Ronin had time thinking and planning how to convince Maellan to bring him to the Academy. His Triannum was approaching an end, and soon, almost two years had passed.

Every time Maellan would visit, he would ask around about Academy policies and any loophole he can use to get his way in. But Maellan’s answer was always the same.

“I really do not know, Ronin. It is up to the Council to decide. And they never had a student with Commoner Heartstone since the foundation of the scholastic system itself.”

“You have a better chance of trying at a Schoola like Zeuxis. I finally managed to convince him, and he is currently attending a Schoola and boarding there just nearby our house. He’ll be graduating soon and become a functional member of society.”

Belladonna rolled her eyes at this. “And yet he never bothers to come by and apologize. So much for a functional member of society.”

“…. I am still trying to get him to do that. Teenagers his age can be really stubborn, they’ll become an adult soon so they think they don’t have to listen to anyone.” Maellan chuckled.

Maellan himself was an adult now, 23 years old to be exact. It felt like it was not too long ago when he was still this short brat that would poke and prod Ronin as a baby. Always saying ‘cute’ and ‘adorable’ and getting the mighty CHOMP! for it.

But now, he’s… more mature. Both physically and mentally. Even more mature than Duke Taevas even, who still have the temper of a child.

Soon, he would get married, start a family and become a father himself. Most likely a better one than what he had._.

Even men his age had already been married, especially nobles. They get betrothed and arranged for each other. But luckily for him, Duke Taevas seemed to not care that he was still a bachelor at this age.

After all, no noble would agree to marry a Zafeiri at this point with all the rumors hanging around them.

Many things truly change, but never gossip. It’s always present.

(I wonder if Cholie and I would be able to handle teenagers of our own. I hope they do not take after Zeuxis.) He jested in his head.

Ronin had a sense already of what was to come years ago. And he felt that it was coming soon.

And soon, it did come.

While Duke Taevas was sparring again for his aging bones, Maellan approached him for the first time.

“Father. I would like to have a word with you.”

Ronin and Belladonna followed after him. Both of them already knew of this. The moment Maellan asked them to join him in speaking with his father as good luck, a dreadful feeling came at the pit of their stomach.

Belladonna was Cholie’s friend too, after all. She must have told her.

(It would not work out. I know Father would not allow them.) Ronin heard her think.

Duke Taevas stopped waving his blade, and it disappeared. He wore a stern expression on his face. “What is it?”

Maellan had managed to get the courage and say. “I am getting married soon. And as a proper gentleman in Sephyrine, I felt it was my duty to follow the custom to ask for your blessing.”

“Oh?” Duke Taevas merely said, uninterested. “And who is this lucky lady that obtained the heart of the great Maellan Zafeiri? Which family was she from?”

Mavretri sweated nervously and noticeably moved away. “Er…. I’ll be getting you some water to quench your thirst, Your Grace.”

Maellan summoned all his courage and said:

“… Willowe, Father. Her surname is Willowe.”

Duke Taevas scrunched up his eyebrow. “I have not heard of any House Willowe.”

Maellan clenched his fist from his father’s denseness. “Because she is from House Zafeiri, Father.”

Only then did realization come to the thick blueberry head of Duke Taevas.

“You…. Are you joking? Are you making me laugh so you could ease up talking to me after all the years of you rebelling against me?”

Maellan seemed to be trying hard to keep his calm. “I am NOT joking, Father. I am as serious as can be. My heart belongs to Cholie Willowe of House Zafeiri.”

Duke Taevas’s expression changed several times at this. First it was disbelief, then disappointment, and then, as always….. anger.

“You are marrying a Commoner. And Mavretri’s daughter, of all people.” He chuckled bitterly.

He then yelled: “MAVRETRI! YOU BASTARD, COME BACK HERE! BRING YOUR DAUGHTER WITH YOU!”

The Coal commoner obeyed this out of fear, bringing Cholie with him.

“Now, this girl…” Duke Taevas pointed. “What did she do to make you fall for her charms? Seduce you? Get you to impregnate her and threaten you take responsibility?”

“No, Father! I love her!” Maellan was incredulous at all these accusations. “I loved her since we were kids, and my love continued to grow more and more as years go by! I can’t bare a single day without her by my side!”

“You just don’t know that feeling because you have never loved anyone! You’re incapable of doing so, not even Mother! If she was here, she would have understood!”

Duke Taevas went quiet at the mention of Duchess Akasa.

‘Whoops.’ Ronin said sarcastically in his head, preparing for the incoming storm of drama again.

“Is that so?” Duke Taevas let go of his sword with a clank! to the ground, and it disappeared eventually. “Well, then…”

“Go ask your dead mother for a blessing. You will never receive mine. I will never accept a Commoner woman as the mother of the next generation of my bloodline.”

He walked away, pointing at Mavretri. “You and I need to talk.”

“Y-Yes, Your Grace.” Mavretri sweated nervously.

Maellan was so furious, overcome by emotion from what his father just said. He yelled at him as he left:

“I will then! I will ask mother for a blessing, I don’t need yours! I rather have my wedding attended by a corpse than a bastard father like you!”

Duke Taevas immediately turned around. “What did you just say!?”

Maellan grabbed Cholie’s hand and—

They did run away to his carriage, possibly planning to elope!

“Take us to the Noble Graveyard by the Edge!” Maellan exclaimed to the coachman.

Duke Taevas followed after them. “Hey! Where do you think you’re going after disrespecting me like that!??? Come back here!”

“Mavretri, get my carriage! Follow after that bastard son before he can bring your whore of a daughter to my wife’s grave!”