"T-Teacher…?" Isabel called out.
"What is it?" Orion questioned as he turned towards his student.
"D-Didn't you say you wanted to be well-known?" Isabel questioned.
Orion understood his student's confusion and just smiled,
"Being well known is a good thing, it is easier to gather forces under your name, your influence gives you and the people close to you a certain advantage and there is no denying it, receiving others' attention feels good.
Everybody would want that, I am no different, but I was offered a choice.
One, I would follow this woman and get to spend the rest of my life together with her.
Or I will stay in the Academy, take over the position of the Headmaster and grow into someone with worldwide influence.
However, in the second option, my connection with this woman will be broken because the Academy is supposed to be a neutral force, if it is noticed that it is inclining towards a single force, it wouldn't take long for the Academy to be destroyed.
So the options were very clear,
Astra or Fame, and as tempting as becoming influential is, at that point, I was already seduced by her."
Orion spoke as he glared at Astra.
The woman just smiled with a proud look on her face.
Isabel stared at the two people in front of her and was even more confused.
"What I am trying to say is,
That there are things in life that are much more important than fame,
My love for Astra was one of that.
At that point and even now, imagining a life without her is not possible for me.
"
"Love…" Isabel muttered with a lost look on her face.
There were many thoughts rushing into her head.
This time, it wasn't just her, Vaan had a strange look on his face when he was looking at his father as well. Elara, on the other hand, had a big smile on her face.
All this time, she only heard her Teacher's perspective of this relationship, knowing that her future father-in-law reciprocated those feelings filled her with happiness.
"Oi Oi, what are you talking about in front of children?"
Suddenly, Astra interrupted.
"What? I am only trying to tell her that it was my own decision and had nothing to do with you."
"It has everything to do with me, what do you mean?" Astra snorted, then she turned towards Isabel and,
"Your Teacher decided to choose me over anything else, that is why he ended up like how he did.
But as you can see, he doesn't regret anything.
Learn from this,
You will never regret following me.
"
"Oi! What are you teaching her!?"
"Am I lying?"
"Of course! Isabel, you can choose who to follow on your own, heck, be the leader, I'd say! Don't follow anyone!"
Orion spoke, but suddenly,
"Lady Astra… can I ask a question?" Isabel questioned.
"Of course, ask whatever you want," Astra replied.
"Teacher left all the fame and influence he could have for your sake, what did you do for him in return?"
"Why would I need to do anything? It was his choice obviously." Astra's reply was quick.
Orion, however, chuckled when he heard that.
'She's still the same…'
He thought inwardly as he glanced at Astra who was trying to keep a strong front.
In an instant, his mind went back to all those years ago, when the 24-year-old Astra stood in front of her Mother.
…
"I will leave.
"
23 years old Astra spoke with a straight look on her face.
"What…?"
Elysia, the Head of the Vesta Family narrowed her eyes when she heard those words.
"You will either allow me to marry him, or I will leave the Vesta Family and marry him." Astra didn't hesitate.
At this point, she had already proven herself and almost everyone knew she would be the next Head of the Family.
But to think that the woman was ready to throw the Position she had been chasing for her entire life for one man's sake…
It wasn't just Elysia, but other Family Members were shocked as well.
"Family Head! We cannot allow someone like her to become the Next Family Head, she is still too young to take the position, she is letting her emotions get the best of her!"
A 7th Circle Mage spoke up.
Astra, however, looked right into the Mage's eyes and,
"You are in Draven's faction, correct?"
"I-It is not about being in any fact-"
A 23-year-old making a 7th Circle Mage stutter, it was surprising, however, for the members of the Vesta Family, it was the common sight.
After all, it was the time Astra had already shown just how dominant she was. She was on an entirely different level compared to her peers.
"Draven isn't a bad choice either. Make him the Next Head.
"
Astra spoke, surprising everyone.
Then suddenly, Astra grabbed Orion's hand and,
"We will be taking our leave.
"
The moment Astra and Orion turned around,
"Where are you going?" Elysia questioned.
"Take care of the Family, Mother.
I hope the Family continues its reign for thousands of coming years."
"Who allowed you to leave?"
"What's the point of staying in the Family that cannot even make a single exception after everything I have done for it?
You would rather choose someone incompetent over me just because I wish to marry someone I love, then go for it.
I would love to see how the Family would grow."
"Are you threatening me?" Elysia narrowed her eyes.
"Threaten? Mother, can a Basic Mage like me even be in a position to Threaten you?" Astra chuckled.
"…"
In the end, Elysia turned silent and gave in,
"Alright, do marry whoever you want!"
"Family Head-"
Others wanted to retort, but then,
"We will decide this by votes,
Those who wish Astra to leave the family, raise your hands.
"
Elysia spoke, knowing perfectly well what the results would be.
Understanding what her mother wants, Astra started looking around.
It was an unsaid message,
'I will remember your faces.'
As mentioned before, it was already the time when Astra had proven herself, her becoming the Family Head was only a matter of time, and… getting into Bad books of the Future Family Head…
It wasn't a wise choice, especially when her Faction was already the strongest out of all other Prospective Heirs.
Voting against her… would not bring in good results.
In the end, out of 18 votes, only 2 were in support of letting Astra go.
"I believe we have no need to continue to discuss this topic any further," Elysia spoke.
The matter was decided.
And Orion, who was witnessing everything, finally realized something…
His wife was a Thug…
And she wasn't just a normal thug, this crazy woman dared to threaten 7th Circle Mages!
Orion stared at his future wife with a strange look on his face…
Then suddenly,
A big smile appeared on his face.
He chose a perfect partner!
He tightened the grip over Astra's hand as if he was claiming her.
Astra on the other hand, turned towards him and,
"Be prepared, you will be marrying into the Vesta Family, Orion Ravenshadow."
"I was looking forward to running away with you though.
"
Orion sighed.
"That doesn't sound very bad either."
Astra mentioned and,
"Ahem."
The Family Head coughed out loud and Astra's expression changed.
The Thug… was blushing…
…
Thinking about that time, Orion couldn't help but smile. He suddenly walked towards Astra and,
'You can blush if you want, you know? I love your shy side as well.
' He spoke directly to her.
'D-Don't say anything!'
Knowing perfectly well what he was talking about, Astra warned.
She didn't want the children to know what she did before.
It was embarrassing.
In the end, Orion had to jump in to settle the matter,
"It was indeed my choice to join the Vesta Family, Isabel.
And keep in mind, Love is not a transaction.
You do not measure it with what you did for your significant other and what he or she did for you in return.
It is about trusting the person you love and doing everything you can to live together with him or her.
Also, stop doubting your Teacher's choice, okay? I am not a fool.
It may not look like it when you see her, but this woman here is a good match for your Teacher.
"
Orion chuckled.
Astra raised her eyebrow the moment Orion said those words, however, before she could say anything, Orion just placed his hand on her waist and for some reason, no words came from Astra's mouth.
Isabel on the other hand, didn't say anything, there were too many things in her mind.
*Knock* *Knock*
Suddenly, a knock was heard.
"Lady Astra, some people are here to meet you."
Seraphina reported.
Vaan frowned.
They had already left the Vesta House and were currently staying in his and Elara's Mansion because Astra didn't wish to stay in the 'fake' Vesta House.
"Who is it?"
Astra questioned.
"They say they are from the Magic Division.
It seems that they are looking forward to meet you."
