章節 11: This Is a Deal
Christie noticed the slightly awkward and dismissive smile on Ron's face and immediately understood what he was thinking. She was well aware of her poor reputation at the academy but didn't care at all. Life was about living for oneself, not about worrying over others' judgments.
However, knowing that Ron was concerned about these things, she realized she needed to clarify her intentions. After all, she had a family mission to accomplish.
"I know what you're thinking, and I know what you care about. But I advise you to hear me out before you refuse."
"There's no need!" Ron's tone was firm. "But still, thank you for your offer, Christie."
Seeing his resolute attitude, a flicker of pain crossed Christie's eyes. She forced herself to suppress her sadness and said, "Didn't you want to meet my cousin? If you marry me, you'll get that chance."
"Hmm?" Ron frowned. "Didn't you say your cousin was dead? How could marrying you bring him back to life?"
"That's why you should listen before you speak; otherwise, you might miss important information," Christie said, mocking him before continuing.
"My cousin established a new territory on the border, but after his death, it's become somewhat unstable. Our family needs a knight to take control of it."
"My sister recommended you during a family meeting, and the elders agreed. Originally, she was supposed to marry you, but since she's already engaged, I have to take her place. I hope I've made things clear enough for you to decide."
Ron was momentarily overwhelmed by the flood of information, but after carefully analyzing each point, he quickly pieced it together. It was clear that they were asking him to marry into their family, with the dowry being this new territory.
But why him? He couldn't help but wonder...
"Couldn't you just send anyone? Even if family members are afraid of the danger, you could send a family knight. Why choose me?"
"If you already know the family is avoiding danger, why ask such a naive question?" Christie shot back.
Ron gave a bitter smile. "You've figured out my current predicament and know I'm willing to take a risk, so you're offering this. But I don't understand, if the family knows the territory is unsafe, why insist on keeping it? Why not just abandon it?"
"In fact, I agree with you! But my sister insists on holding onto that land. You know she's a mage, and at only 15 years old, she already holds a professorship in magic. The elders have to consider her opinion."
"Your sister? Which sister? Feli Moore?" Ron asked tentatively.
"Who else could it be?" Christie replied with a wry smile.
"I see!" The mention of Feli Moore instantly made Ron's expression serious. A prodigy who awakened her magical talent at three, graduated from the prestigious Morido Magic Academy in the capital at ten, and became a magic professor at fourteen, she was a genius among geniuses. But why would such a genius recommend him? When did she even notice him?
Ron couldn't figure it out and fell into deep thought.
"So, what's your decision?" Christie asked, breaking the silence when Ron didn't respond.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Ron smiled and said, "So, if I marry you, that territory will be your dowry? And as long as I defend it for your family, I get to be the lord there, right?"
"Isn't that obvious?" Christie replied casually.
"Then we're two peas in a pod, two sacrifices, two pitiful souls!" Ron said with a bitter smile.
"Indeed!" Christie laughed, her face blooming like a flower, showing no sign of pity at all. "Though I'd love to pursue my own love, as a noble, I have to be prepared to sacrifice for my family. So, Sir Ron, what's your decision?"
"I agree!" Ron didn't hesitate anymore. As long as he could leave Lane Town, he could accept anything, but there was a condition. "But I have some conditions!"
"Let's hear them!"
Although Ron was down on his luck, Christie didn't find his conditions unreasonable. They were a necessary part of a transactional marriage.
"First, the ownership of that territory must be in my name!"
"Of course! But it can only be transferred after we marry!" Christie nodded in agreement.
"Second, we will be husband and wife in name only, each living our own lives. You can pursue your love, and I can pursue mine. If you have children, I won't be responsible for them, they won't be allowed on my land, and they will have no inheritance rights."
"Certainly! That's actually preferable! Though you're quite handsome, I prefer muscular men, that feeling of being wrapped in muscle…" Christie's eyes grew distant as she spoke, lost in her thoughts.
Ron shook his head and interrupted her fantasies with a third condition.
"Third, I want to train in your family's Qi Force, and you must provide the necessary resources!"
Hearing this, Christie frowned. "You haven't trained in Qi Force yet? Then how did you defeat Woris?"
Ron frowned in return, thinking, "So it was my victory over Woris that caught the Moore family's attention. But it seems their investigation wasn't thorough."
"How I beat Woris isn't important. Just tell me if you agree or not."
"If you need it, of course, we can provide all the help you need! But you must understand that awakening Qi Force isn't something that happens overnight, and we need you to head to the territory immediately," Christie replied seriously.
"That's exactly what I want!" Ron agreed readily.
With that, the two raised a toast with a glass of cheap rum. After drinking, their profit-driven marriage was formally sealed.
As Ron prepared to see Christie off, he suddenly remembered something and asked, "My dear fiancée, can I go back to the viscount's estate with you now?"
"Is that a fourth condition? You sure have a lot of them," Christie said as she scanned Ron's body up and down. "I thought we agreed to live separately! What? Have you changed your mind?"
"No! Don't misunderstand! It's just that the situation is a bit special, and I want to understand it better."
Ron certainly wouldn't tell the truth. If he admitted that a killer was currently lurking on the roof, ready to assassinate him, and that he was seeking refuge with the viscount out of fear, it would be too humiliating.
After a moment's hesitation, Christie warmly linked her arm with Ron's and smiled, "Then let's go, my dear fiancé. I've just renovated a brand-new bathhouse. We can relax together and call it a reward for the champion."
Ron's face turned green at the suggestion, but considering the danger he was in, he agreed to go and "relax."
As he was packing his things, the knight Enke suddenly burst through the door.
"No! Miss, Sir Ron cannot come with us!"
"Why not?"
"There's no why! The deal is done; let Sir Ron wait here at the inn. We'll send a carriage for him tomorrow."
Enke's tone left no room for argument, as if he were the one in charge.
Christie glared at Enke, her face full of anger. However, she said nothing and instead turned to Ron, saying, "Then, dear Ron, I'll see you tomorrow!"
With that, she walked away without looking back, leaving Ron standing there, completely at a loss.
"Since when can a knight give orders to his master?"
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