The Devil's Betrothed-Chapter 642: Advice From Rina

They reached home, and Rina excitedly showed all their shopping to their parents. "This dress is for Mother, and this is for Father," Rina informed. "Do you like it?"

Gwen looked at her son. "What was the need for this?"

"It’s nothing much," he replied calmly, while Rina added, "Mother, we will be visiting the King and the Queen. We can’t go in shabby clothes."

Gwen and Paul simply hummed and thanked Lucian. Rina handed over the gifts they got for Ken and his wife, who also thanked her.

Lastly, Rina showed them her shopping excitedly. "How is all of this, Mother?"

"It’s good," Gwen replied.

"Mother, something really happened in the market today," Rina said, narrating the entire incident. "...I really liked her, Mother. I wish I could be like her when I grow up."

"She indeed sounds like a good lady," Gwen commented.

"Lady Erin?" Paul mumbled and looked at Lucian. "Lord Ahren’s daughter?"

Lucian nodded. Paul turned to his daughter. "Rina, Lady Erin is the daughter of one of the most wealthy and powerful families close to the royal family. If you come across her again, make sure to be polite and respectful and never offend her."

"I didn’t, but my brother seems to have offended her," Rina complained, looking at her brother, who acted as if he didn’t hear her.

"What happened?" Gwen asked her son.

"Nothing, Mother. Rina is being nosy for no reason," he replied. "Do not worry." He stood up and went outside.

Gwen and Paul looked at each other but kept quiet.

"Mother, trust me, there is something. I am sure brother has offended her."

"You should not pay attention to your brother’s matters," Gwen warned Rina. "Do not test his patience."

"I was just worried," Rina felt wronged and walked out as well.

"This girl..."

"Gwen, let her be. She was just telling us what she saw," Paul interrupted.

In the evening, they enjoyed the food Lucian and Rina had bought for them. As they sat around the table, the atmosphere lightened, and the family shared stories and laughter. The day’s tension seemed to fade away.

That night, Lucian had changed into simple night clothes when there was a knock on the door. Rina entered, saying, "I’m here to get Mother’s medicines that we bought today."

Lucian looked at the items he had placed on the shelf after emptying his pockets. He picked up a small bundle of medicines and handed them over to his sister. Rina accepted them, but then her gaze caught something else on the same shelf.

"What is this?" she asked, already picking up a small wooden box.

"Put it back," Lucian said as he finished buttoning the last button of his shirt.

But Rina had already opened it and found a beautiful pendant inside. "Oh, it’s so beautiful." Before her fingers could even touch it to feel it, the box was snatched from her hand. Lucian closed it and put it in his pants pocket.

Rina frowned. "I was just looking at it, but you’re acting as if I was stealing it."

"You should get the medicines to Mother," Lucian said, completely ignoring her displeasure.

Rina huffed and left the room, muttering under her breath about her brother’s mysterious ways. She went to her mother’s room and handed over the medicines. Gwen smiled gratefully and took them, then noticed her daughter’s sullen expression.

"Rina, is everything alright?" Gwen asked gently.

Rina sighed. "It’s just Brother. He has this beautiful pendant and acted so secretive about it. I was just curious, but he snatched it away from me."

"That must be his family token. It’s important to him. You should not touch it," Gwen said.

"Isn’t that made of white jade? This one is made of green jade," Rina added.

Gwen didn’t comment on that but instead warned, "Your brother is a grown man, and it’s not proper for you to sneak into his things. Do not ask him about what he doesn’t want to talk about, understood?"

Rina pouted and lay on the sheets to sleep. "I always know you and Father always side with him."

Gwen sighed and gently brushed her fingers through Rina’s hair. "We care for both of you, Rina."

"Goodnight, Mother," Rina mumbled, closing her eyes.

When everyone was asleep inside the home, Lucian lay on a makeshift bed on the long bench placed in the yard. His one hand folded below his head, while other resting on his stomach, one leg stretched out while other one folded up in the knee.

Despite the cold, he liked it outside, his gaze calmly staring at the dark sky, his mind devoid of any particular thought. All he felt at this moment was peace.

After a while, when he thought to move to one side, something obstructed him. His hand went to his pocket, and he pulled out the small wooden box. He looked at the pendant inside and pulled it out with the help of the woven silk threads attached to it.

The pendant hung in his hand as he stared at it quietly. A voice rang in his ears: "This is to wish you good luck in what you do in the future. I wish you success in everything you do after this."

He stared at it for a while, lost in the memory of those words and the person who had spoken them. Finally, he put it back in the box and closed his eyes, the weight of the pendant and its meaning pressing lightly on his chest.

In the stillness of the night, with the pendant safely tucked away, Lucian allowed himself to drift into sleep. The stars above continued their silent vigil, and the peaceful night enveloped him, offering a rare respite from the complexities of his life.

After a while, Rina stepped out of the house, carrying a thick blanket with her. She gently draped it over her brother and then walked to the side to put more wood in the furnace close to him so the air around would be warm.

Lucian opened his eyes, sensing her presence. She stood up and looked at him, noticing he was awake. "Mother was worried that you would catch a cold. You should sleep inside even though you can stand this cold."

"I am alright. You can go sleep," he said.

Rina nodded and then glanced at his hand, which was holding the same wooden box.

"Is it a gift?"

"Hmm?"

"From a woman?"

"Hmm."

"Lady Erin?"

He kept quiet for a while before answering this time, "Hmm."

Rina was silent for a moment before speaking again. "Brother, if we have hurt or offended someone, it’s right to apologize to them. Good night," she said and walked toward the house.

"I did not hurt anyone," he spoke softly.

Rina heard him. "Maybe you are not aware yourself because that is how you act normally," she replied, finally entering the home.

Lucian thought about what Rina said. He remembered Erin’s behavior towards him in the market, as if she didn’t want to be around him any more.

He tried to recall all the incidents with Erin and couldn’t pinpoint when he might have offended or hurt her. He had always maintained boundaries with her and respected her as his master. Did he really hurt her in some way?