Nate frantically paced back and forth in the garden of the academy. He was about to have the most nerve-wracking conversation of his life—how to tell Gwen about his new engagement.
He hoped that his new noble title would soften the blow, but he wasn't counting on it. The sun beamed down, casting a warm glow on the flowers and giving Nate some much-needed peace. But try as he might, he couldn't come up with a smooth way to break the news.
Finally, Gwen appeared, her chestnut hair flowing behind her like she was in a Pantene commercial. "So, how did it go?" she asked expectantly.
Nate nervously wiped the sweat from his forehead and blurted out, "I'm now Viscount Mildew-Cromwell!"
Gwen raised an eyebrow, "Is that all?"
"Well," Nate hesitated, "another part of my reward was an engagement to the princess."
"Hmmm," Gwen said with a sly smile, "that does put a damper on things."
Nate looked at Gwen, his heart heavy with guilt. He knew this news would hurt her, but it was a burden he couldn't carry alone. "Gwen, please understand," he began, his voice tinged with desperation. "It wasn't my choice. This engagement was imposed on me by the royal family, and I couldn't refuse."
Gwen's eyes widened in mock surprise, her lips forming a perfect 'O' of shock. She took a moment to process his words before speaking, "So you're saying that you had no say in this... arrangement?"
Nate understood the weight of responsibility was heavy on his shoulders. "I was going to say no, but Headmaster Gilmore gave me a stern look." Gwen's face softened as she noticed the distress on Nate's face. She reached out and took his hand in hers. "You don't have to worry; I knew this might happen when I found out you saved Princess Chloe." Sympathy filled Gwen's gaze as if she were looking at an orphaned child. "Having to deal with that insane girl is punishment enough."
"Please just promise me that I will be your third wife, and if needed, use the name of the royal family to make it happen."
Nate was taken aback by Gwen's words, but a sense of relief washed over him.
"Gwen, you're incredible," Nate said, his voice filled with gratitude. "I promise you, no matter what happens, you will always have a place by my side. And if it comes to it, I will do everything in my power to ensure your rightful place as my third wife."
Gwen smiled warmly at Nate, her eyes sparkling with understanding and a touch of mischief. "Well, that's settled then. Now, let me tell you a little more about Princess Chloe. Brace yourself, she's quite the character."
As they strolled through the vibrant, blooming garden, Gwen's voice rose and fell with animated gestures as she recounted tales of Princess Chloe's infamous temper and demanding nature. She described how the princess was known for her mercurial moods, switching from sweet to sour in an instant, and for her unreasonable demands that kept the palace staff on their toes. The scent of roses and lavender drifted around them, a stark contrast to the prickly personality of the princess they were discussing. Gwen's words painted a vivid picture of the royal court, filled with drama and intrigue, all centered around one unpredictable woman.
Nate listened intently to Gwen's anecdotes about Princess Chloe, feeling a mixture of dread and curiosity building up within him. The path they walked on was lined with tall, swaying trees that whispered secrets in the gentle breeze. He couldn't help but feel a knot forming in his stomach at the thought of dealing with such a challenging person as his future bride.
As they exited the garden and started making their way toward the dorms, Gwen turned to Nate with a hopeful expression on her face. "Hey, Nate, I was thinking... Would it be possible for me to visit your home during the upcoming holiday? I'd love to meet your family and see where you come from."
Nate's heart swelled with warmth at Gwen's request, grateful for her understanding and unwavering support in the midst of his complicated situation. He nodded, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Of course, Gwen. I would be honored to have you visit my home. My family will surely welcome you with open arms. It would be a pleasure to show you where I grew up and introduce you to the people who mean the most to me." Gwen beamed at Nate's response, her eyes reflecting genuine happiness at the prospect of visiting his home.
Their conversation shifted to lighter topics as they continued their journey back to the dorms, with Gwen sharing stories of her recent adventures in the academy. The sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm golden hue over the landscape as they approached the familiar stone buildings of the academy.
As they reached the entrance of the dorms, Nate turned to Gwen with a grateful smile. "Thank you for understanding, Gwen. You truly are a special person in my life, and I appreciate your unwavering support."
Gwen's eyes sparkled with warmth as she squeezed Nate's hand reassuringly. "I'll always be here for you, Nate. No matter what challenges we face, we'll get through them together."
With a sense of relief filling his chest, Nate realized just how fortunate he was to have Gwen by his side. As they parted ways for the evening, Nate's mind was buzzing with thoughts of the future and the obstacles that lay ahead with his engagement to Princess Chloe.
The following days were a whirlwind with gossip regarding the engagement flowing throughout the academy. The dozens of love letters that Nate had once received had stalled, which was perhaps the best thing about this new engagement.
Nate was preparing to head home for the approaching holiday, but he couldn't help but ask Cola a few questions. "Can you explain what poison affinity is and what bloodline skills are?" Nate wondered, his mind drifting to thoughts of his Lover's Embrace skill.
Cola responded with her robotic feminine voice in Nate's mind, "Having an affinity for poison magic will greatly benefit you, host. You can coat your daggers with it or create clouds that will debilitate your enemies."
"While bloodline skills are inherited abilities that are passed down through a lineage, an example would be your Lover's Embrace skill which comes from your fae parent."
"Thank you, Cola. Your guidance and knowledge have been very helpful," Nate expressed his gratitude to his system companion, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. The prospect of mastering his poison affinity filled him with a newfound sense of motivation.
With a renewed sense of determination, Nate finished packing for the journey home. He was careful to pack his precious notes and textbooks and included a few small trinkets from his time exploring the capital—mementos he thought his parents might find interesting.
The afternoon sun was hovering lazily in the sky when he approached the academy's gate. Gwen was already there waiting for him, her chestnut hair shimmering under the sunlight and eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Nate," Gwen greeted cheerfully as she spotted him approaching. Her eyes scanned over his belongings and she grinned widely at the sight of the well-stuffed bag slung over his shoulder. "Looks like we are ready to head out."