The Devil's Betrothed-Chapter 741: Have A Dignity Of A Lord

Once the meal ended and everyone was preparing to leave, Erin spoke up. "Aaron, would you like to take a walk with me?"

The room fell silent. Aaron glanced at Erin, then at his brother, feeling caught between the two. If he declined Erin’s invitation, it would embarrass her in front of everyone, especially since she believed they were destined to marry. Yet, if he accepted, it might hurt his brother.

Still, if his brother were truly a man, he wouldn’t let his woman feel slighted. And Aaron had no intention of humiliating a lady.

With a subtle nod, Aaron stood up, and Erin followed suit.

"Your ankle is still injured," Lucian pointed out.

Erin shot him a sharp look. "Aaron is with me. It’s his place to care, not yours," she said bluntly. "Stop being my bodyguard and have the dignity of a Lord."

Everyone exchanged glances, speechless. Erin was never one to hold back, and it was clear Lucian was in for a difficult time.

Lucian, however, remained calm. "If I hadn’t maintained the dignity of a Lord, you wouldn’t be sitting next to my brother."

Rowan leaned back in his chair, pouring himself a fresh cup of tea. "Please, carry on. I’m quite enjoying this."

Erin gave her brother a disapproving frown before turning to Aaron. She looped her arm through his, like a proper lady. "Shall we?"

Aaron nodded and could feel his brother’s piercing gaze on his arm. Aaron looked at him, his gaze meaning- ’Don’t give me that look. It’s your fault for not telling her anything yet.’

"Can I join you?" Rina asked sweetly.

Aaron could only nod, and the three of them left together.

The remaining group sat back, their attention shifting to Lucian, who stared at Erin with a dark expression seeing her still clinging to Aaron’s arm.

"You must’ve done something to upset her earlier," Nathaniel remarked.

Lucian exhaled, frustrated. "I was only trying to keep her from hurting herself."

Rowan chuckled. "I don’t doubt it. When Erin’s angry, she can be reckless. You’d better know what you’re getting into—she’s not easy to handle."

"Maybe that’s why I like her," Lucian muttered.

"Well, I look forward to seeing how she gets under your skin," Rowan said with a grin. "This trip was worth it just for the entertainment. I never expected it to be this interesting."

"Stop finding amusement in our sister’s pain," Rafal scolded, then turned to Lucian. "Did you even tell her that you never rejected her? That it was just a misunderstanding?"

Lucian shook his head.

"Lucian, you should tell her now, so she won’t stay angry with you," Arthur suggested.

"No, he can’t," Rowan interjected, turning to Lucian with a mischievous grin. "If you truly love my sister, I challenge you to make her fall for you again—and accept you—without you revealing the truth to her. If you can manage that, only then will I give you my blessing to marry her. Otherwise, I’ll be perfectly content watching her marry your brother and raise a family with lots of children."

Lucian’s glare darkened at the thought of Erin starting a family with someone else. His jaw tightened. "Don’t worry. You’d make a fine nanny for her and my children."

"Gladly," Rowan said, sipping his tea with a smirk.

While Erin, Aaron, and Rina strolled outside, the others moved to the drawing room after finishing their freshly brewed tea.

"When are we leaving for Wynters and Rainiers?" Rowan asked.

"This afternoon," Lucian replied, taking responsibility in Aaron’s absence.

"Good. I hope you’ll be as good a host as Nathaniel was," Rowan remarked.

"That’s for Aaron to answer, as you’ll be staying at Wynters," Lucian responded flatly.

Rowan arched a brow. "Didn’t you say my sister would be staying at your residence, not Aaron’s?"

"She will. Just her—not her brothers," Lucian said bluntly.

Rowan scoffed. "What do you take us for?" He turned to Rafal. "Won’t you say anything?"

"I’m fine with staying at Wynters," Rafal said indifferently.

"You’re absolutely useless," Rowan muttered, exasperated, before facing Lucian again. "And what’s the real reason behind all this?"

"Aaron would like to have guests staying in his residence," Lucian said with a shrug. "Besides, I don’t want anyone meddling between me and Erin, especially her second brother."

Rowan sighed dramatically. "Alright, but if you upset my sister while she’s at your home, I swear I’ll have her married to Aaron the very next day."

"We’ll see," Lucian replied, unbothered.

Just then, a butler entered the room, bowing slightly. "Lord Lucian, one of the servants noticed bloodstains on your shirt. Are you injured?"

"Injured?" Rina’s voice rang out as she rushed toward her brother, having returned from the short walk in the cold. "Where are you hurt?"

Aaron followed close behind, his expression sharp with concern. "What happened?"

"It’s just a small scratch. Nothing serious."

"Show me where you’re hurt, brother," Rina insisted anxiously.

"It’s nothing, Rina," Lucian reassured her with a calm smile

Nathaniel glanced at the butler, who elaborated, "The bloodstain on the shoulder was quite large. It doesn’t seem like a small injury."

Erin, standing at a distance, quickly realized what the wound could be. She had bitten Lucian hard enough to draw blood. He’s a strong man; he won’t die from it, she told herself with a frown. He provoked me and deserved it. It’s all his fault. I don’t need to feel guilty toward a rogue.

"Why are you standing over there? Come inside," Rowan called to his sister. He noticed his sister’s expressions that of a sinner.

With a sigh, Erin complied and walked into the room.

Rina, still worried, leaned closer to Lucian. "Show me," she insisted, tugging at his winter coat. "Let me see the wound."

Lucian gently caught Rina’s hand to stop her from pulling his clothes away, his voice calm. "Though I am your brother, it’s not very polite, Rina. I know you’re concerned, but you have to trust that I’m fine." ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

"You’re always like this!" Rina pouted. "You get hurt and never tell anyone. You don’t know how much you worry Gwen. I’ll tell her again—and this time, I’ll make sure she scolds you!"

"Rina, you can’t tell her," Lucian said firmly. Rina huffed and slumped into an empty chair, folding her arms and refusing to speak further.

"Oh, you angered my little woman," Rowan commented, and patted Rina’s head, "My Lady, ignore him. You can worry for me, if you want."

Rina nodded, as she glared at her brother and then looked back at Rowan. "When you are hurt, let me know. I will treat you."

"Of course."