The Devil's Betrothed-Chapter 734: A Guest

The next morning, they all returned to the main residence of the estate. As their horses and carriage stopped in front of the mansion’s gate, they noticed they had a guest waiting.

"Who could it be?" Arthur wondered aloud.

"I know," Rowan replied with a sly smile.

They all made their way inside, only to find Aaron speaking with the butler.

"...I will send a message to the Lord—" the butler was saying, but Nathaniel interrupted him.

"No need. We’re already here!" he said, striding toward his best friend with long steps and embracing him. "Finally, you decided to visit me!"

Aaron hugged him back, and as they released each other, he explained, "That too, but I received a message saying that Rina was sick, so I hurried back from..." His words trailed off as his gaze landed on the young lady walking beside Lucian.

"Sick? I’m not sick," Rina said, blinking in confusion.

Aaron looked puzzled, and Nathaniel asked, "She’s clearly not sick, so who was the genius who sent that message and lured you back here?"

"You should thank me," Rowan announced, stepping forward with a mischievous grin. "As a reward, I’ll take a soak in your lavish bath."

Nathaniel frowned but conceded with a sigh, knowing Aaron’s presence was more important. "Alright."

Rowan turned to Aaron. "I had to do it, dear brother-in-law, or you’d never have shown up today."

Aaron, unsure how to respond, turned to Rina. "I’m glad you’re okay. Make sure to keep yourself warm."

Rina went to him and hugged him, "And I am glad you are here as well, brother Aaron. I missed you."

Aaron felt warmth spreading in his heart seeing her genuine affection towards him. There was no need for the blood ties, she was truly his little sister.

"You care for your sister, but what about my sister?" Rowan interjected, his tone turning displeased. "She traveled all this way just to meet you, and yet you never even bothered to visit her."

Aaron turned to Erin with a guilty expression. "Apologies. I’ve been busy with some important matters."

Erin gave him a small, polite nod. "It’s alright."

"Now that you’re here, I’ll make sure you spend more time with her," Rowan added with a sly grin. "That way, after your wedding, she won’t feel like she’s married a stranger."

Lucian remained calm on the surface, but inside, his heart and mind were anything but. He glanced at Erin, who seemed pleased to see Aaron, and a burning sensation spread through his chest.

"Alright, let’s head inside first," Nathaniel instructed, while the butler went off to arrange breakfast for everyone after their cold journey.

Erin and Rina returned to their chambers to freshen up, while the men made their way to Nathaniel’s side of the residence.

Once everyone had refreshed themselves, they gathered around the breakfast table. Erin and Rina arrived together.

As Erin took her seat, Rina was about to sit next to her when Rowan spoke up. "Young lady, how about you sit next to me—the handsome man who even offered to marry you?"

Rina giggled and eagerly plopped down beside him. Rowan patted her head. "Good girl. Also, let’s let my sister sit next to your brother—they are going to marry, after all."

Rina nodded. "You’re right."

However, Lucian had already seated himself next to Erin.

"Brother Lucian, Brother Aaron was supposed to sit there," Rina pointed out.

"It’s alright, Rina," Aaron said with a small smile, taking a seat next to Nathaniel, his close friend.

Erin turned to look at Lucian who looked back at her as well. She gritted her teeth, her gaze clearly displeased.

Her gaze as if asking him, ’How dare you try to keep me away from Aaron?’

While Lucian meant, ’I would be the only one sitting next to you.’

Rowan smirked lightly, but then received a glare from his younger brother Rafal, who clearly didn’t like what Rowan was doing.

In response, Rowan shrugged his shoulders and turned to Aaron. "Aaron, you are returning soon or plan to stay here?"

"I plan to take you all back with me to my estate," Aaron replied.

"That’s good. Then we will trouble you with our stay in your residence," Rowan added.

Aaron hummed, "Servants have already been told to make arrangements."

Rowan turned to Erin, "Seems like you would be staying in the room meant for the lady of the estate even before you get married."

Before Erin could respond, someone else spoke, "It would be inappropriate. She would stay at Rainiers. Mother would take better care of her."

"Seems like Lucian still didn’t forget he was Erin’s bodyguard and is still trying to protect her," Rowan chuckled, "But she would be alright at Wynters."

"Lucian is right," Aaron spoke, "And whether she stays at Rainers, it’s the same thing."

"Alright, as you two, the lords of the north-east decided, what can I, the guest, say about it?" Rowan gave in.

On the other hand, Erin’s heart raced. ’Staying at Rainiers? why did Lucian suggest it? Seems like he won’t give up on breaking my marriage with Aaron. He can dream on.’

After the breakfast when they are were talking, Rowan said, "Aaron, instead of talking to us men, shouldn’t you offer my sister for a walk with you, so you two can talk?"

Aaron looked at him, and heard him again, "I know you have no experience with women, but you can learn with my sister. That way it would be easier for her as well. I simply care for my sister’s future, so I suggested. Do you mind?"

Aaron looked at Erin, who looked back at him.

"I know my sister doesn’t mind. She is not like those conservative ladies who follow the strict rules. I have made my sister more liberal," Rowan added. "Now get up and go with her already."

"Rowan is right," Nathaniel patted his shoulder and encouraged Aaron to go with Erin.

Aaron stood up quietly and Rowan looked at his sister, "You shall go with him."

Erin obeyed her brother and stood up as well.

Lucian had no way to stop them and clenched his fists, looking at how willing Erin looked to go with Aaron.

As Aaron and Erin walked side by side along the corridor, Rowan called him, "Aaron, after living a life of mercenary, have you forgotten the manners of nobles?"

Aaron turned look at him and heard him again, "You are walking with a Noble lady, so you shall act like a Noble man that you are."

Aaron looked at Erin, who explained it to him, "He meant you should offer me to hold your arm."

Aaron understood, but felt puzzled as he never did it before.

Erin decided to help him. "Like this," she moved his hand to fold in front of him and then held his arm gently."

"Thank you," he said and the two walked ahead.

"They make a perfect pair," Rowan said and sat leisurely in the chair.

"You are right, brother Rowan," Rina giggled as she watched the two walking away, "I can’t wait to have Lady Erin as my sister-in-law soon."

Lucian, who didn’t like it at all, stood up and left somewhere, while others looked at him feeling puzzled.

They heard Rowan laughing a little.

Rafal shook his head and he warned his brother, "You should stop all this."

"I have just started," Rowan said smugly. ’I won’t spare anyone who ever hurt my precious piece of heart.’