The Rise of a Master: It Starts With Rejection

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280

Curtis' frown deepened. "I told you before that your future husband would come for you. this year. You were supposed to marry him, not get involved with another man.

"Are you disregarding my wishes? I've never opposed anything you wanted to do in your life. Is fulfilling this one engagement too much to ask?"

Xena sighed. It was true that Curtis had always supported her choices, even when her parents objected. Perhaps that was why she became the formidable warrior she was. Besides, the engagement was indeed his only request. "But, Grandpa," Xena pleaded, "Marriage is a life-changing commitment. Why are your clinging to this outdated concept of arranged marriages? Don't I have a say in my own love life?"

Curtis patted Xena's shoulder. "I'm not old-fashioned, sweetheart. This engagement wasn't my idea-it was your great-grandpa's.

impossible, given how far back this mess actually started, Not only that,

know I never lie. Your great-grandpa and Felix's mentor arranged this marriage. The first girl born in your generation was to fulfill it. If no girls were born, the agreement would be void." Despite trusting Curtis' honesty, Xena was still full of doubt. "But that's absurd! The engagement specifies Felix's name and his address in Eden Village. How could this be possible if Felix wasn't even born when it was

comes from. Warriors of that era were capable of extraordinary things beyond our understanding. Don't ask me to explain-I simply can't." With the conversation going nowhere, Xena decided to change tactics. "I don't care! Grandpa, I've met Felix. He's not entirely hopeless, but I can't stand him. He's as

"What about Jaden? He likes me, he's exceptional, and he saved your

it would mean disregarding Jaden's life-saving deed. Seeing Curtis' hesitation, Xena felt a glimmer of hope. She believed there was

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Chapter 280

let me choose my own path

speak, he noticed something odd about Xena. Her eyes were