Just like that, the two Barons tied the knot.

The news spread quickly and shocked everyone in the region.

"Fenwick and Blanks are joining hands?"

"What the hell is going on out there? Weren't they enemies not long ago?"

"That's what I was thinking too!"

"Wait… maybe it's a secret deal."

"Hmm… yes, it sounds like one to me."

People whispered their thoughts with surprise.

This sudden alliance between the two Barons caught everyone off guard. But before anyone could question it further, the Barons had already departed.

They were halfway to the war zone. If they had stayed longer, they might have crowded the Blank estates just to witness the wedding themselves.

The tie between the two noble houses shook the balance of power in the region. Such an event was not small. Every lord nearby began to take it seriously, wondering what might happen next.

More than that,this created a big rift between nobles of Western region and Ethan because except him,all nobles had gone to participate in the war.

Damn…Baron Blanks is just too lucky.

A few days later, Roland sat in his office, tapping his fingers on the armrest as he looked at the papers Oliver had brought him.

His eyes lingered over the reports, but his mind drifted to the recent alliance that everyone was talking about.

...

A small group in dark cloaks gathered in the church basement. Their sleeves were rolled up, hiding tattoos under their arms. The air smelled faintly of wax and old paper.

One of them spoke, nervous. "Priest Mureno, is there a need to take such risks?" he asked.

A middle-aged man with spectacles smiled. His smile was not warm, rather it looked quite hideous as a pair of gold teeth flashed when he spoke.

He tapped his glasses and answered in a calm voice. "There wasn't before, but things did not go as planned."

"As planned? What do you mean, Your Holiness?" someone asked, leaning forward.

Mureno closed a book and looked at the group. "We thought all the nobles would leave. But that shrewd Baron Blanks used a loophole to stay back. If it were anyone else, it might not matter. His stay could ruin our work."

A hush fell over the men. Mureno kept his voice low and steady. "He has reached the Advanced stage. An Advanced Knight is dangerous. Right now we cannot call bigger forces. We must start early and watch him."

He spread his hands as if showing the path forward. "Slowly and steadily we will infiltrate Blanks' ranks."

The others nodded and murmured approval. "That is wise, sir," one said.

Mureno folded his palms and closed the book with care. "The plan to greet the Great One has begun. We cannot ignore any loose thread that might grow into a knot."

They all bowed their heads and spoke together, tone low and steady. "Hail the Abyss."

"Hail the Abyss."

....

The grand hall of Weiss Manor was glowing with golden chandeliers and heavy velvet curtains. Yet, beneath the shine, there was a deep silence.

The air felt heavy, filled with the scent of fresh flowers and tension. Diana sat stiffly in her bridal attire. Her face looked calm on the surface, but inside, she was trembling with mixed emotions.

Her golden hair was styled into soft curls that framed her face perfectly. The maids had worked for hours to make her look flawless.

The deep blue gown she wore hugged her slender frame, its color making her pale skin shine even brighter. She looked like a doll—

beautiful but emotionless.

Her eyes scanned the hall, looking at the nobles and attendants moving about. They all looked busy, smiling politely, but she felt none of it was real. Every sound and movement around her felt distant, like she was trapped in a dream she couldn't escape.

In her heart, she knew the truth. She was just a piece in a trade between two powerful families.

Diana had always believed in herself. She had the talent for magic and once hoped to become the heir of her house. But her family believed only men were fit to inherit titles. They gave all their resources to her brother while she was left with almost nothing.

Unwilling to accept this fate, she ran away from home. She joined a group of people and worked hard to grow stronger.

For a while, she thought she had escaped the chains of her noble life. But her identity was soon exposed, and people started avoiding her. She was treated differently once they learned who she was.

The central region of the kingdom was even more dangerous for someone of her level, so she had no choice but to return home. When she did, she found her father had already arranged her marriage.

Her heart felt cold that day. No matter how hard she tried, her efforts meant nothing in the end. She was still just a tool to secure her family's position.

She didn't know much about Baron Ethan. The only things she had heard were rumors and exaggerated praises. She didn't believe any of them. Nobles always painted each other in bright colors before showing their true faces.

The atmosphere in the room shifted when the large doors opened.

Two figures entered.

It was Sophia and Lia. Their presence immediately softened the coldness in the air.

Sophia walked with graceful steps, her smile calm and kind. Lia followed behind, her hands folded nervously as her shy eyes darted around the hall.

Sophia's gaze fell on Diana, and she walked closer. "How are you holding up?" she asked in a gentle tone.

Diana looked up, her face showing little emotion. "I'm fine," she replied quietly.

Sophia noticed the tension in her eyes. She smiled softly and said, "Don't worry. I'm not here to show my status or pressure you."

She took a seat beside her. "I just want you to relax. As long as you don't hold any ill intentions toward the Blanks, you'll be treated well. There are no strict rules here. You can do what you want."

Diana lowered her head, her expression unreadable. She tried to hide the faint disdain in her eyes.

'It sounds good,' she thought bitterly, 'but would it really be allowed?'

She stayed silent, keeping her thoughts to herself.

'Nobles,' she mused coldly. 'When it comes to treachery and manipulation, they stand at the very top.'

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