The Devil's Betrothed-Chapter 708: "Erin!"

Once Nathaniel left, Aaron turned his attention back to Rina, who seemed calm now.

He addressed the butler, "Gary, arrange a room for her and make sure she has everything she might need. Also, arrange for two lady servants to attend to her."

"Yes, My Lord," Gary replied.

Rina overheard and asked, "Brother, so I’m really going to stay here?"

"Yes," Aaron confirmed.

"Thank you!" Rina cheered. "My brother will see that he’s not the only one—I can have more brothers like him."

"You can let Gary know whatever you need, and he will arrange it for you," Aaron explained.

"Umm, are you busy, Brother Aaron?" she asked hesitantly.

"No, why do you ask?"

"I was wondering if you would take me out to the market. I haven’t seen the city market yet."

"Gary can take you there."

"Won’t you?" she asked, putting on a sad expression. "If you don’t, how am I going to show Brother Lucian that my new brother also takes me to the market and that I don’t need him?"

This girl, she clearly missed Lucian as everything she did or wished to was about him, but what a stubborn one just like Lucian.

"I don’t know what young girls like you, or any women, enjoy at the market."

"You can leave that to me. You just need to accompany me," she assured him. "Also, before you marry Lady Erin, you should know what she likes. Lady Erin loves to shop, you know."

Aaron sighed inwardly. It wasn’t just Nathaniel; now his little sister was also bringing up the topic of marriage. He had no way to stop either of them.

Nathaniel wouldn’t stop even if Aaron punched him, and he couldn’t dare to stop Rina because if he made her cry, he knew it would be difficult for him to handle. Crying girl was a big no for him.

"Maybe tomorrow. Is that alright with you? It’s getting late today, and it’ll be colder outside by evening," Aaron said, trying to find a way out for the day, but also genuinely concerned for her.

Rina agreed. "Alright, tomorrow then. Umm, until then, I’ll go check out the room I’m staying in," she said, then walked away.

Aaron inhaled deeply, ’Seems like I have to get used to it now. But, it doesn’t feel that bad either.’

----

At the Rainier estate, Gwen was worried about Rina. She went to Lucian’s study, where he was working. "Lucian, it’s been hours since your sister left for Aaron’s place."

"She’s not back yet, which means she’s fine," he replied, glancing at his worried mother.

"Should I go and check to make sure she isn’t causing trouble for Aaron?"

"Mother, there’s a reason I sent her there. If you go, it’ll defeat the purpose."

"Should I send her things there if she’s not returning?"

"No need," he said, standing up from the table and taking his mother’s hand to comfort her. "Mother, I want you to forget for a while that you have a daughter."

"Alright, but then, can I do something else?" she asked.

"You’re free to do whatever you feel is right, Mother. You don’t need my permission," Lucian assured her.

"Really?"

"Of course," he confirmed and turned to walk back to his chair to resume his work, only to hear her say, "Then, I’ll select a few young women for you, and you can choose one to marry."

Lucian froze in place, caught off guard by her sudden suggestion. He turned to his mother. "Mother, you know I don’t want to marry yet."

"I know, but if we start looking for a suitable match now, it’ll take some time until you’re ready."

"Mother..."

"Just tell me what kind of woman you like, okay? I won’t impose on you," she interrupted. "I should at least know what kind of woman you’d prefer."

Lucian sighed. "I’m not sure. I’ve never really thought about it."

"Well, now’s the time to think," she insisted. "Just think about the kind of woman who might impress you. Hmm, someone like Oriana?"

Lucian shook his head. "Mother, she’s like a sister."

"I’m just giving you an example. You can compare yourself to the women you’re around and think about what qualities you’d like," Gwen suggested.

"Alright," Lucian decided to give in and end the conversation. "Someone like Mother will do."

Gwen chuckled. "Someone like me? Short and plump? I’m sure she wouldn’t suit my handsome son."

"You’re better than any woman I’ve ever come across, Mother," he replied, refocusing on his work.

"I hear someone trying to woo my wife while her husband is still alive," Paul said as he entered the study, smiling. "What’s going on?"

"We’re trying to figure out what kind of woman our son would like to marry," Gwen answered with a laugh. "He says he wants someone like me."

"And what’s wrong with that? Didn’t I marry you and living as a happy man?" Paul asked. "Someone like you would keep our family peaceful and lively."

"You two really need to look beyond the only woman in your life," Gwen sighed helplessly. "Aaron will soon marry an extraordinary woman like Lady Erin, so won’t we need someone extraordinary for our son?"

Hearing Erin’s name, Lucian, who was busy writing, paused. He didn’t know why, but the mention of her made him want to hear more. He wondered how she was doing.

The couple, unaware of their son’s thoughts, continued their conversation.

"Lady Erin is indeed a perfect match for Aaron," Paul said. "We should find someone like her for our son too."

"How about once Lady Erin marries Aaron, we ask her if she has any cousins?" Gwen suggested. "The Ahrens are one of the oldest noble families, with deep-rooted ties. The people around them must be similar and may have many deserving young ladies."

"That’s a good idea," Paul responded. "But we don’t have to wait until Aaron and Lady Erin get married. She’s coming here soon, so we can talk to her then."

Both parents turned to their son. "Lucian, what do you think?"

He was lost in his own thoughts when he heard them. "Huh?"

"We’re asking, what do you think about it?"

"About what?"

"You didn’t hear what we were talking about?"

Lucian felt caught off guard. What had he been thinking about so deeply that he missed the conversation around him? Since when had he become so distracted when he was usually alert to even the tiniest things happening around him?

"I... must have been busy with work," he replied hesitantly.

"Oh, we seem to be disturbing your work," Gwen said apologetically. "But you do understand our concern, don’t you?"

Not knowing exactly what they were referring to, Lucian simply hummed in agreement.

Gwen turned to her husband. "Alright, since he agreed, we can ask Lady Erin to find one of her cousins for Lucian. I’m sure she won’t choose the wrong woman."

Paul nodded. "Indeed."

Lucian was taken aback. When did he agree to this?

Before he could say a word, Gwen added, "Lucian, you continue your work. Leave the rest to me," and walked out of his study.

Lucian could hear their voices fading as they chatted happily down the hallway.

"I didn’t think Lucian would agree so easily."

"He must think his mother is getting old and needs help," Paul teased.

"Do you think I’ll make my daughter-in-law work?" Gwen frowned. "All she has to do is take care of Lucian and give me beautiful grandkids."

Lucian sighed and leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping the quill against the desk. He stared blankly out of the window, and without realizing it, a name slipped from his lips.

"Erin!"