Chapter 1: 1
Zion Laird embraced a new life, leaving his old name in the past. Living as a mere cog in modern society had been lonely and painful. Although it was a bit strange at first, he soon adapted and became a different person.
“Do tycoons live like this too?”
As the youngest son of the Marquis family, Zion enjoyed a comfortable life. Maids and servants attended to him, and his father, who possessed immense wealth and fame, led the family. He wasn’t disliked by his parents, and his two older brothers were kind and talented. As long as the family didn’t fall, he wouldn’t have to struggle.
“Being an extra isn’t so bad.”
This world wasn’t real; it only existed in a novel. But as Zion Laird, an extra, he accepted it as reality.
“It would be nice to live quietly and die peacefully.”
Zion quietly got out of bed, the warm sunlight slowly streaming in through the window. It had been about a month since he came to this world, yet the sight outside still felt new.
“But it can’t go smoothly.”
As he looked out the window, Zion turned his back. Adapting to this life, he constantly pondered how the novel’s plot would start, the process it would follow, and its ending. How would the protagonist act, and how would others react?
“Living isn’t easy, no matter what.”
Zion knew where this world was headed. He had read the story multiple times and frequently checked the settings. Although he couldn’t confirm every detail about extras, he was certain about his own role.
“Running away is hard, and staying still changes nothing.”
If the world followed the original story, he would be swept along. Zion, even as an extra, wasn’t entirely insignificant. He was occasionally mentioned as the plot progressed.
“I can’t help it; I have nothing special.”
Unlike his brothers, Zion had no unique talents. The eldest excelled with the sword, and the second was a royal administrator. But Zion, the youngest, simply lived quietly in the mansion.
“Since I’m useless, they can only sell me off.”
Although the Marquis didn’t hold any ill will towards Zion, he wasn’t particularly talented compared to his brothers and didn’t cause trouble. He was given suitable responsibilities and roles for the family’s sake.
“An unruly lady…”
Zion sighed as he sat on the bed. His new life was starting to get complicated. If he had a choice, things might have been better.
“It’s frustrating.”
Despite his thoughts, Zion had roughly planned things out. He considered what the unruly lady thought, how he should treat her, and what the outcome would be. There was no guarantee things would go smoothly, but he could roughly follow the direction with some effort.
“At least I don’t have to marry her.”
In the original story, Zion was engaged and then lived with his in-laws. That someone was the unruly lady and the protagonist’s heroine. Zion was unintentionally linked to the protagonist.
“I need to be ready before the protagonist appears.”
Objectively, there was no need to prepare. The protagonist had high potential and strength, and would inevitably reach the conclusion after many trials. Zion just wanted to secure his own life.
“To avoid being used, I need strength.”
If Zion had been more talented than his brothers, the Marquis wouldn’t use him as a pawn for marriage but keep him close. With significant achievements and fame, he could choose his spouse.
“I have my preferences, and this isn’t it.”
Marriage requires careful decision, not instinct. While one can date freely, marriage decides one’s future. Divorce is too late, and with children, it’s over.
“If I don’t find someone I like, I’ll stay single.”
In this world, being single might not be accepted or could bring family criticism. But Zion didn’t intend to be swayed. If he couldn’t carve his own path, he’d be a puppet, not a person.
“No matter what the protagonist does, I’m the most important.”
Even if he did nothing, the protagonist would act. As time passed, the protagonist would grow stronger, defeat enemies, and achieve great things. Zion saw no reason to get involved.
“I wish life could be easy.”
* * *
In the Marquis’ mansion, in the lord’s room. At this hour, he should be working in the office or out meeting people. But something more important had come up, and he was discussing it with his wife.
The other family had made the proposal, and as the lord, it was an offer he couldn’t refuse.
“So you’re saying we’ll give our youngest to them?”
“Give? My son is not an object.”
“You’re treating him like one by giving him away.”
Lady Rien, the wife and matriarch of the Laird family, pressed the issue. She understood the meaning and knew it was beneficial for the family. But in process, it felt like using their precious child as a tool to build connections.
“Sigh… My lady, I can’t refuse this proposal. It’s a chance to connect with the Duke’s family.”
“Our family is also a Marquis! Don’t we have pride?”
“It’s not about pride. The Duke title isn’t given to just anyone.”
Even receiving the Marquis title wasn’t easy. It ranked second, requiring wealth and fame to maintain. But compared to the Duke, the highest rank, it seemed less significant.
“The Marquis can become like the Duke if they want.”
“Do you think I don’t know that? Our family’s influence isn’t weak, but we must prepare for the future!”
Lord Fried showed his rising anxiety. So far, the Laird family maintained its prestige. But in the capital and other regions, some nobles were expanding their influence. Most were counts, making the Marquis feel threatened.
“They’re growing their power with trade and connections. The king is interested in them too. If we falter, our family could be pushed aside!”
“I understand what you’re saying, but selling our child is too much!”
“My lady, I cherish all three of our children. But each must have something they can do. If our youngest marries into the Duke’s family, he can at least do something!”
Fried himself had benefited from the Laird family’s support and became its head. As the Marquis, he led the family. If one received the family’s grace, they had to return it. He didn’t desire excessive ambition, just hoped for a little help.
“My lord, I married into the Laird family for many reasons. I was afraid, but I don’t regret it because you treated me well.”
Rien originally belonged to a count’s family and married Fried. She abandoned her original name and dedicated herself to supporting Fried. Thankfully, he loved her sincerely and never took a concubine.
“Just tell me, do you think our youngest will be treated well there?”
“My lady, there’s no reason for them to mistreat him.”
“They should! He’s my son! What about that unruly lady?”
Fried was momentarily speechless but didn’t avoid her gaze. He knew what she meant. The Duke’s family wanted to solve the problem of the unruly lady by forming an alliance through marriage.
“It’s an engagement, not a marriage. If things go wrong, we can call off the engagement.”
“But if nothing goes wrong, they will marry. Why give my son to that unruly lady?”
“As long as our family stands strong, our youngest won’t be abandoned.”
“What about the pain he’ll go through? The wasted time? Why should he suffer?”
Rien cried out, admitting her youngest lacked the talents of his brothers but wasn’t incompetent enough to be sold to the Duke’s family. His talents were just late to bloom, and he was a valuable son-in-law as a Marquis’ child.
“I’ve already secured a promise. If there’s any issue with our youngest, they will break off the engagement and offer compensation.”
“What good is a promise? That unruly lady will ruin my son’s life!”
“Sigh…”
Fried, with a troubled look, cleared his throat. He had expected Rien’s strong opposition. The children would also resist, but Rien would be the hardest to persuade. If she changed her mind, he could achieve his goal.
“I understand your thoughts. Will you listen to my proposal?”
“… What do you want to say?”
“After the engagement, if it’s broken off, I’ll leave our youngest’s marriage entirely to you.”
“So, you’ll follow my choice for his marriage?”
“Yes. I won’t oppose or interfere, and I’ll support it fully.”
“…”
Rien’s anger slightly subsided. It was a strategic marriage for the family’s sake, so she couldn’t insist too much. Plus, the engagement was with the unruly lady, making a breakup likely. She hadn’t aimed for royalty or the Duke’s family for her youngest, so a broken engagement wouldn’t be a major issue.
“I have some candidates in mind… Should I mention them now?”