Chapter 2 Game Theory

The next day, envoys from the Deep Sea Royal Family and the Sky Tribe officially arrived at Sterling Manor.

I stood on the second-floor corridor, looking down at the bustling scene below. My parents had decorated the manor lavishly to welcome these important guests.

"Alexander," Edmund said, stepping up from behind with a smug smile. "Did you see them? Those deep-sea treasures?"

I turned to look at him. Edmund was dressed in a magnificent suit, but the greed in his eyes was unmistakable.

"I saw it," I replied calmly.

"Ha ha!" Edmund exclaimed excitedly, "Once I marry the Siren princess, all that wealth will be mine! And you, this bastard, will only be fit for that useless Sky Tribe!"

"Edmund," I looked at him, "are you really sure you want to choose the Deep Sea Royals?"

"Of course!" Edmund replied without hesitation. "The Deep Sea Clan has endless wealth and power, while what do the Sky Clan have? A few tattered feathers?"

I didn't say anything more. He was blinded by greed and wouldn't listen to anything.

"Edmund! Alexander!" Lady Catherine's voice came from downstairs, "Come down quickly, the guests have arrived!"

We went downstairs to the hall. The envoys of the Deep Sea Royal Family had already arrived, carrying a huge chest filled with all sorts of marine treasures: enormous pearls, shimmering corals, and some mysterious gems that emitted a blue glow.

"These are all betrothal gifts from the Deep Sea royal family," the Siren princess said sweetly, "priceless."

Earl William and Lady Catherine's eyes gleamed with greed, while Edmund stared intently at the treasures.

Next, the Sky Tribe arrived. Altera's betrothal gifts were relatively simple: some exquisite feather products and a few Sky Gems that emitted a soft glow.

"It's not much," Altera said modestly, "but it represents the heartfelt sentiments of our Sky Tribe."

Earl William glanced at it, clearly not satisfied.

"Then let's discuss the marriage alliance." Earl William cleared his throat. "I have two sons. Edmund is the rightful heir and should marry into the Deep Sea royal family. As for Alexander..."

"Wait," I suddenly said.

Everyone was looking at me.

"I have a question," I said, looking at my parents, "Why are you so certain that the Deep Sea Royal Family will have the upper hand in the future?"

Earl William and Lady Catherine's expressions changed instantly.

"What are you saying?" Earl William stammered.

"I mean," I pressed, "you seem to have some special understanding of the future?"

"Nonsense!" Lady Catherine quickly denied. "We simply believe the Deep Sea Royal Family is more powerful."

But I've confirmed the answer from their reactions. They were indeed reborn.

"In that case," I said calmly, "I accept the arrangement to marry into the Sky Tribe."

"Very good!" Earl William breathed a sigh of relief.

Edmund exclaimed excitedly, "Great! Then I can marry the Siren princess!"

The Siren princess looked at Edmund, a glint of something I couldn't decipher flashing in her eyes: "Yes, my... future husband."

Altera walked up to me: "Mr. Alexander, may we talk first?"

"certainly."

We arrived at the gazebo in the garden.

"What you just said was very interesting," Altera said, looking directly into my eyes. "You seem to know something that others don't?"

After thinking about it, I decided to reveal part of the truth: "I have a feeling that something... might change in the future."

What kind of changes?

"Extreme climate change," I said, "could lead to extreme heatwaves. At that point, high-altitude areas will be safer than low-altitude areas."

Altera looked at me in shock: "How did you know?"

"Intuition," I said, "and I know a little about the Deep Sea royalty. They... might not be as friendly as they seem."

What do you mean?

"When food is scarce, the fish-men will eat humans." I stated the truth directly.

Altera gasped, "Are you sure?"

"I'm absolutely sure." I nodded. "That's why I don't want my brother to go to the deep sea. Even though he's not good to me, I don't want anything to happen to him."

That's a lie, of course. I wish Edmund were dead. But I need to appear kind in front of Altera.

"Then what should we do?" Altera asked.

"We're proceeding according to plan," I said, "but I hope you can trust my judgment. When disaster strikes, Sky City will be the safest place."

"I believe in you," Altera said earnestly.

When we returned to the hall, we found Edmund discussing the details of the wedding with the Siren princess.

"When are we getting married?" Edmund asked impatiently.

"Soon," the Siren princess said sweetly, "I can't wait to spend the night with you."

She licked her lips as she said this, but Edmund clearly misunderstood and blushed as red as an apple.

"Then we should also set a time," Altera said to me.

"Anytime is fine," I replied.

And so, both marriages were settled. Edmund would marry the Sirian princess, and I would marry Altera.

As the guests prepared to depart, the Siren princess said to Edmund, "I will come to fetch you back to the deep sea tomorrow."

"Great!" Edmund was so excited he almost jumped for joy.

Altera also told me, "I will come to pick you up tomorrow."

"I'll be ready."

At night, I stood alone in my room, looking at the starry sky outside the window.

Tomorrow, I will be leaving this place. Although I have lived here for twenty-two years, I have never felt the warmth of home.

I picked up the handmade doll from the bedside table and gently stroked its rough surface. It was the only keepsake my grandmother left me, and my only warm memory of this home.

"Grandma," I whispered, "I'm leaving now. But I'll take your love with me."

Just then, footsteps came from outside the door.

"Who?" I asked.

"It's me, Edmund."

I opened the door and saw Edmund standing in the hallway with a complicated expression on his face.

"Is there something you need?" I asked.

Edmund was silent for a moment, then said, "Alexander, although we haven't gotten along well since childhood, we are brothers after all. I want to say to you..."

"say what?"

"I wanted to say... take care," Edmund's voice was soft. "Although the Sky Tribes seem useless, at least they're safer."

I was somewhat surprised. This might be the first time Edmund had expressed any concern for me.

"Take care too," I replied.

Edmund nodded, then turned and left.

As I watched his retreating figure, a complex mix of emotions welled up within me. Perhaps, deep down, Edmund wasn't entirely evil. He was simply spoiled by his parents and blinded by greed.

But that doesn't change anything. He has made his choice and must bear the consequences.

The two princesses arrived early the next morning.

The Siren princess said impatiently, "Edmund, let's go. The Deep Sea Kingdom awaits its new prince."

"I'm ready!" Edmund exclaimed excitedly.

Altera also said to me, "Mr. Alexander, the Sky City welcomes you."

"Thanks."

Before leaving, I took one last look at Stirling Manor. Earl William and Lady Catherine stood at the door, their faces bearing complex expressions.

"Alexander," Earl William called to me, "remember, no matter what, you are a member of the Sterling family."

I didn't answer. In my heart, I was no longer a member of the Sterling family.

Edmund excitedly followed the Siren princess to the seaside, while I flew into the sky with Altera.

As we ascended into the sky, I looked down at the earth below.

This time, I chose the right path.

Those who have hurt me will soon pay the price for their choices.