EPISODE 4

The sun was beginning to set as Susan and Mabel walked through the bustling streets.

Susan glanced at her. “The founding day of Alkiza Jewels is coming up, right?”

Mabel nodded. “Yes. In two weeks.”

Susan sighed. “Why don’t you talk to your father and sort things out? People will look down on you, you know. Being suddenly removed from the succession, if you were never in line, it would’ve been different.”

Mabel shrugged, her expression indifferent. “I wasn’t interested in it anyway. Abel is capable more than me, actually. He’ll take over just fine.”

Susan slowed her steps. “Then what about you? What are you going to do now?”

Mabel exhaled. “Honestly? I don’t know. I could work I studied hard, I’m qualified but right now everything feels dull. Meaningless.” She paused, then added bluntly, “I’m seriously thinking of living like a freeloader. It seems easier.”

Susan stared at her for a second, then laughed lightly. “Then just get married.”

Mabel blinked. “Huh…”

.

The mansion was quiet.

Mabel knocked once before entering the study. Merove looked up from his desk and said curtly, “Sit.”

She obeyed, taking the chair across from him.

He slid a document toward her. “These are potential matches who will attend the founding ceremony. Meet them and see who you like.”

Mabel frowned as she skimmed the list. “You want me to meet them?”

Merove nodded. “Yes. I find two of them especially suitable. I’ll introduce you so behave properly.”

She scoffed but said nothing. Standing up, she turned and walked out, holding the list.

The moon hung high in the sky as Mabel stood by the window, the list clenched in her hand. Two names were marked in red.

“Those two… seriously. I can’t even stand talking to them.”

She slammed the paper onto the table and exhaled sharply.

“Susan was right. People will talk… and Dad seems far too eager to marry me off.”

Her gaze dropped, and a humourless laugh escaped her lips.

“So he’s finally tired of me, huh.”

....

The corridor was quiet.

Cael knocked once before entering the room. Edric sat at the desk, focused on a stack of documents. Faint bruises marked his face.

Cael walked over, scooped a small amount of ointment onto his finger, and reached for Edric’s cheek.

Edric looked up. “What are you doing?”

“Applying medicine,” Cael replied casually. “What else? Honestly, you should just get married already , then your wife can take care of you and your moods.”

Edric shot him a sharp glare.

Cael immediately shut his mouth.

After finishing, he straightened and said, “Did the mention of Lady Kate trouble you that much? Is that why you went there to vent and ended up getting beaten?”

Edric’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

Cael sighed. “We were supposed to depart tomorrow. You’ll have to return to Eryda again in two weeks, it’s your turn to represent the Thorne family at the banquet. Old Master personally ordered it.”

Edric looked at him and said, “The founding day banquet of the Alkizas.”

Cael nodded. “Yes. You attended it last time six years ago, right? When you were twenty.”

Edric leaned back slightly. “hum... But it’s strange , I don’t remember seeing Mabel Alkiza there.”

Cael exhaled. “That’s because she never attended during her academy days. That’s one of the reasons very few people recognize her. And now that she’s out of the line of succession, she’s only being presented as a potential marriage candidate.”

Edric hummed thoughtfully and leaned forward to glance at the document in his hand. After a moment, he said, “Cancel our original plan. We’ll leave after the event.”

Cael looked at him attentively.

Edric continued, “We’ll see whether Mabel Alkiza has made up her mind and agrees to my deal. If not, find someone else within this month.”

Cael let out a quiet breath. “Yes, Master. You’ve given her enough time, after all.”

...

A few days later, Mabel was walking along the corridor, heading toward the garden, when she paused. A young man entered through the doorway her brother, Abel.

He glanced at her and smiled.

“Sis, it’s been a while. How are you?”

Mabel blinked, her face brightening. She rushed forward and hugged him tightly.

“I’m good. What about you?”

Abel exhaled lightly. “Same as always. Anyway… what was that about you running away? Dad told me he was furious.”

Mabel sighed. As they walked outside together, she told him everything—how she had gone to meet Irene, and about the argument she’d had with their father that day.

.

Days passed in a blur, and soon the day of the banquet arrived.

Mabel stood from the chair and looked at her reflection in the mirror. She turned slightly, checking her appearance, then smiled.

“Thank you. You did a great job.”

The maid smiled and inclined her head. “You should go now, miss.”

Mabel nodded and stepped out.

The ride was quiet. Mabel sat in the motor vehicle with Rebecca; her father , Abel and Jane had left earlier.

She glanced at Rebecca once, then looked toward the driver and said calmly,

“Please drive faster.”

The driver nodded.

Rebecca turned toward her, a faint smile playing on her lips. “You seem eager to meet your matches.”

Mabel exhaled but said nothing.

Her thoughts drifted—back to two weeks ago, to Edric Thorne’s so-called contract proposal, and to the unexpected sight of him fighting in that ring.

"It’s been almost two weeks, " she thought. "I’m still debating whether to accept it or not. It’s just a marriage on paper. He’ll pay me… and with the alimony, I could finally leave this house and start fresh. But…"

Her gaze lowered.

"He’s still my Dad..Even if he’s no longer as affectionate as before. Even if I’m still angry that he never explained his involvement with Jane…"

She inhaled slowly.

'Maybe I should really talk to him just once. See if things can be settled…"

They arrived at the venue and stepped out of the car. Mabel exhaled softly as Rebecca glanced at her.

“Make sure you smile,” Rebecca said. “I heard Dad plans to introduce you to some suitors.”

Mabel replied flatly, “Why don’t you start looking for one yourself?”

Rebecca shrugged. “I’m twenty-two. You’re a year older than me, so you should marry first.”

Mabel shot her a sharp look but said nothing and walked toward the entrance. They entered quietly through the back door.

“You like the spotlight, don’t you?” Mabel said. “Then why are you following me?”

Rebecca sighed. “I’m not used to attention. I’m not following you, go ahead and enjoy yourself.”

With that, Rebecca turned and joined a group of young ladies nearby. Mabel watched her leave, then scanned the hall. Abel was engaged in conversation with men around his age, while her father and Jane moved through the crowd, greeting guests.

Mabel let out a slow breath and walked farther in. As expected, not many people recognized her. She settled at a nearby table, sitting quietly as her gaze wandered across the hall.

Then it stopped.

A familiar figure stood among a small group of men, speaking calmly....Edric Thorne.

Mabel blinked. " He's here."

She immediately looked away, deliberately turning her attention elsewhere, as if sheer will could keep him from noticing her at all.

Edric remained silent, his expression calm , as the men nearby spoke among themselves.

“She’s Mabel Alkiza, isn’t she? Out of the succession now. Looks like Mr. Alkiza is trying to find her a match tonight,” one of them murmured, nodding subtly toward the hall.

Another man glanced between the sisters. “Rebecca has light brown hair and fair skin, but her features aren’t particularly striking.”

“Exactly,” a third added with a low chuckle. “Mabel’s different. Black hair, that golden-tanned skin… kind of sexy, honestly.”

“Not to mention that figure,” someone else said. “She knows she looks good too—walks around all proud.”

“And she graduated from Elite Albus Academy,” another man added. “student there are usually sharp and capable.”

One of them laughed lightly. “who cares about that, she’d make a good wife. Should I go talk to her?”

Throughout it all, Edric said nothing. His eyes shifted briefly toward Mabel, watching her sit quietly at the table.

"She’s taking quite a lot of time to answer, " he thought. "Should I drop her and look for someone else? "

At the table, Mabel exhaled and leaned back slightly, her gaze unfocused for a moment. Just then, her brother approached.

“Sis, Dad is asking for you,” Abel said quietly.

Mabel nodded, and rose to her feet.

Edric watched her walk away.

“Who’s that young man?” he asked calmly.

The man beside him replied, “Abel Alkiza. One of the potential successors. After Mabel’s elimination, only he and their cousin Victor remain. Though I hear Rebecca’s been dragged into the race too.”

He chuckled. “The Alkiza family is truly a mess.”

Edric hummed softly, offering no comment, his gaze still lingering in the direction Mabel had gone.

Mabel approached her father, who was standing with a few young men. He turned when he noticed her and gestured lightly.

“Come, Mabel. Meet them, the sons of the Trovis family and the Brook family.”

Mabel glanced at the two men and gave a small nod. “Pleasure to meet you.”

They inclined their heads in return.

The conversation moved on quickly. Merove spoke at length, mentioning her education, her conduct, and other details as if reciting a list. Mabel remained silent, Abel standing beside her.

She blinked once, her thoughts sharp.

"Look at him… so eager to set me up."

After a while, Merove turned to her. “What do you think? Take your time. You may ask these gentlemen anything you wish.”

Mabel blinked again and replied evenly, “It’s fine. I don’t want to talk.”

Merove’s brows twitched. He glanced at the two men and forced a smile. “Excuse us.”

They nodded politely and walked away.

Once they were gone, Merove looked at her, his voice low. “What is this tone, Mabel?”

Mabel exhaled. “I was polite, Father. I simply didn’t want to speak with them.”

Merove stiffened. “You..”

“Are you forcing me?” Mabel cut in sharply.

His jaw tightened. After a brief pause, he said, “We’ll talk after the banquet. When we return.”

Mabel nodded once. “As you wish.”

He left, leaving the siblings alone.

Abel leaned closer and said quietly, “Shouldn’t you try to make peace with Dad now?”

Mabel exhaled. “How are you not angry with him?”

Abel blinked, then replied, “Mom is gone. Dad is happy with Aunt Jane now. Even if your suspicions about them are true… it doesn’t change anything anymore.”

Mabel looked down. “I know. Still, I can’t help but feel..”

Abel sighed. “It’s fine. I was furious too. It just took me time to calm down.”

Mabel nodded, then said firmly, “Make sure you succeed. I don’t want Victor or Rebecca becoming the official heir.”

Abel smirked. “Don’t worry. I won’t let that happen.”

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