Chapter 37: A Day of Engagement and Underlying Tensions

Leo stood quietly in his expansive chamber, the dawn of his engagement day dawning ahead of him like a bright promise.

He had spent the last few days basking in the glory of his recent transformations.

With a surge of resolve, he had exchanged all of his accumulated points for a transformative lottery.

The results had far surpassed his expectations.

Leo had received two remarkable physiques: the Succubus Physique, which bestowed upon him an irresistible charm that captivated the opposite gender, and the Demonic Physique, one of the three most potent physiques in existence, elevating his physical prowess to unimaginable heights.

Alongside these were powerful skills like Divine Armor, a protective force that could deflect the most devastating of attacks, and Phoenix Flame, a mystical fire capable of incinerating enemies while regenerating its wielder.

He stared at his status panel, the details vibrating with potential:

---

Status Panel:

Physiques:

Succubus Physique: Grants the ability to charm the opposite gender. Increases charisma and allure.

Demonic Physique: One of the three strongest physiques in the world; enhances strength, speed, and overall durability.

Skills:

Divine Armor: A potent shield that grants incredible defense against attacks.

Phoenix Flame: A regenerating flame that heals its user while consuming adversaries.

---

Satisfaction bloomed within him.

Today—his engagement day with Roxanne—marked not just a union of two families but a new chapter for him.

He could feel the excited energy of the day reverberating through the estate as guests began to arrive.

---

The Gathering of Families

Families from numerous prominent lineages arrived at the Skydawn estate, each eager to witness the union of Leo and Roxanne.

As the young master of both the Skydawn and Aetherwind clans, the pressure was palpable, yet Leo felt a sense of invincibility.

He could see numerous eyes wandering his way—especially from the young women present, their gazes lingering on his newly chiseled physique, heightened by his Succubus Physique.

Amidst the elegant throngs was Angelina, her sharp gaze immediately catching Leo's attention.

With a mischievous wink, she made her approach, a playful smirk on her lips.

Leo laughed helplessly, recalling their previous conversations about their unconventional relationship.

"You're here to support me, right?" he teased.

"As long as you remember me," Angelina replied, her smile bright and teasing.

"You have no idea how many jealous glances you're drawing from the ladies here."

Leo shrugged playfully, brushing off the compliments, but inside, he felt a rush of confidence.

With every laugh, every smile, he knew he was more than just the young master; he was the embodiment of strength and charm.

---

Family Expectations and Discontent

As the guests mingled and celebrated, Lady Elena Skydawn walked gracefully into the hall, a vision in a magnificent gown.

Her mere presence commanded respect and admiration.

Following her was Lucas Aetherwind, attempting to navigate the delicate waters of his family dynamics while salvaging their public image.

Close behind were Sophia and Zoe, his younger sisters, anxiously trying to make their presence felt.

However, contrary to expectations, only Butler Wang stood at the entrance to receive them—a purposeful slight by Leo that reverberated through the air as a loaded silence followed.

The families gathered with mild curiosity, whispering among themselves, but Sophia and Zoe felt the sting of humiliation the most.

"What's going on here?" Zoe murmured, her irritation evident as she nudged Sophia.

"I'm not sure," Sophia replied quietly, her brow knitted with concern as she observed Leo, who was surrounded by well-wishers and admirers, completely ignoring their presence.

As the night unfolded, Leo continued to engage with the crowd, shunning his family.

A nagging resentment bubbled within him regarding the events that had unfolded in the past, specifically with Sophia and Zoe.

For Leo, this was not merely an engagement; it was a necessary step toward shaping his destiny separate from the shadows of his family's past.

Feeling the weight of disappointment, Sophia summoned her courage, intending to confront her brother.

"Leo!" she called out, but he remained blissfully ignorant of her cries.

"Why is he ignoring us?" Sophia pondered aloud, frustration and sadness competing for her attention.

---

A Confrontation Unfolds

To complicate matters, Zoe, with a mixture of bravado and indignation, marched toward Leo, her voice ringing throughout the hall.

"Leo! You can't just disregard us like we're not even family!"

Her confrontational stance drew unwanted attention, particularly from the several members of the Shadow Force who were stationed nearby.

They observed with cold, calculating expressions, a silent message reverberating powerfully.

This was Leo's security detail, a force that struck fear in the hearts of most and commanded loyalty from their allies.

Seeing the intensity in their eyes began to intimidate Zoe.

She faltered, suspicion mingling with fear as she found herself suddenly very aware of how alone she felt.

The intimidation from the Shadow Force escalated around her, a powerful reminder that their loyalty lay firmly with Leo.

"I don't care—" Zoe started, but her words faltered as she caught the steely gazes directed her way.

"I… I just wanted to ask why you're avoiding us!"

Then a surge of anxiety hit when she realized how absorbed the Shadow Force was in their mission to uphold Leo's authority.

Her resolve crumbled, and with a frightened gasp, she turned and ran back towards Sophia, tears spilling down her cheeks.

"He's scaring me!" she cried, collapsing into her sister's arms.

Sophia felt a wave of empathy for her sister, but it was mixed with a sharp stab of anger toward Leo.

"Why is he treating us this way?" she whispered, voice trembling with frustration and hurt.

Lucas, standing at the side, watched the scene unfold, a deep frown etched across his face.

The humiliation of his daughters was palpable, and it struck him hard, the reality of the rift within his family undeniable.

He approached them, placing a comforting hand on Sophia's shoulder.

"Don't worry, girls. We'll talk to him once the engagement ceremony starts. He can't avoid us forever."

But deep down, Lucas felt the weight of disappointment.

He had hoped that today would be a unifying celebration, a moment for their family to shine proudly as they combined legacies.

Yet here they were, on the outskirts of his son's life, ignored and humiliated amidst what should have been joyful festivities.

---

A Jeopardized Reunion

Moments later, the atmosphere grew tense as guests continued to mingle and enjoy the festivities.

However, Leo remained in his own world, absorbing the flattery and admiration from those who now saw him differently, with increased respect and status.

He basked in it, standing tall with his newfound confidence and power, but the shadow of his family weighed heavily in the corners of his mind.

As he reveled in the moment, he caught sight of Roxanne entering the hall, glowing in an exquisite gown that only emphasized her beauty.

The sight sent a rush of warmth through his chest, reminding him of the purpose behind this grand gathering.

He was determined to make this day memorable not just for himself but for her—the future that awaited them filled with promise.

But before he could approach her, his older sister Sophia's voice rang out again, breaking through the clamor.

"Leo! Can we talk?"

There was a desperation in her plea that pierced through his self-enforced indifference.

For a fleeting instant, Leo hesitated.

He could see the hurt in her eyes, felt the presence of his family behind her like an undeniable force.

Yet, stubborn pride and lingering anger over past perceived slights clouded his judgment.

"Not now, Sophia," he replied curtly, forcing his gaze toward the admiring crowd instead.

Murmurs began to circulate among the guests; the engagement day that was meant to welcome Roxanne into their family was beginning to feel overshadowed by the storm brewing among the Aetherwinds.

"Why are you doing this?" Sophia pressed, her voice trembling with emotion.

"We came here to support you, and you're pushing us away! You can't just ignore us!"

Leo felt the heat of anger rise within him, fueled by the conflicting emotions swirling in his chest.

They had failed to support him when he most needed it, sidestepping their responsibilities as family while he had to forge his own path.

"Maybe some things are better off that way!" he snapped, his temper flaring.

The words hung in the air, heavy with finality, leaving everyone in stunned silence.

Sophia flinched, the hurt evident on her face as tears brimmed in her eyes, while Zoe remained close by, her expression a mix of confusion and fear.

---

The Weight of Choices

In the aftermath of their confrontation, Leo looked around the garden, noticing how the joy in the air seemed to wane—now mingled with whispers that began to surface among the guests.

He realized he had unintentionally cast a shadow over what should have been a joyous occasion.

But with every ounce of pride in him, Leo turned his back on his family, setting his sights on Roxanne, who was socializing with a group of prominent noble families.

Ignoring the consequences of his actions, he approached her with renewed determination, his heart racing at the thought of solidifying their bond.

"Roxanne!" he called out, a genuine smile breaking through the previously defensive exterior he had held against his family.

As if sensing his approach, Roxanne turned to him, her smile bright and warm.

"Leo! You look incredible today!" she exclaimed, her face lighting up, casting away the shadows of the earlier confrontation.

"Thanks! You're absolutely stunning," he replied, unable to contain his awe.

Yet, even as they began to engage in light-hearted conversation, the echoes of his sisters' hurt and disappointment lingered in the back of his mind.

It was no longer just about him and Roxanne; it was about navigating the minefield of family dynamics that had now intensified under the scrutiny of the engagement.

In that moment, surrounded by laughter and celebration, Leo felt the weight of his choices pressing upon him.

Disregarding his family may have granted him temporary solace but at the risk of cultivating even deeper fractures within the family he had fought to distance himself from.

Yet, he pushed those thoughts down and focused again on Roxanne, determined to make this moment perfect.

"Let's make this day unforgettable," he murmured, taking her hand to lead her further into the celebration.

---

As the night stretched onward, promises of loyalty, charm, and potential entwined with the undercurrents of familial friction.

The day of engagement promised not just union but retribution—a journey of connection among family members soaked in the bittersweet realities of their past and the uncertain future awaiting.

Little did Leo know that the choices he made today would ripple through their lives in ways he could hardly begin to imagine, the enigmatic threads of destiny weaving a story that involved far more than his own ambitions.

The next steps he took would define not just his future, but also the relationship with those he sought to ignore.

The real question lingered: could he forge a path toward greatness while still honoring the bonds he couldn't wholly escape?

---