Two Days Later;

Throne Hall, Garcia Palace, Death Clan Village;

The grand obsidian doors creaked open.

The sunlight filtered dimly through high, narrow windows, casting long shadows across the throne hall floor. But the air inside was heavy and quite suffocating, atleast for the young couple.

Azzy sat on the throne with his expression looking calm but sharp.

Before him stood the familiar group:

Zion, tense and eyes slightly downcast, refusing to meet Azzy's gaze.

Fiona was calm on the surface but stiff at the shoulders. Her hands clenched behind her back.

Leah, visibly angry, her arms crossed and her eyes sharp with offense and pride.

Affea, standing slightly behind Fiona, was a quiet but steady presence. She was there to support her half sister.

Orion, confused, glancing from one person to another like a soldier summoned without briefing. He didn't feel the need to stand there, as this matter had nothing to do with him. Maybe it is because he is family? But in that case, his mother wasn't there. So, he could only wonder about his father's intentions.

For a while, there was silence. Azzy didn't speak a bit, and when others spoke, they were told to stay still for now and wait.

And the silence was finally broken when Vesyrn entered the hall, stepping forward and taking his place beside Fiona with an unreadable expression.

Azzy exhaled slowly.

Then, he spoke at last. "Zion. Fiona. Step forward."

The two did.

Azzy's voice was quiet, yet it carried like a blade drawn across stone as he came directly to the matter. "Zion… your mother has filed a formal complaint regarding your relationship with Fiona."

Zion's head snapped up. "What?"

Azzy tilted his head slightly, expression blank. "She claimed you're being reckless, ignorant, and an ingrate son who is not only hurting her but also destroying the reputation of Camelot's reputation. Do you have anything to say to defend your crime?"

Zion frowned, confused. "Crime? But you… I thought you were okay with it. I took your permission beforehand, didn't I?"

A long pause followed.

Azzy's sharp gaze locked on the couple before him as he leaned forward on his throne, resting his chin against his fingers. "Yes, that is true. I do tell you that you have my blessing. However…"

Taking a pause, he continued. "I believe I told you… that I support you as your father. But right now, I'm not your father. I'm currently the Monarch of the Death Clan. This isn't just a personal matter anymore. It's now a political issue… between Camelot and the Death Clan."

Zion felt his throat tighten at that.

Azzy's eyes narrowed. "So, Zion. Fiona. You are answerable for the accusations put on your head. Tell me. How serious are you two in your relationship? Neither of you is even twenty yet. So, were you just acting on feelings without thinking about consequences, or do you have any thoughts on the long term?"

As the couple stayed silent for a moment, Azzy continued. His tone turned a bit colder as he spoke. "I will ask you directly, is there a marriage on the cards? Or do both of you just want to date and see where it goes?"

Azzy looked straight at Zion now. "As the man and the prime accused, you shall answer first. And you'll answer honestly."

Zion swallowed hard. He took one step forward and clenched his fists. "Yes," he said, voice steady. "I want to marry Fiona."

Fiona's eyes widened. A flicker of warmth touched her cheeks.

Meanwhile, Zion continued in his unwavering emotion. "I've had feelings for her for years. I never said it because I'm aware that we are related by blood. But now, I know that I can never love someone else. It's her I want to spend the rest of my life with."

Fiona turned to look at him, her lips parting slightly. Her heart beat faster than ever. But her hands were clenched tightly to control her expression on her face. She was trying her best not to express any kind of joy.

But then Azzy turned to her. "Fiona. Your answer?"

Fiona bit her lip as a flush of pink crept across her face.

She glanced at Zion, his back still straight as he knelt.

Then she turned toward Azzy.

"Yes," she said quietly. Then a little louder. "I… Yes, I want to marry him."

Her voice trembled slightly at first, but gained strength by the end.

A few audible reactions followed.

Leah's brow twitched, barely concealing the irritation rising beneath her skin.

Orion looked sideways.

Affea raised her hand to her lips.

But it was Vesyrn Garcia who drew the room's attention now.

It's because Azzy turned with a calm gaze, pointing his finger at his own father. "Vesyrn Garcia. Fiona is your daughter."

"And Zion…" he continued slowly, "however complicated it seems, he is your grandson. Will you be able to give your blessing to this couple, knowing the consequences of what might follow?"

All eyes turned to the man standing at the back.

Fiona turned her head, glancing back at her father. Zion stayed still with his eyes low and his jaw clenched.

Vesyrn said nothing for a long moment.

He stared at his daughter first.

Then at Zion.

He closed his eyes. *Sigh…*

A long sigh left his lips.

He didn't speak for a long time. No one dared to interrupt him.

Finally, he took a deep breath and turned to Azzy and said calmly, without hesitation, "Lord Azrael… Fiona is an adult. She's capable of making her own decisions. And whatever she decides, I will support her."

There was a stunned silence. Even Fiona's eyes widened slightly.

Azzy raised a single eyebrow.

"Over your own clan?" he asked, his voice sharper now. "Are you saying that you will choose your daughter over the clan."

Vesyrn didn't flinch as he gave a firm nod.

"Yes, the Garcia Clan has many warriors, many scholars, and leaders. Most importantly, it has Lord Azrael to look after. The clan will continue to survive and flourish with or without me."

He placed a hand on his chest as his eyes almost fluttered. "But my daughter… only has one father. And that is me."

Fiona's lips parted, overwhelmed. Her hands trembled slightly.

Azzy stared at Vesyrn for a long moment, as if measuring his father's willpower. Giving a subtle nod, Azzy then turned away, raising his hand slightly as he addressed the room.

"Very well."

He then shifted his gaze toward the golden-haired woman standing just a few paces behind the others, her presence undoubtedly burning with fury.

Azzy's voice became formal now as he declared. "Princess Leah of Camelot, The Death Clan formally puts forth a marriage proposal to the Royal House of Camelot."

"Fiona Garcia is a Supreme realm Arcana master, one who carries the bloodline of the Garcia family, one who inherited the divinity of Chione, and a future demigod. She is bound to become a pillar that Camelot can depend on. Her addition to your family only increases your family's power."

He turned his eyes to Leah.

"Princess Leah. Do you accept the marriage alliance and make Fiona your daughter-in-law?"

All eyes snapped to her.

For ten whole seconds, Zion and Fiona glanced at her so intensely that they didn't even breathe.

And then Leah slowly stepped forward.

She did not blink. She did not glance at Zion, nor Fiona, nor Vesyrn. Her piercing blue eyes locked with Azzy's.

"No. I don't."

The words of rejection escaped her mouth.