Cassian yawned.
He glanced at Vivienne, who was now interlocking her hands with Theon.
At this point, it felt like she was trying to prove the point that she didn't care about him.
His gaze then shifted to his father and mother, who were both engaged in conversation with Alaric and Callista... Helda's parents.
Mark noticed Cassian and signaled for him to come closer.
Cassian didn't think much of it and approached his father.
As he did, Alaric and Callista's eyes also fell on him.
Standing beside his parents, Cassian greeted Helda's parents.
"It's my pleasure to meet again with the Duchess and Duke Dawnthrown," Cassian said, bowing slightly to show respect.
Callista grinned as she looked at him. "Isn't this our [Fallen Prodigy]?" she teased with a light laugh.
In contrast, Alaric maintained a more composed demeanor.
Sophia frowned at the mention of that title. "Don't call him that. You know that title is baseless. How could they label my poor baby that way just because they think he's arrogant? Idiots," she said, her tone sharp.
Callista stopped grinning, clearly caught off guard by Sophia's defense. "I was just joking, Sophia," she said quickly.
'Phew, she really is something when it comes to her childrens,' Callista thought, slightly flustered.
She then patted Cassian lightly.
"Hmm, you seem stronger than the last time I saw you," Callista remarked.
"I can sense it too. Cassian has definitely grown stronger," Alaric added.
"So you've finally resumed training? That's good to hear. It's great that you've managed to overcome that," Callista said with a soft smile.
As they were speaking, King Raul stepped into the center of the hallway.
"Ahem."
Silence filled the hallway as everyone turned their attention to the King, waiting for him to speak.
Mark smiled knowingly and said, "I think your surprise is coming, Cassian."
'Yours too, Father,' Cassian thought.
Vivienne stood beside Raul as he began to speak.
"Once again, I am deeply grateful to all of you for attending my dear daughter's birthday celebration."
"As the party is nearing its end, I would like to make an important announcement."
He paused for a moment, letting the anticipation build.
Theon leaned forward slightly, eager to hear what was coming.
Felix glanced at the King, still surrounded by a group of noble girls.
Elisa quietly stepped beside Cassian, curious.
Helda stopped mid-bite of her pastry, her attention fully on Raul.
"I would like to announce that my daughter, Vivienne Lightspire Dane, is officially becoming the fiancée of Cassian Evros Myr—"
Before he could finish, Vivienne interrupted.
"Wait, Father!"
Raul froze, his expression momentarily confused. He didn't mind her interruption... He adored hos daughter too much to get angry for intrusion in between.
"I don't want to become Cassian's fiancée," Vivienne declared firmly.
Gasps echoed through the hall, the bold statement shocking everyone.
It was a direct insult to Cassian and his house.
"I want Theon to be my fiancé," she continued, her voice unwavering.
Raul's face clouded with indecision as he began to think about how to handle the situation.
Cassian observed the King's expression and smirked inwardly. "Fucker, of course, he'll choose Theon. Theon's rising popularity makes it obvious. But he also can't blatantly disrespect our house without consequences."
Mark's expression darkened as he noticed the King's hesitation. He could already guess the direction Raul's thoughts were heading.
Just as Mark was about to step forward and confront the King,
Cassian placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
"It's okay, Father. You don't need to intervene," Cassian said calmly.
Mark hesitated, skeptical but trusting his son.
Suppressing his simmering anger, he gave a slow nod and stepped back.
Just as Cassian expected, the King's next words were directed at him.
"I can't simply change my decision now, but we should hear what Cassian has to say," Raul said, his tone measured.
Vivienne smiled as she heard that, but when her gaze fell on Cassian's calm, expressionless face, her heart sank.
A strange feeling of despair welled up within her.
She felt as though her carefully laid plans were about to unravel, and everything was about to change.
Cassian's voice was steady and devoid of emotion as he spoke.
"As a friend of Vivienne, I respect her wishes. It's better not to force her into something she doesn't want. If she wishes to be with Theon, I have no objections. His Highness may proceed with Vivienne's decision."
Raul nodded, surprised at Cassian's composed reaction.
Vivienne stared at Cassian, her eyes void of their usual light. "Huh?" she whispered in disbelief.
Aurelia's eyes narrowed as she watched Cassian. Something felt off, and concern flickered across her face. She knew how deeply Cassian had loves Vivienne.
Suddenly, loud laughter broke the silence in the hall.
"Hahaha!"
Everyone turned toward Zoren Ironbrook Gale, who was laughing heartily.
"Good decision, kid! You can't force someone who doesn't want to be with you," Zoren said, his tone ecstatic. It was clear he was thrilled with the outcome, even if it wasn't his place to comment.
Many people in the hall twitched at Zoren's bluntness, but Cassian merely nodded in his direction, unfazed.
'In the game, Cassian insisted on making Vivienne his fiancée, which led to a duel. Theon easily defeated him, and the result was the same as now. This time, I avoided that humiliation,' Cassian thought.
Mark's expression was a mixture of anger and sadness, struggling to contain his emotions. Meanwhile, the crowd was cheering for Theon and Vivienne.
Callista leaned toward Alaric and whispered something in his ear. Alaric glanced at Cassian, then nodded.
Callista then turned to Sophia, who had been watching the scene with a saddened expression.
After hearing Callista's words, Sophia's face brightened.
She passed the message to Mark, whose expression softened before he nodded in agreement.
Callista's grin widened, and she clapped her hands, using mana to amplify the sound.
The hall fell silent once more as everyone turned their attention to her.
Seeing the sudden shift, Vivienne felt a wave of dread wash over her.
Callista's voice rang out, clear and enthusiastic. "As things have come to this, we would like to announce something as well!"
The crowd's attention was entirely on Callista now.
Helda, who had been eating a pastry moments ago, quickly stepped closer to Cassian and Elisa.
Callista continued, her tone gleeful. "We had previously discussed betrothing Helda to Cassian. However, we refrained from finalizing the arrangement due to His Highness's prior decision.
"But now that Cassian is free, we would like to announce that Cassian and Helda will be fiancés!"
She paused, her grin widening. "Of course, we won't proceed without hearing what Cassian and Helda have to say."
Turning to Helda, Callista asked with a knowing smile, "What do you say, dear?"
Helda was momentarily stunned by the turn of events, but the thought of being closer to Cassian again filled her with exhilaration.
With Vivienne out of the way, this is her chance.
She nodded hastily. "I agree!"
Callista's grin widened further, already anticipating her daughter's answer.
Mark turned to Cassian. "What do you say, son?"
Cassian, too, was taken aback by the sudden development.
He hadn't expected his decision to cause such a drastic shift.
But was he upset by his decision?
'Absolutely not. I'd make the same choice again if needed,' Cassian thought.
Vivienne looked at Cassian, her voice barely audible as she muttered, "N...no, you can't… you can't."
Cassian nodded in the end.
'I can't disrespect the Dawnthrown family, especially after they covered for the shame on my family,' he reasoned.
'And by being Helda's fiancé, I can keep an eye on her. As an [Anomaly], I'll ensure she doesn't choose the wrong path.'
Mark, Alaric, and Sophia smiled at his decision, while Callista's grin turned victorious.
'At least I avoided the duel that would have taken place here,' Cassian thought with some relief.
The King nodded, stepping forward once more. "Congratulations to the Dawnthrown and Evros Duchies!"
But then Raul's expression shifted slightly. "As this is becoming a bit dull, why don't we hold a duel here to see prowess of these kids before the awakening ceremony?"
The crowd erupted into cheers, excited at the prospect of a duel.
"Fuck," Cassian muttered aloud.