Chapter 7: Betrothal

Xavier's brow furrowed as he glanced at Jessica, his thoughts tangled in uncertainty. "Why do you still like me?" he asked, his voice quiet but strained. He struggled to keep his emotions in check, the weight of her unwavering feelings leaving him baffled. "I just don't get it. I'm… I'm not enough. I'm not even whole." He looked away, his hands clenched at his sides.

"I'm sorry, Jessica. I don't want to drag you into my broken path. The road ahead—it's cold. It's dark. And I don't know where it leads."

Jessica stepped closer, her eyes soft but resolute. "Xavier," she said, her voice steady yet gentle. "I want to be honest with you, so hear me out. Yes, I want to be your wife. And I've wanted that for as long as I can remember."

She paused, searching his eyes for any sign that he'd let her words in. "My father, Michael Vice—the Void God of this realm—revealed something to me long ago. It wasn't just some childhood fantasy, Xavier. It's a truth I've carried my entire life."

She exhaled slowly, as if summoning the courage to continue. "Before I was born, your biological mother, Cassandra Soul of the Eldridge Clan, came to my father. She entrusted him with a sacred task. She foresaw a future where her son, Lord Henry Soul—now known as you, Xavier York—would marry my father's first daughter. That daughter is me."

Xavier's breath caught in his throat. "What?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Jessica nodded, her expression unflinching. "Some might call it destiny, fate, or the will of the realms. But to me? I see it as a blessing. Luck, even. Because it means I get to stand by your side, no matter what comes."

Xavier struggled to process her words. The idea that his life had been preordained in such a way felt overwhelming. But Jessica wasn't finished.

"You don't know much about the world beyond this realm," she continued, her voice softening. "But your mother—she's not just powerful. She's feared by all. There's only one being in existence who doesn't tremble before her, and that's the one bold enough to court her. That same fear, Xavier, is why she made the choices she did. She stripped you of your spiritual energy and hid you far away—not because she didn't love you, but because she did. She wanted to protect you from forces that would use you against her."

Xavier stared at her, his chest tightening as conflicting emotions swirled within him—confusion, anger, sadness, but also an unexpected warmth.

Jessica stepped even closer, reaching out to take his hands in hers. "So yes, Xavier," she said, her voice brimming with quiet determination. "In any lifetime, I would choose you. You don't have to understand everything right now, and you don't have to believe in your strength yet. But I do. And I always will."

She leaned in, pressing her lips to his in a kiss that was both tender and bold. When she pulled away, her cheeks were flushed, her smile radiant. "I know you'll surpass me in a few years," she said with a laugh, her eyes sparkling with pride. "Even though I'm destined to ascend to the ranks of the Void Gods, I believe in my heart that you're destined for something far greater. Something that goes beyond the Void God ranks entirely."

Xavier stood frozen, his mind spinning. He'd spent so long feeling lost, as though the pieces of his identity had been scattered beyond reach. Yet here was Jessica, her words weaving a narrative of hope and purpose he'd never dared to imagine.

For the first time in a long time, a flicker of possibility began to stir within him.

Xavier felt as though the ground beneath him had shifted. A name. He finally had a name—Cassandra Soul. His biological mother, the one he had prayed to the gods for answers about, had been hidden behind that veil of mystery for so long.

Now, with that small thread, he felt a spark of hope. The more he turned the name over in his mind, the more regal it sounded. Even his birth name, Henry Soul, carried an air of elegance. It was almost laughable.

He had spent years praying to the gods for guidance, only to discover he might ascend to be one himself.

As Xavier's thoughts swirled, Jessica broke through his reverie. "Xavier," she said, nudging him playfully, "would you like to stay at my family's estate tonight? We can head to Vice-Land Academy together in the morning."

Xavier blinked, grounding himself in the present. "That… sounds nice. Thank you, Jessica." He managed a smile, though his mind was still racing.

As they walked toward Jessica's home, she glanced at him with a sly smile. "Before we go, how about some clothes shopping? You could use a wardrobe upgrade for Vice-Land Academy," she teased.

Xavier hesitated, glancing down at his simple attire. He nodded with a faint chuckle. "You're not wrong. And with no uniforms at the academy, I'll need something decent."

The two strolled into a high-end clothing store that radiated wealth. Polished floors gleamed under crystal chandeliers, and racks of designer garments lined the walls.

The moment they stepped inside, the chatter in the room ceased. Every head turned to glance at the couple, though no one dared make direct eye contact. The presence of Lord Cedric's disciples was enough to send ripples of unease through the crowd.

A short, rotund man hurried toward them, beads of sweat already forming on his brow. "Welcome! I'm Ernie, the manager," he said with a forced cheerfulness, though his face betrayed sheer terror. His gaze flicked nervously between the two, trying to gauge their intentions.

Xavier, curious about the man's rank, discreetly activated his holographic system. Basic human.

He blinked in surprise. In a world where power and ranks dictated respect, Ernie was entirely ordinary.

Closing his system, Xavier softened his demeanor, offering a warm, charming smile. Extending his hand, he said, "Hey, I'm Xavier. You have a wonderful shop here, sir. It's a pleasure to meet you."

The room seemed to freeze for a moment.

Ernie's jaw dropped slightly, his pupils widening in shock. The top student of Lumaniry Academy—a name that carried both fear and reverence—was acknowledging him? A nobody?

"Th-thank you, Lord Xavier," Ernie stammered, bowing repeatedly. Around them, several onlookers exchanged furtive glances, hiding their disdain behind feigned disinterest.

Ernie straightened up quickly, attempting to regain his composure. "Is there anything I can assist you with?" he asked eagerly, but before Xavier could respond, Jessica stepped forward.

"No, thank you," she said with an air of confidence. "I'll dress him myself. Please bring out your finest attire—we won't need long." She revealed a gleaming emerald Vice Credit Card, casually letting the light catch its surface. Ernie's pupils shrank, and his knees almost buckled.

This wasn't just any customer. This was the daughter of Michael Vice, the Void God himself. "O-of course! Anything you want is on the house!" he blurted out before scurrying away to ensure their every need was met.

Jessica turned to Xavier with a mischievous grin. "Come on," she said, grabbing his hand and leading him toward the fitting area. "Let's see how you look in something worthy of you."

Xavier chuckled but let himself be led, grateful for her enthusiasm. Over the next twenty minutes, Jessica had him try on three outfits, each more striking than the last. The first was a sleek, black tailored suit with emerald accents, the color mirroring her father's divine aura. The second was a more casual ensemble, but still high-end—fitted dark jeans paired with a white silk shirt that complemented his sharp features.

Finally, the third outfit was bold and regal, featuring a deep navy jacket with intricate silver embroidery, highlighting his broad shoulders and chiseled frame.

Jessica stepped back, her eyes lighting up as she admired him. "This will do," she said with a satisfied smile. "You look… incredible, Xavier."

Xavier glanced at his reflection, momentarily stunned. The clothes transformed him, making him look every bit the powerful figure Jessica seemed to believe he would become.

"Thank you," he said softly, meeting her gaze.

Jessica's smile widened. Grabbing his hand once again, she led him out of the store with a quick pace, ignoring the stares of the other customers. The door shut behind them, leaving the whispers and speculation behind.

Xavier looked over at Jessica as they walked into the night. For the first time, he felt a sense of belonging—not just to Jessica but to the greater purpose she seemed to see in him.

"You know," he said, breaking the silence,

"you have a way of making everything seem… possible."

Jessica glanced at him with a playful glint in her eye. "That's because it is possible, Xavier. You just have to believe it too."

With that, the two headed toward her family estate, the stars above lighting their path as a new chapter of their journey began.