“Pft...”

Hearing Anne’s words, Muen almost spat out a mouthful of blood. He stared at her, his gaze frozen, his voice trembling:

“Wha... what? Did you say... an engagement ceremony?”

“That’s right.”

Anne nodded, then said:

“Has Young Master forgotten? According to the common custom, the engagement ceremony is to be held only after Her Highness Princess Celicia passes her eighteenth birthday.”

“Of course ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) I know that, but isn’t this too sudden?” Muen said blankly.

He remembered Celicia telling him she was one year younger than him. And he had only just passed his own eighteenth birthday three months ago. Meaning, in just a few months, Celicia would be turning eighteen herself.

For an ordinary noble girl, this wasn’t young anymore. But Muen hadn’t thought it would come this quickly. No—rather, he hadn’t thought of it at all. Too many other things had been pulling at his attention, and now that he suddenly heard this, it caught him completely off guard.

“When exactly is it supposed to be?”

“On Celicia’s eighteenth birthday itself. The ceremony will be organized by the Imperial Palace. The Ducal Estate only needs to do some supporting work, and... for you, Young Master, simply to attend.”

“...That fast?”

Muen muttered, somewhat dazed:

“I’m not even prepared yet.”

“I was startled as well. But according to those who came from the palace, this was an order personally decreed by His Majesty.”

Anne sighed:

“When the news first arrived, the entire Ducal Estate went into a panic. Fortunately, by the timing of it, Madam should be able to return home by then. That will at least give everyone some backbone. As for Master... I fear it will be difficult.”

“I see. Father will surely be disappointed, won’t he?”

Muen sighed along with her. But then it struck him—wait, why should Father be the one to worry?

The one who should be panicking is me!

I’m about to be engaged! Engaged! Engaged!

Not long ago he had still been agonizing over survival, worried about being crushed like a bug by some Evil God’s palm. And now—he had to worry about a lifelong commitment.

It had only been a few months since he crossed into this world, yet it felt as though he had endured centuries. After so much, without realizing it, he had completely melted into this identity, this world. Looking back suddenly... he couldn’t help but sigh.

“That was the first matter. And the second?” He waved the troublesome thoughts aside. After all, there were still a few months—no need to torment himself now.

“There are letters from Master and Madam.”

Anne handed him two envelopes sealed with the Campbell crest.

“Letters?”

Muen blinked.

He immediately took them, tore them open, and read every word carefully.

Two letters.

One from Father.

One from Mother.

Both were clearly written by their own hands—the difference in writing style and tone was obvious at a glance.

His cheap father’s letter was filled mostly with bold, martial swagger. Descriptions of how in recent days “your old man pushed the front line forward several li, slaughtered countless demons,” and a tale of “a duel where I knocked out half the enemy grand duke’s teeth.”

Only near the end did he mention, almost in passing: “Son, I’m proud you managed to score eighty points. Also, hurry and find yourself a good-looking woman to give me a grandson—or a granddaughter, that’s fine too. As for that princess, don’t spoil her. A real man can have several women, what’s the problem? If anything happens, I’ll take responsibility for you...”

But in just that one sentence, Muen could clearly see the traces of multiple revisions. As though those few dozen words were far harder to write than the thousands of bold lines before them.

His cheap mother’s letter, on the other hand, was far smoother. Every inch of the paper was crammed with nagging care: “Are you eating properly? Sleeping well? Are you resting enough while studying? Don’t tire yourself out... And your father is right, don’t worry too much about that princess. If anything happens, he’ll handle it.”

She embodied the phrase “a loving mother spoils her son” perfectly.

Yet every ordinary word still pulled Muen along, making him read on without pause.

After a long while, Muen carefully read both letters again, folded them neatly, and put them away. Tilting his head back, he drew in a long breath.

Yes... words were the most moving thing in this world. Just two simple family letters, and his heart was filled with warmth.

Muen turned his head to the window, and a strange emotion rose inside him.

If he thought about it carefully, his injuries still hadn’t fully healed, and there was still an emptiness lingering in his body.

But...

Senior had already been rescued.

The Moon was dead.

The Evil Gods probably wouldn’t cause trouble again any time soon.

At this moment, life was peaceful, the sun bright.

So...

“Anne.”

“Mm?”

“Right now... is this happiness?”

“...I don’t know. But...”

Anne gazed at Muen’s face and spoke softly:

“Young Master looks very happy right now.”

“Really?”

Muen smiled faintly. “Feels... pretty good.”

The thing he had been chasing suddenly lay within reach. Leaning against the window, he savored the tranquil scenery outside and the sweet warmth of his thoughts.

If it could just stay like this forever, how wonderful that would be.

...

But the good mood didn’t last. Suddenly, the grinding of mechanisms echoed, and the carriage windows sealed shut, turning into dark curtains that blocked all light and sound from outside.

“What’s going on? An ambush?”

The pleasant thoughts vanished instantly. Muen’s nerves tensed as he leapt up, ready to draw Elizabeth.

But after a long moment he saw no enemy. Only Anne, calmly twisting open that precious night pearl. In the cramped carriage, it gave off a soft, rosy glow.

“Young Master, don’t worry. Not an ambush.”

The small table that had been between them—the one meant for teacups—had disappeared without him noticing. Anne rose, gently pressing Muen back onto the broad, soft sofa, speaking softly:

“This place is very safe. No one will disturb us.”

“Safe? Disturb?”

The corner of Muen’s mouth twitched. Why did her words feel so off?

But he didn’t have time to think further. In that pink glow, he suddenly noticed Anne’s usually dignified face was flushed, her breathing uneven.

Wait... surely not...

At that instant, his survival instincts blared in his head. He reflexively tried to bolt—

But Anne was already on top of him, her body pressing close, fragrance enveloping him. Sight, touch, and scent all bombarded his nerves. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

“Anne...”

Muen swallowed with difficulty.

“What... what are you trying to do?”

“Young Master, why pretend not to know?”

Anne chuckled softly:

“Didn’t you say you wanted happiness? Then let me make you even happier.”

No, no, no. At a time like this—this wasn’t happiness, this was transcendence! Literally ascending to heaven!

Not good. He had to escape. He had to!

Muen darted his eyes around, searching for an opening.

But Anne seemed to read his thoughts. She wrapped her arms around his waist, her chest pressing firmly against him.

“Young Master, I told you before—I won’t imprison you again. You could smash through this carriage and flee. But outside, with so many people... do you really want them to see me like this?”

Her voice was laced with rare coquettishness.

Instinctively, Muen lowered his head. He saw her long hair undone, tumbling loose. The first two buttons of her maid outfit had been undone, revealing a flawless curve and the deep violet lace beneath.

Purity and dignity, shot through with bewitching allure.

Damn it.

Helpless, Muen slowly lowered the hand gripping his blade.

“Don’t worry. This carriage is custom-made. Nothing that happens inside, no sound, will ever reach outside.

I belong only to Young Master.”

Anne leaned close to his ear, her tone tinged with excitement:

“Besides... I want to taste it too. Even though there are so many people outside, even that princess who’s about to be engaged to you hasn’t left yet... yet here we are, in a place no one can intrude upon, doing this together.”