"I don’t know how you did it, but we’re very thankful to you, Zion," Tristan said. "Indeed," Cynthia commented. "His character changed so much… You didn’t replace my son with someone else, did you?" She made it sound like a joke, but deep inside, she wondered what could have changed her son drastically in just an hour. "Regret is a bitter yet effective life teacher," Thirteen replied. "I’m sure Aiden simply regretted saying what he did earlier. Deep inside, he loves his family. He must’ve felt heartbroken too when he realized he chose the wrong words due to a moment of passion. "It’s understandable that he got annoyed about having to listen to someone younger and weaker than him after he returned to Pangea. "Don’t forget—he did his best to return and must’ve suffered a lot in the process. I hope you use this opportunity to let him know that, finally, he is back to his sanctuary, a safe place he hadn’t seen for the past seven years." Thirteen had seen Aiden’s memory and understood that the young man still hadn’t broken free from the shackles of his torturous years in Solterra. Knowing the thought process of weaklings and those with an inferiority complex, he formulated a proper plan to break Aiden free from the chains that bound him. Dying once was the perfect method to make him reflect on his life and make him remember the things that were truly important to him. "Thank you, Zion," Cynthia looked at the teenage boy with moist eyes. "If we can do anything for you, just ask. We are in your debt." "Indeed." Tristan nodded. "If you need anything from us, don’t hesitate to say it." Thirteen blinked once then twice before reaching out to hold Shana’s hand. Thinking this was a good opportunity, he decided to tell the young lady’s parents the main reason he came to visit them. "Shana and I have already done the deed. It’s just not once—I scored a home run several times, so please, give us your blessings." Those were the words he originally planned to tell Shana’s parents. But when he told Shana about his plan, the Saintess almost coughed out blood then and there. "You can’t!" Shana replied. "If my Grandfather doesn’t kill you, my father will!" "Relax, your father cannot kill m—mmmph!" "Shut up, Zion. Let me handle the talking later, okay? Just keep quiet!" That conversation happened several minutes ago, and although he still thought his plan was perfect, he decided to let Shana do the talking, as she insisted. "Father, Mother, I want Zion to be my fiance," Shana said with a determined look. "Please, give us your blessings." Tristan’s and Cynthia’s expressions turned serious after hearing what their daughter had to say. Discover more content at Freewebnovel They’ve known Shana since she was a baby, and her familiar unwavering gaze made them understand that she was not pranking them. She was serious. "Shana, are you sure about this?" Tristan asked. "Have you thought it over? Including what will happen after you publicize it?" "Yes," Shana replied. "I’ve been thinking about it for the past two years during my training in the Temple of Zaphiel. And each time, I realized I wanted to stay by Zion’s side no matter what." Tristan then glanced at his wife, who glanced back at him with a smile. "Frankly, I have a feeling that this might happen in the future," Cynthia stated. "Back then, all your sister talked about was Zion. However, after the counterattack in the Rigel Continent, you’ve changed a lot, Shana. "When you returned from that campaign, you always talked about the Zion Virus. You even felt frustrated that Zion was infecting people without their notice. That time, I already thought it was only a matter of time before you got infected with the Zion Virus as well. Unfortunately, there is no cure for lovesickness." Shana’s face turned beet red, recalling the times she spoke with her family about the Zion Virus. Rianna only laughed when she told her about it, and her older sister only told her one thing. "That’s just what happens when you spend a long time with Zion. You’ll see how cool and amazing he is!" Back then, Shana thought her sister was in love with Zion. But when she understood what love was really like, she realized Rianna didn’t love the teenage boy the way she did. For Rianna, Zion was the embodiment of hope. Someone who could make people believe that there would always be a way out of an impossible situation. What she felt for him was admiration, respect, and friendship. Shana even felt relieved when she figured it out. After all, she didn’t want to fight with her sister for Zion’s affection, for she loved her as her family. Fortunately, Rianna liked someone else, and perhaps, it was thanks to Zion’s influence that she liked that person. "Zion, how do you feel about my daughter?" Tristan asked, eyeing the teenage boy with a critical gaze. "I’ll be perfectly honest, Sir," Thirteen replied. "I don’t really understand much about love. I’m a slow learner when it comes to this topic. However, since Shana has chosen me as her partner, I don’t want to hand her to anyone else. "Not to Roland, not to Joshua, not to any man. Although I can’t call this feeling love right now, that is what I truly felt at the moment. I intend to do my best to protect her, just like I plan to do my best to fall in love with her. Please give us your blessings." Thirteen gave Shana’s hand a light squeeze, and the latter held his hand firmly in return. Now that they had said what they needed to say, it was up to her parents to decide whether they would approve of him or not. "Honestly, I feel conflicted leaving my daughter in your care, Zion," Tristan stated. "I believe there is no man better than you to become my daughter’s significant other, but a part of me is also worried since you’re always facing one calamity after the other. "Lastly, even if I agree to your relationship, this cannot be made public. Right now, Shana is the role model of the younger generation, alongside the members of the Hero Party. You understand what I’m talking about, right?" Thirteen nodded in understanding. "I know, Sir. We also don’t have plans to reveal our relationship to the public. That can wait until Pangea has become more peaceful." "I knew I could count on you for things like this, Zion." Tristan smiled. "Well, then. What do you think?" The Field Marshal of the Central Government looked at his wife, who was the true decision-maker in the house. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢 Tristan might command legions of soldiers on the battlefield, but in the Summer’s Residence, Cynthia was the general who called the shots. "I do think Zion will make a good match for Shana," Cynthia commented. "I’m just a little sad that my little girl wasn’t courageous and bold enough to get first place, allowing the early birds to eat Zion’s worm first." "Mother!" Shana cried out in shock because she was no longer an innocent girl. While Cynthia might not mean to refer to "that," she couldn’t help but think of other things, especially since she, Erica, and Sherry had literally monopolized the teenage boy all night until his hips became sore in the morning. Cynthia giggled after seeing her daughter’s blushing face. She had already felt that her daughter felt somewhat different from the past. While Shana’s reaction didn’t confirm her suspicion, she still planned to have a proper talk with her later about how far she and Zion had gone in their relationship. A few minutes later, Thirteen and Shana left the room together. The Saintess looked relieved, while Zion looked calm as usual. Since there were servants inside the house, they didn’t hold hands and simply walked side by side until they arrived in Zion’s room. Only when the door was firmly closed behind them did Shana hug the teenage boy tightly, doing her best to calm her fast-beating heart. "So, how did it go?" Erica, who was lying on the bed, looked at the two with a smirk on her face. "Did her parents approve of your relationship?" "I’ve always wondered why you’re so keen on sharing your fiance with other girls," Thirteen commented. "Why?" Erica arched an eyebrow. "Because I don’t think I’m enough to watch over you. I’d rather surround you with girls I can trust. Sherry and Shana are two of them. Besides, both of them are good girls, so I want them as my sisters." Sherry, who was also inside the room, smiled after hearing Erica’s words. Just like Zion, she also wanted to know why she allowed her to become Zion’s lover despite the teenage boy already being engaged to her. "Are you really going back to the Aldebaran Continent tomorrow?" Shana asked, feeling a little sad about being apart from Zion for a few weeks. "Yes," Thirteen replied. "My family also misses me, so I need to go back home. But don’t worry. It’s just a few weeks. I’ll see you again when I pick you up before we head to the Cygni Continent." Shana nodded before cupping the young man’s face and kissing his lips. Thirteen, who discovered that Shana liked to kiss and be kissed, wrapped his arms around her and returned her kisses. Feeling a little sorry that the two of them would have to part ways in the morning, Erica decided to whisper in Shana’s ear. "Just make it quick," Erica whispered. "I’m sure no one will say anything if you go back to your room within half an hour." Shana nodded and decided to take the opportunity offered to her. Since they had already done it many times with the four of them, she no longer felt embarrassed as she stripped Zion’s clothes off his body before pinning him to the bed. "We have less than thirty minutes," Shana said seductively. "Let’s make it count." Half an hour later, the Saintess left the guest room with a flushed face, looking very much like a young woman in love.