I continued walking at an awfully slow pace, practically giving a tortoise a run for its money. If ever there was a competition between me and a tortoise. Heck, I was winning the race.
Mia's sharp glares bored into my back, like daggers trying to pierce through my soul. She kept it up for a while, waiting for me to pick up the pace. When it became obvious I wouldn't, she let out an exasperated sigh, puffed out her chest in resignation, and reluctantly matched my slow stride, irritation written all over her face.
I leaned in closer and whispered, "Did you get any golden finger?"
She tilted her head, raising an eyebrow. "What golden finger?"
I sighed, rubbing my temple in irritation. "Oh, come on. You know exactly what I mean. Don't act like you're not an otaku."
She clicked her tongue, looking away as she mumbled, "I did get a system."
My interest piqued, I leaned in even further. "And? Anything special?"
She scoffed, crossing her arms. "It's just healing. A healing system, for f*ck's sake."
I frowned. "Don't disrespect healers. They're the real MVPs."
She rolled her eyes and walked ahead, mimicking a nerdy voice. "Yeah, yeah, whatever."
I shook my head and muttered under my breath, 'She wouldn't understand how excruciatingly long it takes to recover without one. Not just in games but more so in real life.'
A few minutes later, we arrived at the grand hallway leading to the dining room. The heavy golden doors loomed before us, their intricate carvings glowing under the dim light.
Mia, full of energy again, perked up and bolted straight for the door handle. Before she could reach it, I grabbed her hand, yanking her back.
She spun around, glaring at me in protest, but I simply placed a finger on her lips. "Just follow my lead and don't do anything unnecessary."
She wiggled furiously in my grip before finally giving up. Huffing, she crossed her arms and stuck her nose in the air like a spoiled princess.
I smirked at her antics before stretching out my hand and pushing open the massive doors. They creaked as they parted, revealing an eerie stillness inside the dining hall.
Everyone was unnaturally silent, even the so-called groom's family. No chatter, no clinking of cutlery—just an oppressive tension thick in the air. The noble guests sat at the long table, eating in complete silence with forced elegance, while the maids and butlers stood perfectly still, waiting for orders.
I narrowed my eyes, assessing the situation. 'This isn't just table manners. Something must've happened... Maybe the groom's side caused some drama and pissed off Lucian and Isolde.'
Keeping my hands in my pockets, I gestured for Mia to follow. She nodded and composed herself, slipping into an elegant and refined demeanor. Watching her act so gracefully felt strange, almost surreal.
'And now I'm becoming phone sick, something along the lines of homesick. Seriously, my chronically online a*s is showing itself in full throttle. I need my daily dose of dopamine.'
As I walked toward the table, I suddenly sensed an attack coming—not toward me, but toward Mia.
I instinctively stepped in front of her, raising my hand. Just as I anticipated, a beam of sparkling light shot toward her, moving like a bullet, directed staight to her heart. And damn, it hit like one too.
Pain exploded in my palm as the magic tore through my flesh, leaving a gaping hole. Blood dripped to the floor staining it red, but at least Mia was unharmed.
I glanced at her. Her mouth hung open, eyes brimming with tears.
She stammered, struggling to form words. "W-Wh... Why...h.h.h..h..t.t.t...y..y.yy..ya.a.a..aa.?"
Before I could answer, she grabbed my injured hand with trembling fingers. Then, in a soft voice, she whispered a single word. "[Heal]"
A warm green glow enveloped my palm, soothing my palm and just like that, the wound closed up as if it had never been there.
I smirked, proving my point. "See? That's a fantastic skill."
She scoffed, clicking her tongue in a 'tsk'. "It's an ability."
In response I clicked my tongue. "Yeah, yeah, whatever."
Turning back, my gaze locked onto Isolde. Her lips curled into a knowing smile. She wasn't just testing me—she was observing Mia.
She was the one who attacked most definitely because she saw the redness on my ear. 'That attack was merely a test about whether I would protect Mia or not. Why do I think so? Because that attack was not even a fraction of her original strength.'
Aside from that a different question lingered in my mind.
I leaned in and whispered, "Have you ever used your ability in front of them before?"
Mia immediately shook her head. "Nope. First time. It just... happened on instinct."
I hummed in thought. That explained Isolde's reaction. Healing magic was rare—even in the game, only a handful of characters could use it. Now, seeing Mia's potential firsthand, Isolde must have realized her worth.
Sure enough, a cunning smirk stretched across Isolde's lips. She was planning something. Most likely, she'd use this as an excuse to break the engagement.
'Who am I kidding?' The Lancaster's didn't care about talent or affinity, even if the person held the rarest affinity or multiple affinities.
They wouldn't care for them, only one thing mattered to them. 'me.'
and that. 'Works for me too.'
With that settled, and an unhealthy confidence bubbling inside me, I shoved my hands back into my pockets and casually strolled up to the dining table. Looking straight at Lucian and Isolde, I grinned and said, "Mom, Dad, can you break the marriage arrangement, pretty please?"