Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win-Chapter 34: Engagement [1]

The dark navy suit clung to his frame, tailored to his size perfectly.

The silver earrings added a distinct charm to his handsome face.

His long blonde hair was tied in a braided ponytail, while his crimson eyes stared back at him.

He looked refined. Powerful yet... a little feminine.

'I seriously need to add some more weight on my body.'

Holding back his sigh, Akamir looked back at the mirror.

They had already arrived at the capital city of Krivos Kingdom to attend the engagement of Princess Inara.

And things couldn't have been much worse.

'Darvin is definitely planning something.'

The calmness that he showed wasn't something that a man who had lost everything would have.

It was as if he was going to do something that Akamir deemed unnecessary.

'I just hope I'm not dragged into this.'

Glancing once again at his handsome face, Akamir turned to walk towards the door.

"Was there any message from my fiancée?" Akamir asked, glancing back at Zia.

Zia shook her head. "Only her father had sent the message."

"To meet them at the royal palace?" Akamir guessed, twisting the doorknob.

"Yes, young master."

"...I see."

Akamir mumbled, walking out of the room.

Zia got busy cleaning his room while Akamir glanced up.

Nayomi floated just above him with the same stoic face.

"What was Zaina's first impression of Asher?" Akamir asked, making her look down at him.

"Rude. Misogynistic. Selfish. Narcissistic—"

"Alright, I get the gist of it." Akamir sighed, rubbing his temples.

Even though Akamir was sure he wasn't anything like Asher, he still felt annoyed.

'Hopefully nothing goes wrong.'

...He bit his tongue in the next instant.

'Fuck, don't jinx it.'

Taking in a deep breath, Akamir walked out of the estate owned by his family into the courtyard.

A luxurious, obsidian-colored carriage with the Vyavan family crest engraved in silver on the door was already parked outside.

Akamir stepped closer where the evening mist hadn't yet fully lifted. The chill of the wind kissed his face.

Inside the carriage, two figures sat quietly.

Asher's father, Duke Darvin, dressed in a somber charcoal suit embroidered with gold edges, was staring out the window.

Beside him sat Lady Verona, his foster mother, her face partially concealed by an elegant veil of black lace.

Her eyes, sharp as ever, flicked toward Akamir as he climbed in.

"You're late," Duke Darvin said without turning his head.

Akamir didn't reply as he took his seat across from them.

The carriage started moving the moment he settled.

Lady Verona kept on glaring at him, but he didn't bother with her.

"Try to socialize and talk with the other nobles and those of your age." Darvin said, turning his head towards him. "Don't be incompetent and stand in a corner."

"...."

Akamir just looked at him without a word.

Lady Verona shifted slightly, folding her gloved hands atop her lap, her gaze never leaving Akamir.

"Why are you even bothering with him?" she said, her voice laced with contempt. "He is not worth grooming."

"Your son sure was," Akamir said quietly, keeping his eyes on the passing city through the window.

Thankfully, she didn't quite catch what he said, or maybe she did but refused to accept Asher would talk to her like that.

"Keep my words in your mind." Darvin said, glaring at him.

Akamir remained silent again.

"Answer me!"

Akamir turned to him calmly. "Would you prefer I lie?"

"What?"

"Nothing."

"It doesn't matter what you feel," he said. "Just make sure that tonight, you smile when you're supposed to. Talk when you're expected to. And above all—"

"Obey," Akamir finished his sentence coldly.

A moment of silence.

"Good," Darvin muttered, leaning back against the velvet interior of the carriage. "Then we understand each other."

They didn't.

But Akamir didn't argue. Not now.

He just looked outside.

Gold-framed banners of the Krivos Kingdom fluttered on balconies.

Trumpets sounded faintly in the distance. The celebration had already begun.

The carriage turned and the beautifully decorated palace came into their view.

A royal guard stepped forward and bowed as the carriage came to a halt.

"Duke Darvin. Lady Verona. Sir Asher," he announced. "Welcome to the Palace of Krivos."

Darvin stood first, adjusting his cuffs.

"Behave," he muttered once more under his breath before stepping out.

Verona followed.

Akamir lingered inside the carriage for a while before he walked out.

Darvin and Verona moved further away while he followed them.

"Nayomi." He called her, glancing up. "You wanna give me a heads-up?"

She tilted her head. "For what?"

"For what is about to happen?" Akamir asked as the door opened up.

"Like what happened to Inara or something important that happened in the wedding?"

Nayomi thought for a while before shaking her head.

"Nothing special except you humiliating Zaina." she replied. "And... of course the engagement."

"...I see." Akamir mumbled, nodding his head. "But what actually happened to Inara in the novel?"

"She died." Nayomi replied softly, looking at him. "...Lucien killed her."

"I figured."

It wasn't that hard to guess anyway.

The story of Zaina was a tragedy to begin with.

'And what tragedy is without any death?'

As Akamir stepped into the palace, the grandeur surprised him.

Gold chandeliers sparkled above his head, casting brilliant light over polished marble floors.

The smell of wine, honeyed meats, and perfume saturated the air.

'They sure know how to waste money.'

Darvin and Verona moved swiftly through the entry hall, stopping to exchange greetings with an approaching noble.

It wasn't long as a few more people started to walk towards them.

Akamir remained back, watching them exchange greetings.

"Sir Darvin."

A sudden robust voice echoed in the hall.

Akamir looked towards the voice along with Darvin.

He was tall, broad-shouldered, with a blunt jaw and rough features that spoke of battlefield experience rather than ballroom etiquette.

His dark beard was neatly trimmed, and his crimson cape bore the sigil of House Edevane.

'Is he—?'

"Your father-in-law." Nayomi confirmed his doubt.

Akamir sighed as the man walked closer with a wide grin.

"Baron Erwald," Darvin said with forced politeness, bowing his head slightly.

"Glad you could make it," Erwald replied with a grin. His gaze flicked to Akamir. "And this must be your boy. Sir Asher?"

Akamir bowed slightly. "Father-in-law."

Baron Erwald chuckled, stepping closer and clapping a heavy hand on Akamir's shoulder.

"You look too pretty to be a warrior, but I suppose time will change you."

"...."

Akamir didn't reply, instead he looked past him.

"By the way." Erwald mumbled, narrowing his eyes. "You aren't what rumours say."

"Rumours also say my father is greedy as hell." Akamir replied, shaking his head. "Doesn't mean he really is."

Darvin shot him a glare, but Erwald only laughed harder.

"Ha! I like this one." He leaned in, lowering his voice just enough. "Zaina doesn't. But then again, she had only listened to rumours."

Akamir didn't respond, though his eyes briefly flicked toward Nayomi hovering above him.

"Want to revise your heads-up?" he muttered under his breath.

Nayomi shrugged. "You're doing fine."

"Where is she?" Akamir asked, tilting his head.

"Oh, she was just here." Erwald said, looking around. "There she is!"

Akamir followed his gaze until he saw her.

...Zaina.