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The afternoon sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room. The tension from the initial meeting had eased, and the conversation meandered through various topics. I found myself getting a better sense of the dynamics within the Ashwood family. Despite their fall from grace, a strong bond held them together.

Liliana and Lily were intriguing in their own ways. Liliana's composed confidence contrasted with Lily's quiet grace, yet both seemed to share a deep connection with Samael. Their presence added a layer of complexity to the family dynamic that was both fascinating and daunting.

Alice, on the other hand, was a curious mixture of innocence and a bundle of joy. Her inquisitive eyes often met mine, and I couldn't help but wonder what thoughts ran through her mind. Despite her youth, she seemed to have a keen understanding of the political intricacies at play. She brought a lightness to the room that was hard to ignore, and her laughter was infectious.

As the conversation continued, Samael's charm became increasingly evident. He had a way of making everyone feel included and valued, a skill that was undoubtedly honed through his experiences and trials. His dual-colored eyes seemed to see right through me, making it difficult to maintain my guard.

I looked toward the window and saw it was quite late, So I stood up to leave. "Thank you for the warm welcome, Lord Samael. I appreciate the hospitality and the opportunity to meet your family."

"It was our pleasure, Lady Eveline," He said, standing to see me off. "We hope this meeting lays the groundwork for a fruitful alliance."

Fufufu~ I almost forgot this meeting was all about the alliance between our families. Thankfully, I prepared this surprise just in case I found Lord Samael good enough. And while he is a smug bastard, he is... too good to let go of.

"Oh~ there's no need for that," I said as my eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief. I produced a small, ornate box from my space ring. It was covered in intricate runes that glowed faintly, hinting at some sort of magical enchantment. And if my father's words are anything to go by, the engagement rings in it are sought after by many.

"Inside there are a pair of engagement rings," I announced, my voice carrying a mixture of formality and playful intrigue. I opened the box to reveal two elegant rings, each intricately designed with gemstones and fine craftsmanship.

And from the looks of Samael's sharp intake of breath, it was quite the sight to see. The engagement rings must have been striking indeed. The light danced off the precious stones, casting delicate hues across the room.

Samael's eyes widened slightly as he took in the sight. His expression shifted from surprise to contemplation, and I could see the wheels turning in his mind.

The rings were known for their magical properties—enhancing the bond between the wearers, storing some amount of Mana from daily life to use in crucial times, and If the wearer allows the partner then even the location of the wearer could be known to the counterpart of the ring-wearer.

"This... this is quite unexpected," He said, struggling to maintain his composure, which I found quite cute as his cheeks flushed. "Lady Eveline, I wasn't aware that this visit would include such a formal proposal."

Oh~ How would you know? I just took this decision, Hahahaha~

My smile widened, a blend of satisfaction and anticipation in my eyes. "Indeed, it is rather sudden. But circumstances have led us to this point, and I believe it's an opportune moment for both of our families."

From the corner of my eyes, I saw others' reactions to my stunt, Liliana's gaze was fixed on the rings, her expression a mixture of surprise and concern. Lily, too, looked unsettled, though she tried to mask her feelings with a polite smile. Alice, ever the composed one, remained silent but her eyes betrayed a flicker of... anger?

Hey! Hey! What's with such reactions? I admit I feel quite superior to Liliana and Lily because from the looks of it, even they haven't done something this significant towards their future with Samael. But Alice?! She looked so cute and innocent just a while ago.

The room was thick with an unspoken tension. I could feel the weight of Alice's gaze on me, and it was clear that my gesture had struck a nerve. I was about to address the situation when a beautiful woman materialized between me and Samael.

"You have quite the audacity," She said with an expression mix of defiance and protectiveness. She had evidently overheard the conversation and emerged from the dept of the mansion, her presence commanding immediate attention.

Elysia Ashwood.

The strongest mage of the kingdom stood in front of me like an angry hen protecting her chicks. Her eyes, sharp and unwavering, fixed on me with an intensity that made it clear she was trying very hard to not outright attack me.

"Mother," Samael said, with a hint of surprise in his voice. So this was not orchestrated by him, "We were just discussing Lady Eveline's proposal."

Lady Elysia's gaze remained fixed on me, her voice firm and unwavering. "You have quite the audacity, Lady Eveline. To come here with such a proposal, without prior notice or consultation-"

I tried to keep my emotions in check but a hint of annoyance escaped. "I understand your surprise, Lady Elysia. However, the urgency of the political landscape leaves little room for delays. This engagement could strengthen your family, as everyone knows about the feud between Ashwoods and the Royal family."

My words hung in the air, charged with the weight of political intrigue. My tone was calm, yet carried an undercurrent of challenge that made it clear I wasn't backing down easily. But soon after I regret saying those words in such a haughty tone and even more in front of this monster.

"Girl, Do you even know who is standing in front of you?" Lady Elysia pressed forward as her heavy mana leaked making me almost kennel from its weight alone.

My mind became a mess as it filled it, I could feel the oppressive weight of Elysia's mana, a force so palpable it seemed to press against my chest, making it difficult to breathe. Her power was undeniable, and the intensity of her presence sent a shiver down my spine. This was not a woman to be trifled with.

"I know precisely who you are, Lady Elysia," I managed to say through gritted teeth. "The Strongest Mage in the kingdom—and a formidable force in her own right," I added, my voice straining under the pressure. My eyes were wide, but I quickly regained my composure.

"However, I came here with a genuine intention of fostering a beneficial alliance between our families."

But Lady Elysia's gaze remained unyielding, her mana pressing heavily on me. "A genuine intention?" She echoed, her tone dripping with skepticism. "You arrive with an engagement proposal without prior notice, as if it's a mere formality. This isn't just about formalities; it's about respect and understanding."

Lady Elysia's presence was overwhelming, a torrent of raw mana that nearly drowned out everything else in the room. Her disapproval was evident, and the palpable tension made every word I spoke to feel like it was being measured under a microscope.

"Respect and understanding are precisely what I seek to offer. This proposal was made in response to pressing political circumstances. It's not meant to insult or undermine you."

Lady Elysia's gaze remained sharp, and the oppressive weight of her mana seemed to intensify. Despite my best efforts to stay composed, the raw power emanating from her was almost unbearable. I knew I had to tread carefully if I wanted to salvage the situation.

"I can see that my approach may have been abrupt," I continued, forcing my voice to steady. "But I genuinely believe that this engagement could benefit both of our families, especially given the current political climate. I had hoped that such a gesture would show my commitment to strengthening our ties."

"Lady Eveline," Samael interjected, stepping forward I hoped for him to take my side. "Let's not let this escalate further. We appreciate your proposal and understand the urgency, but we need to handle this with due respect for everyone involved."

My eyes softened slightly as I turned my gaze back to him. "Lord Samael, I appreciate your willingness to address this matter calmly. I understand the need for respect and proper procedure. My intentions were to expedite a process that could benefit both our families."

As I said those words, I felt Lady Elysia's mana pressure slowly recede, though her eyes remained sharp and scrutinizing. "If you wish to discuss this proposal, We will do so with the proper respect and consideration for our family's values and decisions."

I hurriedly nodded, visibly relieved as the magical pressure lifted. "Thank you, Lady Elysia. I'm willing to discuss this further and address any concerns you might have."

***

After all the trouble we were again sitting like civil people, and I thought I was out of the woods but I was so wrong as I said those words...

"And what do you seek in return?" Lady Elysia asked, her tone probing.

And then I said the words that irked this monster once more and this time much more than before.

"Lord Samael to marry into Clearwater family—leaving the surname of Ashwood and adopting the Clearwater name," But before I could continue, a pressure again pressed down on me but this was much more powerful than before, If the previous one was a flood than this one was a ruthless tsunami ready crush everything in its path.

Crack! Crack!

Boooooom!

Due to the immense mana leaking from this monster, the chair on which I was sitting shattered into splinters, sending wooden fragments skittering across the floor. Some even went through my skin as blood sprinkled onto the floor. The intense pressure from Lady Elysia's mana made it feel as though the very air around me was being squeezed out.

My heart raced as I struggled to maintain my composure under the sheer weight of her aura.

WHYYYYYYYY????

.

..

...

[To Be Continued]

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