The carriage wheels rattled over cobblestone as we left the Mage’s Cathedral behind. The ride was smooth, and the streets in these higher districts were clearly better maintained than those near the guilds or the royal quarter. This part of the city was unfamiliar to me, an area of clean lanes, manicured hedges, and tall walls that kept prying eyes away from wealthy families.

  We passed estate after estate, each with its own distinct crest etched in iron above arched gates. Ornate lanterns lined the roads, casting afternoon light across white stone facades and sprawling gardens. It wasn’t just wealth, it was old wealth. The kind people tried to wear like armor.

  Eventually, our carriage passed through a pair of darkwood gates flanked by flowering pear trees. The road curved gently, winding us past long rows of fruit trees in full bloom. The air smelled sweet, fresh, clean, and vaguely familiar. Marlena leaned forward to look out the window but said nothing.

  At the end of the path, a tall manor made of cream-colored stone stood, covered in deep green ivy. It was multi-story with tall windows and wraparound balconies. The house exuded a quiet pride, as if it didn’t need to show off, because it simply was. The coach stopped beneath a portico supported by carved marble pillars.

  A small team of uniformed staff appeared before the wheels had fully stopped. The head footman opened the carriage door and gave a respectful bow. I stepped down first, adjusting the cuffs of my jacket and glancing back at the women inside. With a half-smile, I offered my hand.

  Seraphina was first, accepting with a regal ease that would’ve made a queen envy. “Well,” she said as she looked up at the manor, “at least someone inherited good taste.”

  Allira followed, grinning despite herself. “Do you think they’ll let me pick some fruit on the way out?”

  “Only if we survive the encounter,” I muttered playfully.

  Last was Marlena. She hesitated just for a moment. Then she took my hand and stepped down, her face steady, but I could feel the tension in her fingers. I gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “You ready for this?”

  She nodded, gazing at the house as if it were both a battleground and a birthplace. “Let’s find out.”

  At the top of the stone stairs, two figures stood framed by the tall oak doors: Marlena’s parents. Her father had a stern, square face that seemed carved from the same stone as the manor, and he carried himself with the confidence of someone long accustomed to command. Her mother, elegant in a deep blue gown with silver trim, possessed the kind of refined beauty that doesn’t fade with age, a graceful posture, and steel in her gaze.

  I stepped forward first and offered a slight bow. “Lord Ranulf. Lady Celestina. I’m David Robertson, Earl of Brakenreach.”

  Seraphina moved next to me and gave a respectful nod. “Seraphina Robertson.”

  Then Allira, hands folded and posture perfect, said, “Allira Robertson. An honor.”

  Marlena was the last to emerge, just behind Allira. Her steps were slower and more cautious, and when her mother’s eyes met hers, a connection passed between them, difficult to interpret, but not unkind. “Mother… Father.” She said and gave a slight bow.

  Lady Celestina offered a polite smile. “Welcome, Earl Robertson. And ladies. Please, come inside.”

  Lord Ranulf nodded. “We’ve prepared a place to talk.”

  They led us into a bright sitting room off the main hall. The ceiling curved with carved beams, and the walls were painted in soft golden tones. Tall windows let in sunlight, spilling across the polished floors and stylish furniture. Every detail in the room was arranged for comfort without being excessive.

  At the center, a long plush couch and several high-backed chairs created a quiet space for conversation. They gestured toward it, and I paused politely until my wives chose their seats. Seraphina sat with casual elegance at one end of the couch, Allira beside her. Marlena quietly settled into the corner near the fireplace. Only after they were seated did I take the remaining space beside Seraphina.

  The waitstaff returned silently, placing a tray of crystal glasses, a carafe of chilled fruit water, and a silver dish of sweets. Then, as quietly as before, they left, shutting the doors behind them.

  Celestina sat across from us in a high-backed chair, hands resting calmly in her lap. Ranulf remained standing near the fireplace, one hand braced on the mantle.

  I set the glass down with a quiet clink and looked up at Marlena’s parents. “The tea is excellent. Please thank your staff for their hospitality.”

  They nodded, and I leaned forward slightly, not bothering with polite buildup. “Marlena passed her advancement exam today. In two days, she’ll be recognized as a High Mage. And before the ceremony, I want to understand something clearly and honestly,” I paused a moment looking at the tea cup in my hands. When I raised my head, I asked my question at hand. ”Why was an arranged marriage set up for her?”

  Both Celestina and Ranulf stiffened at once. Her mother’s smile faltered. Her father’s fingers curled tighter on the mantel.

  “That,” Ranulf said sharply, “is a family matter.”

  “It is,” Celestina added. “And while we appreciate your concern, Earl Robertson, I’m afraid it’s not your place…”

  I didn’t let them finish.

  From the pocket of my jacket, I drew a small velvet pouch and carefully pulled out the silver band. Marlena’s ring. Without a word, I stood and walked over to my mage sitting in the corner and gently took her hand in mine. I slid the ring onto her finger. Marlena gasped, a soft, shaky sound, and her parents both froze.

  “We decided not to celebrate until after the test’s announcement. But circumstances seem to be disrupting our plans,” Marlena said, raising her hand so they could see the ring glinting in the morning light. “But it’s true. We were blessed last week.” Seraphina and Allira both held up their hands to show that their rings matched Marlena’s.

  Celestina’s mouth parted, but no words came out.

  I looked directly at Ranulf. “You just told me it’s a family matter,” I said quietly. “Then let me be very clear, as you can see, Marlena is my family. And I will not allow anyone to make any arrangements, apply any pressure, or make any threats to hurt her. Not now. Not ever.”

  Marlena’s eyes shimmered, her lip trembling as Seraphina slid over to her side and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. Allira followed a moment later, taking her other hand and holding it gently.

  Both of them leaned into her, no words needed. Just presence. Just strength.

  I sat back, calm and steady. The silence in the room was thick, heavy. Letting it linger.

  “Now,” I said after a beat, “if you’d still like to discuss family matters, we can do so as equals. If not, we will depart.”

  Celestina’s eyes brimmed, and then the tears came quietly but unrestrained. She stood slowly, clasping her hands to her chest as she looked at Marlena, then to me, and back again.

  “My daughter,” she whispered. “Are you truly happy?”

  Marlena, still nestled between Seraphina and Allira, nodded. “I am, Mother.”

  Ranulf exhaled deeply through his nose, blinking away the moisture that stubbornly clung to his eyes. He cleared his throat once, then again, before finally managing to say, “Then I suppose congratulations are in order.”

  I gave them a moment to breathe and process, then asked again, this time in a calmer tone. “Now, please. Tell me about the arranged marriage. What consequences are we facing?”

  Ranulf’s expression darkened as he sat down again. “The Sinthurk family. They’ve had a grip on us for years. Halden’s father, when he was alive, and I have been long-time childhood rivals. Early in our mage training, I fell in love with a very talented mage,” he reached out to hold his wife’s hand. “You could say it was jealousy. Whatever it was. Ever since then, he had started mostly with quiet pressure. But when Amiles, Marlena’s older brother, was injured a few months ago, things changed. Amiles was supposed to go to Eldros to formalize a new trade agreement, but Halden started pushing after my son fell ill. Claimed it would help keep ‘ties strong.’ He’s a bastard, that Halden.”

  Celestina continued patting her husband’s arm, “When we hesitated, they started cutting off supply lines. Our storefronts rely on trade routes for most of our inventory: herbs, inks, enchanted paper, and rare minerals. They’re draining us. Gradually.”

  Ranulf nodded. “We have debts and liens, Earl Robertson. And without a steady product income, our shelves stay bare. We’ve kept it afloat so far, but only just. We figure that we have no more than six weeks, if we don’t start letting our faithful employees go.”

  I stood.

  Both Ranulf and Celestina instinctively rose with me.

  I stepped forward and extended my hand to Ranulf. “Then let’s fix that. We’re family now. And I take care of my family.”

  Ranulf looked at my hand for a beat, then gripped it firmly, his fingers shaking just slightly.

  “Bring me everything,” I said. “The lien paperwork. A full report on your supply chains. Inventory lists. Any assets or skills your house can provide. Let’s say Tomorrow. Bring it to the Black Tower at about noon. Talk to the receptionist, Misty, when you arrive.”

  Celestina opened her mouth slightly, confused. Ranulf’s brow furrowed, then lifted. The realization clicked behind both of their eyes like a door unlocking.

  “The Black Tower?” Ranulf echoed.

  “You’re… the one they’re talking about…” Celestina murmured.

  I just smiled and turned toward Marlena, offering her my arm.

  As she stood and slipped her hand through mine, I could feel her pulse fast and strong.

  “We’ll see you tomorrow,” I said gently. “And we’ll handle this. Together.”

  We walked out as quietly as we had entered, leaving behind a stunned silence and the scent of cooling tea.

  The scent of wildflowers filled the air as Marlena sank onto the couch beside me, her damp hair curling slightly at the ends where it clung to her shoulders. She pulled her legs up beneath her and rested one hand on my arm, the other tucked into the folds of her robe. Despite the warmth of the sitting room and the soft sounds of lunch being prepared in the kitchen, her fingers remained tense against my sleeve.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  “They’ll come,” she murmured. “But I don’t know which version of them we’ll get.”

  I glanced up from the Magescript: Advanced Circuits and Embedding Techniques volume, closing it over my finger to mark the page. “Parents or nobles?”

  She smiled faintly, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Both.”

  I leaned toward her and gave her a quick kiss on the temple. “We’ll handle it.”

  She exhaled slowly and leaned into me, eyes fixed somewhere far away.

  From the kitchen, I heard the clatter of pans and the quiet voices of Seraphina and the housemaids. Whatever they were preparing, it involved a lot of something, maybe bread or stew. Seraphina hadn’t told me, just waved me out of the room with a flour-covered hand earlier, and asked me to be patient.

  I looked back at Marlena. “How many do you think will come?”

  “Six or seven, probably,” she said. “My parents. Both brothers and their wives. I doubt my nephew will be there, but you never know.”

  I nodded. “Good to know. We’ll be ready.”

  Allyson’s voice rang out through the quiet sitting room, precise and calm as always. “Master, there are several individuals at the entrance to the tower. They have identified themselves as Ranulf and Celestina Valen.”

  I closed the book in my lap and glanced toward Marlena. “How many?”

  There was a short pause before Allyson replied. “Seven.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “So, your whole family?”

  Marlena sighed and gave a resigned little nod. “Most likely. That would be both of my brothers, their wives, and probably my nephew as well. I suppose everyone wanted a look at the place.”

  Before I could respond, a knock sounded through the chamber. One of the housemaids hurried to the door and pulled it open, bowing as she admitted the guests.

  Seraphina was already beside me, brushing a few flour smudges from her apron. She straightened her posture as the family stepped through the entry. Marlena walked ahead of us, her steps quickening when she saw her parents.

  “Mother! Father!” Marlena’s voice was warm and genuine as she stepped forward to hug both of them. The tension from this morning seemed to dissolve the moment she was in their arms.

  Ranulf looked like he hadn’t slept well; his shoulders were a little too tight under his jacket. Celestina’s eyes were already misty, though her smile was genuine.

  “Marlena,” her mother said, holding her at arm’s length to look her over. “You look radiant.”

  “It’s the bath,” Marlena said with a soft laugh.

  That earned a blink from one of her brothers, but before anyone could speak, I stepped forward with Seraphina at my side.

  “Lord Ranulf, Lady Celestina,” I said, bowing slightly, “welcome to the Engineer’s Tower. I’m David, Earl of Brakenreach, and the current master of this tower. This is sweet wife Seraphina, and you’ve already met my other wife, Allira, though she’s out this morning.”

  Ranulf returned the gesture with a shallow bow, his eyes sweeping the chamber. “It’s not what I expected. Larger.”

  Celestina looked up at the walls, visibly taken in by the clean black stone and faintly glowing panels. “And very unlike anything I’ve ever seen.”

  “It’s part home,” Seraphina said gently, “part workshop. You’ll see.”

  I turned to the rest of the group: Marlena’s two brothers, their wives, and yes, a young boy peeking curiously around one of their legs. “Come in,” I said with a smile. “Lunch is nearly ready. We’ve got a lot to go over.”

  They followed us deeper into the residence, the air filled with a quiet mixture of curiosity and nerves. Behind me, Marlena walked beside her mother, their arms linked, already speaking in soft, private tones. Whatever came next, I knew this was the first step toward mending something that had long been left strained.

  As Marlena’s family stepped deeper into the residence, she gently guided each of them forward.

  “This is my eldest brother, Amiles,” she said, gesturing to the tall man with sandy-brown hair and a slight limp. “And this is Alaric, my younger brother. His wife is Colette, and Amiles’ wife is Amabel.”

  The brothers offered polite handshakes, their expressions tight with uncertainty.

  Seraphina guided them into the main sitting area, where the housemaids were already setting down trays of tea, small cakes, and buttered bread. Everyone found their seats, and I remained close to Marlena, who’d taken the place beside her mother on the long couch.

  Marlena’s oldest brother, Amiles, leaned forward, fingers laced, posture respectful but curious.

  “So, Earl Robertson,” he began, “what exactly can our family do for you? When our parents told us we were traveling to the Black Tower, I was confused. That place hasn’t opened in centuries, and now suddenly, it’s active again. And now we find out you’re the Engineer. And my sister is working with you?”

  I met his gaze and nodded. “Yes, this tower is mine. And I hold the title of Earl of Brakenreach. I have a lot to offer to the right partners. But that brings me to a question for your whole family.” I paused for a beat, letting the weight settle. “What happens when the Sinthurks find out some of your contracts and side deals with them are no longer valid?”

  Amiles frowned. “Broken? We haven’t broken any contracts.”

  I glanced at Marlena, took her hand, and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Well, your sister doesn’t work for me,” I said, and before I could continue, Marlena spoke up, her voice calm but firm.

  “I passed the High Mage Exam yesterday,” she said. “And… David and I have been married for the past week.”

  I could see the ripple of change pass through Marlena’s family as her words sank in. A strange mix of happiness and panic. Her younger brother looked thrilled, practically glowing at the news. The older one just stared, stunned.

  Then Amiles muttered, almost to himself, “We’re ruined.”

  I gave it a beat before speaking. “So. Now that it’s out there, what can we do together to move forward?”

  Amiles stood abruptly and began to pace. “We’re ruined,” he repeated, louder this time. “Without that marriage to the Sinthurks, they’ll sic the banks on us. Force them to call in our liens. We don’t have that kind of money.”

  I stayed seated, still holding Marlena’s hand. “So, it’s only money. That is a good starting point. Ranulf, do you have what I asked for yesterday?”

  “Yes, my lord,” he said, lifting the satchel from beside his chair. “It’s all here.”

  Seraphina walked over to him, voice cool and composed. “Let’s move to that table and sort it out.”

  She and Ranulf crossed to the adjacent table and began laying out documents, debt ledgers, land claims, and merchant contracts. Amiles stared at them, trying to make sense of it.

  Then he turned sharply to his mother. “You knew about this?”

  Celestina met his gaze calmly. “Yes, dear. David and Marlena came to us yesterday. They said they wanted to help us clear the family’s debts. We didn’t know every detail, but we came here to listen. Just like you.”

  “You knew about the marriage?” Alaric Marlena’s younger brother asked.

  “We found that out yesterday as well,” she replied.

  Amabel, Amiles’ wife, shifted the child on her hip and spoke softly. “I’m sorry to ask, David, but… how can you afford to do this?”

  I scratched the back of my head, heat rising in my cheeks. “Well… Allyson, my assistant, told me a few days ago that I’m quite a bit wealthier than I realized. When I was granted control of the Tower, I didn’t just inherit the building. I inherited the entire wealth of every Engineer who ever held it.”

  The silence that followed settled heavily like a thick blanket. Eyes widened. A fork clicked against a plate. No one took a breath for a moment.

  So, yes, I continued, setting my cup down carefully, I can cover your liens. But that’s just the start. I want to invest in Brakenreach, really invest. Roads, aqueducts, schools. Infrastructure, services, education. But I can’t do it alone. I’ll need strong business partners with roots here—families with resources and networks who can work alongside me. I let my gaze move slowly across them, steady but supportive. What you need is stability. That begins with fixing your books. Which leads me to a question.

  I leaned back, crossing my arms. “Has anyone ever wondered why the Sinthurks are so insistent on this marriage arrangement? What exactly are they getting out of it?”

  The effect was immediate. Amiles’ two brothers froze, their eyes darting toward their father like guilty schoolboys waiting for a cue. Amiles cleared his throat, fumbling. “I… I’m not sure. I don’t think we ever asked. There was… a helping hand, once.”

  I sipped my tea and let the silence hang, watching the discomfort grow. Across the room, Marlena and her sisters-in-law, Amabel and Colette, slipped into easier chatter about neighbors, children, and recipes. Ordinary conversation. Typical family stuff. The sound was strangely comforting against the sharp edge of what we had just uncovered.

  As they spoke, my eyes caught the faint shimmer of magical tattoos on both women’s arms. Clearly, they were mages. Amabel’s markings were the deep red of a fire mage, while Colette’s were more layered flickers of orange intertwined with pale silver. A hybrid? Maybe fire and air. I made a mental note: I’d like to study their patterns and compare them to Marlena’s. There was something fascinating about how Classes expressed themselves through physical signs like that.

  A soft voice broke my thoughts.

  “Master,” Allyson said, leaning close behind my chair. “There are three people here to speak with you. A messenger from the crown and two guards.”

  I gave her a nod. “Send them up, please. And thank you.”

  Then I leaned toward Marlena and whispered, “We’ve got company.”

  Several minutes passed in quiet conversation before a knock echoed at the residence door. Allyson answered it, then motioned for the three visitors to approach. I was still seated beside Marlena when the messenger stepped forward and bowed politely.

  It was the same woman who had delivered the King’s invitation weeks ago.

  I stood to greet her. “Welcome back,” I said, extending a hand.

  She returned the gesture with practiced grace and handed me a sealed envelope. “This is a letter of invitation from His Highness, the King,” she said. “A formal response, written or verbal, is required.” I nodded and broke the seal.

  While I unfolded the letter, Marlena stood and offered refreshments to the visitors. Allyson gestured to one of the housemaids, who arrived with cool drinks and a tray of sweets. The three guests hesitated, unsure whether to accept.

  I skimmed the letter. A royal reception will be held to mark the official closing of the rift.

  Looking up from the parchment, I turned to Ranulf and Celestina. “Have either of you ever been to a King’s reception?” The question caught them both off guard.

  Celestina blinked. “No, my lord. Never been invited.” Ranulf shook his head in agreement.

  I looked back at the messenger. “My answer is yes. I’ll attend with my three wives and two guests. Five total.”

  The messenger, still nibbling on one of the sweets with an expression that was overly cute for her own good, nodded and jotted it down. I gently patted her shoulder and pointed to the stools near the counter. “Sit. Relax. Enjoy yourselves.” The trio looked around uncertainly but eventually took their seats and resumed their drinks and treats.

  Amiles finally spoke. “Is this normal for you?”

  “Normal?”

  He gestured vaguely. “Being in the same circles as the royals.”

  “Oh. That.” I shrugged. “I guess it is now.”

  Not long after, the messenger and her two guards rose and moved toward the door. A housemaid was already waiting to escort them out.

  Just before they exited, I called out, “Excuse me.” The messenger turned, a little surprised.

  “What’s your name?” I asked.

  She blinked, then said it softly, almost shyly, Isabel.

  “Thank you, Isabel,” I said.

  At the table, Seraphina was deep in the numbers, brows furrowed in concentration as she worked through the last of the figures. She conferred with Ranulf now and then, her voice low and precise as she clarified amounts and cross-checked records.

  Eventually, she stepped back, a single parchment in hand. “Here’s the total,” she said, handing it to me. I scanned down the page, then stopped at the bottom figure. A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. I looked up.

  “Ranulf,” I asked, “what’s your family’s yearly operating expense?”

  He blinked, caught off guard. “About forty thousand crowns,” he said cautiously. “Why?”

  I handed him the page. “Let’s add that to the total.”

  The room went still. Marlena and Seraphina were the only ones who didn’t look shocked.

  “You want to pay that too?” Celestina asked, her voice barely above a whisper, as if saying it too loud might break the spell.

  “I want you running at full strength,” I said. “If we’re going to build something real together, your family needs a solid foundation. No point fixing half a house.”

  Ranulf looked down at the parchment, then back at me. His expression changed from disbelief to quiet understanding, as if a weight was lifting from his chest. I jotted the new total at the bottom of the page and handed it back to Seraphina.

  She looked at the number and smiled. “Understood.” Turning on her heel, she headed over to Allyson, who had been quietly standing in the background the whole time.

  “Withdraw the amount I’ve circled,” I said.

  Allyson accepted the paper with a crisp nod. “Yes, Master.”

  She turned and left the room, moving with that sharp, practiced efficiency I always appreciated. The others stayed quiet, still processing what just happened. I looked at Marlena. Her eyes shimmered with unspoken emotion, and when our gazes met, she offered me that gentle smile I was beginning to recognize as the one that meant everything.

  The banquet was truly impressive. The housemaids had surpassed expectations, with platters of roasted meats, glazed root vegetables, steaming baskets of fresh bread, fruit preserves, and pitchers of deep red wine decorating the long dining table. Marlena’s family, initially tense and unsure, gradually started to relax. Laughter filled the room again. Even Amiles, whose injured leg kept his movements stiff, was smiling by the second course.

  By the time the dishes were cleared, the atmosphere was warm and familiar.

  I remained seated at the head of the table, holding a half-full glass of wine. The crystal sconces lining the walls cast soft light over the dark red liquid. The documents from earlier were now neatly arranged in front of me. I flipped through them again, then carefully set them down.

  Amiles leaned forward slightly, hands clasped on the table. His tone was polite, but his eyes revealed genuine curiosity. “So, Earl Robertson,” he asked, “what can our family do for you?”

  I met his gaze. “Brakenreach is a large town in the middle of a large earldom. And like any small place, it needs help to grow. That also includes the other towns in the earldom. Seraphina’s family already manages the local market in Brakenreach. I’d like them to be the main contact for supply distribution. I haven’t talked to them about it yet, but we’ll be in Brakenreach next week. That’ll give us time to work out the logistics.”

  I continued, “Beyond that, I noticed your family controls several marketplaces here in the capital. They’re understocked. We could coordinate supply routes for crafts, tools, enchanted goods, and products made in Brakenreach and sold here locally. Marlena mentioned that you were supposed to travel to Eldros for inventory before you were injured. Is that right?”

  Amiles nodded. “Yes. I was scheduled to meet with several merchant houses, but the injury delayed everything.”

  Seraphina leaned in. “Would you like to travel to Brakenreach with us, then?”

  Amiles looked at his parents. Celestina gave a slight nod. “We should,” he said simply.

  “Good,” I replied. “Then, after the reception, the four of us and you, Amiles, will head to Brakenreach. I’ll arrange for two carriages, in case others need to travel with us.”

  I tapped the stack of papers once more. “But first,” I added, “let’s clear the liens.”