In the Roenith Kingdom, there was a popular tradition for high-grade families or aristocratic families to betrothal their children for political purposes, creating a solid bond between both families. So in the future, they could establish more prosperity.
The most common thing about betrothal was that the engagement process was usually held when the betrothed reached fourteen years old because kids became adolescence by that age according to the law of Roenith Kingdom.
Believing that Jake was in his peak adolescence period, Ray concluded that the engagement between Jake and Claire's daughter should have happened.
'What was had happened? This couldn't be like this!' Ray muttered in his thought.
Seeing Ray contemplating, Jake made a fake cough. "Ahem. What is this all about? You said Edevane, right? Is that referring to Edevane, one of the Twelve Guardian Family?" asked Jake afterward.
The Twelve Guardian Families we're basically Aristocrats. They were rich and influential families because of their honor, prosperity, or service power. They were like ancient families since they had existed even before the establishment of the Roenith Kingdom.
If someone stated he was from a first-grade family, it must be one of the Twelve Guardian Families. Even though the term guardian family wasn't relevant anymore, they still got a strong influence in politics, including in the state order.
Ray knitted his brows and replied, "Do you think there is another first-grade family named Edevane in this country?"
"That's surprising... I mean, we are talking about one of the Twelve Guardian Family!" Jake exclaimed.
Ray let out a smirk on the corner of his mouth. "It seems you know nothing much about Windfields, my son. Even though our family was rated as second-grade, Grandpa has a significant connection with the Imperials. We are also close with the Edevanes because Grandpa and Thomas Edevane were childhood friends." Ray explained.
Labeled as The Hero, Adam Windfield was one of the prestigious saviors that once saved the Roenith from The Constellations, a secret society whose ultimate goal was to overthrow the Royal Kingdom. The historical battle that occurred two decades ago was stated as the biggest conflict of national sovereignty after the Dark Emperor Era.
"It can't be helped, I am still young. And about the betrothal, Granpa never told me about it. Perhaps it was canceled because of a certain circumstance?" Shrugged his shoulder, Jake added, "I am not sure though."
"It has to. After failing my betrothal, your Grandpa was so mad. He said that you would be the successor, you could say as prenatal betrothal."
Jake's eyes widened. "Wait—it means that you refused the betrothal and chose mother as your wife instead?"
"Correct, I flew away and married before I went back when your mother was conceived. At that time, your Granpa almost beat me to death. But, using my power I managed to deceive him. I made myself spit blood, bruised face, wounds here and there, and severe injuries. After that, I pretended to be hospitalized for two weeks... I had to, you know."
Hearing such a surreal event, Jake was speechless as his mouth hung open without his knowing.
"In the end, It succeeded, I wasn't kicked out of the family. But, your Granpa told me that my child became the successor of my betrothal, and it is you, Jake. Even your name was given by your Grandpa." Jake finished his story.
"I don't know, Dad. Should I be thankful because you were happy with my mother, or I should be angry because of you, I had a betrothal with someone I didn't even know her name yet."
Ray chuckled a bit and raised his eyebrows. "Oh, did I forget to mention her name? Sorry. She is Emily Edevane, a year younger than you. Not long after I failed my betrothal, Thomas Edevane took the Barlow family's betrothal that was meant for Joyce, Claire's younger sister. And finally, Jackson Barlow and Claire Edevane married. You have to remember both of their names since they are your future parents-in-law."
"I don't understand why you were so optimistic about it, as I said before, Granpa had never told me about my betrothal." Jake sighed.
In South Korea, arranged marriage for political purposes was no longer established in modern society except in some rural villages. Nowadays, major society chose their mates. Reportedly, there were an increasing number of couples who were reluctant to get married because of many reasons.
Jake wasn't surprised after transmitted here because he had read several novels that took place in the Joseon era where arranged marriage was a common sight, and generally for political and financial reasons. The distinction was that here, the Roenith Kingdom had more advanced civilization and technology than South Korea during the Joseon era.
Suddenly, Ray Windfield's whole body started to glow a dim light. "Ah, I guess my time has come," muttered Ray while looking at his dispersing fingers.
"Dad, you... "Jake's voice was stuttered as he hung his words. Jake wasn't ready to be separated forever from his father yet. His body became weak as his heart ached, surging complicated emotions.
After seeing his father break down a couple of minutes ago, Jake was filled with doubt and anxiety. As his father figure slowly dissipated starting from his fingers, indicating that Ray was being consumed by Jake's Somnia, couldn't even have the guts to open up about their family's current condition.
Ray could see fear, anxiety, and unwillingness inside his son's eyes. However, Ray smiled instead.
"It is okay, my son. Although I couldn't be there when you growing up, seeing you today was blessed. I had many doubts when you were born because I had never been a father before. However, seeing you become such a dazzling person, reminded me of myself." Ray got up from his seat and took steps forward, getting closer to his son.
"It is okay, a real man sometimes seeds tears." Approaching Jake whose tears fall from his eyes, Ray hugged him even though his both palm was already dissipated into spiritual residue consumed by the Somnia.
"And for your betrothal, you just need to ask your Grandpa about it. However, I urge you not to never disobey him, I had a feeling that he would punish you severely if you don't comply with his order."
In his father's arms, Jake nodded several times as he struggled to stop his tears from falling. Although he was transmigrated to the body of Jake Windfield, he felt so much emotion within, just like when he lost his biological father because of an accident on the road.
Lee Changmin was an orphan, the same as Jake Windfield. Thus why he promised to uncover the truth behind Jake's Windfield death. He wanted to, at least, let the former Jake know, so he could rest in peace forever.
"Good boy. Sorry for letting you down as an incompetent father, and thank you for being who you are right now. Don't forget to tell your mother that I love her forever and ever..." Ray took a deep breath and whispered, "I'll take my leave, my beloved son...."
Before Ray could finish his last words, his body billowed by the wind as his Somnia fell apart because Jake's uncontrollable emotion accelerated his Somnia consuming his father's consciousness.
Being left alone in the quiet living room, Jake wept bitterly. He was struggling to breathe for a while before his body was covered with lightning sparks.
Rumble!
Jake screamed as clenched his whole body and released his anger and anguish through the lightning jolts, destroying his surroundings until he reached his limits and fainted.