The scent of sandalwood and old books filled the air of her father's study as Regina stood before the grand oak desk, the setting sun casting long shadows across the polished wood.

  Her hands fidgeted with the edges of her silken sleeves. Her father watched her with a keen eye.

  "Regina…" Lord Ellsworth's brow furrowed with concern as his gaze met his daughter, his voice heavy with worry. He gestured towards the plush chair opposite him, but the invitation to confide felt more like a summons to judgment.

  Regina hesitated, then sank into the chair, the velvet cushions doing little to ease the tension in her shoulders. "Father," she started, her voice catching in her throat. She looked away, towards the window where the last sliver of the sun dipped below the horizon.

  Judging from the engagement ceremony, it was obvious that Young Master Tristan liked her but how could she justify why she was standing to the side without any intention of chatting with him?

  And how could Tristan be interested in her? He said those words just to mess with Rhys. She couldn't understand what kind of grudge existed between them, for Tristan to deliberately humiliate him like that. What she did know, however, was the fact that she would better not offend Tristan right now.

  "I don't understand it, Father," She confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why me? He is... he is Tristan Von Astar. He could have any woman he desires."

  How could he, with his esteemed status, possibly lack a beautiful woman around him? Regina Ellsworth wasn't dumb — she understood her place and worth in the world.

  Father's expression turned grave. "Regina," he began, his voice taking on a serious tone, "things are... complicated now. Your grandfather is gone, and the Allsord family is already making moves to undermine my leadership. We need a powerful ally, and quickly."

  Her heart sank. "And you believe Tristan Von Astar is that ally?"

  "He is the most eligible bachelor available in Cinderbrook City," Father countered, his voice taking on a desperate edge. "And with his family's support..."

  "Does that mean you would sacrifice your daughter for political gain?" The words tumbled out before she could stop them, sharp and accusatory.

  A flicker of pain crossed her father's face, but it was quickly masked by a resolute expression. "The other Barons are unaware of Tristan's presence in the city. We must act swiftly, before they learn of his exile and try to sway him to their side. At sixteen, he is young, impressionable... easier to control."

  "Control?" The word tasted like ash in her mouth.

  "Regina," Her father pleaded, his voice softening, "this is our only chance. For our family, for our city."

  She closed her eyes, battling the storm raging within her. Duty warred with desire, logic with longing. Finally, she nodded a single, resigned movement. "Very well, Father."

  But even as she spoke the words, a flicker of defiance ignited in my eyes. She would play my part, for the sake of her family and city. But she would not be a mere puppet. She would find a way to retain her agency, to protect my heart.

  A heavy silence settled over the room, broken only by the crackling of the fire.

  Then, father spoke again, his voice low and heavy with unspoken burdens. "Your mother... she was a noblewoman from one of the eight aristocratic families from Skyreach before they took her away. You know how difficult it is to forge a connection with those families, how rare it is for one of them to agree to a union with someone from earthside. This might be our only chance to search for your mother."

  He was right. Skyreach, the mythical city floating high above Earth, was home to powerful beings of immense power and prestige. To marry into one of their families was an almost unheard-of honor.

  Her father's sigh echoed in the silence, a sound laden with disappointment and worry. She saw the concern etched on his face, the unspoken questions swirling in his eyes.

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  Is my father prioritizing his reunion with my long-lost mother over my own happiness?

  Her heart clenched, a cold knot forming in her stomach. It was quite common for marriage alliances to form in these regions.

  Her fingers instinctively sought the delicate necklace hidden beneath the clothes, the cool metal a comforting weight against her skin. Her mother's necklace. Her only tangible connection to her.

  A wave of longing washed over her, a yearning for her guidance, her protection. If only she were here... Perhaps then, she wouldn't be facing this impossible situation. Perhaps then, her happiness wouldn't be used as a bargaining chip.

  But mother wasn't here. And she was alone.

  ? ? ?

  After returning from his engagement ceremony, Tristan searched in his memories for the reason why the City Lord would try to hide her daughter's engagement.

  The mention of the outing and his invitation to appreciate the city's entertainment together with Regina was nothing more than a joke.

  Who could guarantee he wouldn't end up in the alley with a blade through his ribs? Dealing with scions always comes with risks.

  And this risk was too great.

  Regina Ellsworth might be gorgeous, and her fluttering, dress might make her look like a superstar, but she still wasn't worth the loss.

  Instead, it was time to put his plans into action as the Von Astar Family Awakening Ceremony should be in one month.

  After the disastrous birthday, my practice of family martial arts was at an all-time low.

  The Astar Family Awakening Artifact considers factors like bloodline, soul, and fate to check a participant's aptitude.

  Having countless skills and techniques in his mind, he decided to increase his attacking power while practicing the Empyreon Sword Style, which had the added feature of igniting the bloodline.

  While he might have come out of the confrontation with Scions without any harm, he would never know when he would suffer from a backlash.

  Suddenly, a black-clothed man with a vague-looking face emerged out of the thin air.

  "How's the investigation?" Tristan asked while he tried to practice some basic sword style.

  "Young Master, it's as you concluded! Jack Ellsworth called Lady Regina over and explained his reasoning and difficulties to her."

  "And what are those?" Tristan raised his eyebrows.

  The black-clothed man respectfully explained, "The strongest Ancestor of the Ellsworth Family known alive had already perished some three years ago. It's just that news wasn't leaked to the outside world, or even inside the family. Right now, the City Lord is desperately trying to find a new backer to rely on."

  "Other than that, Regina's mother might be a noblewoman from one of the eight aristocratic families. She was captured by the force behind her and brought back to the family against her will. And Jack wanted to use Lady Regina to develop a connection with you, so he could find his wife's whereabouts."

  "Huh! I didn't expect to have guessed it all right!" Tristan smirked.

  He had changed his mind a while ago. Since Regina Ellsworth was the Scion, there must be something more special about her. It was because of this that he let the Blood Warrior go out and gather information.

  Mal, the family Blood Warrior had been assigned as his personal guard. At least until he completed the Awakening Ceremony.

  He was an unfathomable expert while being an E Grade Human, by today's world standard. There was no chance of a being of E Grade in Cinderbrook city.

  Most humans start with an F Grade.

  Tristan fell into deep thought after hearing about Regina Ellsworth's situation. It was quite different as he clearly remembered that Regina's father was Martin Falken, the previous Patriarch of the Falken Family from Skyreach. So does that mean Jack Ellsworth is not her biological father? Then what about her mother…

  "Go to the city's jail and closely observe Rhys's every move, but no matter what happens, don't interfere," Tristan ordered after shelving thoughts of Regina.

  He had somewhat figured out how he could face Scions. Ignoring them was one method, and stealing their opportunities was another. However, the most effective would be using relationships with near equal fate.

  Like before, when he drove a wedge between the scions, Regina Ellsworth, and Rhys.

  "I will do as Young Master commands!" Mal responded, and then his figure disappeared into the thin air.

  Tristan, on the other hand, considered killing Rhys Stark through Regina Ellsworth.

  That looked like a good method, but it was not possible. At least for now. Even Scions can't die until they fulfill their destiny.

  Back in the hall, he had easily destroyed Rhys's mental state through Regina Ellsworth. That made it clear to him that destroying the relationship between the Children of Destiny was a viable counter.

  Furthermore, he could use some tricks on Regina Ellsworth, too, now that he knew of her weakness.

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