Everyone sat in the hall, and Arthur's engagement decision was rejected firmly, in a way that allowed no discussion.
Alexander was speaking to himself with suppressed frustration: "Damn… the matter has completely failed. Even the duke himself couldn't force his wife and son to accept…"
Then he looked at Victoria and said inwardly: What a strong woman you are. Only now do I understand why Vlad doesn't dare force you into anything. With your presence and strength… how can any man impose a decision on you?
As for Arthur, the boy they once called a failure, he had changed… he was no longer that weak child. He now carried the aura of a grown man—steady-eyed, sharp-minded.
Alexander sighed again: What terrible luck… why is this happening at the worst possible time?
--
Morgan was silently observing Arthur before stepping forward to Vlad and asking in a stiff tone:
"Sir… is it really acceptable to cancel an engagement decision simply because a young boy rejected it?
If it were completed, we would gain great benefits, especially since Alexander is a man who keeps his promises. He could even stand with us against the empire itself."
Vlad replied with a deep tone, carrying traces of old pain:
"Morgan… I understand your point. But don't forget that he is my son. And because of me, he suffered greatly.
Now that he has changed and begun to stand on his own… do you want me to break him again?"
Then he added with a heavy voice: "And despite that… his argument is correct. When he was weak, they mocked him. And now that they are weak… they come asking him for help."
Morgan fell silent after hearing this, then lowered his voice: "You are right, sir… I apologize."
---
✦ Wounds of the Past
Vlad closed his eyes for a moment and said to himself:
I will not repeat the mistakes of the past. Because of my foolish decisions, I almost lost my wife and my son… and even now, I still haven't fixed everything properly.
My wife is strong… my son has changed… and I don't want to lose them again.
Then he turned to Arthur and spoke calmly: "Are you truly rejecting this, my boy? If you accept… I will reward you, and I won't force you into anything."
Arthur replied with unwavering firmness: "No, thank you. I won't accept. I have to work on myself now… and I'm not ready for unnecessary problems."
Then he said inwardly: If I accept, I'll enter a complicated spiral I don't need. I also want to leave this family as soon as possible… to start my plan and move freely.
---
Hope began to drain from Alexander's face… he kept looking around as if the world was closing in on him.
Suddenly his eldest son spoke while looking at Isabel: "What about Isabel? She can be engaged to my younger brother. It's just a political engagement, and we can dissolve it after the war."
Alexander smiled with approval: "Well said, my son. What do you think, Vlad?"
Vlad looked at them and said inwardly: Damn… they're so desperate they'll try anything to secure the alliance.
Then he looked at his daughter and saw the fear filling her eyes.
--
Luna spoke with clear anxiety: "No! Impossible. My sister is too young. Why drag her into this?!"
Alexander responded with a cold political calm: "As I said… it's only a political decision. She won't meet my son or be forced into anything."
Luna's mother stepped in with worry: "But she's far too young… she is still a child! How can we engage an eight-year-old? What will people say?"
Here Vlad said in a steady voice: "My dear… I think we are forced to accept."
His wife gasped: "But she's a child!"
Vlad replied: "Nothing will happen to her. She will live her normal life… and once the war ends, we will dissolve the engagement."
Luna was trembling, thinking: But what if the war never ends? What if my sister is forced into marriage?
As for Isabel, she was shaking with fear… she had heard many things about the boy—her potential fiancé—being a bully and a pervert.
Her mother placed a hand on her shoulder to comfort her… but her hand was trembling as well.
The mother thought: If only I were as strong as Victoria… I would have protected my daughter. How weak I am… my daughter is being forced into an engagement, and I can't do anything. What shame…
Victoria was watching everything with displeased expression…
while Morgan remained firm, believing such sacrifices were simply necessary.
Everyone was tense… except one person.
Arthur.
He was angry… and completely refusing the situation.
He looked at Isabel and saw in her eyes a shadow of distant memories that awakened something inside him.
He looked at his sister, then suddenly stood up.
Vlad spoke sharply: "The meeting isn't over yet… where are you going?"
Arthur replied firmly: "I'm not leaving. I just…"
He approached his sister and spoke with rare warmth: "How about going outside for a bit? Get some fresh air."
Then he smiled at her.
Vlad shouted: "How dare you leave during a meeting?!"
Arthur answered with firmness: "She's just a little girl. Don't pressure her like this. Let the adults solve their problems—let her go out."
Victoria intervened strongly: "Yes, let her leave. Her presence here won't change anything, and will only hurt her.
And you don't want your daughter to be sad… do you?"
Her words struck Vlad right in a sensitive place.
He exhaled and said: "Fine… you're right."
Then he told the others: "You may go out for a bit."
Isabel's mother looked at Victoria with gratitude and a faint smile… Victoria returned a similar smile.
The mother thought: If not for her help… my daughter's heart would have shattered here.