Extra's POV: My Obsessive Villainous Fiancee Is The Game's Final Boss-Chapter 23: A Promise Between Families

Ren entered his father's study alone as Darius had left him at the door. The heavy wooden doors closed behind him with a soft thud and he walked forward to stand before his father's desk.

The room had no windows and smelled of parchment and ink, the light of the candle illuminating the desk and the shelves lined with tomes of war, history, and Bloodbinding techniques.

Lord Abram Ross sat behind his desk, quill in hand, finishing the last strokes of whatever document he was working on.

For a long moment, the only sound in the room was the scratch of the quill against paper. Ren stood in silence, waiting.

His father had never been a man of unnecessary words, and Ren knew better than to interrupt him. When Lord Ross finally set his quill down, he lifted his gaze, staring at his son for a few long seconds before he spoke.

"Terence." His father acknowledged him. "You've done well."

Ren remained still. Praise from his father was rare, and worse of all, it never came without purpose.

"Your progress in Bloodbinding has been commendable." Lord Ross continued.

"I had my doubts when you were younger. Feared you would take after your mother. Soft, unfocused. But you have proven otherwise."

"Strength and discipline matter above all else in this world, and I see now that you understand that. This is good. It means you may yet make something of yourself."

Ren fought the urge to react. Lady Maria Ross was kind, gentle, and nothing like the man in front of him. But to his father, those were weaknesses, not strengths.

Ren had long understood that there was no use arguing this point. Instead, he simply nodded.

Lord Ross leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled together. "I called you here for something of great importance. You are now betrothed. Your marriage has been arranged to Lady Lilith Underwood."

Ren's fingers curled slightly at his sides. He had expected this, but hearing it spoken aloud was like the final nail in the coffin. No matter what he did, his and Lilith's fate were now tied together.

"This arrangement," his father continued, "is meant to strengthen our ties with House Underwood."

"A noble bond, one that will ensure our family's position remains secure in the years to come. You have no say in this, nor should you expect to. It does not matter who your bride is. You will make it work, as is your duty."

Ren kept his face neutral, his thoughts running in his head.

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For lord Abram Ross to say that, this meant he knew of Lilith's Divine Gift. That much was certain.

But did he understand what she would become? That she wasn't just a noble daughter with a tragic Gift but a future calamity waiting to happen?

It was clear that Lord Ross only saw an advantageous marriage, nothing more.

He had spent the last year working toward a path of strength, carefully crafting his Bloodbinding skills, his thoughts preoccupied with what he knew was coming. At least now, he'd have a chance to do something that would affect the future..

"Next week," Lord Ross continued, "you will travel to the Underwood lands for your first formal meeting with Lady Lilith. You will represent the Ross family with dignity. There will be no failures."

Ren nodded. "Yes, Father."

His father studied him for a long moment, his sharp gaze piercing. "You have a great deal of potential, Ren. Do not waste it."

Ren bowed slightly before turning to leave. As he reached the door, his father spoke, stopping him.

"And Terence."

Ren turned.

"Remember this. Duty comes before all else. Whatever you think of this arrangement, put it aside. The Ross name must endure."

Ren stepped out into the hall, his mind racing. The engagement had been inevitable, but now that it was real, he felt... stressed. Like a weight had been added to his shoulders.

He walked through the corridors of Ross Castle, his thoughts tangled.

He had spent over a year in this world, carefully laying the groundwork for his own survival. Now that things were getting closer, it felt... surreal.

This was not just about his own path anymore. This was about Lilith, about shaping her future before the world had a chance to twist her into something monstrous.

Ren knew he needed to clear his mind, so instead of heading straight to his room, he went back to the training grounds.

The familiar sight of the worn-down arena should have given him focus, but his mind remained elsewhere. He picked up a practice sword, assuming his stance, and faced Sir Robert.

"Something on your mind?" Sir Robert asked, watching as Ren half-heartedly swung the blade.

Ren hesitated before responding, "I just need to train."

Sir Robert studied him for a moment before nodding. "Then let's see how distracted you really are."

The bout began, and Ren moved instinctively, relying on muscle memory rather than true focus. His swings lacked their usual bite, his footwork slightly off.

Sir Robert deflected every attack with ease, like he was taking candy from a baby. With a quick sidestep, he knocked Ren's weapon aside and tapped him lightly on the ribs with the wooden blade.

"Again." Ren said, shaking his head.

Sir Robert obliged, but the result was the same. It was as if his mind couldn't connect fully with his body, thoughts of his engagement clouding his focus.

By the fourth time he found himself disarmed, Sir Robert stepped back and sighed.

"That's enough for today." He said. "You're not here, not really. Go clear your head. Training while distracted only teaches bad habits."

Ren wanted to protest, but he knew Sir Robert was right. Frustrated, he put the sword away and left the training yard, his steps heavy as he finally made his way to his room.

By the time he reached his room, he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep easily that night. Instead, he sat by the window, staring out at the darkened sky, tracing constellations as his mind raced.

Lilith.

He had avoided thinking too deeply about her, knowing this moment would come.

In the game, she had been a force of destruction, an entity that shattered kingdoms and left ruin in her wake. But that was a future not yet written.

The girl he was set to meet in a week was not yet the Lilith Underwood of legend. She was still young. Still growing.

This first meeting would be the most important moment of his life.

A single mistake, and she could close herself off from him. She could shut him out, refuse to trust him, and he would lose his chance to change her fate.

Ren clenched his fists. He couldn't let that happen.

He had spent a year building his strength. Now, it was time to prepare his mind.

He would not just meet Lilith Underwood as her betrothed.

He would meet her as the only person in the world willing to stand by her side.

Before it was too late.