Inside the guest room, the morning light slipped softly through the windows, casting a warm glow across the carpeted floor. Axelius sat down, arms crossed, brows furrowed in disbelief. He stared at Elena like she just said the most ridiculous thing in the world. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"So that’s what you’re asking for help with?!" he said,

Elena puffed her cheeks, looking away as she folded her arms. "I-I can’t refuse my father, okay?! He scares me. And after that trial, everyone saw your fight—they think you’re some amazing hero! Now they want to speed up the engagement! B-But I’d rather die than marry you!"

From the corner of the room, Owen burst out laughing. "She has so much hate for you, hahaha! This is the best!"

Axelius groaned, dragged his hand down his face, then stood up suddenly. "Alright, let’s go."

Elena blinked fast, shocked. "W-wait, right now?!"

"Well yeah?! When do you want? After the wedding?!"

Elena let out a frustrated sigh, stomping her foot a little. "We need a plan, okay?! What if they don’t listen to you?! You think you can just walk in there and stop everything with your mouth?!"

Axelius smirked, slipping his hands into his pockets, the corner of his lips twitching with confidence. "I always have a plan."

___________

The air was heavy in the grand receiving hall of the Virelen estate. Expensive rugs lined the floor and golden sunlight poured through the tall windows. Axelius stood tall in front of a richly dressed man seated at the head chair—Elena’s father.

He looked straight into the eyes of the man and declared, "Let’s duel. If I win, the engagement ends. Permanently."

The room went silent.

Behind Axelius, Elena whispered in panic, "This is your plan?!"

Owen chuckled. "Well, he did say he had a plan."

Elena didn’t even try to hide her despair slapping her forehead "Oh no..." as her father slowly stood from his chair, raising one eyebrow at Axelius.

"A duel, huh?" the man repeated, voice deep and calm. "And who exactly do you think you are to challenge me with such a condition?"

Axelius narrowed his eyes. "Someone who doesn’t like being controlled. I’m not asking."

Before Elena’s father could say another word, Elena rushed forward, stepping between him and Axelius.

"I’m sorry, Father!" she said quickly, her tone a bit panicked but polite. "Please—just give me a moment to speak with him. Just a moment!"

Her father raised an eyebrow but gave a small nod.

Without waiting, Elena grabbed Axelius by the wrist and pulled him a few steps away, closer to the large windows. She turned to him, eyes wide with frustration and worry.

"What are you doing?!" she whispered harshly, still gripping his sleeve. "Are you crazy?! That’s my father! He’s not just a royal advisor—he was a war veteran and a master swordsman! You think you can beat him?!"

Axelius didn’t flinch. He just stared back with calm, almost bored eyes. "You said you wanted to break off the engagement, right?"

"Yes! But not like this!" she hissed. "I meant we could... I don’t know... fake something! Or, or!"

Axelius smirked slightly. "So you want me to pretend to be your secret crush next? Disguising as someone you can introduce?"

Elena’s face turned red instantly. "Ugh—no! Gross!"

"Then stop panicking," he said simply. "I’m not doing this for fun. You said you’re scared to face him, so I’m doing it my way. In this way, There’s no argument will be left once i win"

Elena looked at him for a long second. There was a mix of annoyance and confusion in her expression—like she didn’t understand how this boy who used to be thin, quiet, and weirdly serious suddenly became bold enough to challenge her father without hesitation.

Finally, she let out a frustrated sigh, dropping her hands to her sides. "You better not die."

Axelius gave a lazy grin. "Relax. I’m not planning to."

Behind them, Elena’s father tapped his cane against the floor once. "Are we done here?" he asked,

Elena stepped back, whispering one last thing. "If you lose, I’m not helping you explain it to the Grand Duke."

"Elena," her father’s voice boomed calmly across the room,

Axelius was about to turn around, but Elena grabbed his sleeve tightly and leaned in with a sharp whisper, "Don’t turn around! And shut your mouth! I’ll try to talk to Father!"

Axelius blinked at her, then shrugged and stood still with his hands in his pockets, letting her go.

Elena stepped forward slowly, her palms slightly sweaty and her heart racing. Her legs felt stiff, but she forced herself to move until she stood in front of her father. Her eyes didn’t meet his.

"Ahh... F-Father..." she began nervously,

Albrecht, a tall man with a sharp gaze and the posture of a soldier, stood from his seat. He looked down at her with serious eyes.

"Do you want to break the engagement off?" he asked directly,

Elena hesitated for a second, then slowly nodded, still unable to meet his eyes. "Yes..."

Then suddenly, Albrecht chuckled. The deep laugh echoed in the room, completely catching Elena off guard.

"I’ve been waiting for you to say that," he said with a small smile.

Elena blinked. "W-What do you mean, Father?"

"I’m not really serious about marrying you off," he said. "That engagement? It was just a push. I wanted you to talk to me. You’ve been avoiding me for years, Elena. You always hide behind your maids or give short answers. But I know you, daughter. I know you like someone else." he added with a teasing smile.

Elena’s eyes widened, her mouth slightly open, unsure how to respond.

Albrecht sighed and knelt slightly, placing a hand on her shoulder gently. "I don’t like that you’re afraid of me. That’s not the kind of father I want to be."

Elena looked down again, her voice caught in her throat. She wanted to speak—but the memory flashed too clearly.

Years ago, she had seen him furious—yelling, throwing a chair, his voice sharp as thunder. It wasn’t directed at her, but at her older brother. That was the first time she saw her father angry, truly angry. Since then, the image stuck in her mind like a shadow she couldn’t forget.

"I’m sorry, Father..." she whispered at last.

Albrecht looked at her with gentler eyes. "Did that one moment make you this scared of me?"

Elena nodded slowly. "I thought... you’d be like that again if I disappointed you."

Albrecht sighed again and pulled her into a soft hug, something he hadn’t done in a long time. "Elena, I will get angry sometimes. But never at you for speaking your heart."