Oaths Given, Curses Broken
The Greengrass Mansion carried a warmth that afternoon—quiet, dignified, and watchful.
Keith greeted Lord Greengrass for the first time properly, the two men exchanging measured courtesy.
Lady Greengrass, whom Keith had met several times before, smiled warmly and invited everyone to lunch.
Keith accepted.
Lunch — Calm Before Truth
The meal was comfortable.
Keith spoke easily with Daphne and Astoria, listening more than speaking. Lord and Lady Greengrass watched closely—testing not his power, but his temperament.
He passed.
When lunch ended, the atmosphere shifted.
That was when Keith noticed—
Cassandra Vole, standing beside her parents.
For a moment, he was genuinely confused.
Before he could ask, Lord Greengrass and Lord Vole exchanged a glance.
"We would like to speak with you," Lord Vole said.
Keith nodded.
The Living Room — Fathers Speak
They moved into the living room.
Keith sat calmly on the sofa.
Before him stood—
Lord Greengrass
Lord Vole
At the side, silent but attentive:
Daphne
Astoria
Cassandra
Lord Vole spoke first.
"Since the black magic alchemy incident, House Malfoy, Flint, Nott, and Carrow have been pressuring our families."
Keith nodded once.
"I'm aware."
Lord Greengrass continued.
"We will not give our daughters to houses we do not trust."
Keith did not interrupt.
Then Lord Vole said the truth plainly.
"Our daughters care for you."
The room went quiet.
Keith turned his gaze to the three girls.
"Do you love me?" he asked directly.
There was no hesitation.
Cassandra spoke first—steady, sincere.
Then Daphne—calm but resolute.
Astoria last—soft, heartfelt.
Each told him how deeply they loved him.
Keith listened.
Then nodded.
"I understand."
He turned back to the fathers.
"I accept the hands of Cassandra Vole, Daphne Greengrass, and Astoria Greengrass in marriage."
All three girls blushed instantly.
Keith continued evenly.
"I will protect them. In name, in power, and in life."
Lord Greengrass and Lord Vole nodded together.
The Hidden Truth — Astoria's Curse
Lady Greengrass stepped forward, voice trembling.
"There is… something you should know."
She looked at Astoria.
"A curse. One that weakens her life."
The room tightened.
Keith rose, walked to Astoria, and gently patted her head.
"Do you want to be free of it?" he asked quietly.
Astoria didn't hesitate.
She hugged him tightly.
"I want to live with you."
Keith nodded.
"Then stand still."
Wisdom Made Manifest
Keith closed his eyes.
When he opened them—
Gasps filled the room.
His sapphire-blue eyes had turned golden, radiant and ancient. His presence deepened, refined—handsome in a way that felt inevitable.
He placed his hand on Astoria's head.
Raphael: Lord of Wisdom — Activated
Ope-Ope True Domain (Transcendent) — Deployed
The room fell silent.
Magic moved—not violently, but precisely.
Twenty minutes passed.
The air shimmered, then settled.
Keith withdrew his hand.
His eyes returned to sapphire blue.
A Curse Ends
"How do you feel?" Keith asked.
Astoria blinked.
"…Light," she said softly. "No pain. No pressure."
Lady Greengrass broke down, hugging her daughter as tears streamed freely.
Lord Greengrass closed his eyes in relief.
Lord Vole exhaled a breath he'd been holding for years.
Their daughters were safe.
Truly safe.
A New Certainty
Keith looked at the families calmly.
"They are under my protection now."
No boast.
No threat.
Just fact.
And in that moment—
Both houses understood.
Their daughters had not chosen recklessly.
They had chosen correctly.