Free Web NovelChapter 2: An arranged marriage
’’Henry!’’
I lost a few seconds before regaining my focus.
’’Yes, father.’’
I stepped forward, standing opposite him by the desk. I stood firmly, showing no sign of fear. My eyes still held a trace of coldness as I stared at my father, who was supposed to be one of the strongest awakeners on the human continent.
James Albert
I should’ve been as afraid as the previous owner of this body, like everyone else. It was rare for someone to stand before my father without fear, including his three sons.
But that wasn’t my case. I had no reason to fear him at all. I had no reason to act like the old Henry. Living against my true nature wasn’t what I wanted.
Moreover, my father wasn’t the type to concern himself with the weak. Why would a lion pay attention to an ant?
My father was silent for a while, saying.
’’From now on, she is your wife.’’
He put the paper on the table.
"Just blood-sign it."
Marriage certificate.
I signed it without hesitation. There was no reason to stall, because my father wasn’t someone who repeated himself.
Annoying him would only make me die sooner.
My father nodded in satisfaction before continuing.
’’You two will be sent to the family residence and live there from now on. A married couple needs their own private space.’’
I nodded before pushing the wheelchair away. My new wife and I had no interaction at all. I didn’t even know her name, let alone anything about her.
An arranged marriage.
***
Polly stood next to James, placing the papers on the desk one by one for him to stamp. For the next moment, Polly asked.
’’Do you realize something strange about your son?’’
James replied in a cold voice.
’’I do not know.’’
Polly squinted.
’’Really? Didn’t you see him call you Father? And he acted without fear. He was like a completely different person, unlike the cowardly trash he used to be.’’
He still remembered the Third Young Master, who had spent most of his time sleeping in his room ever since his mother was killed by a demon. After awakening his mana core, things only got worse. From then on, he caused trouble wherever he went. He even regularly harassed noble ladies at banquets, tarnishing the family’s reputation.
James couldn’t help but click his tongue.
’’Why must you care about a dead man?’’
Polly sighed. He couldn’t help but feel sorry for the Third Young Master, who had changed far too late.
’’Yes, sir.’’
James added.
"Prepare the banquet well. The royal family will be attending that day."
***
Before long, we arrived at our new house in the territory managed by my family. Most of the houses there were rented out. However, as the Third Young Master of the family, I was given a newly built house of my own.
I pushed the wheelchair to the center of the room, then dragged a chair over and sat in front of her. I thought we needed a brief introduction.
But after seeing the emptiness in her eyes, I gave up. There was no point wasting my time talking to a dead girl. She was alive, but her soul was already dead.
I had no intention of feeding her sweet words or empty platitudes just to get her attention.
Now, I thought I needed to do something to become stronger. Even though I was a useless piece of trash in my family’s eyes, there was no guarantee my safety would last forever. My brothers hated me and would always bully me whenever they had the chance. With my personality, I knew I wouldn’t let them do that to me.
But with [F – ] rank potential, what could I do? I possessed neither Martial Arts nor Bloodline Skills.
Bloodline Skills depended heavily on one’s lineage, yet I had none. It was clear I was born without the qualifications of an Awakener. Martial Arts was something I could still learn, but with [F–] Rank potential, I wondered what kind of martial manuals I could even obtain.
There were far too few manuals in the world suitable for [F–]
I was already at my limit to begin with. A literal trash. Right now, I needed to find a way to improve my potential before thinking about anything else.
I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to find a useful memory that could solve my problem. Then the door opened, and a beautiful maid pushed a serving cart into the room.
She offered to feed my wife. I nodded and continued thinking. At that moment, a line of virtual text materialized in front of me.
Ting!
[The Gods see the cruelty within you. They wish to change you.]
[System objective set: you will reach her heart and reform your personality into a kind-hearted man.]
[Initialization in progress...]
Ting!
[Initialization complete]
Title: The Chosen Villain
Name: Henry Albert
Age: 19
Rank: [F-] (0/1000)
Potential: [F-]
Martial Arts: [None]
Bloodline Skills: [None]
—
Title: King of Knights
Name: Arthea Pendragon (Wife) → Arthea Albert (Wife)
Age: 18
Rank: [F–] (0/1000) (Unable to Rank Up)
Potential: [SSS+]
Skills:
Martial Arts: [Locked]
– Sword Adaptation (SSS+)
– Close-Combat Art (SSS+)
...
Bloodline Skills:[Locked]
–Blood Rage(SSS+)
–Killing Intent Pressure(SSS+)
–Enhanced Reflexes (SSS+) [Passive]
....
1,Psychological State:
– Suicidal tendencies, severe depression.
2,Current Emotional State:
– Hollow.
3,Physical Condition:
– Severed tendons in both arms and legs (inflicted by a special element, preventing regeneration)
– Mana core completely shattered
– The subject has been fasting for 30 days.
....
4,Personality:
– Kind-hearted, stubborn, obstinate, tsundere-yandere tendencies.
5,Hobbies & Wishes:
– Sword training, martial arts practice, and reading books.
– Wishes to marry a handsome husband and have a dozen children in the future.
6,Fears:
– Fear of blood and the sight of blades piercing flesh (recently developed).
Ting!
[Restore her to her peak, and the results will not betray your expectations.]
[First mission: Feed your wife (assist her with eating).]
[Support Level: Extreme (The subject has been fasting for 30 days)]
[Warning: The target is extremely stubborn.]
[Suggestion: Try soothing her with sweet words.]
I shot upright, my eyes fixed on the text in front of me. But what I focused on most was my wife’s name.
Arthea Pendragon.
The old Henry had once met her at a banquet a few months ago, and he had harassed her. Of course, he was beaten to a pulp, leaving him infamous across the world – a reputation that couldn’t be erased.
She was one of the strongest children of the Royal Pendragon family – perhaps even one of the strongest in its entire history. Everyone once said she would become one of the key figures to lead humanity against the demons in the next Holy War, given her potential.
Just looking at her [Martial Arts] and [Bloodline Skills]. I could tell that she was a big bug of this world. If she reached SSS+ Rank, I thought no one in the world would be able to stand against her.
She was, more or less, the female lead of this world.
Why would someone like her become my wife after that? And why was she in such a wretched state?
A big question.
Whatever happened, I had already obtained a cheat. I wouldn’t let this chance slip away.
Just feeding her – it seemed simple enough.
