Chapter 47……………………………………..
Though the response was different from what he expected, Kaidan did not back down just because the regent’s presence felt overwhelming.
To wedge into the rigid wall of his opponent, he pulled out the most effective piece of persuasion he had.
“I know a way to hasten the return of Mercenary King Pelrod and the head of Pegasus Castle.”
Kaidan recalled in his mind the return route he had heard from the Mercenary King. A twisted snicker reached his ears.
“How would you do that?”
“I can’t provide proof immediately, but if you give me a few months, I can locate a place that will hasten their return and show it to you.”
“Why can’t you now?”
“It’s a location that can only be verified at a specific time.”
“Oh really? How convenient.”
Teodor’s expression, tinged with sarcasm, was something even Lin had never seen before.
His face, devoid of warmth, radiated cold fury.
“To have the clue vanish just when you’d want the hero’s return delayed.”
Repeating Kaidan’s words, Teodor showed he didn’t believe him at all.
No, more than disbelief—it was barely suppressed anger at Kaidan daring to touch something as sacred as the Pegasus family’s pride.
If the boy had been slightly older, Teodor would have drawn his sword instead of speaking.
Still, Teodor was generous with children of that age, valuing his nephew.
He exhaled deeply, calming himself, and spoke in a steady voice.
“Seems you think our family is a joke.”
“Not at all. I understand it’s hard to believe, but there’s a reason I said this. If it were a lie that would be immediately exposed, I wouldn’t risk invoking the name of the head of Pegasus Castle.”
An outsider from another family lightly claiming to have information about the Pegasus head’s disappearance…
Or trying to exploit Lin’s belief in her grandfather’s return…
That was all Teodor could see from Kaidan’s proposal, making him extremely annoyed at the brazen boy.
‘I understand the family’s difficulties…’
Even that Lin’s invitation had become an opportunity to escape the trap.
‘Even so, he tries to use my precious nephew to secure his safety?’
Kaidan’s standing dropped to the lowest point in Teodor’s eyes.
“Fine. Let’s verify it.”
As ridiculous as it seemed, Teodor had tried every possible method to locate the missing adoptive father, Pelrod.
Even an 8-year-old’s delusion that proposed a method he hadn’t tried deserved checking.
“Of course.”
Still, Kaidan wasn’t being rewarded for trying to settle in Pegasus Castle.
If it failed, he would need to take responsibility.
“You’ll need to accept responsibility if it turns out to be false.”
“…I can’t be held responsible for anything in my current position. I’m only telling the facts.”
‘Sharp tongue, huh.’
Teodor watched the boy, who spoke calmly and firmly without being subdued, with a displeased gaze.
“Until then, stay in the annex. I assume you’re not claiming it takes years to check this ‘specific time’?”
“Yes. A few months will suffice. I’ll show it before winter.”
“We’ll see.”
Even so, Kaidan had achieved his first goal: staying in Pegasus Castle.
A faint sense of relief passed over his face.
Once the conversation between them had somewhat concluded, Lin exhaled, releasing her held breath.
‘I’ve never seen Uncle Teodor look that scary before.’
She was genuinely startled.
However, in reality, Lin hadn’t yet seen Teodor’s truly angry face.
“Then may I send a letter to the family discussing engagement with me?”
“That would definitely be rejected.”
Kaidan, having cautiously suggested it after settling the urgent matter, was cut off sharply.
“Even if my claim turns out true, then we’ll see the results and decide—”
“Even if the hero’s words are true, what does that have to do with my niece’s engagement?”
Teodor’s immediate, absolute refusal left no room for compromise.
“I’m not pretending to be a fiancé. Many may target her for impure reasons, and I could serve as a shield.”
“Suitors like flies? I’ll handle them myself. The hero needn’t worry.”
Teodor’s cold gaze fell on Kaidan, who persistently emphasized the advantages of the engagement.
“Even if I understand the hero’s circumstances, shouldn’t she find refuge at the temple?”
The look implied that Kaidan himself could also be considered an impure suitor.
Kaidan was somewhat flustered by Teodor’s complete lack of persuasion.
After all, the evidence he presented had originally come from Teodor himself, not Kaidan.
Perhaps the situation at Pegasus Castle had changed since then.
Could a time difference of several years really make such a drastic reversal?
While Kaidan pondered, Lin stepped forward.
Seeing Kaidan’s drooped eyebrows from Teodor’s cold reaction, she boldly spoke.
“I like Kaidan as my fiancé!”
“What?”
“Why are you refusing my engagement? You should ask me too!”
Teodor looked as if he’d been struck on the back of the head with a hammer.
“Lin… you’re still young. Marriage is something to consider when you grow up.”
Though Teodor’s voice trembled slightly, Lin stubbornly shook her head.
“I’ve already had my ability ceremony. Now I can decide my own marriage!”
Hearing Lin mention marriage, Teodor slumped his thick eyebrows like a sulky bear.
“Lin. You said you’d marry Uncle Teodor when you grew up.”
“That was when I was a baby. You can’t marry family! Do you think I wouldn’t know that?”
Teodor’s handsome face was fully covered with a look of disappointment at his niece’s blunt words.
Ignoring his shock, Lin grabbed Kaidan’s arm and placed him beside her, spreading her hand proudly.
“Look! He’s super handsome.”
“…”
“I’m going to marry someone handsome!”
Even if it was to push his proposal, Kaidan felt his ears burn at Lin’s bold words, proudly showing off his face.
Teodor, realizing the impossible resemblance his niece inherited from his sister, covered his eyes and cursed silently.
‘Sister! She got a trait she didn’t need from you!’
Recalling his sister, he felt a sensation he hadn’t experienced in a long time, like when she mischievously laughed and he shook his head beside her.
Falling in love with her benefactor’s face and pressing the matter endlessly, Lin managed to persuade Uncle Teodor.
“A prospective fiancé, huh.”
Not entirely, but roughly halfway.
Kaidan, shrugging at the odd situation, now held the title of prospective fiancé, not full fiancé.
Thinking back on Teodor’s gaze emphasizing its temporary nature, Kaidan chuckled.
‘He looked at me like a con artist who tricked his precious niece.’
Next to Kaidan, Lin mumbled:
“What’s the difference between fiancé and prospective fiancé?”
“A couple in discussion for engagement.”
“Hmm.”
