"Goodness gracious…"
It wasn't small anymore!
What was this monster in his pants!?
This thing was a whopping above average size!
The average was around five inches and his tool for sure was bigger than that. He didn't have to be embarrassed anymore!
Vincent was happy but eventually cursed the system anyway for not giving him this just a few minutes prior. It would've saved him so much shame!
In any case, he didn't fret on this much and moved downstairs to meet his fiancé.
Given how things went in novels regarding fiancé trope, Vincent was sure this girl was here to break off the engagement! Otherwise why would she want to see him so quickly?
He got to know from his mother that the proposal happened a month ago. And it was indeed suspicious to have her see him again in such a short time.
'Well, given how I looked before having this physique potion and the timid behavior expressed, it wouldn't be wrong for her to break it off. However…'
Vincent squinted his eyes.
'You wish to call off the engagement? Impossible! I will be the one to do it instead and break free from the stereotype!'
In his mind, he was laughing evilly. Even while walking, he rubbed his hands as he thought of the expressions these people would possess when he would be the one to reject them!
An hour later.
In the manor's meeting hall, two families sat side by side.
On Vincent's side, his family consisted of him and his mother. Standing behind them were a row of maidservants.
On the opposite side, except one, all were jacked men with average-height and rough hair. If it wasn't for their clean clothes, everyone would mistake them for miners.
However, these crude men weren't miners. They were blacksmiths of the Ophelia Kingdom, similar in power, influence, and finance like a Sun Kingdom's Viscount. It was just that they weren't actually nobles.
Vincent was made aware of this by his mother when asked for his fiancé's background.
Speaking of his fiancé, seated opposite to him, in between these men was a gentle-looking girl whose looks weren't the least bit inferior to his sister's!
'Breaking the engagement? Only a fool would do that!'
[Host, what happened to breaking the stereotype…]
Vincent pretended he didn't hear the system.
Everyone made mistakes. It was only human for one to do so.
'Amitabha, I was ignorant…'
With how soft and feminine this girl looked, Vincent would even go to war for her!
Also, a few important messages were triggered when Vincent arrived in the meeting hall.
[Detected bearer of exceptional aptitude.]
[Jasmine Forger—hidden peerless genius with an innate talent in bladesmithing. Tradition and circumstances have limited her practice as the craft is deemed to be a man's domain. Has a latent potential to achieve Legendary mastery; presently constrained by insufficient equipment, materials, and forge conditions.]
[Apprasing…]
[Name: Jasmine Forger]
[Race: Human]
[Role: Blacksmith]
[Affiliation: Forger Family of Ophelia Kingdom]
[Relationship: Fiancé]
[Corruption: 0/100]
[Remarks: As she turns 19 years old this year, the Forger family is worried she would not be able to find a good groom anymore due to her being three years past the prime age and having a man-like skill. Is an obedient child and grateful for the Baroness for accepting the marriage proposal. Thinks that the young lord is good-looking but worried that her being older would make the young lord call off the marriage.]
'Holy shit! This girl…'
Vincent's worldview was completely flipped when he read those remarks.
There was actually some fiancé in isekai trope that was so filial to their family and didn't hate the marriage thing?
Those otome novels always had the villainess or isekai'd female main character break the engagement when she first appeared in the scene! This was far different than that!
Vincent was really caught off guard and had his heart skip a beat.
He was in a daze and kept sneaking glances at the young girl. He still had to maintain his image due to being a noble's son and this being a formal meeting.
"I hope the journey was comfortable." Vivienne spoke and greeted the guests first.
The guests were served ale and the head of the Forger family had a big swig and said, "The borders were calm so it was decent."
Pleasantries were exchanged and conversation began. For fifteen minutes straight, the two parties talked of important matters regarding the two kingdoms. Of course, it wasn't something on the level of kingdom secrets but general stuff that could be shared.
Vincent and the girl, his fiancé, did not utter a single word and waited patiently for the elders to finish talking. Though, both parties made eye contact time to time.
The girl even had a slight blush form on her face when she noticed the young lord was staring at her just as much as she was staring at him.
If the system hadn't taken her name when Vincent wouldn't have known that her name was Jasmine as none of the parties took her name. They were too busy conversing about matters regarding the two kingdoms.
Having nothing to do, Vincent was really getting bored. He had no idea what the point of conversation was anymore. Why did these guys even come here?
Watching Vincent struggle to suppress a yawn, Vivienne smiled faintly. "I think we should let the children talk in private so they get comfortable with each other."
Vincent's ears perked up. 'Oh yes! Nice clutch, mother dearest!'
He gave his mother a meaningful look and the latter turned to him and winked, as if asking him to take his time and enjoy the moment.
The head of the family, Gerald Forger, folded his arms and gave a small nod.
"That's one of the main reasons for our visit. We wish to strengthen the ties with the House of D'Arc. Last time it was merely a suggestion, but today…"
He didn't need to signal anyone. The servants stepped forward, laying weapons and armors on the table before the Baroness.
Then Gerald turned to his daughter and nudged her gently. "You may speak with Young Lord Vincent. Business talk between families is bound to bore you younglings."
It was Vincent's time to stand up. As per the etiquettes, he gave everyone a bow and went to Jasmine's side, giving her a hand.
Jasmine took it and stood up, turned to throw Baroness and bowed, then bowed to her family and left with Vincent while putting her arm around his elbow.
This was yet another first of Vincent's. He never had any girl walk hand-in-hand with him. The experience was mesmerizing.
The two were guided by the maids to a private chamber on the second story. It had a view of the manor's courtyard from the window and had the golden hour's light seep within the room.
Jasmine walked to the window side and looked stunning. She took off her bun, letting her lush brown hair cascade down to her hips.
Turning around, she stared at Vincent with a soft smile.
Vincent walked a step closer. "Miss Jasmine is as beautiful as the setting sun."
He reached her and took her hand to kiss the back of it.
Jasmine felt weird in her stomach and her lips quivered as she blushed. Honestly, she was trying to appear calm and collected but Vincent's behavior shot an arrow at her heart.
She had the thoughts that Vincent would be haughty and commanding. Realistically, she wasn't a noble but a commoner. There was no reason for Vincent to be chivalrous, but he did everything he could to make her feel comfortable and it spoke volumes!
The negative thoughts she had of him were swept away and she wasn't worried regarding her marriage anymore.
All her life, Jasmine had been surrounded by iron and sweat as she stayed in the forging halls. And now that she was indulging in love and marriage, her feminine side felt warm.
"Thank you, Young Lord." Jasmine smiled without any reservations. Her words were not a reply to Vincent's compliment but heartfelt gratitude for everything.
Vincent was further captivated and at a loss on what to do.
[Ding!]
[Quest triggered!]
[Quest: Dao Companion
Info: The compatibility between the host and bearer of exceptional aptitude is extremely high for the Yin-Yang Harmony Sutra. It is recommended for the two to become dao companions.
Time limit: one hour.
Penalty: Loss of Yin-Yang Harmony Sutra.]
'Fuck you, you bastard! Can't I take things slow? Maybe take her out on dinner first before indulging in all of that? And what do you mean dao companion? This isn't a xianxia!'
The system didn't respond and it made Vincent want to spit.
It was getting so romantic. Vincent imagined himself going on dates with Jasmine and doing multiple things. On the first date they could hold hands, on the second they could kiss, then on the third…
'Forget it. This is my fiancé, we are already engaged and would get married in future. It doesn't matter if things are done before or after marriage.'
In the etiquettes lecture, Vincent got to know that the people of this world had to do it multiple times to get pregnant. The fertility wasn't the best and pregnancy after the age of 28 was almost unknown.
The concept of marriage was also vague. Ceremonies could only be afforded by the rich nobles and the commoners usually went to church on the days there wasn't mass to have a Priest do the ceremony for little to no money.
The church did teach about getting married but it wasn't very extreme as cases of infidelity were close to zero.
The church was successful in making everyone understand that sex was sacred and men did not have lustful emotions so there weren't weird things happening. A thing like marriage was not needed for two people to stay together. They would do it anyway with or without it after they had sex as it was a sacred thing.
The purpose of sending these two to private chambers was also for this. The two families hoped that the process sped up.
They saw each other once and liked each other, what more was needed?
Jasmine was still ignorant and pure in these matters. Her family hadn't exactly told her what would happen, it's just that they told her to not go against the Young Lord and offend him, which translated to doing whatever he asked her to do.
Vincent had hugged Jasmine after giving her a kiss on the back of her palm. While resting her chin on his shoulder, she was smiling like a fool as butterflies had a dance off in her stomach.
Vincent wondered what he should do next.
Men usually took the lead but now he felt blank.
After some thought, Vincent wrapped his arms around Jasmine's waist and pulled himself away, staring into her emerald-like green eyes.
"Miss Jasmine, you leave me no choice but to be audacious. I'm going to offend you a little, please bear with it."
Saying so, Vincent held her face and took hold of her rosy lips, feeling the softness and smoothness.
Jasmine's eyes widened and her heart was beating so fast, it threatened to leap out of her chest.
As a few seconds passed, she could smell Vincent's musky body scent. It had a calming effect on her and made her wrap her arms around his neck. It was all done reflexively.
Very soon, something made Jasmine open her eyes and stare at Vincent in confusion.