The Devil's Betrothed-Chapter 733: Lucian Has A Woman He Likes

By the time Lucian returned with Rina, the others had set up a proper sitting arrangement, forming a circle where they could talk and drink.

"Here he is," Arthur said, feeling a bit excited as he planned to raise the topic of marriage. "There’s a spot for you two," he added, signaling to the empty space between Rafal and Imbert.

Erin sat between her two brothers, while Nathaniel and Arthur sat next to each other.

Lucian and Rina took their places, with Rina snuggling close to her brother. He wrapped a blanket around her to keep her warm.

"Brother’s warmth is better than this blanket," Rina mumbled.

"You’re getting older now. You need to learn to be on your own," Lucian commented.

"I know. But right now, I’m still a child," she replied with a small smile and accepted the tea cup Rafal handed her. "Thank you, Brother Rafal."

Rafal, usually quiet, gave her a rare smile. "You remind me of Erin when she was your age."

"That means I’m as beautiful as Lady Erin!" Rina exclaimed happily.

"Of course," Rafal replied warmly.

Lucian glanced at Erin, noticing how unusually quiet she looked. Her expression seemed distant, as if something weighed on her mind.

"Erin, do you want tea or wine?" Rowan asked.

"Tea will do," she replied flatly.

"You usually enjoy wine," Rowan pointed out.

"I’m just not in the mood tonight. I’ll have some tea, then head to sleep," she answered firmly.

Rowan didn’t press further and handed her a tea cup.

Everyone had their cups of wine in hand when Arthur finally spoke. "Lucian, how are the matters concerning the territory? Is everything settled?"

It had been over a month since Lucian and Aron began handling important affairs.

"Most of the major matters have been addressed," Lucian replied. "Once winter ends, we’ll take care of the remaining issues."

"Good," Arthur said with a nod. "Now that everything is settling down for you, have you given any thought to marriage?"

Lucian glanced at him, caught off guard by the sudden question.

Arthur clarified, "I know you’ve been focused on your duties as a lord, but marriage is important too. With most of the work already handled, it’s a good time to start thinking about it. What do you say?"

Without hesitation, Lucian hummed, "I should."

Erin’s hand trembled slightly as she held her tea cup. Bitterness surged within her. He had rejected her before, saying he needed to focus on his responsibilities as a lord, and yet it hadn’t even taken him a month to change his mind.

"That’s good to hear," Arthur said, glancing at Nathaniel, who gave him an approving nod. "In that case, I can bring a good marriage proposal for you. A young lady who would be suitable for you—"

"There’s no need," Lucian interrupted politely but firmly. "I can handle it myself."

Arthur, momentarily taken aback, realized that Lucian was a straightforward man who always spoke his mind. "Then I assume you already have someone in mind?" Arthur asked playfully.

"Hmm," Lucian murmured as his gaze briefly passed over Erin, who remained focused on drinking her tea, seemingly unaware of his glance.

Lucian’s admission piqued everyone’s interest, surprising them that he had someone he liked.

Except for Rowan, who was convinced that Lucian was referring to his sister. A smug smile played on his lips. Finally admitting it, huh? Rowan thought. But you won’t get my sister easily. It’ll be her choice whether she wants you or not, and you’ll be begging by the end of it. You blockhead. You dare to hurt her.

Erin, on the other hand, felt deeply hurt by Lucian’s words. So it wasn’t because of his responsibilities as a lord that he rejected me. He already has someone he likes. He look forward to marry that woman, but doesn’t want me to not marry the man I have chosen. I will make sure I marry no one but Aaron and won’t let him change my decision. She finished her tea in one gulp, stood up, and said, "Brother, I’m going to sleep." Without waiting for a response, she headed toward the mattresses spread on the floor.

Rina stood up as well. "Brother, I’ll sleep with Lady Erin. You can come to me once you’re done."

Once the two women left, Rowan seized the moment and asked, "So, who is this mysterious woman who stole your heart, Lucian?"

Lucian, still taken aback by Erin’s abrupt departure, turned to face Rowan, who was grinning in anticipation.

"Yes, we want to know too," Nathaniel and Arthur chimed in.

Lucian, in response, silently emptied his glass of wine and kept quiet, offering no answer.

"Keeping it a secret, huh?" Nathaniel teased. "Never mind—we’ll find out once you marry her."

Arthur smirked and added, "I thought I might propose my sister to you, but never mind." He drained his wine glass and said with a playful grin, "May the deities bless you and that lady you marry with a happy life ahead."

The men continued to drink late into the night, and by the time they finished, Erin and Rina were sound asleep.

"Let’s get some rest," Imbert said, his tone as responsible as ever. Even when he wasn’t leading his knights, he couldn’t abandon his disciplined habits. "We need to leave in the morning."

"All right, Commander. We can’t disobey you," Nathaniel teased, and everyone moved to their places on the neatly arranged mattresses.

Lucian went to check on Rina. She was clearly cold, curled up beside Erin, who had her one arm wrapped around Rina, holding her close in her sleep.

Lucian knelt down, intending to tuck Erin’s hand inside the blanket, but Rowan beat him to it. Gently tucking his sister’s hand beneath the blanket, Rowan said, "There. Now you can take your sister."

Lucian’s gaze lingered on Erin’s peaceful, sleepy face for a moment before he lifted Rina into his arms and carried her to the mattress next to his. Once Rina was settled, Lucian lay down beside her.

The drawing room felt unusually quiet as everyone drifted off to sleep, but Lucian remained awake, staring at the wooden ceiling above him.

When Rina stirred in her sleep, Lucian instinctively turned to pat her, but his gaze fell on Erin, separated by only a small distance.

Just then, Rowan arrived and lay down beside Erin, blocking Lucian’s view.

Rowan smirked knowingly and looked at Lucian. "Staring at a woman while she’s sleeping isn’t exactly appropriate, is it?"

Lucian didn’t respond. He couldn’t deny it—he had been watching Erin and would have continued doing so until sleep finally overtook him. But now...

Lucian turned onto his back to face the ceiling again and closed his eyes.

Rowan’s smirk deepened. The real torment for you begins tomorrow. Sleep as much as you can until then, Lucian.