Carl held Shalria's hand and softly replied,
"Then you are now. Once Joy Boy is eliminated, I will hold an unprecedented grand wedding here in Mary Geoise."
Hearing this, Shalria was overwhelmed with joy. She suddenly straightened up and kissed Carl of her own accord.
Carl hadn't expected Shalria to be so bold, and even Shalria herself had acted on impulse. Their lips had barely touched for three seconds before they parted.
Shalria, now too embarrassed to meet Carl's gaze, remained kneeling on his lap in an extremely intimate posture.
Carl, however, found her reaction amusing. A mischievous smile appeared on his face as he lifted Shalria's chin, intending to continue when he heard familiar footsteps approaching.
Garling had returned.
Carl had no intention of putting on such a show in front of his uncle. He patted Shalria on the back and said,
"Get down for now, Garling is back."
Shalria, who had been eagerly anticipating more, was startled when she heard that Garling had returned. She leaped off Carl like a frightened rabbit and hastily straightened her slightly disheveled clothing.
Carl also stood up, adjusting his attire. His silk-like clothing smoothed out instantly with a simple tug. He even helped Shalria tidy hers.
Watching Carl gently fix her outfit, Shalria felt so happy she could faint. She murmured,
"Lord Carl..."
Carl flicked her forehead with a chuckle.
"Alright, snap out of it. Garling is already at the door. Let's go greet him."
With that, Carl walked toward the entrance, and Shalria quickly followed.
...
As the two reached the door, Garling had just arrived.
Seeing Carl and Shalria together, Garling paused for a moment before speaking.
"Shalria? I saw your father on my way back. Aren't you going home with him?"
Shalria wanted to say she planned to stay the night, but she was too embarrassed to admit it to Garling. Thankfully, Carl spoke for her.
"Uncle Garling, Shalria won't be returning tonight. She'll be staying here—I've already prepared a room for her."
Garling raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised at how quickly things were progressing between them.
Glancing at Shalria, whose face was flushed with embarrassment, Garling's lips curled into a knowing smile.
"Very well. Our family is holding a banquet tonight. Shalria, why don't you join us?"
Shalria's eyes widened in disbelief. She pointed at herself and stammered,
"A banquet? M-Me? Can I really attend?"
Carl flicked her forehead again and scolded with a laugh,
"Idiot. You're my fiancée. Why wouldn't you be able to attend?"
Despite receiving two flicks to the forehead in such a short time, Shalria didn't feel even the slightest pain. Instead, her heart was brimming with joy.
She clasped her hands together nervously and said,
"Carl, then I will follow your lead..."
"Mhm. Head back to my quarters first and inform Monet and the others to wait for me in the main hall."
"Understood!"
Shalria nodded firmly, then respectfully bowed to Garling before turning and dashing off.
Once she disappeared from sight, Garling turned to Carl with a smirk.
"Carl, I heard you call Shalria your fiancée?"
"Yes. It was settled this afternoon."
"And have you told her about the matter of the first wife?"
"I have. She agreed."
Hearing this, even Garling couldn't help but sigh in amazement.
"That's quite rare."
After all, Carl's chosen first wife, Lucia, had no Celestial Dragon bloodline whatsoever. The fact that someone like Shalria, a pureblood Celestial Dragon, was willing to accept being second to Lucia was nothing short of astonishing.
Garling sighed before saying,
"Shalria... You'd better treat her well."
"Don't worry, Uncle Garling. I'll take good care of my woman."
"Women, you mean."
"...Uncle Garling, let's not focus too much on such details."
Garling scoffed.
"Details? What details? Look at the other Celestial Dragons. Which one of them isn't surrounded by wives and concubines? Compared to them, you're falling behind."
"Huh? Uncle Garling, are you saying... I don't have enough?"
"Of course! Our family finally has someone interested in women. You should be fathering more heirs!"
"Wait, Uncle Garling, what about the rules you lectured me on before?"
"Do you still care about those so-called rules? Who in Mary Geoise can control you now?"
Carl merely smiled. He had never taken those so-called rules seriously. The only reason he abided by them was out of respect for Garling's wishes.
Now that Garling had changed his stance, Carl truly had nothing to hold him back.
...
Uncle and nephew stood at the entrance, chatting. Carl eventually asked,
"Uncle Garling, how was your time at Pangaea Castle today?"
Garling crossed his arms and replied,
"It was just a formal inauguration process. Honestly, not seeing Warcury around felt strange."
"If you want to see him, you'll have to visit the Topman family's graveyard."
"I have no interest in that. Still, Warcury was a Five Elder for centuries. Even if he didn't accomplish much, he at least put in the time. I should... No, you should arrange for someone to send some offerings to the Topman family as a gesture of goodwill."
Carl nodded.
"Mhm. As long as the Topman family doesn't follow in Warcury's footsteps and cause trouble, we won't make things difficult for them."
Garling patted Carl on the shoulder.
"Carl, from now on, you are the head of the Figarland family. Do as you see fit."
The two shared a knowing smile before heading toward the main hall together.
...
In the grand hall, Shalria, Monet, and several other women were already waiting. Also present were members of the family's branch line and squad captains such as Carlos.
As Garling and Carl entered, everyone rose to their feet and respectfully called out,
"Head of the family! (Young Master!)"
Garling gave Carl a small nudge, and Carl raised a hand to motion for them to sit. He spoke in a calm voice,
"Everyone, be seated."
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+180 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg