Coming to this realization, Yun Fan lifted his head and fixed his gaze on Robin once more. Looking at the girl with slightly flushed cheeks before him, the black-haired youth spoke. "So… what do you think, my dear Miss Robin?"
Although Yun Fan could simply go along with Sunday and the Dreammaster's arranged marriage and take the beauty for himself, doing so would be far too unfair to Robin.
"I…" Robin parted her lips slightly, as if about to say something, but quickly swallowed the words that had reached the tip of her tongue.
"If you can't accept this, I can speak with Sunday and the Dreammaster on your behalf. I believe they would be willing to give me that much face."
Hearing Yun Fan's words, Miss Robin's heart stirred, but after a moment of hesitation, she shook her head.
"No, I've made a promise to the Dreammaster and my brother, so I won't go back on my word."
"Why? You should know that you don't actually like me, don't you?"
Yun Fan was genuinely puzzled. He could tell that the beautiful Halovian girl before him, at most, held only a slight fondness for him—far from anything resembling love.
At the same time, she herself was aware of this, and yet…
"Please rest assured, Miss Robin. Even if you don't agree to this arranged marriage, I will still offer the Family my protection, so…"
"Mr. Yun Fan." Robin stood up, gently lifting the hem of her dress, and performed a bow that was both solemn and graceful.
"I must respectfully decline your kind offer. I will honor my promise to become yours and stand by your side in the future."
"Why? Doing this means you'll lose your freedom." Hearing Robin's words, Yun Fan was not only puzzled but also intrigued. At this moment, he was genuinely curious to know why Robin would make such a choice.
At his words, Robin lifted her head, took a deep breath, and then looked deeply into Yun Fan's eyes.
"Because it's too unfair to you."
Robin's words struck Yun Fan's ears like a thunderclap.
"Too unfair… to me?"
Softly repeating Robin's words, Yun Fan couldn't help but let out a chuckle. How should he put it…
Ever since he gained power far beyond that of ordinary people, aside from those he deliberately chose to grow close to, others invariably sought his strength or his protection.
For example, on Jarilo-VI, when he first granted Cocolia power, it was nothing more than a whim.
As an Aeon, how could he not have his own followers and domain?
For a planet yet to be fully civilized, one that had long abandoned the ideology of the Preservation, a remote and backward "backwater" planet—Belobog was an ideal choice.
People living in suffering and despair needed only a small spark of hope, and that spark would quickly ignite into a blazing fire.
Thus, Yun Fan ultimately chose that place and granted Cocolia the power to break free from the Stellaron's influence.
And after that…
Yun Fan was aware of Cocolia's desire to have Bronya stay by his side and become his partner.
But… he didn't accept her offer, because he could see in Bronya's emotions that she already had someone she loved—um, even if that someone was also a girl…
For that reason, Yun Fan didn't accept, primarily because he didn't want to ruin a fated bond.
As for little Qingque, well, that girl might seem carefree and laid-back on the surface, but in certain matters, she was incredibly serious and devoted.
Moreover, since she was completely willing, had been single her entire life, and had no one else she fancied, Yun Fan accepted her.
As for our Miss Robin, well, as the saying goes, a forced melon is never sweet. Since she didn't have those feelings for him and only held a slight fondness, Yun Fan had no intention of pressuring her.
But he never expected this girl to think of his perspective, saying that this arrangement was unfair to him.
At this thought, a smile tugged at the corner of Yun Fan's lips. Honestly, he was a bit moved.
To think that Robin would consider so much for his sake—it was truly surprising. Since arriving in the Honkai: Star Rail universe, she was probably the first to do so, wasn't she?
"Haha, Miss Robin, I must admit, you are truly unique. So… I accept your reasoning.
From this moment on, you are mine."
Yun Fan gave a soft smile, then gently took Robin's hand and carefully removed her glove.
"Since you are now mine, there are some things I think I should share with you. After all… that's only fair."
As he spoke, Yun Fan summoned a surge of the power of destiny, inscribing a purple-gold sigil onto Robin's fair, snow-white hand.
The moment the sigil was etched, Robin felt her mind go blank. In the next instant, her consciousness was transported to a vast cosmos.
Looking up, she saw a sacred figure standing high above the sea of stars. As Robin gazed in wonder, the figure turned, and a single glance fell upon her.
Another wave of disorientation hit, as if she had been struck by a heavy hammer. Her consciousness snapped back to her body.
"This is…"
Looking at the purple-gold sigil on the back of her hand, representing Causality, Miss Robin seemed to realize something. Her eyes widened in disbelief, and her voice trembled as she spoke.
"You… could it be that you are the Aeon of Causality…"
"Shh!"
Yun Fan made a silencing gesture, then reached out to gently stroke Robin's soft, flowing hair.
"You only need to know this. Don't tell anyone else. Right now, I am not that being—I am merely one of his energy avatars."
"In the coming days, Penacony will host a grand ball, and it may involve several Aeons. This sigil contains the power of an Emissary of Causality. In a critical moment, it will protect your life."
"This is my welcome gift to you, my dear Miss Robin. Do you like it?"
=====
Check out newly uploaded story [っ^▿^)۶]
Anime Crossover: Diego's Bizarre Adventure