"These high heels are killing me."

Kevin grumbled inwardly as he descended the stairs. He just couldn’t fathom why such shoes existed—they were utterly useless except for looking pretty.

A tender gaze landed on him. He met it head-on without flinching. Before his eyes stood Gali’s handsome figure, sparking a trace of surprise. He hadn’t expected Gali to dress so formally and look this dashing.

But he instantly realized Gali was serious. It’d been ages since he’d seen him in a suit. Though Gali’s charm was less than a ten-thousandth of his own, he’d reluctantly offer some praise.

"Ga… Brave Sir, we meet again. I am Kallen Kaslana. It’s a great honor to see you. You look very handsome today."

With Hanna’s support, she shuffled toward Gali and spoke slowly. She’d almost called him by his real name—habits were truly terrifying things.

Yet Gali seemed oblivious. His eyes were locked on her, swirling with emotions. He even looked ready to reach out and touch her.

Something felt off about Gali.

"Miss Kallen, the honor is mine. You look absolutely stunning today."

Gali lost control. He gently grasped Kevin’s fair hand, bowed his head, and lightly kissed the back. This touch, this scent, this warmth—undeniably familiar.

But lost in tenderness, Gali missed the veins bulging on Kevin’s beautiful face. Kevin glared at him like trash, raised his free hand to strike hard, ready to knock him out and drag him away.

The silent urging of the "parents" around him made him pause. He took a deep breath, barely reining in his rage. Ever since becoming a woman, his emotions had been unstable.

Gali’s act—a man kissing another man—felt nauseating. Though he was a woman now, it shouldn’t matter.

But it was disgusting, disgusting, disgusting. Hang in there, Kevin. This is all for the final victory.

"Hahaha, Brave Sir, please take your seat. Look, my daughter is blushing."

Carlos sensed the tension and rushed to lighten the mood with forced laughter. Whether it worked was uncertain.

"I’m sorry, Miss Kallen. I lost my composure. I hope you forgive me."

Hearing Carlos’s voice, Gali snapped out of it, realizing he’d overstepped. Reluctantly, he released Kevin’s hand.

"It’s fine."

Kevin replied in a tone as calm as still water, laced with coldness. He slowly withdrew his hand, turned away nonchalantly, as if nothing happened.

Once everyone sat down, Carlos, head of the Kaslana family, began eating first. Only then did the clatter of dining fill the table.

Carlos kept pouring wine for Gali—glass after glass of deep red wine like blood. Its rich aroma flooded the hall. Maids served dish after dish, and the atmosphere warmed up nicely.

Gari Barodale’s gaze never left Kallen nearby. Kevin idly poked at fruit with his fork, clearly not eating.

He’d never learned noble etiquette. As an adventurer, he was used to feasting heartily. Though his stomach growled, he’d wait until Gali left.

"Brave Sir, I heard you have a son, is that right?"

Carlos casually raised his wine glass, asking in a flat tone like small talk. After all, Lord Kevin’s order was for the Brave Sir to back off.

"Yes, but our relationship is strained. It’s all my fault—I neglected him since childhood."

Gali’s voice turned gloomy. Kevin silently agreed in his heart. Henry turned out this way because of you, a father who only drank all day.

"I wonder, Miss Kallen, are you betrothed?"

Curiosity overwhelmed Gali. He asked cautiously. If she was betrothed, he’d get Kevin to dissolve it. This time, he wouldn’t let go—never again.

"Hahahaha, Brave Sir, my daughter isn’t betrothed. Our family is so secretive; few know of us. How could there be a betrothal?"

Carlos’s loud laughter echoed through the hall. Gali breathed a sigh of relief. But the next words silenced everyone.

"By the way, Brave Sir, your son isn’t married yet, is he?"

"Yes, Carlos, what do you mean?" Gali sensed trouble but couldn’t grasp it.

"Your daughter is of marriageable age. Your son is single. Why not unite our families? What do you think, Brave Sir?"

Carlos said this—the puppet core’s optimal solution to make Gali retreat.

"?" Kevin froze, dumbfounded. In his heart, he sighed: *This puppet should be dismantled.* He decided to leave first.

"Mother, Father, Brave Sir, I’ll take my leave. Please enjoy your meal."

Her ethereal voice broke the silence. The fading click of high heels filled the air. Gali watched her stunning, familiar back. A thousand thoughts surged, then dissolved like smoke.

"Carlos, I’m sorry. I can’t answer that. Please excuse me."

Gali followed Miss Kallen without another word. Carlos and Shak tried to stop him, but it was too late.

"This hurts like hell, but at least it’s over."

Kevin sat on a wooden bench in the garden center. He kicked off the crystal high heels, letting his bare feet swing. He slumped over the table, exhausted. His role was just to make an appearance; the puppets could handle the rest.

Hanna had been sent to fetch food from the kitchen.

Butterflies gathered around him, fluttering as drowsiness crept in. Then, a crisp male voice sounded nearby.

"Miss Kallen, I have something to tell you."

"Huh? Gali?"

The unexpected voice jolted Kevin awake. Off-balance, he tipped backward with the chair.

"Eh? Eh? Eh~"

Just as he hit the ground, a sonic boom echoed in his ear. Gali caught him firmly. Now, they were inches apart.

"Miss Kallen, let’s talk alone."