Two days later, House Brown Manor was festooned with lights and decorations, buzzing with excitement.
To help Paul, the newly titled baron, integrate into the local nobility, Dorothy went all out, inviting aristocrats from a hundred miles around.
Inside the manor, guests in splendid attire mingled endlessly, clinking glasses, while the music of lutes blended with laughter.
The air was filled with the aroma of roasted meat and the rich scent of wine.
Servants bustled about, and torches adorning the stone walls lit the night sky in a dreamlike glow.
Paul, dressed in a black formal suit with a gold-trimmed cape, stood tall and striking in the center of the hall.
His gaze, however, was irresistibly drawn to a woman in a white dress—Betty.
As Dorothy had described, she was breathtakingly beautiful, with skin as fair as snow.
Her golden hair shimmered softly in the candlelight, her figure graceful, like a fairy from a painting.
She gently plucked the strings of her lute, her music enchanting, earning gasps of admiration from the guests.
Noticing Paul's intense gaze, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she lowered her head shyly, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"She's truly a beauty…" Paul's heart raced, his lips curving unconsciously as he thought, "This is a total win!"
Under the guidance of a priest from the Church of Love, the wedding proceeded smoothly.
Paul and Betty exchanged vows, and the guests' applause surged like a tide, the torchlight illuminating their clasped hands.
That night, the newlyweds completed their union amidst candlelight and flower petals.
The manor's night sky seemed to shine brighter with their joy.
Three months passed in a flash.
Paul knew this marriage was a political alliance, but he didn't want Betty to be just a "family tool."
He set aside tedious estate duties to stroll with her along the rose garden path.
He listened to her play soothing lute melodies and even cooked her favorite honey-glazed pastries himself.
Betty was initially reserved, but Paul's warmth and humor gradually opened her heart.
She'd quietly bring him a cup of hot tea when he was busy, her eyes full of affection.
Their bond grew so close that even the servants couldn't help but chuckle at their sweetness.
Dorothy, watching it all, beamed with satisfaction, boasting to everyone, "My daughter-in-law and son are sweet as honey!"
She didn't forget to nudge them, "Paul, Betty, hurry up and give me a chubby grandson—House Brown's bloodline must continue!"
Paul groaned under his mother's "supervision."
As a Knight of Honor, his stamina surpassed most, but the frequency of having to "fulfill his duties" left him exasperated.
"Mother, are you trying to wear out your future family head?" he complained.
Betty, hearing this, blushed like a ripe apple and scolded, "Paul, stop talking nonsense!"
Yet she quietly squeezed his hand, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
A month later, joyful news arrived.
Betty took Paul's hand, shyly whispering, "Paul, I… I'm pregnant."
"Really?!" Paul froze for half a second before sweeping her into a hug, kissing her soundly and grinning like a fool.
"Hahaha! That's amazing! Betty, you're incredible!"
He gently touched her face, his eyes full of tenderness. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you and our child have the best life."
Betty leaned into his arms, cradling her belly, her face glowing with happiness. "With you here, I'm not afraid of anything."
Dorothy was overjoyed and animated, immediately preparing baby supplies and personally brewing nourishing soups for Betty daily.
She kept muttering, "House Brown has an heir!"
Paul didn't slack off either.
He set aside unnecessary training and estate chores, devoting nearly all his time to his wife.
Betty felt his care, her affection deepening, their love burning like a flame.
Ten months later, the due date approached.
Paul spared no expense, hiring a priest from the Temple of Vitalis to assist with the birth.
The fifty gold coins cost nearly two months of the manor's taxes, but he didn't hesitate. "You get what you pay for—Betty and the baby's safety come first."
The priest of the Goddess of Life lived up to their reputation.
With the Blessing of Birth, Betty delivered a healthy baby boy in just over ten minutes.
As a loud cry rang out, Paul gingerly held the tiny, wrinkled bundle, a wave of unprecedented tenderness flooding his heart.
He grinned like a fool. "My son… House Brown has an heir!"
In that moment, he finally felt fully part of this world of divine magic, finding his place.
But the joy hadn't settled when something strange happened.
He suddenly felt his Battle Aura surge, increasing by a full tenth—equivalent to years of training!
Paul's expression shifted, a flicker of alarm in his eyes. "What… is going on?"
Having lived two lives, he never believed in free gifts.
He clenched his fist, ready to channel his Battle Aura to inspect his body for this strange change.
At that moment, a cold, authoritative message flooded his mind like a tide:
[Detection of host's heir born, Family System activated.]
[Initiating evaluation of heir's aptitude.]
[Ding! This heir has no magical aptitude, Battle Aura aptitude rated as low, overall evaluation: Common. You are awarded one year of Battle Aura cultivation.]
[Note: Heir evaluation is based on cultivation aptitude, divided into Common, Average, Fair, Great, Superior, Excellent… The higher the rating, the greater the rewards.]