Chapter 583: Reluctant Engagement

Maria thought that once she woke up the next morning, she would be able to forget everything that had happened the day before.

She would forget how Cassius had confessed to her on their very first meeting—his earnest, vulnerable eyes, the sincerity in his voice.

She would forget how she had rejected him outright, and the pitiful, heartbroken look that had flickered across his face before he masked it with a smile.

It had been such a genuine, heart-melting moment that she knew she would never truly erase it from her memory.

But she had convinced herself that, with a new day, it wouldn’t bother her so much.

She wouldn’t be affected by it.

But she was very, very wrong.

The next morning, Maria woke with a start—breathing heavily, body covered in a light sheen of sweat, staring wide-eyed at the ornate ceiling above her guest-room bed.

She had experienced the most embarrassing, vivid dream.

In it, she had been walking down the grand aisle of a beautiful cathedral, sunlight streaming through stained-glass windows, wearing a flowing white wedding dress that hugged her figure perfectly.

At the altar, waiting with a radiant smile, had been Cassius—handsome in formal attire, eyes shining only for her.

In the pews sat Aqua, her own daughter, the rest of the sisters, and even some of Cassius’s wives—all cheering and throwing flower petals, faces glowing with joy.

And then…the dream had shifted to their wedding night.

Cassius had been passionate, relentless, worshipful—hands and mouth everywhere, whispering how much he loved her, how long he had waited.

The memory of those dream sensations lingered on her skin, making her thighs press together even now.

Flustered beyond words, Maria had leapt out of bed, taken a long, cold bath, scrubbed herself thoroughly, and changed into fresh, crisp robes.

Yet even as she walked down the quiet mansion corridor, hair still slightly damp, the thoughts refused to leave.

They looped endlessly in her mind.

What if she had said yes?

How would she have explained it to the Church? To her daughter?

How would the world view a revered saintess marrying a man so much younger—someone the Church itself had sent her to investigate?

And more than anything…how happy would Cassius have been?

She had read about how tenderly he treated his wives—how he doted on them, protected them, made them feel like queens.

What would it feel like to be cherished like that by him?

To wake in his arms every morning?

To be the one he looked at with that devoted, burning gaze?

The possibilities spun through her head—sweet, scandalous, impossible.

She thought she must be the only one suffering like this on their first full day in the mansion—heart racing, mind tangled in forbidden daydreams.

But then she spotted Aqua coming down the same corridor from the opposite direction.

But just as she was about to call out to her, she noticed something that made her stop.

Aqua’s expression was…strange.

Dazed. Dreamy. Cheeks faintly pink, eyes unfocused, walking as though in a trance.

Maria assumed she was still half-asleep, so she smiled warmly and called out cheerfully.

“Good morning, Aqua! I hope you had a good night’s sleep with your brother. It must have been wonderful to be close to him again after so long.”

But shockingly, Aqua didn’t respond.

She didn’t even pause or glance Maria’s way.

She just kept walking, gliding past as if Maria were invisible, her eyes unfocused and lost in some inner world.

Maria blinked, stunned.

Aqua had never ignored her before—not once. In fact, Aqua had always been the one to greet her with cheerful energy, bubbling over with stories or questions.

This was completely out of character.

Concerned, Maria turned and hurried after her.

“Aqua? Aqua dear, can you hear me?”

No response—Aqua continued down the hall, steps unhurried.

Maria quickened her pace, weaving in front of her to block her path.

“Aqua, are you alright? Can you hear me, darling?”

Still nothing.

Finally, Maria raised her voice, grabbing Aqua’s shoulder gently but firmly.

“Aqua! Are you there, Aqua!?”

Aqua jolted as though waking from a dream, eyes widening. She looked around in confusion, then down at Maria’s concerned face.

Realization dawned.

“Oh—Auntie Maria…I…”

Sh then got embarrassed as she realised what she had done.

“I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to ignore you like that. Truly. I was…lost in my thoughts. I didn’t hear you at all.”

She pulled Maria into a quick, apologetic hug before stepping back, hands clasped nervously.

“I really didn’t mean to be rude.”

Maria softened immediately, patting Aqua’s arm.

“I know, dear. I know you would never ignore me on purpose. But that’s exactly why I’m worried. What on earth were you thinking about so deeply that you didn’t even hear me shouting your name?”

Aqua’s blush deepened. She looked away, biting her lip.

Maria tilted her head, voice gentle but curious.

“Come now, you can tell me. You looked completely dazed. I’m a little concerned.”

The moment she asked, Aqua blushed even deeper, averting her eyes and fiddling with the hem of her gown.

The secret, of course, was the whirlwind of the previous night with Cassius.

The misunderstandings, the accidental intimacy, the way he had comforted her that morning—acting not like a little brother, but like a strong, caring man who could take care of her, cherish her.

She was struggling to see him as just her baby sibling anymore.

He had become…more.

A man who made her feel safe, desired, protected.

She was fighting those thoughts tooth and nail—arguing with herself in her mind, reminding herself of their blood bond, their shared childhood.

It had consumed her so completely that she had tuned out the world, including Maria.

But there was no way she could confess that to Maria—no way she could admit she was starting to view her own brother as a man, in ways that stirred forbidden warmth.

So, with a hesitant glance, Aqua offered a partial truth.

“Oh…I was just thinking about the marriage proposal, Aunty Maria.”

She bit her lip, cheeks still pink.

“I really don’t know what to do about it. I’m so confused, torn between duty and…other feelings. It’s been weighing on me heavily.”

Maria frowned slightly, her expression shifting into that familiar, gentle motherly concern realising immediately why she has such a face.

“I’ll be frank with you Aqua since you seem to be thinking about this matter for a while now. But the fact of the matter is, marriages are supposed to happen only when both partners truly love and adore each other.”

She said softly, voice warm but firm.

“So, the fact that you’re hesitating even now…that you’ve been carrying this weight for a month…it’s not a good sign at all, dear.”

“I think you should just turn down this proposal. If your heart isn’t in it, forcing it will only bring unhappiness.”

Aqua gave a reluctant, bittersweet smile, lowering her eyes.

“I…can’t do that so easily, Aunty Maria.” She murmured. “He’s my teacher, after all. The one who guided me from the very beginning—taught me everything until I became an Archmage.”

“Rejecting him outright…it would be a great disrespect. I don’t want to do something like that.”

She lifted her gaze, meeting Maria’s eyes earnestly.

“Not to mention…he’s the head of the Magical Academy. And I’m the Empress’s niece. If I turn him down carelessly, it could create friction between the Academy and the imperial family.”

“My Aunt is already in conflict with many noble houses. If my teacher took offense and sided against her…it would only make things harder for her. It wouldn’t be ideal at all.”

Maria shook her head slowly, a sad, pitying look crossing her face.

She couldn’t help but feel how truly pitiful Aqua’s situation was.

The girl only wanted a simple, peaceful life—close to her brother, away from politics and expectations.

Yet circumstances kept dragging her into obligations she never asked for.

Just then, Aqua forced a brighter, more cheerful smile.

“But don’t worry so much, Aunty Maria.” She said, looping her arm through Maria’s as they began walking again. “My teacher actually gave me an alternative. He said that if I advance from Archmage to Sorcerer Supreme, he’ll nullify the proposal himself. He won’t ask again.”

Maria stopped short, shaking her head more vigorously.

“How am I supposed to look at that optimistically, Aqua?”

Her voice rose slightly with concern and a touch of anger.

“You became an Archmage at such a young age—that was already extraordinary. Amazing, even. But demanding you reach Sorcerer Supreme? That’s ridiculous!”

“That’s a rank people usually only achieve in their sixties, seventies—when they’re old and gray, with decades more experience! And even someone as talented as you can’t reach that stage so soon.”

She placed a hand on Aqua’s arm, eyes intense.

“He must be joking or testing you in some cruel way. And honestly, even though everyone calls him the Greatest Mage in the Empire, I don’t him at all. He’s putting you in an impossible position.”

Aqua laughed softly, reaching up to pat Maria’s hand reassuringly.

“It’s alright, Aunty Maria. Really, it’s alright.”

“He’s still my teacher. Maybe he genuinely sees potential in me. One way or another, I’ll do my best to become a Supreme. So please don’t worry so much.”

But how could Maria not worry?

Aqua was like a daughter to her.

The thought of her being forced into a loveless marriage or chasing an almost impossible goal to escape one was heartbreaking.

But before she could press further, Aqua suddenly tilted her head, studying Maria’s face with a knowing look.

“Actually…you’ve been asking what’s wrong with me all this time.”

Aqua said, voice turning playful but gentle.

“But what about you, Auntie Maria? What’s wrong with you? Why do you look so worried and concerned? What’s on your mind?”

Maria blinked, caught off guard.

“I…I’m completely fine, Aqua.” She said quickly, forcing a smile. “What exactly are you talking about?”

Aqua shook her head, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips.

“I know you, Aunty Maria. You’re definitely thinking about something else right now.”

She leaned closer, peering into Maria’s eyes with exaggerated scrutiny.

“Unlike your daughter, you’re actually really bad when it comes to hiding your emotions and it’s usually always written over your face.”

“And right now, your eyes…they tell everything.”

“Right now, even though you’re trying to hide it, it’s obvious you’re worrying deeply about something personal.”

Maria’s cheeks warmed, and she looked away quickly.

“Um…actually, the thing is…I…” She said words but none of made sense.

And Aqua, to curious to know what happening, wrapped both hands around Maria’s arm, shaking it lightly.

“Come on! Tell me! It’s not fair—you keep asking about my thoughts, but I’m allowed to be concerned about you too!”

Maria hesitated, cheeks pinker now.

“This is…a matter for grown-ups.” She said finally, turning her face away. “A child like you shouldn’t be bothered with it.”

Aqua pouted dramatically.

“What are you talking about! In three years I’ll be in my thirties—a fully developed woman!”

To emphasize her point, she playfully shook her chest, making her ample breasts bounce.

“Just look—what kind of child has breasts this big? I’m clearly an adult.”

Then she leaned in closer, eyes sparkling mischievously.

“And you know…the way you’re denying it and blushing…I feel like there’s something deep going on. Something scandalous.”

Maria’s shame deepened.

“W-What? No way!”

Aqua grinned wider.

“Perhaps some sort of romance? A secret love you can’t say out loud?”

Maria’s reaction was immediate—face turning scarlet, hands waving frantically.

Seeing this, Aqua’s eyes widened in surprise—then lit up with excitement.

“Oh my gods…I only said that as a joke. But why are you reacting like that?”

She clasped her hands together, grinning.

“Don’t tell me…you actually fell in love or something?!”

Maria’s face was steaming now.

“Be quiet, Aqua!” She hissed, flustered beyond words. “You’re being far too cheeky for your own good!”

She darted off, trying to escape the conversation.

But Aqua easily kept up, skipping alongside her.

“Come on, come on! Tell me! Tell me!”

Maria ignored her, walking faster.

“Please? Pretty please? I won’t tell anyone!”

Aqua kept pestering, laughter in her voice.

The chase continued down the corridor until Maria suddenly stopped, eyes lighting up with relief.

“Oh, look—there’s Joy!”

She pointed toward the large glass doors leading to the garden.

“I haven’t seen her all morning.”

Aqua turned, following her gaze.

“Yeah, that is Joy…”

But then her eyes narrowed, spotting the cloaked figure standing very close beside her daughter—hood pulled low, body language intimate.

“Who exactly is that?”

Aqua asked, voice sharpening with curiosity and a hint of protectiveness.

“And why is he standing so close to Joy? And why is Joy who loves her personal space letting someone get that near?”

Maria frowned, equally confused.

“I have no idea…”

Both women exchanged a glance—concern momentarily overriding their earlier worries.

“Let’s check it out.” Maria said.

Aqua nodded firmly.

Together, they hurried toward the garden doors, personal troubles set aside in favor of investigating whatever mysterious figure had gotten so close to Joy.

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