anastasia's younger brother, I had been around both of them for a very long time.
Evelyn frequently played with and teased me, despite the little reaction I gave. She especially liked to touch my face and mess around with my silky hair. My younger self pretended to find it annoying, but secretly slightly enjoyed it.
Evelyn knew the real me: someone who was prone to sudden whims, carried warmth behind the oddness, and strangely fun to be around. Not the petty third-rate villain I perform to the public.
When she found out I purposefully acted like that due to my father's plan to draw attention from my sister, she was enraged. She angrily went to demand my father to stop the plan, worried for my public image.
Originally, she didn't believe I was fine with it and even enjoyed playing the villain, thinking I was sacrificing myself for my sister's sake.
But, over time, she understood me and my eccentricity along with my other traits.
Moreover, Evelyn also saw that I never ogled her body, like many of the other boys.
I believe this was because Aurelius was quite combat-sexual, not caring about women and focusing his life on the sword, or the spear actually in his case (which I heavily respect).
While we met each other much less following our early teens, her memories of me were very fond. And looking back at it now, with experience from my life on earth, I can tell she definitely had some feelings towards me.
This is why I believe she was fine with marrying me. It also was a mutually beneficial relationship for our families after all.
As for me? Well… I don't mind being married to a beautiful and talented lady… if I must.
***
After a long walk, I finally arrived at the dining area to eat an early lunch.
I was surprised that I wasn't feeling hungry despite skipping breakfast. Even more shocking was the dining area, it was a lavishness that felt pretentious.
'Are we hosting a banquet or something today? No way this is just how nobles set their dinner table everyday,' I thought, walking up to the table that was prepared for me.
'Goddamn… Being a noble feels pretty damn good—two, four, six… nine dishes. How will I even finish this?'
I began eating and was disappointed.
When reading the novel, it described noble food as heavenly delicacies, yet it seems it was greatly exaggerated. This made me wonder what other aspects of the book may be overexaggerated or even faulty.
Finishing the meal in around 30 minutes, I headed to my father's office. It was another long walk due to the sheer absurdity of the size of our manor.
'Pretty good post meal cardio I guess.'
Looking around, I really cannot understate the extravagance of my home. I am increasingly convinced something grand is happening.
Soon, I arrived at the door to my father's office where two men garbed in black stood guard.
"The head has been expecting you," a bulky guard said sternly, slowly opening the door to the office. I simply nod in response and head in.
There sat my father—a tall, handsome man with violet hair who still looked to be in his mid 30s despite nearing his 70s.
This was because cultivators, high ranked ones especially, retain their youthful appearance much longer from aging slower, thus also living longer compared to regular people.
For reference, Awakened could easily live to 100 when the normal life expectancy was around 80.
Adepts, like myself, can live between 110 to 125 years.
Ascended, like my father, they can live between 140-160 years.
Then, there are Exalted, like my great-great-great-great grandfather who can easily live beyond 300, some can even make it to 400.
If you're wondering about the ranges, they are due to when a cultivator reaches that realm.
For example, since I reached Adept realm at just age 19, I can probably live up to 130 or so. In comparison, someone who reached it at 35 will likely only live up to 105.
This is because rising in realm slows down aging, as opposed to adding lifespan.
"What were you doing all this morning?" My father asked in a curious tone.
My maid should've informed me of the meeting when I first woke, yet it took until the afternoon to arrive at his office. Aurelius is not one to normally defy his order or sleep in, which is why he's confused.
"I attempted to comprehend more of the Exalted art last night. I didn't end up sleeping until late into the night." I lied as naturally as I breathed.
"Is that so?" He seemed satisfied with the answer before posing more questions with curiosity.
"Did you succeed? What stage are you at now?"
"No, I am still at Upper Expert."
In case you're wondering, the levels of masteries are: Novice, Practitioner, Expert, Master, Grandmaster, Saint, and finally Sage.
Normally, high nobles like myself, or talented commoners with proper resources, should be in lower stage Expert realm.
"I see…" He said, trailing off, with a thinking expression on his face while shifting his gaze towards the ceiling, a habit he has when thinking.
After he stared at the ceiling for around 30 seconds, I pretended to be impatient and quipped "ughh! Now, why did you call me, old man? Are you going to keep staring at nothing or are you going to start nagging me to get married?"
With my future knowledge, I threw some light banter, making my father laugh.
"Hahahaha! Well—unfortunately, it appears your fears will come true. I have already discussed this extensively with Aster," he said, pausing before asking, "did you know? Evelyn was actually the first one to propose the marriage!" in a jovial tone.
At his response, I thought to myself about how I'm glad to have a parent like Julius who is casual and playful—unlike the stern, serious, unsmiling noble fathers you may picture in your head.
He gives my sister and me the freedom to do what we want, rather than using us as tools for his success, pushing us past our limits, and disregarding our mental and physical well-being
"Whatever. When is the engagement party?" I responded annoyedly.
"Oh good. You accepted it so easily, did you know? I feel like a fool for even thinking for a second you may be against it hahaha!"
Rolling my eyes, I asked again, "ugh… When is it?"
"It's tonight! We already publicly announced this two weeks ago."
I blinked rapidly and a "huh?" came out my mouth.
"I wasn't sure if you knew, considering your recluseness, and I still don't know. When you made that comment about the marriage, I thought you knew, but I guess not," he remarked amusedly.
"Huh? What are you talking about? And why didn't you or anyone tell me? You didn't even ask me if I was willing to accept the proposal," I said irritatedly, though I didn't mean it.
My father knew I would be fine with marrying Evelyn, so he just accepted the proposal as soon as it came up, not wasting any time. I was just irked at the suddenness and unexpectedness of the engagement ceremony.
"Hehe, I did ask you, or rather it was Ana. Don't you remember her asking if you'd marry Evelyn so she could truly join our family?" Julius asked me with a smile.
"Tsst. Perhaps," I said in a quiet tone. Now I remember, she did it right in front of Evelyn too.
Ahh… she was so embarrassed and her expression was too cute, almost making me smile recalling that memory.
"Why didn't you tell me about the engagement ceremony until literally right now then?"
"I don't think anyone expected you not to know, son. How is it possible that you haven't heard about it? It's been the hottest news for the past two weeks—'the prodigy beauty and the talentless bum'! Two whole weeks! It's everywhere—everyone's talking about it! How can you be so oblivious?"
"I was training with Aeetes. He went out of seclusion for two weeks and decided to train me," I said after rolling my eyes at his comment.
"Tsk, that geezer. Didn't even tell me he was out," my father said while shaking his head.
"Well it should be around the time your sister and fiancée arrive. Prepare!" My father then announced with a brilliant smile before shooing me out of his office.
I annoyedly left and took a long walk back to my room.
Looking at the majestic halls again, I finally realized, 'Ah! This was why the estate was so lavish! I knew even for dukes, it felt far too luxurious.'