Trash of the Firearm Magic World

4. Fiancée

Loris tried to listen to the conversation between his father and the guests. It wasn’t every day that their clan had guests from other cities so he felt curious about their arrival. From the looks of it, these guests didn’t come for a simple business. 

Who are these guests exactly? What do they want from the Federico Clan?

Loris frowned, silently trying to grasp their words. However, they were a bit too far from him and they spoke low, making it fruitless.

If there was one thing he knew, however, it was that the guests weren’t ordinary people. They wore an emblem that easily caught other people’s eyes. It had an intricate shape of a Golden Eagle – a rare bird that could be seen near the volcanoes as stated in the books Loris read. If his memory served him right, this rare emblem belonged to the Morne City Academy.

Morne City was one of the biggest cities in the World of Nimgofu. Called the City of Gunslingers, it was the home of the elite academy – Morne City Academy – where the best gunners in Nimgofu trained and worked to excel in their craft. 

Loris stared at the guests and couldn’t help but wonder – how come these people from such a well-respected place decided to visit their small town?

Just then, Loris spotted Arturo. She sat down next to him and asked her what she knew, particularly about the distinguished guests’s visit. 

She was slightly surprised to know Loris wasn’t aware of the reason. But then again, she knew Loris wasn’t the type to overly engage himself in such matters.

“Your fiancée comes from that academy, Brother Loris,” she explained. “From what I remember, her name is Remuel Rodel.”

Hearing the familiar family name, Loris was a bit stunned.

Arturo continued, “She is quite an excellent gunner in that academy and is favored greatly by the dean. Actually, people say they are too alike and close that everyone around them expects her to become the next dean.”

Loris listened carefully. If not for Arturo reminding him, he would’ve already forgotten about that oath his family did with Remuel’s family. Although this was the case, he still didn’t expect Remuel to visit them suddenly. 

“How do you know so much about this?” he asked Arturo. 

Arturo blushed. In truth, she had always been attentive when it came to Loris. As long as it was about Loris, she always listened carefully and wouldn’t miss a thing. When a woman deeply cared for a man, this was something she couldn’t help but do.

“I-I happened to overhear Sir Federico and his guest before…” Arturo said, trying to hide the redness of her cheeks. “Anyway, stop asking me. Brother Loris, you were at least informed about this marriage arrangement, right?”

Loris hummed. The original Loris had indeed been arranged for the daughter of the Rodel Family ever since they were children.

It must be said that the Federico Family was one of the few families in the World of Nimgofu known for their kind reputation. In the past, they helped numerous people including the Rodel Family. As such, the marriage arrangement came from the Rodel Family itself. For them, it was a symbol of keeping their harmonious relationship, alongside wanting to repay the Federico Family for helping them when they were in debt. With Loris and Remuel’s marriage, they aimed that the two families would continue to work and help each other in the future.

Arturo knew as much. “That’s certainly what I also knew…” She mumbled and felt worried.

Loris noticed the worry suddenly flashing in her eyes. He could tell she knew more. “What else do you know?”

Arturo looked concerned but turned silent. Yet, Loris continued to stare at her, the kind that she knew he wouldn’t let go until she responded.

She sighed, “Okay but don’t be surprised.”

“Tell me.”

“I just overheard it earlier before I came to see you. From what I heard, it seems Remuel came here to personally declare her wish to terminate your engagement… I believe that’s her main purpose for coming here. It’s also why those guests came… It’s to assist her and become witnesses…”

Loris was stunned.

What? Terminate their engagement?

It wasn’t like he didn’t expect this but they hadn’t even seen or greeted each other yet, let alone discuss about termination. 

To think Remuel Rodel would do such a thing, worse, she brought witnesses with her. Was she planning to do it in public?

Loris felt his veins throbbing at the thought. He was already ashamed of the humiliation he brought to the Federico Family, especially to his father. For the past few years, his father’s reputation had been declining because of him, the respect he usually received from many people decreasing each day for keeping a trash in his house. 

Now Remuel, his fiancee, wished to terminate their engagement. If that were to happen in public, it would surely tarnish the Federico Family’s reputation more. It would spread like wildfire and everyone would think Loris and his father were arrogant and wanted to make a good-for-nothing man marry a genius like Remuel. With the next patriarchal election just around the corner, it would be too unfavorable and disgraceful for his father.

It would be like a domino effect. One wrong move and everyone dear to him would be affected – and for the worse, too! 

“Tch,” Loris couldn’t help but clench his trembling hands.

This was all his fault. If not for his disabled hands, none of this would occur. His father had done nothing but protect him. He always shielded him from people’s judgment, and always bore the humiliation his son received from others for being weak and useless. 

Arturo watched Loris grit his teeth. She could tell Loris was in deep pain and anger, his red eyes declaring he would definitely make Remuel regret it in the future. She couldn’t blame him. She knew how much he respected the clan, especially his father, above everything.

Loris felt the pain coursing through his hands. Each time he felt anger, his hand would tremble so much that it would begin to ache immensely. 

But none of that mattered. He would restore his father’s reputation even if he ended up being totally crippled. He would make sure no one would belittle or make fun of his father or their family name again. 

He might be a useless son but it didn’t mean his father had to suffer the same humiliation because of his sorry state. 

It wouldn’t be forever, he thought inside and clenched his hands. 

No matter what, he would find a way to cure these hands and make those people regret trying to mock his family name! 

Just then, a teacher from the Morne City Gunners Academy stood up amongst the guests and uttered something.

Loris’s father looked back at the teacher. His face turned red, his eyes wide and full of anger.