The day of the engagement arrived.
The Douglas estate moved like a machine.
Servants rushed through the halls—preparing carriages, arranging offerings, adjusting ceremonial garments. Every detail was checked. Then checked again.
At the center of it all stood Sophia Douglas.
Calm.
Precise.
In control.
Perfection, for her, wasn't optional.
It was expected.
Lusian watched in silence.
Respect.
Tension.
Something heavier.
He had never felt pressure like this.
Not for a fight.
Not for a decision.
For a vow.
The temple waited.
Silent.
Watching.
Every step toward it felt heavier than the last.
This wasn't just an engagement.
It was a chain.
And it wasn't around his neck.
It was around hers.
Emily.
The responsibility was hers.
The consequence was hers.
But the weight—
He still felt it.
His boots echoed against marble.
Each step too loud.
Too final.
This is already going too far…
In front of the mirror, he adjusted his black formal attire.
Gold embroidery caught the light.
The white cloak rested over his shoulders, marked with the twin wolves of Douglas.
Everything looked perfect.
Except his eyes.
"Are you nervous?" Sophia asked.
He exhaled slowly.
"A little," he admitted. "I know it's just tradition… but still."
Sophia studied him.
"You're not afraid of the ritual," she said.
A pause.
"You're afraid of what comes after."
He didn't answer.
Because she was right.
Something was coming.
He could feel it.
And somehow—
So could she.
When they entered the ceremonial hall, everyone was already waiting.
Laurence Douglas stood at the front.
Still.
Unmovable.
Like carved stone.
Martha stood beside him, smiling gently—though her eyes didn't match it.
Caleb and Catalina remained expressionless.
To them—
This was routine.
No one looked happy.
Even celebrations here felt heavy.
The murmurs stopped.
The doors opened.
Emily entered.
Lusian looked up—
And forgot to breathe.
She moved slowly down the aisle.
A pale blue dress, soft and luminous.
Each step quiet.
Measured.
The entire hall fell silent.
Only her footsteps remained.
When their eyes met—
She smiled.
Perfect.
Controlled.
Too perfect.
He had seen her afraid before.
This—
Was a mask.
For a moment—
Everything else faded.
No future.
No death.
No fate.
Just—
Her.
The high monk stepped forward.
"We begin the oath under the gaze of Sangus."
A thin needle pierced Lusian's finger.
A drop of blood fell onto the ring.
Then Emily.
Two drops.
Side by side.
Then—
They moved.
Merged.
A faint red glow spread across the engraved symbols.
The ring pulsed.
Alive.
A wave of magic filled the hall.
"With this oath," the monk declared, "the union is witnessed. Judged. Bound."
The air grew heavy.
Like something unseen had turned its attention toward them.
Lusian felt it settle deep inside him.
This isn't just a ritual.
Emily lowered her gaze.
Just slightly.
But enough.
The engagement was sealed.
There was no undoing it.
The ceremony ended.
The banquet began.
Music.
Voices.
Laughter that didn't reach the eyes.
The rings still glowed faintly on their hands.
To others—
A symbol of honor.
To them—
A chain.
Emily touched hers unconsciously.
As if checking if it was real.
Or permanent.
The Noble Houses
The first to approach were the Armetts.
Count Noah.
His family.
Isabella Armett stood out immediately.
White hair.
Blue eyes.
Quiet.
Beautiful.
Lusian noticed Caleb staring.
So it starts here…
Next came the Kesslers.
Then the Macallisters of Ithaca.
He remembered them.
Not strong militarily—
But valuable.
Spatial magic.
Their gift proved it.
Two enchanted bracelets.
Storage artifacts.
Emily's reaction was genuine.
Surprise.
Wonder.
Lusian kept his composure.
But he understood.
Those were priceless.
More families followed.
Stanley.
Briggs.
Schneider.
Then Mondring.
Sophia's bloodline.
They bowed.
Left quietly.
Like they always did.
The Bourlande
The atmosphere shifted when they entered.
Warriors.
Every one of them.
And among them—
Kara Bourlande.
Seventeen.
Red hair.
Eyes like clear sky.
Presence like steel.
Lusian recognized her instantly.
In the game—
She was unbeatable.
A wall players couldn't break.
She looked at him.
Curious.
Challenging.
He didn't look away.
Something passed between them.
Not hostility.
Not yet.
The Denisse
Smiles.
Polite.
Controlled.
Lusian didn't trust a single one of them.
He knew what they were.
Traitors.
He greeted them perfectly.
But in his mind—
They were already dead.
The Royal Family
The hall fell silent again.
They had arrived.
Everyone knelt.
Except the ducal houses.
Queen Adelaine moved with effortless authority.
Beside her—
The Crown Prince.
The Princess.
Presence alone silenced the room.
Emily started to kneel—
Sophia stopped her instantly.
A mistake avoided.
The Queen offered brief congratulations.
A gift.
Then left.
The Douglas Gift
Sophia raised her hand.
A chest was brought forward.
Covered in black cloth.
It was removed.
The room froze.
Inside—
Darkness.
A sword.
Black.
Still.
Alive.
Lusian felt it immediately.
Dainslein.
A blade like solid night.
Faint blue light pulsing along its edge.
Not violent.
Calm.
Controlled.
An Ætherion.
A weapon that didn't destroy—
It sustained.
Reduced mana loss.
Stabilized power.
Lusian knew it.
In the game—
You only got it after killing him.
His future self.
For a brief moment—
He smiled.
"…So this is it."
Not a gift.
A message.
The weapon meant for his end—
Now in his hands.
The first act was over.
And the game—
Had just begun.