“Take her away?”
Theodore was stunned for a moment.
Then, his cloudy eyes darted around.
A shrewd calculation appeared on his face.
“It is certainly possible for Lord Bell to take my daughter away.”
He rubbed his hands together.
“However, there must be some sort of formal status, wouldn't you agree?”
The air in the hall froze.
Tia looked up sharply.
She looked at Theodore, then at Bell.
A tiny spark of fire ignited in her once dead, ashen eyes.
It was hope.
If... if it was Bell.
If it was the boy who would eat cake at sunset, who would rush into a pack of monsters for a friend.
If it was him.
Even if it were hell, she would be willing to go.
Theodore took a step closer.
“As long as Lord Bell nods.”
“And is willing to take Tia as his wife.”
“I will cancel that marriage with that damn Marquis right now!”
His voice was loud.
It carried the desperate madness of a gambler betting everything.
The Marquis might be rich and powerful.
But how could he compare to the heir of the Blood Duke?
That was the future peak of the kingdom.
As long as he could climb this great tree.
The Astane family would soar to the heavens.
Bell stood where he was.
He looked at Tia.
There were injuries on the girl’s face.
But those eyes were strikingly bright.
She was waiting for an answer.
Bell’s heart was pounding violently.
Marry her?
Memories of that afternoon flashed through his mind.
The dessert shop.
The strawberry cake.
And that phrase, “I’ll wait for you.”
If he didn’t consider anything else.
He was willing.
Tia was a good girl.
Gentle, kind, and she would nag him like a motherly figure.
Being with her made him feel at peace.
But.
Bell’s vision blurred for a moment.
An innocent yet twisted face abruptly surfaced in his mind.
Cecilia.
That demon.
“Brother, you can't look at anyone but me.”
“If Brother falls in love with someone else.”
“I’ll skin that person alive.”
“And turn them into a lantern to hang by your bed.”
Bell shuddered.
That was a fear carved into the depths of his soul.
If he nodded now.
If he became engaged to Tia.
Then what awaited Tia would definitely not be happiness.
It would be a torture more miserable than death.
That lunatic would cut Tia piece by piece.
She would smile and ask him, “Does it look good?” right in front of her.
Bell’s fists clenched tightly.
He couldn't agree.
Absolutely not.
So that Tia could live.
So that she could still see the sun tomorrow.
He had to refuse.
The hall was terrifyingly quiet.
Everyone was staring at Bell.
Bell took a deep breath.
“No.”
Two words.
They were light.
Yet they hit Tia’s heart like a heavy hammer.
The spark in Tia’s eyes was instantly extinguished.
Her body swayed.
Her face turned as pale as paper.
Theodore’s smile froze on his face.
“No?”
His voice rose an octave.
“Lord Bell, what do you mean by this?”
“Are you looking down on my Tia?”
Bell didn't look at Theodore.
He only looked at Tia.
He watched the light in the girl’s eyes shatter bit by bit.
“At least for now.”
“I cannot establish an engagement.”
His voice was very dry.
As if he were swallowing sand.
Tia lowered her head.
Her shoulders trembled slightly.
“Then...”
Her voice was very soft.
Carrying a hint of a sob.
“Then what did Junior Bell come here for?”
Since he wouldn't marry her.
Since he couldn't take her away.
Why did he show up?
Why give her hope, only to crush it with his own hands?
Bell opened his mouth.
“I wanted to know...”
“Why Senior withdrew from the academy.”
Tia was stunned.
She looked up.
Looking at Bell.
She suddenly smiled.
It was a desolate smile.
Looking more painful than crying.
“Just for that?”
Bell fell silent.
“Then you know now.”
Tia turned around.
Her back was toward Bell.
“I’m getting married.”
“You can go back now.”
This was the first time she had ever told Bell to leave.
So resolute.
Leaving no room for negotiation.
Bell reached out his hand.
Wanting to grab her shoulder.
Wanting to explain.
To tell her about Cecilia’s existence.
To tell her about his own difficulties.
But.
His hand stopped in mid-air.
What would explaining do?
Tell her that he has a crazy sister who wants to kill her?
It would only make her more terrified.
Bell’s hand slowly dropped.
Theodore watched this scene.
The flattery on his face vanished instantly.
In its place was cold disgust.
Since he wasn't buying the goods.
Then he shouldn't stand in the way of business.
“Lord Lucas.”
Theodore’s voice turned cold.
“Since you don't have that intention.”
“Then please leave.”
“Our family still has distinguished guests to receive.”
“We won't keep you for dinner.”
He waved his hand.
As if shooing away a fly.
Bell stood where he was.
His feet seemed to have grown roots.
Just then.
The sound of horse hooves came from outside.
It was very noisy.
Then.
A shrill voice rang out.
“Oh my, is this the Astane house?”
“Why does it smell so impoverished?”
The main door was pushed open.
A man walked in.
He was in his fifties.
Very fat.
His stomach stuck out in front of him like a ball.
A large part of his head was bald, and the few remaining hairs were greasily plastered to his forehead.
He wore an excessively gaudy purple silk robe.
With every step, the fat on his body shook.
When Theodore saw the newcomer.
The expression on his face changed instantly.
It was a smile ten times more flattering than the one he had just shown Bell.
“Oh!”
“Lord Marquis!”
“What brings you here in person!”
He trotted forward to greet him.
His waist was bent like a cooked shrimp.
That fat man was Tia’s fiancé.
Marquis Balte.
Balte ignored Theodore.
His small eyes, squeezed into slits by fat, scanned the hall.
Finally.
They landed on Tia.
His gaze was naked.
Greedy.
As if looking at a slab of pork belly on a cutting board.
“Is this the little wench?”
He held out a thick, fleshy finger.
He pointed at Tia.
Theodore nodded hurriedly.
“Yes, yes, yes!”
“This is my daughter, Tia.”
“She’s still untouched!”
“She was being difficult just now, so I gave her a lesson.”
Balte walked over.
Standing in front of Tia.
A strong scent of perfume mixed with body odor wafted toward her.
Bell frowned.
His stomach churned.
Balte reached out.
He pinched Tia’s chin.
Lifting it up forcefully.
“Tsk, tsk.”
“She looks decent enough.”
“Just a bit thin.”
“It’s fine, she’ll be able to bear children once she’s fed.”
Tia was forced to look up.
Tears flowed from the corners of her eyes.
Dripping onto Balte’s hand.
Balte shook his hand in disgust.
“What are you crying for?”
“Following me is your good fortune.”
He turned his head.
Looking at Theodore.
“It’s settled then.”
“This girl will be my eighteenth concubine.”
“As long as she’s obedient and gives me a son.”
“I’ll pull some strings to raise your noble rank by one level.”
Theodore’s eyes lit up frighteningly.
Raising a count by one level.
That would be a marquis!
He would be on equal footing with Balte!
“Of course!”
“Of course!”
Balte then pointed at Aidan, who was standing nearby.
“And this son of yours.”
“Have him report to the Royal Capital tomorrow.”
“I’ll arrange a job for him as a tax official.”
Aidan had been maintaining a polite smile.
Hearing this.
He couldn't help but feel excited as well.
A tax official.
That was a truly lucrative position.
It was overflowing with potential profit.
“Thank you for the promotion, Lord Marquis!”
Aidan bowed deeply.
The father and son looked at each other.
They both saw wild joy in each other's eyes.
Selling one daughter.
In exchange for the family's wealth and prosperity.
It was more than worth it.
As for Tia’s wishes?
Who cared.
In this house.
She had never been treated as a person.
She was just a commodity waiting to be sold to the highest bidder.
Balte nodded in satisfaction.
He looked at Tia again.
His greasy hands slid down Tia’s neck.
“Since everything is settled.”
“Then let’s not wait.”
“Come with me tonight.”
“My carriage is right outside.”
Tia trembled all over.
Despair submerged her like a tide.
She closed her eyes.
Was this her fate?
Bell stood not far away.
Watching this scene.
Watching that pig-like hand roam over Tia.
Watching the greedy smiles on Theodore’s and Aidan’s faces.
Watching Tia’s despairing face.
In Bell’s mind.
The string called reason.
Snapped.
“Take your filthy hands...”
“Off her.”
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