"It's about… an arranged marriage," Sandra said.
Al stared at them blankly, clearly shocked by the statement.
"What?! Arranged marriage?"
Edward nodded and explained,
"With the Valendra family from Vali Island. Years ago, your grandfather and theirs made a pact. If either side had children of opposite genders around the same age, they would arrange a betrothal."
He rubbed his chin slightly, as if recalling an old memory.
"Back then, they were actually hoping it would be me. But unfortunately, your grandpa's friend's daughter was more than ten years younger than I was. Even his eldest son was still five years younger than me."
He then glanced at Sandra.
"Besides, your mother and I had already started our relationship by then. So the engagement was pushed down to the next generation—the grandchildren. And by coincidence, the one who got picked… was you."
Edward looked at Al a little more carefully before continuing.
"Anyway… they have a daughter who's one year older than you—Nayala. Nayala Valendra. You might've heard of her. She's quite a celebrity in the capital, and she's also your sister Sarah's junior."
Sandra nodded and continued,
"That's how it is, son. But… there's a bit of a problem."
"A problem?" Al wondered.
Edward and Sandra exchanged a glance before nodding at him at the same time.
"That's right. And that's the important thing we wanted to talk to you about tonight," Edward said.
"Yes, Al. The problem is…" Sandra hesitated, but she continued anyway.
"You know… back then, you went missing. We thought you were… gone. And then there was David. He and the Valendra girl grew up together. They've liked each other since they were kids."
"Ah, I see… but, but…" Al stammered. "Whatever the problem is, the real issue we should be thinking about is…"
"…Isn't it way too soon to talk about marriage? I just got here yesterday, and I'm still in school."
Edward gave him a sharp look.
"The sooner the better. And don't worry, it's just an engagement for now. Besides, the right to this engagement still belongs to you—because you're our biological son."
Al slowly nodded.
"I see. I understand. But if that's the case, wouldn't it be easier if David just marries her? Since they already like each other? I don't mind, Father, Mother."
His parents exchanged glances.
"...Hmmm. That's... not what it means."
Sandra took a deep breath.
"Maybe you don't fully understand—marriages in families like ours aren't that simple. They involve honor, reputation, business ties, public image—"
"—and they can lead to scandal if canceled recklessly," Edward added.
"If you truly have no objections, we'll invite the Valendra family to discuss it. But you must be sure."
Al scratched the back of his head. His life didn't fit this rich-people world, and he wondered why wealthy folks made everything so complicated.
I know a thing or two about arranged engagements in rich families… but I didn't expect it to be this formal and systematic.
Seriously, my life really doesn't fit with these rich people's routines. Why do wealthy folks make everything so complicated?
He sighed inwardly, half amused, half annoyed.
Still, this is good information. I might be able to pick up something useful from this whole engagement mechanism for my integration. Good, good.
He nodded lightly.
"Alright, Father, Mother. But wouldn't it be easier if you just called them and told them David will marry that girl. What's her name again—Nadia? Nana...?"
"...Al," his mother said sternly.
"Alright, Mother," Al replied obediently. Whatever his family wanted this time, he'd go along with it—he could tell they were trying to give him a chance to integrate into the family.
"If a meeting needs to happen, I have no problem with that," he said casually.
Sandra and Edward exchanged a look.
They... smiled.
Not out of joy for Al's decision—but because the problem they thought would be complicated was resolved just like that.
They had assumed Al might be enamored by a top celebrity like Nayala and fight to keep the engagement. Thankfully, his decision aligned perfectly with their hidden hopes.
From any angle, that engagement truly suited David far more. Fortunately, this child isn't too greedy, Edward thought silently.
Let me find someone more suitable for you later, my dear, Sandra murmured in her mind as she watched her son.
I just hope your growth here aligns with the family's expectations. That's what matters most for you right now.
"Good," Edward said curtly. "In that case, we'll arrange the schedule. Now, I want to ask something more important."
His gaze sharpened.
Sandra also grew a little more serious, as if what they were about to discuss could determine the fate of the world.
"Hm?" Al wondered.
Before they explained anything, Sandra took out a small box from behind her and handed it to him.
"This is from your sister Aurielle. Think of it as a thank-you gift," she said.
"Ah… instead of being angry at me, she's thanking me?" Al said as he accepted the box. "So the thing I gave her earlier actually worked on her, right?"
Of course, Al already knew it had worked. He was just pretending not to.
Edward and Sandra exchanged uncertain glances before nodding.
"It seems so, Al," Edward said.
"Your sister is doing a little better now. Whether it's because of the bracelet you gave her or not, we're not sure. But she was quite happy that you gave her something," Sandra added. "Whether it's useful or not."
"Unfortunately, she still needs to rest, so she asked us to give this to you."
"I see… that's good," Al said, acting relieved.
Al placed the box at the side of the table before asking,
"So… what's the really important thing you wanted to ask me?"
There was a brief silence.
Then Edward spoke, pulling out a small piece of paper marked with the Blackbird Doctor symbol.
"Do you know this mark?" he asked.
Seeing it, Al was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected Edward to bring up that mark, and it seemed the man was somewhat familiar with it.
Even though the mark on the bracelet was already quite faded, they had still managed to notice it. I didn't think they'd be that observant, he thought.
The mark itself didn't just represent the existence of the Blackbird Doctor. It could also function as a storage seal for spells embedded into an object—such as healing magic and the like.
Another function allowed the creator to track the location of any object bearing the mark.
But even though he knew all that, Al chose to shake his head.
"No, Father. This is the first time I've ever seen it," he said.
Edward looked slightly puzzled.
"Really? Don't you know this mark came from the bracelet you gave Aurielle?" he asked again.
Al shook his head once more, pretending to be confused.
"Huh? I've had that thing for a long time. As far as I could tell, it was just a plain metal bracelet with some random scratches. Are you sure there's actually a mark like that on it?"
Edward leaned back slightly. After thinking about it, the explanation did make sense.
He himself hadn't noticed the mark at first either. He had also assumed it was nothing more than an ordinary scratch—until Aurielle's doctor was the one who identified it.
"Is that so?" Edward asked, seeking confirmation.
Al nodded lightly and explained,
"I really wasn't aware of it, Father. I never imagined there was a mark like that on it after all these years of carrying it around," he said convincingly. "Anyway… what's so special about that mark?"
Edward seemed to believe that Al truly had no idea. He nodded slightly before continuing.
"I see. Well, in that case, it doesn't really matter whether you knew about it or not," he said casually.
Then his expression sharpened.
"So… do you know who gave you that bracelet?" he asked.
"Or do you have any connection to them? Someone you could contact?" Sandra added.
Al fell silent for a moment, thinking about how he should answer. Meanwhile, Edward and Sandra waited anxiously.
Not long after…
"I…" Al muttered.
His parents' eyes widened.
He scratched the back of his head a little. "…You could say I know her fairly well."
Those words instantly brought hope to both of them.
"Her? So it's a woman… and you know her. That's good," Edward muttered.
"Really, Al?" Sandra asked excitedly.
Al crossed his arms, glancing upward with his lips pressed together, looking a little conflicted. Then he nodded.
Sandra's eyes lit up. "That's great—you know her. Then… do you have her contact? Can you reach her?"
"Ah… about that…" Al said as he leaned back slightly, then shook his head.
"What is it, Al?" Sandra asked.
Al then explained that he had met the doctor a few times before and could describe her fairly well.
He told them that the doctor used to visit and provide psychological support for children who had gone missing in the past.
Since Al had once been a missing child himself, he had been one of the kids who received that help—especially because the circumstances of his disappearance had been particularly terrifying.
He had undergone several therapy sessions, which eventually made him quite close to the doctor. The bracelet he received was part of that support, something meant to help him manage his trauma.
However, when Edward and Sandra tried to gently dig deeper into what exactly had caused that trauma, Al seemed reluctant to talk about it in detail. He only said that it had been a horrific kidnapping.
His body trembled slightly.
His face turned pale, and cold sweat dripped down despite the cool air in the room.
Even if some parts of his story had been manipulated, the trauma itself looked undeniably real.
Strangely enough, as he spoke, Al felt something unusual.
For some reason, he found himself opening up a little to his parents. It was as if a small part of him still hoped he could trust them… even though most of him was still trying to keep his distance and stay in control.
Edward and Sandra's curiosity about the Blackbird Doctor had unintentionally uncovered a dark part of their son's past.
They never imagined that Al—who had already been kidnapped and swapped at birth—had been kidnapped again while growing up in the orphanage.
What kind of horror did this child go through…? I can't even bear to imagine it, Sandra thought painfully, tears nearly falling from her eyes.
Edward, on the other hand, maintained his composure. He could only look at Al with sympathy.
At least he's finally back where he belongs. I'll make sure nothing bad ever happens to him again, he thought.
"So that's how it is, Father, Mother. And… I can only apologize. I don't have the doctor's contact," Al said, finishing his explanation.
"Besides… it's pretty clear she doesn't want to be identified, judging by how secretive she is. It wouldn't be right for me to reveal her identity," he added.
Edward and Sandra could only nod helplessly. At the same time, they felt a bit relieved. At least there was someone out there who had helped Al so much.
However, a new concern began forming in their minds.