"I WANT YOU TO MARRY HER."
these lines echoed in his mind.
Ron gaze turned hostile. his gaze darkened, infinite, like a void capable of swallowing anyone.
"Listen to me first," he said, raising his hands.
Ron's eyes did not change, but he allowed him to continue with a nod.
"The Fosters are after me," Carter said, his voice tight. "And they'll target my family. That's why I sent my mother to a safe place and arranged marriages for my sisters—to protect them. And now… there's only one left. You've met her. The doctor."
Ron's tone was calm, almost chilling. "So… you want me to marry her… to protect her."
"Yes," Carter said firmly.
Ron stared at him, For the first time, Carter didn't recognized him. Like his friend was a stranger.
Ron opened his mouth, ""And why should I? What will it benefit me?"
Carter hesitated. "It's for you too. I know this house… it feels empty. Remember when I came here with my family? It wasn't the happy house I remembered, at the time when they were alive."
Ron raised his hand, his hand curled into fist. It was a gesture for him to stop
Carter continued, "I've seen what happened to you after… everything," Carter said softly. "After your family… and after Dream…"
Ron's eyes glistened with unshed tears, his voice low, broken.
"What do you know? Tell me what do you know?"
"I know you loved your family from the depths of your soul an-." Carter's sentence was cut by Ron
"We.... lost our child before it was even born, in Dream's belly a long time ago. And now… Dream is gone and my two small daughters. What did they do, their only fault was that they were related to me. I couldn't protect either of them."
Carter's eyes widened, grief mirrored in his expression.
The room fell into heavy silence.
After a long pause,
Carter finally said, "Okay… but Ron. Please. Marry my sister and protect her. That's all I ask. I'm not asking as a friend. I'm asking as someone whose family is in danger. Anyone in my place would do the same."
Ron looks at him, and remembers a memory
Dream was sitting in the living room, she was reading a book. Her expressions kept changing. First she was surprised them small anger on her face and then she smiled.
Ron came from behind and put his hand on her head, "Is everything okay?"
"It's just that this main character is doesn't deserves to be a main character. The moment he gained new power, he forgot his friends and family. So, I was surprised by this twist, then main character actions angered me." Dream said
"Then why did you smiled?" Ron asked
"Then, I remembered you, you'll never be like this. I know it. So, it made me happy." Dream said shyly.
Ron smiled and patted his head, "You will be here to witness it won't you."
Dream paused then said with a smile, "Yes, I will stay with you till my last breath."
Ron smiled and wrapped his arms through sitting Dream.
Dream spoke in Ron's ear "Ron, please help others, no matter the situation. Promise me."
"Yes, yes. Everything for you." Ron said
Back to Present
Ron remembered it, at that time he didn't think much of it.
"Did she said that to tell me in advance?" Ron thought, "But why?" Ron thought again.
Ron heard himself say, "Fine. I agree"
Carter looked at him in shock, "What?"
"I agree, to marry and protect your sister." Ron said
Carter smiled and sighed in relief.
He pulled a marriage license from his bag, already signed on the woman's side. Ron picked up the pen, paused, and looked at Carter. "I have a few conditions."
"Anything," Carter said without hesitation.
Ron signed the papers.
Carter said, "Don't worry. She'll take care of you. I'll send her with her things soon. Goodbye," Carter said, walking out.
Ron turned to a family photograph of himself, Dream, Ines, and Ai—his daughters. His eyes lingered on Dream's absence in the world, the weight of her memory pressing down on him.
Dream's book lay open to a random page:
"She always wanted to see him happy, no matter the situation. For her, he was her knight; for him, she was his queen. Even now, he swore to protect her memory, and those he still loved."
Ron came towards the book and without seeing its contents, he closed the book gently, carrying it to his bedroom and placing it on the table. The spark of purpose in him was fragile… but it was there.