Three days passed and by now, Joon-ho had slipped into the role of aizen McKenzie with unsettling ease.
"Good thing this guy wasn't an instructor in an academy," he joked under his breath, watching the garden from the tall window. "I would've failed the first day."
The rose bushes shifted gently in the wind, perfectly trimmed, just like everything in the McKenzie estate.
A sudden knock echoed from the door.
"Master Aizen," came the butler's crisp voice, "your fiancée has arrived to meet you."
Joon-ho blinked.
Fiancée? Right—Aizen had one in the game.
He pushed away from the window, calm mask sliding into place.
"Very well," he said smoothly. "I'll meet her."
He crossed the room, reaching for a long black coat draped over a chair.
Aizen stepped out through the front doors of the McKenzie estate, boots clicking sharply against the polished stone.
A carriage, elegant and white, waited at the center.
As the door opened, a girl stepped down with practiced grace.
She was beautiful, delicate features framed by long pale hair, eyes soft like moonlight.
Her dress flowed gently around her, and unlike most nobles who radiated superiority or anxiety, she carried a quiet, steady calm, a rather very serene presence.
Lady Elara Winster, Aizen McKenzie's fiancée.
Veronica approached quickly from the side, expression bright and composed.
"Lady Elara, welcome to the McKenzie estate," she said politely with a graceful bow. "It's wonderful to see you again."
Elara smiled softly. "The pleasure is mine, Lady Veronica. Thank you for having me."
Their exchange was warm, respectful, almost sisterly.
Aizen watched from several steps away, standing tall, arms crossed, posture relaxed yet imposing.
Only when the two women turned toward him did he finally take a slow step forward.
His gaze swept over Elara, simply assessing.
As though she were a decorative object the estate had acquired, something nice to look at but ultimately replaceable.
He raised a single eyebrow, the picture of domineering arrogance.
"Elara," he said, voice smooth and faintly bored, "you're early."
Veronica shot her brother a small scowl, but said nothing. Even she knew arguing with Aizen in public was pointless.
Aizen simply stood there, gaze steady and unyielding, the weight of his presence filling the courtyard.
"Well," he said lazily, turning his eyes toward Veronica, "bring her in."
Veronica's jaw tightened, irritation flickering in her eyes, but she swallowed it down and stepped aside to guide Elara.
Elara was soon guided into one of the estate's reception rooms, an elegant space with tall windows, white drapes, and polished marble floors that reflected the sunlight in soft gold.
A round table had already been prepared, set with tea, fruit, and a light meal.
Veronica busied herself immediately.
"Please, Lady Elara, have a seat. If the tea is too strong, I'll prepare a milder blend. And if there's anything you prefer, just tell me, I'll have it arranged."
Her smile was bright, almost protective.
Elara gave a gentle nod.
"You're very kind, Lady Veronica. This is more than enough."
The atmosphere around Elara stayed calm, serene, unhurried. Even as Veronica fluttered about adjusting dishes and pouring tea, Elara remained composed in a way that made her presence soothing.
Aizen took his seat opposite her without a word.
A servant placed a plate before him, and he picked up the knife and fork with casual, practiced elegance.
He cut into his meat with clean motions and then brought it to his mouth and ate with the quiet confidence of someone who believed the entire room existed solely for his comfort.
Veronica shot him a glance, clearly torn between irritation and resignation.
Elara, meanwhile, watched Aizen with a calm expression, unfazed, unreadable.
If she found his behavior rude, she didn't show it.
Instead, she sipped her tea quietly.
The quiet clink of Aizen's knife against porcelain was the only sound in the room.
Then, calmly he spoke.
"Lady Elara," he said without looking up from his plate, "what do you think about cancelling our engagement?"
The words dropped like a stone into a still pond.
Veronica jerked her head up first, eyes wide in disbelief.
"What—?!"
Elara, however, did not flinch.
She simply lowered her teacup with graceful composure, her eyes lifting to Aizen's crimson ones.
"May I ask," she said softly, "if I have done anything that displeases my lord? If so… I would like the chance to correct it."
Aizen finally set his utensils down.
He lifted his gaze to her and spoke with cool detachment.
"It's not your fault."
He leaned back slightly, tone dismissive yet firm.
"It's mine."
Veronica blinked, confused.
Aizen taking blame was a rarity on the level of witnessing a solar eclipse.
Aizen continued, voice steady,"Think about it clearly before you answer. And if you're here for the sake of your family's business…"
He paused, meeting her eyes fully. "Tell your father I'm still willing to maintain my investments, regardless of whether this engagement proceeds."
For a moment, the room fell silent.
Joon-ho hid his frantic thoughts behind Aizen's icy mask.
This is the most I can do. In every route I remember… Aizen never ends up with Elara. Not once.
She always sides with Veronica or turns against him. And from Aizen's memories, the engagement began when he saw her in one of his usual drinking parties and found her to be pretty girl. He threw money at her father for her hand like she was an investment opportunity.
He glanced at her serene expression.
There's no way she doesn't resent him for that. Calm or not, nobody can just forgets that.
Veronica's mouth opened, clearly ready to protest.
But then her gaze shifted to Elara and she hesitated.
Elara sat perfectly still, eyes lowered, contemplating Aizen's words not with panic… but with quiet seriousness.
The air grew thick and Aizen waited, composed and unreadable.
Veronica exhaled slowly, lowering her gaze.
"Lady Elara…" she murmured, unable to hide her worry.