Chapter 17

[Age 12: After ruthlessly dealing with a few traitors, no one dared to underestimate you again.]

[You and Kamisato Ayato handled the family's affairs with swift, decisive methods. Under your combined efforts, the Kamisato Clan's declining reputation stabilized somewhat.]

[This year, the former lady of the Kamisato Clan—Ayato and Ayaka's mother—succumbed to grief over her husband's passing. Her health had grown frail over the years, and she finally could not endure any longer, following him to the afterlife.]

[On her deathbed, she called you and the Kamisato siblings to her side. She expressed her hope that you and Ayaka would be engaged soon, so she could leave this world in peace.]

["Kael, the thing I can't let go of most in this world is Ayato and Ayaka. I know you are a capable person. I hope that, in gratitude for the Kamisato Clan's careful nurturing of you, you will look after the two of them for me."]

[Faced with the lady's dying wish, your choices were…]

[1. Promise the lady that you will hold the engagement ceremony with Kamisato Ayaka within a month.] 

[2. Refuse the lady, stating that you are still too young and not ready to consider marriage.] 

[3. Remain silent, leaving the lady to pass away with regrets.]

"System, you're causing trouble again."

Option 3? How could anyone pick that? He wasn't a heartless monster!

When the Kamisato Clan head had hinted at marrying him to Kamisato Ayaka before, he had already agreed. 

Now, in this situation, how could he possibly go back on his word?

"I choose 1."

By now, he was already involved in Inazuma's political scene. Having the status of Kamisato Ayaka's fiancé would likely make his work much smoother.

[You agreed to the lady's request and stated that you would hold the engagement ceremony with Kamisato Ayaka within a month.]

[After leaving the lady's room, you told Ayaka that what you had said earlier to the lady was just a temporary measure. The marriage would ultimately depend on Ayaka's own feelings.]

[If Ayaka did not want the marriage, you would treat her as a sister and never bring up the topic of engagement again.]

[If she did want it, from that day forward, she would be the only wife you ever had. You would respect and cherish her forever.]

[After hearing your words, Ayaka's cheeks flushed red.]

["Kael-nii, I'm not entirely sure if what I feel for you is romantic love. But I do want to stay with you forever. If marrying you means we can be together for life, then I think I would like that."]

[You patted Ayaka's head. "In that case, let's start preparing for the engagement ceremony."]

[Although this marriage was your choice, for some reason, you felt a twinge of sadness as you said these words.]

[Is Kamisato Ayaka truly the wife you want?]

[The engagement ceremony between you and Kamisato Ayaka was held with great fanfare, drawing nearly all of Inazuma's citizens to watch.]

[After attending the ceremony, the Kamisato lady's heart was finally at ease. That very night, she passed away peacefully.]

[As the Kamisato Clan's future son-in-law, you stood by the siblings' side throughout their mother's funeral.]

["Kael-nii, I won't have a mother anymore," Ayaka wept as she clung to you.]

[You held Ayaka tightly. "I'll always be here for you."]

[Looking at Ayato, who stood nearby with red-rimmed eyes, you spoke firmly. "Head of the family, let's restore the Kamisato Clan's former glory together. That's the best way to honor those who have passed."]