Callista gently closed the door of Jackson's room. She leaned back against the wooden frame for a moment and released a gentle breath. Her red eyes gentled as she went down the hallway.
"Father told me clearly… This marriage is not just my choice, but a promise. I must marry him, take care of him, and ensure the bond between our families holds strong. Even if… even if he looks fragile, even if the world mocks him. This is my duty as his daughter."
She stood up straight and walked away from there then her figure disappearing into the Ravine mansion's hallways.
Meanwhile on another wing of the vast estate the atmosphere was entirely different. There was silence in the Ravine family head's office. Sunlight was passed through heavy curtains, illuminating a table covered in seals, documents and scrolls with golden rays.
Lord Ravine, the head of the family, was sitting on a chair made of carved oak, he is checking the reports and signing agreements with his hands moving across parchment. His sharp eyes were filled by years of responsibility and he occasionally looked at the open window.
But as the door creaked open it cut the silence in the room.
She dressed perfectly and her dress draped on her body while she moved in slow mode. Her shoulder lifted, her waist shown slim, and she had a lean but graceful figure. She was confident enough in her size to convey strength without even realizing it. Lady Seraphina, his first wife, was wearing the flowing dress that swayed behind her as she walked straight toward the desk while at the same time glaring fire from her eyes.
"Why, husband?" she demanded, her voice sharp. "Why did you arrange the marriage of that boy Jackson with Callista Staler?"
With a calm expression, Lord Ravine slowly put down his pen. He crossed his fingers and relaxed back in his chair.
"This marriage is a political matter. You do not need to interfere, Seraphina."
"Political matter?" she snapped, her voice rising. "That's exactly what you said about our marriage! A union to strengthen alliances, nothing more. Tell me—do you truly think tying the Staler family to that sickly, talentless boy is a wise choice?"
Lord Ravine's jaw tightened, but his voice remained steady.
"You speak out of emotion. This alliance was decided long ago. It is not something you, nor I, can so easily undo."
The ink bottle rumbled as Seraphina slammed her palm against the desk. Her eyes were like daggers.
"Not undo? Then explain this to me! My son—our son Maxwell—he loves Callista! He wishes to marry her. Everyone knows he is talented, strong, the true heir of this family. If this is a political marriage, wouldn't it be better to bind the Staler family with our blood son, instead of wasting it on that adopted brat?"
Lord Ravine's lips pressed into a thin line. His gaze hardened, his tone colder than steel.
"I know about Maxwell's feelings. But Callista does not want to marry him."
Seraphina froze for a moment, her fury faltering into disbelief. "…She doesn't?"
"She has refused him before," Lord Ravine continued, his voice carrying the weight of truth. "Even if I wished to, I cannot force her heart. The Staler family agreed to this union with Jackson—not Maxwell. And that decision was sealed with a promise made years ago."
Seraphina clenched her fists at her sides. "Promise? What kind of promise is so important that you would choose an adopted child over your own blood?"
Lord Ravine walked closer to the window, his looming frame requiring nearly all the space. He looked to the sky above, the thin, retreating clouds almost drifting in a drowsy way. He took a deep breath because he was tired.
"…You don't need to understand."
Seraphina's voice broke with suppressed her anger. "Then explain it to me!"
He continued to look out of the window, up at the sky and as he remained silent memories come—an old flashback flooded his mind..
Years ago, when he was still a young man, three figures had stood together in the wilderness, swords at their sides, bloodied but smiling.
Jackson's real father, Leonhart, tall and proud with a booming laugh.
Callista's father, Cedric Staler was calm and strategic, always with a book tucked at his belt.
And himself—Arden Ravine with sharp-eyed and ambitious, yet loyal to the bone.
The three of them had been inseparable and comrades on countless missions; they're brothers in all but not from blood.
That night around the campfire, Cedric had poured wine into their cups and declared, "We've shed blood together, faced death together. Our bond must not fade when we return to our families. Let's tie it with something stronger."
Leonhart chuckled. "What are you suggesting, Cedric?"
"A marriage pact," Cedric said firmly. "If fate allows, one of our children shall wed the other's. That way, our friendship becomes eternal, passed down through them."
Arden Ravine raised a brow. "You're serious?"
"Quite serious," Cedric replied. There was a shining with determination in his eyes. "We may not know what the future holds. But as long as our children are together then our houses will never be torn apart."
Leonhart burst into amiable laughter, patting the two men on their respective shoulders. "Then it's agreed! My eldest child will marry Cedric's eldest. Did you hear that, Ravine? You're a witness!"
Arden smiled thinly, and lifted his cup. "In that case, I'll hold you both to it."
The three of them had clinked their cups underneath the stars, sealing their pledge to one another.
But fate was cruel. Not long after, Leonhart and his wife perished under mysterious circumstances during a mission. Their only child, young Jackson, was brought back broken and frail. Arden remembered holding the boy, seeing the hollow eyes of a child who had lost everything.
But fate was cruel. Not long after, Leonhart and his wife perished under mysterious circumstances during a mission. Their only child, young Jackson, was brought back broken and frail. Arden remembered holding the boy, seeing the hollow eyes of a child who had lost everything.
It has burdened him like a chain ever since.
Currently, Lord Ravine's fingers were clenched tight against the windowsill. He spoke with a strong yet low voice into the silence.
"I owe Leonhart... and Cedric. I made a blood and trust promise. No matter how much the world scorns Jackson, even if he is weak, I will keep that promise. For the sake of his father."
Seraphina's expression contorted in annoyance, "You would doom the family to weakness. All because you made some stupid vow."
Lord Ravine turned towards her, unwavering and staring straight ahead.
"Call it stupid if you like. But it is a vow I shall not break. Not for you, not for Maxwell, not for anyone."
For a moment, Seraphina's face contorted in anger and she was at a loss for arguments. She turned around her heel, whipped her gown elegantly, and slammed the door behind her when she eventually left the office
Silence returned in the room.
Lord Ravine inhaled deeply and shut his eyes. He felt a mixture of duty and regret weighing on his heart.
"…Leonhart… I've kept to my vow, and yet the boy's path will not be simple. Not for the enemies he will make. Nor for the rumors that will linger."
He watched the sky gradually grow dimmer as he glanced out the window again. And the memories of the past hung in that silence like an unhealed wound.