The Devil's Betrothed-Chapter 766: The Wolf Has Already Hunted Your Sister

As expected, everyone was invited to the Rainier mansion for the afternoon meal, as Gwen had sent the butler with a message. They arrived at the mansion soon after, and Rafal’s eyes immediately began searching for his sister.

Erin was in the drawing room with Gwen, prepared to face her brothers. When Rowan spotted her, he leaned toward Rafal and mumbled, "Be a good brother."

"Don’t teach me," Rafal growled under his breath.

Rowan raised an eyebrow and added in a low voice, "You’re way too cranky. Tonight, come with me to the pleasure house. You’ll..."

"Get lost," Rafal interrupted, walking ahead without another word. frёeωebɳovel.com

The others struggled to suppress their laughter at Rowan’s antics. He didn’t even spare his own brother, who was his complete opposite.

"Well, where’s my little pretty girl?" Rowan asked, referring to Rina. "Is she still not well?"

Gwen smiled warmly. "She’s not entirely well, but she insisted on joining us for lunch. She’ll be here soon."

Erin avoided making eye contact with her brothers, fidgeting nervously with her fingers.

"I’ll go check on the arrangements," Gwen said, sensing Erin might need some time alone with her brothers. She excused herself from the room.

"I’m already starving," Arthur said, standing up. "I’ll go see what’s for lunch and maybe sneak a bite or two to calm my hungry stomach."

"I’m coming with you," Aaron said, following him, with Imbert close behind.

Nathaniel glanced at Rowan and Rafal, then quietly left, leaving the siblings alone in the room.

Rowan approached Erin, who already looked anxious, and stood in front of her. She looked up at him hesitantly. He reached out and patted her head gently.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

She didn’t know why, but that question made her feel a little emotional. She had not expected him to ask if she was alright, rather than questioning where she had been the entire night.

"I’m fine," she replied softly.

"Good to know." Rowan stepped closer and hugged her gently. "My little sister has truly grown up now. Whatever you do, I’m always with you."

Erin didn’t know what to say, but she felt grateful to him for always being such an understanding brother. She slowly turned her head to glance at Rafal, who was watching her intently. She lowered her gaze. It was clear he wasn’t in the best mood.

Rowan let her go and looked at Rafal, who remained still.

"I’m hungry too," Rowan said, breaking the silence. He glanced at Rafal and added, "Don’t take too long. We won’t wait for you to start our meal," before leaving the drawing room.

With Rowan gone, Erin felt her heart race. She had never felt this nervous in front of her brothers before, not even when she had done something wrong. She couldn’t understand why she was suddenly so anxious about facing them now.

Rafal walked toward her and stopped in front of her, but she kept her gaze lowered, unsure of what to say about her overnight stay with Lucian.

"Are you not hungry?" she heard Rafal ask.

Erin finally lifted her gaze to look at him. His expression, as always, was serious, but she sensed he wasn’t angry or upset with her.

"Umm... I am..." she replied hesitantly.

"Then, let’s go," he said, turning to leave.

But Erin reached out and held his hand, stopping him.

Rafal turned back to her, his eyes questioning, as she finally spoke. "Are you angry with me?" she asked, her voice quiet, unsure of what he truly felt.

He turned back and gently held her hand, his gaze softening. "I was just worried about you. To me, you will always be my little sister who I need to protect."

"I didn’t mean to worry you... it’s just... I..." she trailed off, unable to find the right words.

He patted her head and said, "As long as you’re happy, everything is fine."

Erin was taken aback by his words, her eyes widening slightly.

"Let’s not keep them waiting," Rafal added.

Erin smiled and, in a rare moment, hugged him. It wasn’t often she hugged Rafal. She was closer to Rowan and then to Euron. Rafal’s stoic and serious nature had always created a certain distance between them, though she knew he loved her just as much as the others did.

Rafal patted her back, remaining silent. Together, they left for the dining room where everyone was waiting, including Lucian. He was aware she had been with her brothers, so he had decided to wait for her. Now, seeing her smile, he could tell everything was fine.

Rina arrived shortly after as well, looking much better than she had before. The brightness that had been absent from her face had returned, and she looked cheerful and lively again.

"I will sit next to Brother Aaron," Rina said.

Rowan shifted to another chair with a smile and replied, "As you say, young lady."

Rina sat down beside Aaron and said, "Now I will always sit next to you, and we’ll eat together."

Aaron hummed, glancing at her. "I’d like that, but you don’t have to act this way to coax me. With you around, I can never feel alone."

"I know, but how about we get a wife for you now?" Rina suggested cheerfully.

Everyone turned their attention to Aaron, curious to hear his response.

"Are you already tired of being with me, so now you’re trying to bring someone else to take your place?" Aaron asked, his tone light but teasing. "You promised to stay by my side, but it seems like you’re already planning to go back on your word."

Rina looked flustered, feeling wrongly accused, as her intentions had been entirely well-meaning. "No, not at all, Brother! I just thought..."

He reached out and patted her head gently. "You don’t need to plan anything for me. Just stay my little sister, and I’ll be happy."

Rina could only nod, her lips forming a small pout.

Rowan, ever playful, chimed in with a smirk. "When you have such a cute little kitten at home for entertainment, why would you want anyone else?" He reached out and gently pinched Rina’s soft cheek. "Hey, little kitten, how about you come with me instead?"

She freed her cheek from his pinching fingers and said, "Brother Aaron needs me more. And I am not a kitten but a noble young lady. You can’t just touch a noble lady like this."

Everyone was taken aback by her words but couldn’t help smiling.

"But weren’t you ready to marry me just a day back and now you want to act like a lady?" Rowan almost laughed. "

"But we are not married," she said.

"Alright, noble lady. I will be mindful of my actions," Rowan gave in as he could not stop laughing.

Rina hummed in satisfaction and turned her attention back to Aaron.

They all enjoyed a peaceful meal together.

Later, as they settled in the drawing room, the conversation turned to more important matters.

"I was thinking there’s no need for Erin to return to the capital," Lucian said, surprising everyone, including Erin.

"And why not?" Rowan asked curiously.

"We’re going to marry anyway, and she’ll have to return to the northeast with me. I just don’t want her to endure such a long journey back and forth when, in the end, she’ll return here. I’m worried she won’t be able to handle it," Lucian explained.

His reasoning made sense to everyone.

"Just admit you can’t stay away from my sister," Rowan commented playfully.

"That’s also one of the reasons," Lucian admitted with a calm expression, "but the main reason is her wellbeing."

’Shameless brother, unintentionally shameless husband,’ Erin sighed inwardly.

"Anyway, the northeast has a tradition that weddings happen at the groom’s place, and the bride’s side comes there," Aaron said. "So we might as well follow the tradition here. Lucian’s concern is valid too."

Paul, who had been listening, said, "I agree with this decision. In that case, I will personally go and speak with the King and Lord Ahren."

"A long journey isn’t good for you either, Father," Lucian said. "I’ll go."

"I’ll handle it," Aaron said. "Lucian, you just take care of matters here in my absence. If Erin is here, it won’t be good for you to leave for long."

Lucian could not deny it. "I’ve discovered some shorter routes during my raids on Luis’s wealth," Lucian added. "Those routes aren’t suitable for carriages, but they’re fine for horseback. It could shorten your journey by a few days."

Aaron hummed in agreement. They discussed the details further until Paul and Gwen excused themselves, followed by Erin and Rina.

Afterward, Aaron turned to Rowan and Arthur. "You two should stay here, or it will look like you’ve already abandoned your sister."

Rowan hummed. "I won’t leave my sister with a wolf until they’re married."

"The wolf has already hunted your sister," Lucian said calmly. "But you’re still welcome to stay here."

Rowan raised an eyebrow. "You sly fox. You act like a rock in front of everyone, but now your true colors are showing. Is this how you fooled my sister?"

"There’s no need to fool her," Lucian countered. "She ended up falling for the rock instead."

"You, just wait. Until your wedding, I’m taking her to Wynters," Rowan warned.

Lucian remained unfazed. "Do as you please."

Seeing him so calm, Rowan turned to Aaron and said, "Make sure the room my sister stays in at your residence has all its windows locked."

Aaron didn’t know how to respond, while the others couldn’t help but smile.