Lucian blinked, then sighed.
There were always two types of peoplebthose who refused to let their daughters anywhere near him and those who pushed their daughters toward him at full force.
And Valdmir Malvic clearly belonged to the latter.
Of course, friendship was fine, but as for a life partner?
That was a hard pass.
Lucian was direct. "Friendship is fine, but marriage? Not happening."
Valdmir's smile didn't waver. Instead, he nodded as if he had already expected this answer.
"Of course, of course. Just friendship."
But internally, Valdmir was already calculating.
Men at his level of power can't be bound directly. But if Klara could get close to Lucian, if she could establish a connection, who's to say what might happen later?
Starting as friends isn't bad.
A union between their families would make the Malvic household the strongest among the Seven Peak Families.
This was a long-term game.
Lucian saw right through his thoughts but didn't bother entertaining them.
