East Gorge.
Three-fork River Castle.
Lamplight illuminated the entire castle. The wealthy Three-fork River Castle never skimped on beeswax candles; lighting up the whole castle every day was a huge expense.
The father and son of the Linsen Clan were talking.
"No!" The eldest son of the Linsen Clan, the young Steven Linsen, was emotional. "Father, I want to be like the Knights of legend, riding a swift horse across the battlefield! I want to meet my lover, just as the Knights of legend did! That is why I refuse this arranged marriage!"
"This is about the Leopolds," Hawke Wood said, looking at his son with a calm expression.
His tone left no room for doubt. "We need this alliance with the Leopolds."
"So you'll sacrifice me? Or do you want to force me to swear an oath before the Four Gods to protect a lady I've never met for the rest of my life?" Steven paced back and forth anxiously, trying to persuade his father with his knowledge and eloquence.
