Chapter 151: The best choice
The word engagement echoed inside Yuki’s mind long after Aevia had finished speaking. For several seconds, she simply stared at the document resting on her lap.
An arranged engagement. It wasn’t something she had expected, not today or after barely waking from a coma. Her fingers unconsciously traced the edge of the folder while her thoughts tangled together. Rationally... she understood exactly why Aevia and Alexander were suggesting it.
It wasn’t about replacing the triplets or forcing another relationship on her. It was about closing the door. Permanently. To prove a point.
With the engagement, there would be no more whispers in court or nobles insisting she would someday use the rejected bond to reclaim the position of future Luna. No more rumours that she was secretly waiting for the triplets to change their minds. An engagement would destroy every one of those rumours before they had the chance to grow.
Slowly, she lifted her gaze. Aevia was watching her with hopeful, anxious eyes. Her fingers were clasped so tightly together that her knuckles had turned white. Beside her, Alexander remained composed as always, one arm resting gently around Aevia’s shoulders. His expression was calm, but the quiet expectation in his sapphire eyes told Yuki everything she needed to know.
They both wanted her to accept. It was not because they wished to get rid of her but because they wanted to protect her. The realisation made her stomach twist. Her lips parted.
"I..." she began, her voice barely above a whisper.
Nothing came out. Aevia’s fingers tightened unconsciously around her own. Yuki swallowed before trying again.
"I..." She released a slow, shaky breath, forcing herself to meet their eyes. "Can I... think about it first?"
The room fell quiet. Aevia instinctively glanced towards Alexander. He met her eyes, giving the smallest nod. The silent exchange lasted barely a second before Aevia’s tense shoulders visibly relaxed.
"Of course," she answered immediately, her voice warm with relief. She reached over and squeezed Yuki’s hand reassuringly. "No one expects you to decide today."
"You’ve only just woken up," Alexander added calmly. His tone carried the same steady authority he always possessed, yet it was noticeably gentler than usual. "This isn’t a decision that should be rushed."
Yuki released a breath she hadn’t realised she was holding. Alexander stepped closer to the bedside before picking up the document from her lap.
"We’re not asking you to accept an engagement blindly, but the adoption has to be finalised before the wedding," he explained, opening the folder to another section. His voice remained measured and patient. "Our people have already compiled a list of suitable candidates."
Yuki blinked.
"A list?" she asked, surprise colouring her tone.
He nodded once.
"Every individual included already knows your circumstances." He turned one of the pages towards her, his expression unreadable. "They know you’re a chosen mate. They know about the rejection. None of it has been hidden."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"They still agreed?" she asked, disbelief creeping into her voice.
"They did." Alexander’s expression remained calm. "They’re willing to accept a chosen mate because they value an alliance with our family more than a fated bond."
Aevia smiled encouragingly, her voice soft and reassuring.
"You don’t have to marry someone you don’t like," she assured her. "You’ll meet them first. Talk to them. Get to know them." She hesitated before adding with a playful smile, "And if one annoys you..."
Yuki looked at her.
"...reject him," Aevia finished lightly.
A small laugh escaped Yuki despite herself. Alexander’s lips twitched faintly.
"You’ll find that most of the candidates live here in Ravencourt," he continued, tapping another page. His tone remained practical. "They’re nobles, Alpha heirs, and trusted allies already residing within the territory."
"But..." Aevia spoke more gently, "...there are also a few from outside Ravencourt."
Yuki frowned.
"...Outside?" she repeated, uncertainty clear in her voice.
She looked between them in surprise.
"I thought..." she admitted quietly, "...you wanted me close." She turned towards Alexander. "Wouldn’t leaving Ravencourt mean leaving your protection too?"
Aevia exchanged another glance with Alexander before smiling sadly.
"You’ve underestimated one thing," she said softly.
Yuki tilted her head.
"I didn’t bring you to Ravencourt simply because I wanted us to live together." She reached over, brushing a strand of blonde hair away from Yuki’s face, her touch gentle. "I brought you here because Alexander is one of the strongest Alphas on the continent." Her smile faded. "And because marrying him made you a target."
Yuki stiffened.
"What?" she asked, her voice sharp with sudden tension.
Alexander answered this time, his tone calm and almost matter-of-fact.
"I have more enemies than I care to count." He folded his arms across his chest. "Power always creates opposition. Some would hesitate to attack me directly." His eyes met hers steadily. "But attacking those close to me..." He let the sentence hang unfinished. "...is easier."
Understanding slowly dawned on Yuki. She wasn’t only Aevia’s sister anymore. She was Alexander’s future adopted daughter. That title alone painted a target across her back. Alexander continued,
"The candidates outside Ravencourt aren’t strangers." He turned another page, his voice steady. "They’re trusted allies. Most are Alpha Lords in their early thirties," he explained. "Widowers who lost their mates years ago." Yuki listened quietly. "They’re experienced leaders with enough strength to protect their own territories." He paused before looking at her more carefully. "I included them because..." His expression softened slightly. "...I considered the possibility that Ravencourt might become suffocating for you."
Yuki lowered her eyes.
"The rejection happened here," Alexander said, his voice becoming gentler. "Every street... every corridor... every familiar face... might trigger you." He shook his head slightly. "Sometimes healing begins by changing your surroundings."
Silence settled over the room. Aevia reached for Yuki’s hand once more, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I only want what’s best for you. If staying in Ravencourt makes you happy..." She smiled softly. "...stay. If leaving helps you breathe again..." Her thumb gently stroked the back of Yuki’s hand. "...then leave. I’ll support whichever choice you make."