How long has it been since I last enjoyed myself like this?

  The scent of flowers in full bloom, the chirping of birds and a clear blue sky raining its warm rays on me.

  The last time I was in the garden all I felt was melancholy, but now that feeling has turned into pure unadulterated joy.

  I had yet to recover from the [Esenca Poisoning], but things were proceeding smoothly. Their reactions were to be expected, but they caused quite a scene.

  Especially Nora…

  Just thinking of her reckless behavior when she’s angry makes me worry for her future husband.

  Not like it mattered, all I had to do right now was focus on my recovery. Everything else was just background noise.

  “Young Master… the second Young Master wants to see you.”

  Fabian approached from behind and bowed respectfully, along with two other figures.

  “Yo!”

  That sounded like Armend alright. It seemed that he had come with his personal attendant, which wasn’t surprising.

  "You're supposed to be managing the eastern trade routes."

  "I was, then I heard my little brother nearly died, came back to life, and now there's a whole investigation into who tried to murder him."

  He sat down without ceremony, completely ignoring the guards' disapproving looks.

  "Besides, Nora sent me about fifty letters demanding I come back immediately or she'd 'handle it herself.' And we both know what that means."

  Unfortunately, I did.

  "She threatened to burn down the servant quarters."

  "Twice at that and she also wanted to interrogate every single person in the estate. I had to talk her down, you're welcome, by the way."

  Crazy girl…

  “Anyway, I’m sure you didn’t come here just to check in on me… tell me, what’s up?”

  “I really can’t hide anything from you…”

  ‘Your expression is just too obvious.’ Is what I wanted to say, but he’d get more flustered if I did.

  Although Armend was smart, managing part of the family business despite being only fourteen, he still lacked proper experience in the real world. I just hoped he wouldn’t dabble in gambling, otherwise it would be a great loss for our family.

  He adjusted his glasses and ruffled his hair before preparing to talk, which meant that this was something more serious than usual.

  “Father has asked for a marriage alliance with House Arianiti”

  “Hm? Yeah what about it? Who is getting married?”

  He raised his hand and pointed at me.

  I stared at him, waiting for the joke.

  "...What?"

  Me?

  “It’s you and their youngest daughter.”

  "I'm twelve."

  "I know."

  "I'm twelve, Armend."

  "The engagement is formal, but the actual marriage wouldn't be until you're of age. Probably sixteen, maybe eighteen depending on—"

  Motherfucker. This is why I hated the political sphere of nobles.

  “HEY, LEDION! STAY WITH ME!”

  Ah…

  Focused on recovering my ass.

  I never thought I'd need a wheelchair.

  Not even when I was at death's door, coughing up blood daily, did anyone suggest one. But apparently the stress of learning about an arranged marriage was more debilitating than three years of poisoning.

  Fabian had insisted and Armend looked guilty enough that he didn't argue.

  And here I was, being wheeled back to my room like some kind of invalid. Which, technically, I still was.

  "That Armend, couldn't have waited a few more weeks?"

  "Young Master, you need to remain calm, Physician Malek was very clear—"

  The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  "I know, I know."

  An arranged marriage, to some noble lady I'd never met, just for political leverage. Father finally saw me as useful again, and this was how he chose to use me.

  At least there was one silver lining, House Arianiti had competent healers. Nora's mother came from that house, and she'd been one of the few people who genuinely tried to help me over the years.

  Maybe the daughter wouldn't be terrible.

  Father was marrying me down a rank. For a legitimate heir, that would be insulting. For a bastard who'd been dying?

  It was almost generous.

  Which meant Father wanted something from House Arianiti. Their healers, probably, or their political support.

  Either way, I was the bargaining chip.

  "Fabian."

  "Yes, Young Master?"

  "The Arianiti family... when are they arriving?"

  "I believe the formal visit is scheduled for two weeks from now. Once your treatment is complete."

  Two weeks, huh… Enough time to recover physically and settle some scores here. Maybe it was time to use my abilities after all.

  "And the daughter? What do you know about her?"

  Fabian hesitated, which was interesting.

  He was not the type to hesitate.

  “Her name is Altuna Arianiti. Thirteen years old, currently attending the Valdros Regional Military Academy.”

  Military academy?

  I raised a brow.

  “At thirteen?”

  “She enrolled at eleven, Young Master. Top of her cohort for two consecutive years.”

  Armend let out a low whistle.

  “She’s terrifying.”

  Fabian ignored him and continued.

  “She specializes in tactical command and close-quarters combat. Her instructors describe her as disciplined, precise… and emotionally distant.”

  Hoh? Would you look at this? Maybe father had an idea in mind when he chose me.

  “Rumors?”

  Fabian’s expression remained neutral, but I caught the faint shift in his gaze.

  “She allegedly broke a noble boy’s arm last winter.”

  “Allegedly?”

  “He insulted her mother.”

  I laughed. Actually laughed, loud enough that both Armend and Fabian stared.

  “Young Master?”

  "Sorry, sorry."

  I wiped my eyes, I hadn’t laughed like that in weeks. What a straightforward person… well, at least I didn’t have to think about this from now on. These kinds of people were easiest to handle, you just needed to have a stronger fist.

  “The Young Master sure is diligent…”

  “Well, he finally recovered to this point, so it’s a good thing.”

  “By the way, I heard the Arianiti family will be here soon…”

  “So it was true?”

  “Yes… I…”

  The maids were gossiping again. Did they forget awakeners had enhanced senses? I could hear every word.

  Anyway, as I had expected. I've been working hard these past two weeks and yet the progress is so minimal…

  It has to be due to those traits…

  【 STATUS WINDOW 】

  Name: Ledion Topia

  Age: 12 Class:

  Traits

  [Ruler] [Master Mind] [Eloquence] [Innate Weakness]

  [Cursed by Dominion] [Shadow] [Noble]

  [Elegance] [Magic Control] [Dragonic Bloodline] [Hero]

  The poisoning was cleared, and proper nutrition had finally removed [Malnourished]. But [Chronic Illness] persisted, a consequence of [Innate Weakness] that wouldn't fade so easily.

  [Innate Weakness] and [Cursed by Dominion], both were horrible traits at the start.

  Thankfully I knew how to remove or change them, but it required resources that I didn’t have at the moment. The only reason my stats even increased in the slightest were due to the [Hero] and [Draconic Bloodline] traits.

  Although they didn’t really affect stats directly, they had the ability to push one beyond their limits, which was a powerful tool for someone stuck in my predicament.

  [Hero], the trait bestowed to a chosen of a god. Though I didn’t know which god had chosen me, it didn’t really matter. Gods chose multiple people and their survival chances were minimal.

  It was a gamble to see if talented individuals would flourish or perish. If they grew properly, then they would take the credit for it.

  As for the [Draconic Bloodline], it only appeared in those with dragon ancestry. But the Topia family had no such lineage.

  Which meant my mother was the one...

  Wait… The woman who'd abandoned me at birth, who I'd never met, who Father refused to discuss.

  She had draconic blood?

  Well, I’ve been a fool it seems. That sounds exactly like something those lizards would do.

  “Hey, Fabian.”

  “Yes Young Master?”

  "Is it possible to contact my mother?"

  Fabian paused for a moment and I could see his eyes opening wider by the moment as my words registered.

  "Young Master... that would be... difficult."

  That was expected. Dragons can't be found even if you deliberately search for them. Half-breeds weren’t accepted in dragon society, especially if the bloodline wasn't from a high-ranking dragon.

  “That’s fine… I was just curious.”

  He let out a big sigh of relief at my words.

  “How about the Arianiti family, when will they be here?”

  “They should be here in a few hours, Young Master.”

  I had to wrap my training early then. A proper first impression was a must.

  “Tell the maids to prepare a bath and prepare my outfit.”

  “As you wish, Young Master.”

  Hmm… these clothes sure are extravagant. Did they want me to make a good impression that badly?

  They even styled my hair…

  Well, at least in terms of appearance they shouldn’t have any complaints.

  “Fabian, who chose these clothes?”

  “It’s Lady Elena, Young Master.”

  Ah… so it was Armend’s mother. I should thank her later.

  “I’m ready. Is everyone already present and waiting?”

  “Excluding the Young Master Artan and Young Miss Mariana, yes.”

  “Even Father?”

  “The Master is already in a meeting with patriarch of the Arianiti house.”

  “They sure move fast.”

  I checked my clothes one last time and made my way to the main hall. Although I hadn’t truly recovered from my fragile physique, my body and temperament sure had improved.

  I greeted the servants as we passed them with a polite smile.

  The main hall was already crowded by the time I arrived. I recognized most of the faces immediately.

  Armend stood near his mother, looking uncomfortable in formal attire, constantly adjusting his collar. Nora was beside her own mother, fidgeting with her dress sleeves.

  The other mothers were present too. The hierarchy in this house really was odd with these many wives.

  At least they were living harmoniously.

  It seemed the guests were getting comfortable talking to them. Three figures, a lady and two girls that looked to be around my age.

  I took a breath and stepped forward.

  The moment I entered, several heads turned. Some out of curiosity, others out of obligation. I kept my expression neutral and offered a polite nod to the room.

  It seemed like father and Arianiti patriarch were still in talks, so it was better to make a good impression now.

  "Apologies for my tardiness."