The Million-Dollar Heart

Vivienne's back stiffened, her usually delicate face now as dark as a thundercloud, pitch black and stormy.

Percival barely suppressed a smirk.

When had the so-called "War God" become such a fool?

Arthur: "Hey, kid, watch your mouth. I am your future father-in-law. Be careful, or I might not let her marry you!"

Percival: "Do you really think you hold that much sway in my lady's heart?"

Arthur: ...

Stabbed in the heart!

Jasper, on the other hand, didn't catch the tension between Vivienne and Percival. He was distracted by an almost maniacal voice growing louder outside, approaching rapidly.

"When did Arthur arrive? What's he doing here?" Jasper wondered aloud.

The Perez and the Linklater families were acquaintances, but barely interacted.

Their most significant connection was through Yorick, who had a slight acquaintance with a few of the Perez sons. Arthur, known far and wide for his military exploits as the "War God" of Veridia, was respected by the Perez family, though they rarely saw him, given his duties.

"Why has Arthur come to the Perez household now? And in such a hurry?" Jasper pondered.

As Jasper stood there, puzzled, Arthur approached, hands clasped in apology, "Dad! Sorry I'm late! I'll make it up to the family, I promise!"

Jasper, "?!"

and Luke Perez emerged, equally baffled. "What's

Jasper "Dad"? Was

sleepwalking "War God" could spell

what's gotten into you, calling me 'Dad'?" "While I'd love to have a 'War God' for a son, I'm not about to steal someone else's, especially not my daughter's mentor's son. That's completely off-limits!" Arthur, dead serious, offered, "Dad, a son-in-law is as good as a son. If you wish,

The Perez brothers, "?!"

Vivienne remained expressionless.

the bridge of

turned exceedingly

a long pause, Jasper finally managed, "This is big news! Think it

about to respond when Jasper cut him off, "If you're sure, we

as his son! Jasper wouldn't dream of letting such an opportunity slip through his

at

for the country, changing my name and transferring households is just a phone call away," Arthur,

joy of gaining a "War

over twenty years. It's time to make it right. She's still unconscious, which isn't ideal for a wedding, but I can't wait any longer. I need to give her and our daughter their due recognition. They've suffered because of my absence, and I want to make it up to them. I've set the wedding date

now is auspicious for marriage. Don't worry about the dowry; I'm offering ten billion dollars, ten houses, ten luxury cars, ten plots in Rivenwood suburb, a hundred sets of jewelry, a

bride's dowry, we won't need one.

Damn!

God" was setting the bar high.

"War God" offered, but his finances were tied up in

need to turn to Fariana Isle

and Thomas, dealing with the Grimshaw

was reeling

having heard something even

Vivienne remained stoic.

back at the Linklater household, Yorick was having a breakdown in the