I suddenly let out a bitter laugh. From the moment I became engaged to Nora, I had to deal with the complicated relationships of the former Chancellor’s household. I handled everything on my own, making sure she never saw any of the filth behind the scenes.

I even went so far as to endure hardship to help Dexter just to ensure that her stepmother would treat her better.

I carried countless burdens alone, all so that Nora could enjoy a peaceful life.

But she only cared about Tyler Murphy...

She turned a blind eye to everything I did for her.

But now, I’ve been reborn. I want to walk a completely new path, one that has nothing to do with Nora or Tyler.

In my previous life, after our engagement, I learned that the only reason Nora had suggested me to the former Chancellor was because Tyler had told her that among all the eligible bachelors in the capital, I was the most suited for her. He said we looked like a picture-perfect couple when we saw each other from across the garden.

What a lovestruck girl, willing to get engaged to me based on one remark from her childhood crush.

This time, to avoid the tragedy of my past life, I deliberately stayed away from the garden.

Now that I have a second chance at life, not only will I avoid the wrong marriage, but I will carefully navigate every step moving forward!

The next morning, I went with Zach to my grandmother’s courtyard. As soon as I entered, I knelt down and performed a deep bow.

“Aaron, what are you doing? Get up quickly.” My grandmother was startled and tried to stand to help me, but her maids and attendants rushed forward, some supporting her and others helping me, turning the situation into a flurry of activity.

“Grandmother, please let me remain kneeling until I’ve finished speaking,” I said solemnly, bowing my head to her.

Sensing the seriousness in my expression, my grandmother steadied herself and said, “Aaron, you’ve always been a level-headed boy. If you’re acting like this now, there must be something important. Speak, and I will support you no matter what.”

Warmth flooded my heart. In my past life, to help Nora, I had escorted her stepmother back to her old residence and was away for a long time. I didn’t know that during that time, my grandmother had fallen gravely ill, and I missed my chance to say goodbye to her.

Thinking of that now, I realized how much she loved me. How lonely she must have felt in her final moments, knowing I wasn’t there.

I lowered my head and spoke quietly, “Grandmother, I wish to join His Highness, the Crown Prince, in his campaign to the south to eliminate the bandits.”

In my previous life, Tyler had become engaged to the daughter of the Minister of Finance a month later, and I had officially gotten engaged to Nora two months after that.

The Crown Prince’s campaign to the south lasted three years.

Three years later, everything would be settled. Besides, I had my own reasons for going south.

Grandmother was momentarily taken aback. My father and brothers had all died on the battlefield, and both my grandmother and mother were honored ladies, holding noble titles. From a young age, I had studied fencing and military strategy. I was also a companion to the Crown Prince, and my talent and skills were well known.

However, the emperor, mindful that I was the only male heir of our family, had never allowed me to go to war.

To be more precise, whenever there was even the slightest hint of danger, everyone made sure to keep me out of harm’s way.

So, even though people called me “Young General,” despite my exceptional skills, I was only allowed to serve in the capital’s defense forces.

I had always understood my importance to my grandmother and mother... and their worries.

So, I suppressed my burning desire for battle and did what they thought was safe.

But this was the first time I had knelt before my grandmother to plead... to go to war.

The bandit problem in the south had plagued the empire for years. The court had tried to suppress them several times, but they had failed, losing many soldiers in the process. This was a dangerous mission.

Grandmother gestured for Mrs. Green to help me up. “Aaron, you’ve always been someone with a strong will. If you’ve come to me with this request, I’m sure you’ve thought it through. Go ahead. A hawk cannot be caged forever. I’ll speak to your mother.”

“Thank you, Grandmother.” After bowing, I left with Zach.

That afternoon, I went to the Crown Prince’s residence, and the following morning, I departed south with the Crown Prince’s forces.

This time, I was accompanied by two bodyguards my grandmother had assigned to me, along with my servant, Zach.

I rode a tall horse, wearing gleaming silver armor.

Nora and a few other young noblewomen were watching from an upper-level parlor when they saw our departure. Nora’s expression was distant.

“General Shawn really is quite striking. Even standing beside the Crown Prince, he doesn’t lose out.”

“The Shawn family has been loyal for generations. Even though Aaron is the only male heir, they’ve still raised him to be a man of honor and service. It’s admirable.”

“Nora, what are you looking at? You were at the Shawn family’s banquet recently, weren’t you? Did you meet Aaron?”

Nora pulled her gaze away and replied calmly, “No, I didn’t see him.”

At that moment, Tyler appeared in the distance. When he saw Nora, he smiled brightly, like the first warmth of spring. With just one look, the odd feelings Nora had been experiencing earlier vanished.

Half a month later, we set up camp at the foot of Mount Ridgegate, just ahead of the bandit-infested territory.

The Crown Prince ordered us to set up camp where we were.

I led a patrol around the area and, following the memories from my past life, ended up in front of a cave. Inside, I heard the faint sound of sobbing.

“Who’s in there?” I called out, pushing aside some branches.

The crying paused for a moment, then burst into louder sobs.

I quickly entered the cave and saw a boy, around five or six years old, crawling toward me, his face pale. He looked as if he hadn’t eaten for days. He was so weak that after just a few steps, he collapsed to the ground.

I rushed forward and scooped him up.

“Little one, what’s wrong?” I asked gently.

The boy hiccupped through his tears, opening his mouth to speak, but no sound came out.

When he realized he couldn’t talk, he cried even harder.

I immediately reassured him, “It’s alright, you’re just scared. Don’t worry, I’ll take you to see the army doctor. You’ll be fine.”

The boy clung to me tightly, his frail body trembling.

I carried him out of the cave.

Zach and the other soldiers, seeing me disheveled and carrying the boy, rushed forward in surprise. “General Shawn, what… who is this?”

Hearing the unfamiliar voices, the boy trembled even more violently.

“He’s probably from a family in the city. Let’s take him back to camp and have the doctor check him over. Afterward, we’ll figure out how to find his family,” I said softly.

Everyone responded in agreement, and we headed back to camp.

After giving the boy a bath and feeding him, I planned to have the army doctor examine his throat to see why he couldn’t speak. However, the moment any stranger approached, the boy would burrow into my arms in fear.

In the end, Zach had to send the doctor away.

Late into the night, the boy finally fell asleep.

I quietly stepped outside the tent.

Zach approached. “General Shawn, what do we do with the boy? The Crown Prince asked about him earlier and instructed you to handle it properly.”

I frowned in thought for a moment. “We’re not far from Riverton. Based on his clothes, he’s likely the young master of a wealthy family. His parents are probably searching for him frantically. Send some men to the city to inquire if any family’s child has been taken.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“Keep it discreet. We don’t want anyone taking advantage of the situation,” I reminded him.

Zach nodded and went off to make arrangements. In front of others, Zach always addressed me as General Shawn, but when we were alone, he still called me ‘Young Master’ out of habit.

Watching Zach disappear into the distance, I couldn’t help but narrow my eyes slightly. In my past life, Zach had repeatedly warned me not to bend over backward for the Hutchinson family... but I had always held back for the sake of the engagement, afraid of disappointing my grandmother and parents.

I dragged Zach into hardship alongside me.

In this life... Zach would have a chance to make his mark as well.

For three days, the boy stayed in my tent. During the day, while I was busy, he would wait for me quietly. His emotions had stabilized, and he could write his nickname: “Donny.”

By the third day, Donny was no longer afraid of Zach.

On the fourth day, the men I had sent to the city returned, bringing with them the wealthiest man in Riverton, Mr. Cooper, along with his wife and their daughter, Annabelle.

When Donny saw the hurried figures entering the tent, he instinctively grabbed my arm. After recognizing the people, he froze for a moment, then burst into tears, running straight into Mrs. Cooper’s arms.

“My Donny!” Mrs. Cooper cried out, holding him tightly. “It’s all my fault, sweetheart. I’m so sorry.”

Mr. Cooper, his eyes filled with tears, put one arm around his wife and reached out with a trembling hand to gently pat Donny’s head.

Zach leaned over and whispered to me, “Young Master, the Cooper family’s young son went missing some time ago. They’ve been searching for him everywhere. At first, our men didn’t pay much attention, but when they heard the boy was five or six years old, they went to the Coopers to explain the situation. They came right away. And it really was him...”

I nodded. I already knew Donny was the Cooper family’s young master.

I had chosen to head south partly to establish my career and stay away from Nora and Tyler, but I also wanted to save this child.

“General Shawn, there are no words to express our gratitude. You saved Donny’s life, and the Cooper family will never forget this kindness. If you ever need anything in the future, we will do everything we can to repay you.” Annabelle approached me, her expression warm as she offered me a deep bow of gratitude.

I hurriedly returned the gesture. “Miss Cooper, you’re too kind. It was nothing, really.”

Mr. and Mrs. Cooper had regained their composure by then. Mrs. Cooper wiped her tears. “General Shawn, thank you so much.”

“General Shawn, as Annabelle said, you have our family’s eternal gratitude. Donny is our child born late in life, and we’ve spoiled him dearly. We never expected something like this to happen... We’ve been in agony these past few days...” Mr. Cooper paused before continuing, “Thank you, truly.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Cooper, Miss Cooper, you’re all being too generous. Donny and I were simply fated to meet. However, he’s still shaken and hasn’t allowed the doctor to examine him, so he can’t speak just yet. He’ll need time and care to recover,” I said, looking at Donny with tenderness.

In this life, I saved Donny. Perhaps I’ve changed the Cooper family’s fate as well.

In my past life, Donny’s body was discovered in that cave, lifeless, not long after...