"Fiancée?" Kyle blinked.
Right. That part.
Kyle had skimmed over that particular detail in his predecessor's memories; it generally looked like just another noble engagement arranged for alliance and convenience.
From what little he recalled, she was the daughter of some influential viscount under the direct vassalage of House Ravenshade.
And supposedly… a talented cultivator.
From previous interactions in his memory, Jasmine used to visit a lot, at least once a month, until suddenly she stopped coming, over a year ago.
Even when they met, both of them acted distant; they had never really been close, far from it. It felt like neither of them wanted this.
Oftentimes, when a meeting was arranged, they would speak for less than a few minutes, and then time passed in awkward silence, while they shared a meal or snack.
But they had been spending time together for years. And when Jasmine suddenly stopped coming to visit or sending messages, Kyle finally felt the void she had left.
That made him realise their time together was more than just rudimentary. He had come to appreciate it.
And Jasmine at least seemed like one of the few people who did not outwardly pity him, or look at him differently.
It was generally the feeling of not realising something's value until you lose it. But then Kyle was downcast because Jasmine cutting him off felt like the feeling was not mutual.
Like it was all a product of his own desires, and hopes that Jasmine liked to spend time with him.
After all, it was not like Jasmine had outwardly shown any sign of like or dislike. She was just indifferent to everything they did together.
Figures.
Kyle finally snapped out of his daze. He was still grabbing onto Nuna's ass cheek with his hand, his other one holding onto her neck.
That put Nuna in a difficult position, especially with him silent; she just stood there squirming like a statue.
Nuna continued squirming, with a faint blush on her cheeks. "Uh...Uhm, Kyle, we should not keep Lady Jasmine waiting, and you need to get ready."
Kyle raised an eyebrow. "I'm not already?" he asked, finally releasing her, gesturing to his flawless appearance.
Nuna suppressed a smile. "Your father's words, not mine, Kyle." She walked towards his wardrobe to pick an outfit.
She lifted a neatly folded set of robes, deep midnight blue trimmed with silver, neatly embroidered with flowers of black.
The fabric shimmered subtly with spiritual thread, clearly expensive, and most likely enchanted with minor protection or heat regulation.
"Of course he did," Kyle said dryly. "Let me guess, he is coming along too?"
Nuna giggled, covering her mouth politely. "Not today, Kyle. Though he did ask you to see him later in the day with your sword in hand."
Another training session, huh? I guess he is eager to finally help his formerly crippled son grow. Can't say I don't appreciate it.
Nothing beats first-hand training from a core formation expert.
"That reminds me, I have something to tell you, so come see me at night," Kyle repeated. He did not specify what they would do at night. But Nuna blushed.
"And I like the way you have been calling me by my name so much." Her blush deepened.
"Un..."She just nodded shyly. "I just like calling you by your name so much." Kyle smiled.
She was well aware of what lovers do behind closed doors, not the half assed foreplay they had done in the bathroom, but the actual act, and she had been preparing herself mentally while she was away.
And that is how I made a mistake during my mission, gave my target an opening, and ended up getting hurt, sigh. I got distracted thinking about him.
As young as she was, and her obsession with her progression, Nuna was also a virgin. Kyle was her first experience with a man.
And considering she had been raised in the Ravenshade household, as an orphan, whatever opportunities to meet a man that could have come from being a common cultivator in the world passed her by.
She passed the clothes to Kyle, who accepted the robes. "Alright. Let's make me presentable, then."
He stepped behind the folding screen to change; he did not trust himself to keep his little brother in his pants if exposed.
Wait? What does Nuna think about this? I confessed my love for her just the other day, and now here we are.
I never even thought about the whole Jasmine situation, or how she might react to it, but she seems calm.
He peeked over the screen to gauge Nuna's expression. She was looking at the floor, smiling to herself.
At least it doesn't look like she is bothered by it.
He did not even know how he expected Nuna to react. But it seemed like he was still clinging to some of Earth's cultural tendencies.
He decided to speak about it, while changing, "So, Nuna… this Jasmine. Tell me what you think of her."
Nuna hesitated, a hint of concern flashing on her face, then answered truthfully, "Lady Jasmine? She's… beautiful, confident, and very proud. She has a sharp tongue, but never disrespects the house. Many believe she'll rise far in her cultivation path."
"A classic overachiever, then. Great."
"You don't remember her, Kyle?"
Kyle paused briefly, pulling on the new robes. "I do, but it's still a bit hazy. I remember the name, some meetings, and the betrothal. Not much else. I'm sure you know, we were never close."
"She used to visit often," Nuna said. "But after… after your condition worsened a few years ago, she stopped. No one blamed her. It must have been hard."
Kyle emerged from behind the screen, adjusting his collar. "Of course. Why visit a cripple when you can be off swinging swords and impressing sect masters?"
Nuna approached Kyle silently, unsure how to respond. She adjusted his collar again and did a once-over, nodding.
Kyle smirked. "It's fine. I get it."
He stepped back to the mirror, now robed in deep blues and silver, and gave himself another long look.
Regal. Clean. Striking.
He clicked his tongue in satisfaction. "Well then. Time to meet my betrothed."
Nuna moved to open the door for him while also straightening the edges of her dress, which Kyle had messed up. "She's in the east garden."
Kyle swept past with a flourish. "Let's not keep the Lady waiting."
As he made his way down the hall, Kyle smiled to himself.
Let's see what this cultivation prodigy thinks of her useless fiancé.
He had no expectations whatsoever, and could not give two shits either about what Jasmine thought of him.
He just hoped that for her own good, she would keep being the indifferent girl that she was.