Chapter 6: Lemon Cake and Broken Promises

“Aaron, this is the General’s House! Why are you acting crazy?”

My voice cut through the chaos, drawing everyone’s attention. Aaron froze, his face crumpling with guilt.

Aaron Moore turned around, and seeing me, his anger faded, replaced by a pitiful look.

He looked like a kicked puppy, eyes wide and pleading. I felt a pang of sympathy, despite everything.

“Sis Autumn, Uncle said you married Ethan Blackwell. I didn’t believe it, but it’s true!”

His voice cracked. The hurt was plain as day. I winced, wishing I could take the sting out of his words.

“I’m about to take the bar exam. You promised to marry me—why didn’t you wait for me?”

He sounded so young, so earnest. I almost smiled, remembering the promises we’d made as children. We were just kids.

I held my forehead helplessly:

“Aaron, though our families had a childhood betrothal, after my dad was wronged, your mom broke it off. I’ve always seen you as a little brother, so don’t bring up marriage again.”

I tried to sound firm. But my voice wavered.

He suddenly raised his voice: “Breaking off the engagement wasn’t my idea! I never wanted to marry anyone else. Autumn Rivera, from childhood to now, I’ve only ever loved you!”

His confession hung in the air, raw and desperate. I didn’t know what to say. I felt the weight of it settle on my shoulders.

“But the engagement is broken!” Afraid the Rivera and Blackwell families’ plans would fall through, I didn’t want to get entangled. “I’m married. Now I’m Ethan Blackwell’s wife!”

I held up my left hand, flashing the ring. The staff shifted uncomfortably.

Aaron Moore suddenly smiled wickedly.

There was a glint in his eye, a challenge I hadn’t seen before. He stepped closer, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. Dangerous.

“It’s alright, Autumn.”

His words sent a chill down my spine. I stepped back.

“Ethan Blackwell leads troops to war—bullets don’t have names. One day he’ll die on the battlefield. When he does, I’ll come marry you.”

His words were reckless, almost cruel. The staff gasped, scandalized. I felt my cheeks burn with shame and anger. I wanted to disappear.

“I’m younger than him, and will live longer. I can wait.”

His confidence was unnerving. I searched his face. Where was the boy I’d known?

I gasped.

The room seemed to shrink, the walls closing in. I glanced around, desperate for an escape. Nowhere to run.

Looking around, all the staff of the Blackwell house were glaring at Aaron Moore. Daring to curse the master like that—if not for my sake, they would have thrown him out.

Their loyalty was fierce. I had to do something.

“That’s not necessary!”

A cold voice sounded behind me.

The temperature in the room dropped. I turned slowly, dread pooling in my stomach. Here we go.

I turned around. Ethan Blackwell was already standing at the door, arms folded, his tall figure like a snowy pine on a cold mountain, exuding a proud aura.

He looked every inch the general. Imposing. Unyielding. The staff straightened, eyes wide with fear and respect.

“At fifteen, I crossed the border at night and blew up ten thousand barrels of enemy fuel. At eighteen, I entered the badlands and took out wild beasts. At twenty, I infiltrated the enemy camp alone and took the head of a general…”

His voice was calm, almost bored, as he recited his accomplishments. The room fell silent, every ear straining to hear. He didn’t even sound proud.

He walked in, slowly raised his saber, and with the tip lifted Aaron Moore’s chin.

The blade glinted in the sunlight. Aaron swallowed hard.

“My life has a free pass in the Devil’s book.”

The words hung in the air, chilling and final. He meant every word. I shivered, remembering all the stories I’d heard about his exploits.