"Well, you see, Void dear," Rin said, turning towards Void. "You're a bright child, with a rare talent in natural mana. You're smart, you're talented, and…" her gaze shifted to a picture of Aoi. "I initially brought you here to give you training, not to make you stay in my debt or marry my daughter. But I still want you to marry her, not to repay the debt, but because…" she turned back to Void.
"Marry her, if you want to. I know my child doesn't have much knowledge; she's a bit of a dunce when it comes to socializing. After losing her father, you were the only one she opened up to. Her hands tightened their grip on her kimono.
"I want her to smile, but it's all in your hands. Even if you don't like her, please don't part ways or stop talking to her. Please stay with her." Rin bowed to Void. "It's my humble request, please don't leave her… please don't leave her!" Her voice cracked as she repeated herself.
Void quickly tried to make Rin stand up. "Aunt Rin, I honestly don't know much about her feelings or mine yet, but I promise you, even if anything happens in the future, I'll stand by Aoi's side, as her friend, as her partner." Rin stood up, wiping her tears. "So please don't cry, okay? And you're my mother's friend, and Aoi's mother, you shouldn't bow like this," Void said as she stood.
"Thank you, Void. I won't forget this kindness of yours," Rin said, wiping her tears, while hidden agendas danced in her mind, pleased that the first step was cleared.
"But Miss Rin, wasn't I already Vivi's fiancé? That's what my mother told me!" Void asked, clearly unaware of what had happened behind his back.
"Oh, dear!" Rin brought her hand to her mouth, feigning shock. "Didn't Maria tell you? Miss Vivienne rejected you, saying she wanted another guy. Because your mother didn't want to lose you, she decided to legally adopt you. Even your stay and training here were in exchange for making you Aoi's fiancé," Rin explained, aware that this would hurt Void but seeing it as the final test to check his faith in his family.
"Now, show me the reaction of a pathetic creature who got betrayed. Let me see if you have strong mental health to match your physical strength," Rin thought.
Void looked very angry. "What the heck? Why did Mother make me Aoi's fiancé? Even if she didn't, I wouldn't have left her! Now I have to make sure Aoi's safe too!" He cried, clearly disappointed and angry for another reason. "Maybe Vivi doesn't find me attractive because I'm a femboy…" (It's like a girl being a tomboy)
"And I believe what she did was for my sake!" Void smiled, his ice-crystal-like eyes shining brightly, shaking Rin, as she remembered a boy like Void with the same eyes from her childhood.
"I see, you're a Middletown boy after all. Your loyalty and priority are for those close to you," Rin said, smiling as she realized Void passed her test with flying colors. "Even if you're not real blood, you still have their teachings. Your loyalty always lies with your family and those important to you," she thought.
"Aoi's lucky she got Void so easily. Even if not yet committed, he will surely be one day!" Rin mused.
Void chuckled. "Yeah, that's true, but I follow only one rule I read in a very old book, maybe a holy book 'Bhagavad Gita.' It said, 'If you don't fight for what you want, then don't cry for what you lost.' So I try to fight to protect my family and those dear to me, so I don't have to cry in regret later."
"You truly are something, Void!" Rin admired him, even if his thoughts were borrowed. "You're amazing in your own way. Anyway, it's about time for your departure. Your mother is waiting for you, right?" Rin said, closing her eyes, a satisfied smile on her face.
"Yeah, I'll be leaving now!" Void bowed and left. As he did, Rin lost herself in her thoughts. "Those eyes and personality, why do they remind me of my childhood crush? Is he…?" she wondered. "No way, he's human, not a snow spirit," she concluded, focusing back on her tasks.
Void, walking beside Arcane, noticed she seemed pretty angry and frustrated. "Is something worrying you, Arcane? You don't look like your usual self."
"No, master, there's nothing to worry about, thanks for asking," Arcane replied, her frustration evident in her tone.
"That's not how my Arcane sounds when she's not worried about something. I know it's too much for you to stay around me all the time, but you don't listen when I tell you to take a break," Void said, walking ahead of her.
"My Arcane… ah, yes, those words drive me crazy. I'm the master's woman," Arcane thought. "There's really nothing I'm worrying about. I was just thinking that you're soon going to join the academy, find a partner, marry her, and then you'll leave me…" Arcane said, gripping her maid outfit, tears forming in her eyes.
Void stopped and turned towards Arcane, his hands caressing her cheek and wiping her tears. "Arcane, I'm a man of my word, and I do what I want. So don't worry about me leaving you, okay? I won't leave you! I'll never leave," Void said, unaware he was treading on dangerous ground.