The banquet had finally ended, and Ryan found himself back in their guest room, still trying to process everything that had happened. The whole evening felt like a whirlwind—especially the part about suddenly having a fiancée. He looked over at his parents, who were relaxing comfortably, and decided it was time to get some answers.
"Father," Ryan started, his voice a mix of curiosity and disbelief, "when exactly did I end up with a marriage contract?"
Roger Duskveil, his father, looked at him with an amused smile. "Ah, my boy, it all began a long time ago, with our ancestors—"
"Stop, stop," Ryan interrupted, holding up his hand. "I get it, the whole 'ancestor' story, but could you just answer to the point?"
Roger chuckled. "Alright, alright, no need to get all worked up." He cleared his throat, then gave Ryan a more direct answer. "The agreement was made when you were still very young, as a way to strengthen the bond between the Duskveil and Pendragon families. Both families saw it as a good match for the future."
Ryan nodded slowly, processing the information. He still felt like this was a lot to take in, but at least his father wasn't making it overly complicated. He appreciated that.
After a moment, Helena, Ryan's mother, spoke up, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. "So, did anything interesting happen at the banquet, dear?"
Ryan hesitated for a second, then thought of the challenge, the conversations, and the sudden revelation about Seraphina. He gave a small smile. "Well, let's just say it was... eventful. I certainly learned a lot more about noble life than I expected."
His parents exchanged amused glances, clearly satisfied with his response. After a few more moments of light conversation, Ryan retired for the night, his mind still buzzing with everything that had happened.
The next day, Ryan found himself roaming the Pendragon territory with Seraphina by his side. Their parents had suggested that they "cultivate" their relationship, and so here they were, exploring the territory together.
As they walked through the Pendragon lands, Ryan couldn't help but remember Roger's parting words. Roger had smiled at Helena and said, "Honey, we finally have some free time!" It had seemed like an innocent enough comment, but now, thinking back on it, Ryan couldn't help but feel his mouth twitch. So, my parents are true love, and I was an accident, he thought to himself. The realization amused him more than anything.
Seraphina led Ryan through different parts of the Pendragon territory, her demeanor calm but enthusiastic as she introduced him to various places. They visited the bustling market square, where merchants called out their wares and customers haggled over prices. Seraphina seemed at ease, guiding Ryan through the crowd with a natural grace that he found impressive. She pointed out some of her favorite stalls, including one selling beautifully crafted jewelry and another with rare herbs.
As they walked, Ryan's curiosity got the better of him, and he turned to Seraphina. "You didn't seem surprised at all by the marriage contract. You really didn't have any problem with it?"
Seraphina glanced at him, her expression calm, and shrugged lightly. "I need to marry someone eventually," she replied. "And I think you're humorous, handsome, and strong." She smiled at him, her voice as straightforward as her compliment.
Ryan blinked, his face heating up slightly at her bluntness. He wasn't used to such direct praise, especially not in a situation like this. "Ah, well… thanks," he mumbled, feeling embarrassed, though he couldn't deny that it felt good regardless.
Seraphina's smile grew a little wider, clearly noticing his reaction, but she didn't press further. Instead, she continued to lead him through the market square.
Next, they made their way to the artisan district, where the air was filled with the scent of freshly baked bread and the sounds of craftsmen at work. Seraphina led Ryan to a small bakery tucked away in a corner, and they each got a warm pastry. Ryan took a bite, savoring the flaky crust and the sweet filling, and Seraphina smiled at his obvious enjoyment.
Afterward, Seraphina took Ryan to a peaceful park on the outskirts of the Pendragon territory. It was a place she said she often visited whenever she wanted some quiet time away from the busy life of nobility. The park was beautiful, with vibrant flowers, tall trees, and a small pond where ducks swam lazily. They sat on a bench, enjoying the tranquility, and Ryan found himself relaxing more than he had expected.
As they sat, Seraphina turned to Ryan, her expression thoughtful. "I know this must all be very sudden for you," she said softly. "The banquet, the contract... everything."
Ryan looked at her, seeing the sincerity in her eyes. He nodded. "It is sudden," he admitted, "but... I think it could be alright. I mean, you seem pretty easy to get along with." He gave her a small smile, and Seraphina's lips curved into a gentle smile in return.
"I'm glad to hear that," she said, her blush returning faintly. "I think we can make this work, too."
Ryan found himself feeling more at ease. Maybe this wasn't the path he would have chosen for himself, but it was the one he was on now. And, as he looked at Seraphina beside him, he figured it might not be such a bad path after all.
They spent the rest of the day wandering through the territory, visiting a few more interesting spots Seraphina wanted to show him. As the sun began to set, they headed back to the Pendragon estate, the golden light casting long shadows across the cobbled streets.
Ryan felt a sense of calm as they walked, and he realized that maybe, just maybe, this arrangement could turn out alright. Seraphina was kind, and there was a quiet strength to her that Ryan respected. Perhaps this was the beginning of something that could grow into real partnership.
As they approached the gates of the estate, Ryan turned to Seraphina with a genuine smile. "Thank you for today. I had a good time."
Seraphina looked at him, her eyes softening. "I did too, Ryan. I'm glad we got to do this."
With that, they walked through the gates together, and Ryan couldn't help but feel that, for the first time since he arrived in this world, the path ahead didn't seem quite as daunting.