Arthur and Isabel walked out while everyone watched them leave.
Vlad looked at Alexander and said,
"I'm sorry they left in the middle of our discussion."
Alexander smiled calmly.
"It's fine. She's just a little girl… it's difficult for her."
Vlad nodded.
"Thank you for understanding."
Meanwhile, Arthur and Isabel had already walked a bit farther away.
Arthur said to the guard,
"Open the door."
The guard opened it, and the two stepped into the quiet courtyard filled with flowers and benches.
Laila was behind the door with Victoria's personal guard. When she tried to follow them, Arthur signaled with his hand: Stop.
Laila froze instantly without objection.
They sat down in the courtyard.
Arthur told Isabel,
"Sit."
She sat, anxiety filling her voice as she asked,
"Why did you take me out?"
Arthur sighed.
"To talk to you. Are you sad? Scared?"
She bit her lip, hugged her doll tightly, and murmured with a trembling voice,
"No… I'm not scared."
Arthur stared at her.
"Are you telling the truth? Do you want this engagement… or do you not want it at all? Tell me honestly."
Isabel couldn't hold it anymore and began crying.
"I don't want it! I'm scared… I want to stay with Mama… I don't want to go!"
Arthur thought to himself:
She thinks they'll take her away from her mother… and she's terrified of that filthy creep too. Poor child.
He asked,
"So… you don't want to be engaged to him?"
She wiped her tears.
"Yes… I don't want him."
Arthur's eyes softened with pity.
How can they put such a burden on a child? Political engagement? Interests? Even adults crumble… how can a child endure this?
He asked gently,
"What do you want to happen, Isabel?"
She answered innocently,
"I want to stay with Mama."
His heart trembled slightly with sorrow. A little girl suffering from something she should never have to face.
Arthur stood up firmly.
"Wait here for a bit. I won't be long."
She grabbed his clothes fearfully.
"Don't take too long… it's dark and scary."
Arthur glanced at the darkening sky.
Night is falling… damn, time flies.
He said,
"I'll be quick. Just wait for me."
Then he rushed off.
He entered the hall, where everyone was moments away from signing the engagement agreement.
Elena looked sorrowful… Irina was devastated, her hand trembling above the paper.
Arthur pushed the door open forcefully, drawing everyone's attention — especially his mother's.
He said sharply:
"Stop right now."
Vlad turned to him.
"And why should we stop?"
Arthur replied,
"Don't complete this engagement."
Vlad snapped,
"Arthur, don't overstep. I canceled your previous engagement because you wished so. This one doesn't concern you. Leave."
Morgan added with disdain,
"Yes, know your place, boy."
Arthur stepped forward.
"No — you know your place. Forcing a little girl into an engagement and calling yourself a man?"
Morgan's face turned red with anger.
"How dare you, you brat?!"
Arthur stood firm.
"I may be a child… but at least I have integrity. I don't do what you all do."
Silence fell.
His words hit Vlad and Alexander like a strike to their pride.
Vlad asked coldly,
"And what do you propose?"
Arthur replied clearly:
"Cancel the engagement… and I'll take her place. She's my little sister — my responsibility."
He thought:
I don't want this… but I can't let a child bear what she can't handle. My pride won't allow it.
He lifted his head.
"Now… are you satisfied? Call off my sister's engagement."
Shock spread across the room.
The boy who rejected every engagement… now offering himself to protect his sister.
Elena's eyes widened.
Luna was stunned.
Victoria covered her mouth in disbelief.
Even Asta was shocked.
Elena asked in a trembling voice:
"Will… will you really do this?"
"Yes," Arthur answered. "She's my sister… I won't leave her alone."
Elena's eyes shone with tears.
"Thank you… I'll never forget this."
Luna said shyly,
"I'm grateful too… I misjudged you."
Arthur replied calmly,
"No need."
Vlad asked,
"Are you sure? There's no going back."
"I'm sure."
Victoria stepped forward.
"Son… are you certain? You know how they treated you… will you still help them?"
Alexander, Irina, and their son all bowed their heads in shame after her words.
Arthur said,
"I'm not doing it for them. I'm doing it for myself… and for my sister. I won't allow people to say a little girl carried the burden while her brother watched. I'd rather die."
Victoria smiled warmly.
"If that is your decision… I'll respect it. Do what you believe is right."
"Thank you," Arthur said.
Then she addressed the others sharply,
"You saw what my son did for you. If I hear anyone speak ill of him… you know the consequences."
Alexander immediately replied,
"Don't worry. We'll never forget his kindness."
Arthur nodded.
"Good. Now if you'll excuse me… I left her alone."
He left and returned to the courtyard… only to find Isabel crying under the moonlight, looking like a sorrowful little princess.
He approached gently.
"Are you still crying?"
She quickly wiped her tears.
"No… I'm not crying."
He smiled.
"Alright… let's go back."
"But… I don't want to go back."
"Come on, you'll hear good news."
She glared.
"Don't you dare lie to me!"
Arthur laughed softly.
"Don't worry, I won't trick you."
She followed him back. When they entered the hall, her mother smiled in relief.
Elena called out,
"Come here, sweetheart."
Isabel approached, still scared of Alexander, as if she believed he would take her away.
Arthur sat beside his mother, and Isabel sat beside hers.
Elena asked,
"Did you tell her?"
Arthur replied,
"No… I didn't."
Isabel asked,
"What will he tell me?"
Her mother said,
"That's a secret… he'll tell you himself."
Victoria asked,
"And why didn't you tell her?"
Arthur smirked.
"To surprise her. Right now she's terrified that Alexander will take her away… she thinks she'll be separated from her mother."
He chuckled.
Victoria smiled.
"Does she really think that?"
Elena watched Arthur and his mother smiling and thought:
Thank you for saving my daughter… I'll never forget this.