The concept of family time felt strange when I knew I was no longer the same person they'd raised.
"Father," I began carefully, "I need to discuss something important with you. It concerns my engagement to Seraphina Rosewood."
Duke Marcus immediately set down his papers, giving me his full attention. My mother's teacup paused halfway to her lips, her expression changing to one of curiosity.
"She requested that the engagement be dissolved. And I agreed to her request. I believe that we should both go our separate ways."
I took a breath, trying to keep my voice steady as I continued. "While I understand and respect the decision you made with your best friend long ago, I don't think I'm compatible with Seraphina. We have different personalities, different ways of thinking, and we just don't fit together. I'm sorry, Father. I really tried, but it's impossible. I hope you could understand my wishes."
My voice quivered slightly as I spoke, and I could tell that my father had mistaken that tremor for emotional stress when in reality it was fear of rejection.
If Duke Marcus decided that I should still be with Seraphina despite everything, I would be in deep trouble with the protagonist when I entered the academy. Kyle's protective instincts toward his future love interests were high, and having any romantic connection to them was essentially painting a target on my back.
I didn't want anything to tie me to the protagonist. Nothing at all. I just wanted to go through the academy, survive everything that would befall me because of Kyle's presence, and rely on my daily rewards to grow stronger quietly in the background.
I wasn't power hungry. I didn't have ambitions to become the strongest man in the world, and I most certainly didn't have any heroic aspirations to save the kingdom or defeat ancient evils.
In fact, I would have skipped out on the whole Academy arc entirely if I'd been able to. But I knew that my father and mother would never allow that. The Blackwood family had too much pride and political standing to let their heir avoid the kingdom's most prestigious institution.
My father's expression remained unreadable as he processed my words, while my mother looked between us with growing concern. The weight of their response would determine whether I could successfully distance myself from the main plot or whether I'd be forced into unwanted proximity with the story's central conflicts.
Duke Marcus finally leaned back in his chair, his steel-grey eyes studying me with the intensity of a man who had navigated decades of political intrigue.
"Tell me, Adrian," he said slowly, "is this truly what you want? Or are you simply running from the responsibility because it's become difficult because of her legendary bloodline? Do you think you are not worthy enough?"
He continued, his tone becoming more serious. "Adrian, you understand that Seraphina possesses a legendary bloodline connected to the ancient warrior Valkyrie, don't you? Her awakening will make her one of the most formidable close-range combatants of her generation."
I knew exactly what he was referring to. In the novel, Seraphina would awaken a powerful offensive talent that transformed her into a devastating warrior, capable of manifesting spectral weapons and enhancing her physical power to shocking levels. She would become one of Kyle's most valuable allies in the later arcs.
I paused and looked at him, then shook my head firmly. "No, Father, this is not about avoiding responsibility or worthiness. It's just a matter of preference. Neither of us want each other."
My father's eyes narrowed slightly. "But you wanted this engagement before. You always wanted to consummate it and get married, but we held it off because of your age. You complained constantly about the delay. What changed?"
Damn that original Adrian. What a complete simp. Even before he was properly introduced in the novel, he was acting like a desperate fool.
"I… I grew up, Father," I said, trying to keep the frustration out of my voice.
"But that was just a few days ago," he replied skeptically.
"…" I was trapped. How could I explain such a drastic personality change in such a short time?
"I-I was blinded," I stammered. "I woke up to reality, and I realized that I should focus on myself and preparation for the academy."
My father leaned forward, clearly thinking I was lying or trying to manipulate the situation. "Really? Then let's set up daily training sessions. I will train with you every day until the academy starts, from now on."
I paused, weighing my options. Although it would be grueling work, I couldn't complain. Learning from a powerful warrior like my father would help boost my combat experience significantly. The only issue was my newfound vampire powers - I'd have to find a way to hide or explain them.
For now, I had no choice but to accept.
"Yes, Father. I would welcome the training," I said, nodding with what I hoped appeared to be genuine determination.
Seeing my apparent resolve, my father sighed and leaned back. "Very well. I will speak to Duke Rosewood tomorrow. If you're both saying you don't want this engagement, then we cannot force it upon you."
He fixed me with a stern look. "Also, tomorrow morning is your first lesson. Prepare yourself. I won't go easy on you just because you're my son."
My mother, who had been quietly observing our exchange, finally spoke up. "Marcus, perhaps we should—"
"The decision is made, Elena," my father said gently but firmly. "If Adrian is serious about focusing on his growth, then he'll prove it through his actions."
I felt a mixture of relief and apprehension. I'd successfully avoided the engagement trap, but now I'd committed myself to intensive training with one of the kingdom's most skilled warriors while hiding the fact that I was now a vampire with supernatural abilities.
This was going to be complicated.