By the time he got home it was already past five. The moment Koryu stepped through the door, he saw Yan Xianghua—who’d bailed on work early—staring dead at some TV drama.

“We’re going to the Nolan Family’s place for dinner tonight,” Koryu said out of nowhere.

“I know,” Yan Xianghua answered without even turning her head.

“Then shouldn’t you start getting ready? The car’s coming in a bit.” Koryu frowned.

“The one who needs to get ready isn’t me, it’s you. How old are you already, and you still need your mom to prep you just to go out for a meal?” Yan Xianghua said lazily.

“You’re not going?” Something felt off to Koryu the second he heard that. “I’m going alone? That’s walking into the lion’s den. If I go by myself, the whole vibe’s gonna be painfully awkward.”

Hearing that, Yan Xianghua didn’t feel great. She put the remote down at once and stood up.

“Koryu, whose son are you?”

“Why’re you asking that all of a sudden? Don’t tell me you’re gonna say I popped out of a rock?” Koryu tensed up a little.

“Ptui, ptui, ptui. I’m asking, who’s your dad?”

“I guess that would be Koryi,” Koryu answered honestly.

“What do you mean ‘guess’? It is Koryi. Back then your mom was in her prime, beauty enough to shame the moon and flowers. Men chasing me could’ve wrapped around Thorn City’s walls a few times, but in this life your mom’s only ever had your dad.”

“Okay, okay, so what’s your point?” Koryu automatically filtered out a bunch of junk info.

“Can’t you think for a second what Koryi’s specialty is?” Yan Xianghua led him on step by step.

“Skimming extra benefits off his post?”

“He had to get the post first, didn’t he? Try again.” Yan Xianghua smacked her son on the head, hating iron for not becoming steel.

“Networking his way up?” Koryu’s eyes rolled once, and he tried again.

“Wrong! It’s bootlicking!” Yan Xianghua announced, loud and proud.

Koryu thought about it. That… did sound about right.

“How do you think Koryi managed to trick me away back then? The Yan family in southern Thorn is a famous big clan, my father’s standards were sky-high. But didn’t your dad still talk his way through it with that silver tongue of his?”

“Wait a sec, how come the version I heard from the old man was that you threatened and seduced him, forced things to the point of no return, and basically strong-armed him into marriage?” Koryu cut in at once.

Smack! Yan Xianghua slapped him on the back of the head again.

“Those tiny unverified sesame-sized details don’t need to be mentioned. Point is, as a child of the Koryu family, you’re inheriting our glorious tradition. Making people happy, flattering a bit—who can’t do that? When you get to the Nolan Family later, you keep that mouth of yours sweet and try your best to coax all three of their daughters back home for me.”

“You’re literally inciting me to human trafficking here. I just wanna eat a decent meal and casually cancel the engagement with the second young lady in person. For all we know, Lord Hedda called me over for that exact reason,” Koryu grumbled.

But Yan Xianghua just snorted coldly. “Hmph. You think you can brush off this widow and orphan that easily? What about the life-saving favor they did us back then? Hedda better not underestimate Yan Xianghua.”

“Comrade Xianghua, you’re full-on shrew mode right now. Not good for the family image. Calm down,” Koryu said, half crying half laughing. “Besides, I was the one who initiated backing out. Marriage is about matching families. Without that, where’s the happiness supposed to come from?”

“I don’t care. Bottom line, by the end of this year you bring a girl home for me, and next year give me a little one to play with. Settled.” Yan Xianghua paused, then suddenly changed the subject. “Oh right, I took out that custom all‑white suit your dad used to wear. The style’s a bit old, but it still looks pretty classy. You’re wearing that tonight.”

Koryu didn’t even need to think to know this was a terrible idea.

“The old man’s a full one-eighty tall. I barely scrape past one-seventy. If I wear his suit, the pants’ll be dragging all over the floor,” Koryu refused bluntly. “Say no more. I’ve decided I’m going in casualwear. Whatever happens, happens. End of discussion.”

With that, he left Comrade Xianghua behind and clattered up the stairs to the second floor.

Watching his retreating back, Yan Xianghua couldn’t help feeling a bit conflicted. The kid really hadn’t inherited his parents’ good looks. Don’t look at how Koryi’s always smoking, drinking, socializing outside—his figure has always been top-notch, the perfect pretty-boy build. And while Yan Xianghua wasn’t some peerless fairy, she was at least a beauty one-in-a-hundred. Yet when the two of them combined, somehow two positives made a plain-looking negative.

In college, he’d picked an unpopular major and ended up following some weirdo advisor. For three years he practically lived a life out of sync with normal students. If this kept up, there really might come a day when no woman would look twice at her son.

Thinking of that, Yan Xianghua scratched her head, feeling a bit gloomy.

Koryu, though, didn’t overthink it. He changed quickly, then got picked up by the Nolan Family’s extended luxury car.

Counting on his fingers, it had been five years since he last visited the Nolan house—ever since Night died. But what exactly made him so reluctant to face that family? Koryu himself wasn’t sure. He only knew one thing for certain: he had nothing on his conscience, no guilt, no regrets. That much was undeniable.

Right now Koryu was wearing a black turtleneck jacket, dark blue jeans, and a pair of brown canvas shoes. Simple outfit, extremely relaxed.

Returning to this old place after so many years, standing again before the Speaker of the Upper House’s residence, still gleaming gold, Koryu felt a little small. That sense of contrast was easy enough to understand—born from life experience, rooted in class difference. Was a top‑tier thief impressive? No doubt. But he was still just in the ranks of ordinary people. There was no question that even some random security squad captain in this mansion could easily be top‑tier level.

The Nolan Family’s housekeeper was a middle‑aged woman with a slender figure, looking a bit like those strict abbess types in TV dramas—serious and never smiling. After so many years, Koryu still didn’t know her name; he just called her Aunt Lan like everyone else.

“Young Master Koryu, this way please. My lord and the young ladies are waiting in the atrium.”

Koryu gave Aunt Lan a friendly nod, then very carefully kept a step behind her as he followed.

The Nolan estate was built in a square “hui” layout, with the atrium being an open-air garden wrapped in the center. They called it an atrium, but it was huge. The Nolan Family often hosted banquets and meals there.

Stepping into the atrium, Koryu indeed saw the long, luxurious noble dining table he remembered. The snow‑white tablecloth was embroidered with orchids—the Nolan Family’s crest flower. Quite a few dishes and place settings were already laid out on top.

“Koryu? Come, come, sit over here,” Hedda called out. His eyes were sharp; he waved big and wide from afar, greeting warmly.

Beside him, the Nolan matriarch, Nagatani Nianle, smiled gently and nodded to their guest. At the moment, Madam Nolan was personally carrying dishes to the table, setting them down one after another—clear proof she’d cooked them herself.

At her level as the lady of a great house, she didn’t need to do anything personally. Her taking charge of the kitchen tonight was just to show this dinner had some weight.

Koryu, however, was a little depressed when he saw the seating. The head seat at the long table, of course, was Hedda’s. But the spot Hedda waved him toward was the first seat on his right. That felt… a bit off.

“Uncle, long time no see. You haven’t changed at all, still as impressive as when I last saw you years ago. Really makes people jealous,” Koryu said, glancing around. Since none of the Nolan daughters had shown up yet, he could only bite the bullet and sit where Hedda indicated.

“You kid sure know how to talk, but I’m already over fifty. No need for you young folks to be jealous,” Hedda raised a brow, clearly in a good mood. “Dragging you over here on such short notice tonight—I hope I didn’t mess up any plans you had.”

“How could you mess anything up? I’m just an unemployed bum, a long‑term shut‑in. It’s Uncle who’s handling affairs of state every day. For you to spare time from your busy schedule to treat me to dinner really is an honor,” Koryu said, trash‑talking himself as much as possible now so he’d have room later to back out of the engagement.

Around mid‑last year, Hedda Nolan had run for Speaker of the Upper House. Backed by the Nagatani family and with his own formidable clout, he’d practically had no competition, winning the position easily.

“It’s not that bad. Back when I was head of the Knight Order, I was much busier. After moving up a step, I realized I actually have more free time. ‘Speaker’ sounds powerful and does hold real authority, but unless a bill reaches a certain level, it doesn’t even need the Speaker to judge it. The title’s almost more symbolic,” Hedda explained.

The two of them chatted idly for quite a while, and by the time all the dishes were brought out, Nagatani Nianle had finally dismissed the servants around them and quietly sat down at Koryu’s right, taking the second seat on that side.

“Nianle, it’s already past six. How come Rhythm still isn’t back?” Hedda checked the time, a little displeased.

“Dad, Ryuko just took over your position. It’s only her second day. Of course she’s busy. She should be back soon,”

A smooth, feminine voice floated over from the east spiral staircase. A woman came walking down, about one‑seventy‑five tall, a few centimeters taller than Koryu. Her light golden hair fell in beachy waves, and the way she moved was almost like a catwalk, making her whole presence quietly seductive. Compared to the sharp features of many pure‑blooded Westerners, Nora Nolan’s lines were softer, her curves gentler. She was like fluffy spring grass, muting what might’ve been a darker wild streak, and her perfect figure made her femininity stand out to the extreme.

“Hi, Nora.”

Koryu’s heart gave a little tremor. Compared to Hedda, the one he resisted more—was even a bit afraid of—was this woman in front of him.

“Little Koryu, it’s been years. Let sis see if you’ve picked up any masculine charm. Have you been hooking girls outside?” Nora’s tone sounded light, but she didn’t make any warm, sisterly gestures. She just pulled out the chair that was hers and sat down smoothly.

“You’re joking, Nora. You know what I’m like. Girls these days aren’t exactly into it,” Koryu said, rubbing his nose. Anyone who didn’t know Nora’s personality might think she was either egging him on or mocking him.

The Nolan Family’s three snow‑lotus daughters had been famous beauties since long ago. Even if Koryu lived a bit out of touch with society, he wasn’t that oblivious.

“Dad says after you graduated from Du Zhe, you stayed home for three years?”

“Yeah. My school wasn’t anything great, and my class isn’t a popular job. I’ve never managed to find work,” Koryu answered honestly again.

“But Koryu, didn’t you already find a job?” Nagatani Nianle clearly didn’t want the topic to get awkward—after all, a long idle gap never looks good on anyone’s record. “You’re a lecturer at Thorn University now. That’s a pretty good position. Nora, don’t you also have a part‑time guest professorship there? You two will be colleagues. Nora, you’ll have to take good care of Koryu.”

Guest professor? The title startled Koryu. He knew what kind of place Thorn University was. Their guest professors were all big names—either political figures or entrepreneurs and scholars with serious achievements in their fields.

“Nora, you really are amazing. I’m impressed,” Koryu said, genuinely. But as for being “taken care of,” he’d pass if he could. Who knew how Nora would treat him after he backed out of the engagement.

Of course, what he really hoped was that she’d bring it up first. That way the Nolan Family could save face and they could part on good terms. Worst‑case scenario would be if they wanted to break it off, but he was tactless enough to bring it up ahead of them. That would be bad.

“Was it because of the letter of recommendation from Father?”

Koryu hadn’t expected Nora to call it out so bluntly.

Just as the air was turning awkward, a soft breeze pushed open the front hall doors, and a woman in a knight’s cloak walked in.

How overwhelming did her presence have to be, for the spacious atrium to feel like it had been set on fire the moment she appeared? The whole space seemed to be washed in a faint radiance, a hundred soft lights descending at once. Koryu had only ever seen this kind of glow during ceremonies in the holy cathedral, when a saint of archbishop rank presided.

Koryu muttered to himself that this woman was getting more and more ridiculous. They hadn’t seen each other in years, but she was hardly a stranger. Yet every time they met, he felt his heart get twisted just a little. That soul-deep jolt was anything but pleasant.

She was around one-seventy in height, long silver hair hanging straight down. With each soft yet steady step, it stirred the air and drifted over the purple‑gold cloak on her shoulders. On top she wore a close‑fitting white martial jacket, the Thorn sigil carved on the left, brambles printed on the right. Below were light gray leather pants and tall knight’s boots.

Every advantage of mixed human–elf blood had been perfected in this woman.

If you asked Koryu what words he could still use to describe her after all these years apart, it could only be that overused phrase: “like a dream, like an illusion.”

Even Koryu vaguely noticed that Lady Nora and Hedda both had something different in their eyes when they looked at Rhythm Nolan. Compared to their gaze toward their own daughter, there was an extra, faintly strange respect.

“Ryuko, sit over here.” Nora was warm as ever, patting the seat at her right hand, first on the left side of the long table.

“Sorry I’m late.” Her voice floated out like a breeze reciting poetry; those few simple words sounded like sunlight singing. Koryu decided he had to ignore this woman. This was bad. Every tiny detail about her was so bewitching, no wonder every man in the capital was crazy for her.

But once his thoughts turned, Koryu suddenly panicked. How on earth had he ever had the guts to turn down a marriage with a woman this perfect?

While he was trying to convince himself, strategically, to look down on her and mentally erase her presence, he steadied his breathing and raised his head. Oh, come on. Whether Nora had done it on purpose or not, somehow Rhythm Nolan had ended up sitting directly across from him.

The table wasn’t that wide. They sat face to face, barely more than two meters apart.

After a bowl of soup and a few bites of food, Hedda and the other three were eating unusually quietly. Koryu’s mind was spinning with thoughts, and every dish in his mouth tasted like wax.

“Koryu, when was the last time you visited?” Hedda finally broke the silence.

The moment real business came up, Koryu unconsciously straightened his back.

“Uncle, that was five years ago, after the seven-day vigil for Night’s passing.” Koryu couldn’t help stepping right on the sore spot. “Later, because my rogue‑class mentor from the Capital University needed me to go on external training, I never really had time to come back to the capital.”

After that he’d “graduated” and supposedly buried himself at home, focusing on research for some shut‑in higher degree. But whether he had really stayed home all that time—no one could say for sure.

“Night’s been gone for five years now,” Hedda said suddenly, sighing.

It was a pity. Even as Night grew older, she’d never turned into a beauty. That round, doll‑like face of hers always made Koryu want to pinch her cheeks whenever he saw her.

Thinking of that, a faint smile slipped out on Koryu’s lips.

The problem was, this was absolutely the wrong time to be smiling. The timing was almost eerily off.

“Thinking about little Night?” Nora asked out of nowhere.

“Just remembered a few funny things,” Koryu said, a little grateful Nora had thrown him that lifeline.

“Good thing Yixiao’s out sketching from life,” Nora nodded. “Back then, she and Night pinched your face the most. That kid really didn’t like you much.”

“These five years, we’ve never really had a proper gathering. Koryu, your uncle had his reasons. I hope you can understand.” Hedda set his chopsticks down and fixed his eyes on Koryu.

Now this was more like it. All he had to do was explain the reasons, and the engagement could finally be dissolved. That was exactly how Koryu pictured it.

“These last few years my political enemies have been on my throat,” Hedda went on. “I was afraid if I kept in close contact with you, you’d get targeted from all sides as well. I’ve run into a few dozen assassination attempts, big and small. Fortunately, I became Speaker of the Council last year, so that threat’s basically gone.” He continued, “And besides, Rhythm successfully took over as Captain of the Royal Knights. She’s reached a peak. Things have stabilized recently. To put it bluntly, in terms of military office, there’s no higher position for her to be promoted to.”

It made sense. The whole family was already standing at the very top of the empire. The Speaker of the Council was basically half a step away from being prime minister—if not higher. Prime ministers rotated every few years, but the Speaker, like the Chief Justice, was a lifetime appointment. One person beneath the emperor, over ten thousand people below. And the prime minister still had to glance back at the two great houses behind Hedda before making any move.

On top of that, beyond the council, there was the empire’s military authority: the Royal Knights, the noblest symbol of Thorn’s tradition, five thousand elite warriors at minimum. The captaincy of that order had been formally passed to Rhythm. At just twenty‑two, she wasn’t only the youngest honorary paladin in imperial history; she was also the first captain under thirty, breaking records left and right and letting the Nolan Family reap a double victory in both politics and the military.

Since everything had settled down, it was only natural to start marrying the daughters into good families. That was how Koryu saw it.

Rumor had it that Sorens XII was thinking of having Prince Dadar marry Rhythm Nolan. If the family could enter the royal house and mix their blood with the royal line, that was the kind of dream any noble clan would kill for.

So Koryu could already see the words of dissolution forming on Hedda’s lips.

“So, Koryu, look,” Hedda said, rubbing his hands nervously. “Now that Rhythm’s situation’s stable, and you’ve at least found yourself some job, when do you two plan to actually hold the wedding?”

Before he even finished the sentence, Koryu sprayed a whole mouthful of food all over the table.