Chapter 4My Vampire Fiance Abandoned Me for a Human Girl，So I Married His Brother

Elena's POV

When I pushed open the parlor door, Cassian was already seated inside.

The tea on the table was still steaming, and several guest lists for the engagement ceremony were neatly arranged beside my father and the Prince.

Cassian heard the footsteps and rose to his feet.

His gaze settled on my face for a moment before he pulled out the chair beside him.

"Have a seat."

I nodded and sat down next to my father.

We had known each other since childhood, but he had always been Adrian's older brother.

Whenever Adrian was around, Cassian rarely initiated conversation with me.

On the rare occasions we crossed paths at family events, he would simply raise his glass to me from a distance, never once crossing the boundary between an older brother and his younger brother's future bride.

Now that I was about to become his fiancée, the quiet parlor held an unspoken awkwardness.

My father didn't waste time and pushed the engagement guest list directly in front of us.

"The Blackwood family has agreed to the change of match, and the Elder Council has raised no objections."

The Prince and his wife nodded along, their eyes carrying a trace of sympathy as they looked at me.

"Elena, dear... we all know you've been through a great deal. As for Adrian, you needn't worry about him anymore.

"The fact that you're still willing to honor the marriage pact and marry into the Blackwood family makes us very happy."

I offered the Prince and his wife a polite smile and instinctively shook my head, saying I wasn't upset, that it was nothing.

But the moment the words left my mouth, the entire room fell silent.

My father spoke first, breaking the stillness.

"The reason I asked you here today is to discuss the engagement date together."

He opened a calendar and pointed to a date one month from now.

"This day works best.

"The invitations and guest list are nearly ready. If neither of you has any objections, we can make the formal announcement tomorrow."

He looked to Cassian when he finished.

Cassian didn't immediately look at the calendar.

He picked up his teacup, then slowly set it back down.

"Sir, I have no objections."

My father nodded and was about to continue when Cassian spoke again.

"But I'd like to hear Elena's thoughts first."

Cassian looked at me, his expression serious.

"The change of match happened very suddenly.

"I want to be sure she's agreeing to marry me of her own will.

"She doesn't need to prove anything to anyone because of last night. And if the rumors have simply become too much to bear... I can help with that as well."

The parlor went quiet.

My father didn't answer for me. He simply turned his gaze toward me.

I looked at Cassian.

He knew I had loved Adrian. He knew exactly why my engagement had been postponed again and again.

Now that I had finally agreed to a different match, he was still leaving the final decision to me.

I met his eyes.

"This is my own decision."

Cassian's fingers paused at the rim of his teacup.

I continued,

"I'm willing to marry you."

His expression visibly faltered.

Those steady, composed eyes flickered with a surprise he couldn't conceal, and he looked at me for a long time without saying a word.

My father cleared his throat and reopened the guest list.

"Since you both agree, the date is set for one month from now.

"Blackwood engagement ceremonies have always been grand affairs, and this one involves two major families. There's a great deal to prepare in advance."

After that, my father went through the ceremony arrangements and the guest list.

Cassian regained his usual composure, occasionally offering careful and thoughtful suggestions.

After everything had been settled, my father and the Prince stood with their lists.

"The ceremony details are nearly finalized. You two young people can talk privately. If you have any requests or ideas, just let us know."

The door closed, and only Cassian and I remained in the parlor.

I stared down at the engagement date in front of me, unsure what to say.

Cassian spoke first.

"Last night, I went to your birthday banquet."

My fingers paused.

"You were there?"

"By the time I arrived, most of the guests had already gone."

He looked at me, his voice dropping slightly lower.

"I saw you standing alone at the entrance to the banquet hall."

I thought of the ruined cake and the knowing looks the nobles had given me on their way out.

So Cassian had been there that night too.

"Why didn't you come in?"

He was quiet for a moment.

"You were still Adrian's fiancée.

"If I had gone to comfort you then, it would only have given people more to gossip about."

He said it calmly, without taking the chance to criticize Adrian or asking how badly I had been hurt the night before.

After a pause, he said quietly,

"You've been treated unfairly all these years."

My chest tightened.

All this time, everyone had told me that Vicky had lost her parents, and I should try to be more understanding.

Adrian had said he had an obligation he couldn't walk away from and asked me to keep waiting.

Even I had kept telling myself to hold on just one more time, that everything would eventually be fine.

No one had ever told me that I had genuinely been wronged.

I lowered my eyes to hide the sudden sting of tears.

"It's all in the past."

Cassian watched me but didn't press further.

He picked up a box from beside him and placed it in front of me.

"This is for you."

I opened the box. Inside was an obsidian brooch.

An ancient protective ward was carved into the center of the stone, surrounded by fine red crystals set as decoration.

I recognized it.

It could create a brief barrier when silver came near. It had appeared once at a vampire auction and was later purchased by an anonymous buyer at an exorbitant price.

"This is far too valuable."

"Keep it."

Cassian's gaze rested on the brooch.

"From now on, you'll be attending many events as my fiancée.

"Vampire hunters have been increasingly active lately. I want you to wear it."

He paused briefly, then looked at me again.

"Before, I had no right to intervene in things between you and Adrian.

"From now on, I won't let you face any of this alone."

His tone was steady, with no extravagant vows.

Yet I could hear the sincerity beneath it.

I reached out and closed the box gently.

"Thank you."

Outside the door came a sudden, faint sound.

Before I could turn around, the closed door was flung open.

Adrian stood in the doorway, his face dark with fury.

His gaze swept from Cassian to the gift box beside my hand, and then he strode over.

I had barely gotten to my feet when he seized my wrist.

His grip was so tight it made me wince.

Cassian immediately grabbed his arm, his voice turning cold.

"Adrian, let her go."

Adrian ignored him.

He stared at me, and for the first time, his eyes held undisguised panic.

"Elena.

"You're really going to marry my brother?"