"Hehe, your father was just as worked up back then!" the Grand Elder said with a chuckle, as though recalling something.
"Wait, Grand Elder, I'm only eighteen. You're not making me get married already, are you? Besides, there isn't even anyone I like!" Liu Qing said hastily.
"Liu Qing!" Bofeng Yu's expression turned stern. "Marriage is a serious matter. It isn't for you to decide."
"But..." Liu Qing's heart sank.
"All right, A Yu, have a proper talk with your son," the Grand Elder said with a sigh. "This is our fate as descendants of the main branches of great families!"
"What's going on?" Liu Qing seemed to understand a little, but he still looked at his father in confusion.
"A marriage alliance!" After looking at Liu Qing for a long moment, Bofeng Yu delivered those words heavily, then continued, "We use marriage to forge alliances of shared interests."
"Does it have to be this way?" Liu Qing had never imagined that arranged marriages existed in this world too, but he refused to resign himself to it.
"Yes. As the clan head's son, you have all the more reason to do this," Bofeng Yu said with a nod.
"But can a marriage like that be happy?" Liu Qing was growing angry.
"Do you think your mother and I aren't happy now?" A trace of tenderness flashed in Bofeng Yu's eyes. "I was a year younger than you when I got engaged to your mother, and aren't we living happily now?"
"I..." Liu Qing was left speechless. He had never imagined that his own parents' marriage had been arranged. Somewhat dejected, he asked, "Which family is she from?" Yet inwardly, he thought, I don't care who you are. If worse comes to worst, I'll just hide away like James and never come back.
"She's from the Spear Pillar clan. Our elders and your parents specially selected her for you. As for her looks, she's certainly a budding beauty. This is also a reward we prepared especially for you," the Grand Elder said.
"So she's from one of the Four Great Families. All right, I understand. If there's nothing else, I'll go back to my room." Liu Qing suddenly felt sorry for himself. He had never imagined an arranged marriage could be treated as a reward.
"Mm!" Bofeng Yu nodded at his words. "Your engagement banquet is in half a month. Until then, stay home and make your preparations. Leave your Pokémon with your mother for now."
"Okay!" Liu Qing nodded expressionlessly, opened the door, and left.
"Hehe, the little fellow certainly isn't willing," the Grand Elder said with a laugh after Liu Qing had gone.
"What can he do, no matter how unwilling he is? He won't get away. Besides, once the engagement banquet comes and he sees his fiancée, he might even thank us," Bofeng Yu said confidently, recalling the looks of the girl they had finally chosen for Liu Qing, along with what Mili had told him about her personality and strength.
"Let's hope so. If he really refuses when the time comes, tell him that as long as he marries the girl chosen by the family, he can have as many women he likes outside as he wants. Don't force him. After all, times have changed. Ever since Lance came along, didn't even those old diehards in the Dragon Clan obediently admit their mistake and welcome his family of four back?" The Grand Elder recalled the story of Lance. Back then, Lance's father had also had someone he loved and had been unhappy with the marriage his family arranged. He had fled to a small village in Viridian Forest, married the woman he loved, and had two sons with her. One was Lance, and the other was Lance.
The Dragon Tamer Clan had originally considered Lance, his father, and his brother a profound disgrace and had expelled his father from the clan. But then Lance had emerged as an extraordinary prodigy, reaching Champion level at just eighteen. How could the Dragon Tamer Clan possibly give up such an outstanding descendant of its main branch? They had appealed to their family ties and persuaded them at length before finally welcoming the family of four back into the clan. With that in mind, the Grand Elder made his decision with imposing confidence, leaving Bofeng Yu rather speechless. He had never enjoyed such a privilege back then. Still, the image of a woman surfaced in his mind, and a trace of remorse flashed in his eyes.
Not far from the study, Liu Qing was pondering how to escape successfully. As for Pokémon, he could simply catch more once he was outside. Just then, he ran into Liu Yuan coming toward him. His eyes lit up as a good idea struck him. He pulled Liu Yuan over and said, "Liu Yuan, do your big brother a favor."
"Sure! What is it?" Liu Yuan asked directly.
"Well, I left my bag with Mom. Could you get it for me?"
"Why don't you go yourself?" Liu Yuan asked, puzzled.
"Well..." Liu Qing's eyes shifted as he came up with an idea. "Dad just asked me to do something, and I have to go right now. That's why I need your help. Once you get it, bring it to my room, okay?"
"Okay, I'll get it right away." Liu Yuan readily agreed and ran off.
"Perfect!" Liu Qing clenched his fist, composed himself, and looked around. Finding no one nearby, he hurried back to his room and lay on his bed to wait for Liu Yuan.
A little later, the door opened. Liu Yuan peeked around furtively, then ran over when he saw Liu Qing lying on the bed. "Big brother."
"What's wrong? Couldn't you get it?" Liu Qing frowned slightly.
"Mom said your bag was dirty, so she already gave it to the servants to wash."
"Then what about my Poké Balls?"
"Mom said she'd take care of them," Liu Yuan said matter-of-factly.
"Oh, heavens!" Liu Qing covered his head in anguish. Seeing this, Liu Yuan left the room. Before closing the door, he said, "Big brother, Mom said you're tired today, so I won't bother you. I'll come play with you tomorrow."
"Mm, okay!" Liu Qing hurriedly mumbled his agreement. Once the door clicked shut, he sprang upright, quietly opened it, and checked that no one was there before quickly closing it again. He took all the money out of his piggy bank, opened the window, and was just about to climb through when two men suddenly appeared before him, giving him a fright. "What are you standing outside my window for?"
"Young master, the master ordered us brothers to ensure your safety," the two men said expressionlessly.
"You're brothers?" Liu Qing asked incredulously. "Do I need you protecting me in my own home?" Seeing that neither man showed any sign of budging, he shut the window, feeling foolish.
"Even the window is guarded. Unless I get my Poké Balls, there's no way I can escape." Liu Qing flopped onto the bed in frustration.
"Liu Qing, are you asleep?" A short while later, Mili's voice suddenly came from outside the door.
"I'm asleep!" In an utterly foul mood, Liu Qing shouted with his head buried.
"I was going to talk to you about what's troubling you, but if you're asleep, never mind." Mili sounded somewhat regretful.
"Wait, I'm not asleep yet!" Liu Qing hastily rolled out of bed, hurried to the door, and opened it to welcome Mili inside.
"Liu Qing." After entering and sitting down, Mili looked at his unhappy face and sighed. "Liu Qing, don't blame your father. He has no choice either. Those of us from great families live better than ordinary people, but there are also things in which we're worse off. Our own marriages, for instance. This is a duty every descendant of a family's main branch must fulfill. You must, and your younger brother will have to do the same in the future."
"But I'm only eighteen, and I don't even know who she is. Is there any need to rush?" Liu Qing asked with a frown. "Besides, do you even know whether we'll be happy living together?"
"What parent would want their child to be unhappy?!" Mili lightly patted Liu Qing's head. "Most children of great families get engaged early and marry at twenty. Those five years are meant for getting to know each other. Your father and I were just like you. We weren't willing back then either, but don't we get along very well now? And you're already eighteen!"
"I understand. As the clan head's son, I have all the more reason to set an example. Everything is for the family." Liu Qing sighed inwardly. "I'll try my best to get along with her."
"Liu Qing, I personally helped choose this girl for you. You'll definitely be pleased with her." Seeing that Liu Qing had agreed, Mili relaxed and smiled. "But whether this marriage goes ahead will still depend on your strength. That girl said she wouldn't marry anyone weaker than herself."
"Oh?" At that, Liu Qing grew somewhat interested—or perhaps it was his male competitive streak stirring. He raised his eyebrows and asked curiously, "Where is she from? What's her name?"
Hehe, it's good that he's getting interested, Mili thought, secretly amused. But to keep Liu Qing curious, I can't tell him her name yet. I can tell him where she's from, though.
"What, you can't tell me?" Liu Qing asked, pursing his lips.
"You'll have to ask her name yourself that day. As for where she's from..." Mili deliberately paused. Seeing Liu Qing prick up his ears, she smiled. "She's from the Sinnoh Region!"
"Sinnoh?" Liu Qing was a little surprised, then said, "Then I'll wait. But if she's too weak, don't blame me for defying the family's orders and calling off the engagement on the spot!" Inwardly, however, he was already thinking that they would certainly return his Poké Balls by then. If he wanted to leave, surely even his father wouldn't be able to stop him.
"All right. If that girl is too weak, she won't deserve a marriage alliance with you. I'll be the first to object." Having achieved what she had come for, Mili finished with a smile, rose, and left the room.
"A battle, huh?" Liu Qing clenched his fists, a faint smile appearing on his face. "Then bring it on!"
Before you continue