Randy did not know when he got knocked out, but when he came to, he was already seated across a large, luxurious office desk, facing a middle-aged businessman.
Going by the manner in which he had been brought here, as well as the apparent status of the man in front him, Randy would have assumed that he was the Black Tiger Corporation's head, had he not already known who he actually was.
Compared to Mr. Black, who did not bother with many interviews and public relation events, the leader of the White Deer corporation was more or less well known amongst the public. Even Randy could recognize the man's face at a glance.
"I saved your life, boy. Do you realize what would have happened if I didn't immediately take you away?"
His previously panicked heart finally calmed down as he realized that things may not be hopeless, after all. Because not only was this man in front of him capable of resisting Mr. Black, they could also be considered opponents.
The boy got up from his chair and bowed deeply. "Thank you for saving me, Mr. White. I know both my parents and I would have surely suffered a fate worse than death had you been a little late, I—"
The man shook his head. "Save your gratitude. Instead, what I want from you is… cooperation."
Randy couldn't help but be stunned. "Huh?"
Just how could he, an insignificant little student, cooperate with this giant? Randy didn't understand at all. "W-What do you mean?"
"Since you are from the same school and year, you must know of my daughter, Emilia?"
The boy immediately felt uncomfortable in his heart. Just why was it that whenever these giants made a move, they always liked to use children as their chess pieces? He almost felt sorry for the girl. "Of course I know her."
Mr. White motioned for Randy to sit back down before continuing. "To be honest, at first I had just wanted to take out from that bastard's claws just to spite him a little, but after hearing about your deeds, I had another thought."
Randy clutched the armrests of the chair tightly. "A-As long as I can do it, I will of course do anything to repay this debt."
He knew that as soon as this man stopped protecting him and his family, the fate that awaited them would probably remain the same.
The older man smiled. "No need to look so scared. Just with you being my daughter's peer, I'm willing to arrange a new identity for you and your parents overseas, where you can stay away from his influence for the rest of your life."
Mr. White suddenly seemed to realize something, and nodded. "Of course, you have to make sure to either change your getup substantially, or never appear in a place that can spread your image around too much."
Randy trembled as tears gathered in his eyes. "T-Thank you, uncle White… but if I can, I would—"
The older man smiled, not minding his change of attitude at all. "Of course, I knew you would think like that, which is why I came up with such an idea in the first place. After all, only with such attitude would you be deserving of marrying my little girl."
Randy was sure that he heard it wrong, but he had been paying such close attention that he couldn't help but get confused. "I-I'm sorry, what?"
Mr. White chuckled. "Relax, I don't mean immediately, of course. It's all in the future."
The boy still found it hard to believe. "M-Me? You'll marry Emilia… to me?"
The older man nodded, his face grim. "I would rather have someone whose attitude and loyalty have already withstood great stress be the one to take her hand. Of course, if you prove yourself to be unworthy later…"
Unlike his wife, Mr. White did not believe his little girl would be able to find someone worthy of her after her previous experience, or even stay single for life if she wanted.
She was most likely to get duped once again, and he knew that he was powerless to resist her as long as some scumbag managed to hook her heart. After all, he treasured her too much.
In that case, it was better to impose his will on her to give her this 'fiancé'. The boy had already shown himself to have an incredibly strong sense of justice, and he was a schoolmate of hers from the same year to boot.
Moreover, combined with the Black's previous control over their lives as well as their ruthless attitude towards those who went against them in any way, there was no chance of this boy ever going over to their side.
Randy couldn't believe it at all. Emilia, the most beautiful and untamable girl in school, was going to be his wife? But even if he found it hard to believe, he still had to agree with Mr. White, because he simply didn't think he had any right to refuse. "I-I'll do my best!"
The older man nodded. "If you agree, I can have your parents move to another place with a new set of identities, and you will only be able to keep in touch with them remotely, do you understand?"
Randy was both relieved and disappointed in his heart. "Of course, I don't want to put them in danger."
He would rather be the only one to be the target of that bastard Amos and his father. The fact that his parents had ended up almost losing their lives if not for this man getting involved still sent chills down his spine.
But even if Mr. White was capable of protecting someone from the Black Tiger's claws, it was still safer for his parents to be hidden away from danger completely instead. Because Randy didn't think his parents would be too high in the priority of people to be protected.
Mr. White's own family will always come first, after all. His parents would always be a second thought, and there was always the chance of something going wrong.
The older man seemed to be satisfied by his response, and smiled. "Of course, to marry my daughter, you still have to be a better man than you are now to be worthy."
Randy couldn't help but nod. If he really ended up marrying her as he was now, he would probably always feel insecure in his heart. "What do I have to do?"
"Although she's learning to defend herself, I don't know how capable she'll be in the end. Moreover, as a man, it is your duty to protect her, understand?"
Randy nodded. "I'll do my best to be able to defend her."
"Good, I'll arrange the best instructors for you, who will teach you every morning before class. And after school, you shall go to my eldest daughter to learn from her, I don't want you to be just a deadweight to them later."
"I-I understand."
Even after the man had his secretary lead Randy away to his new 'accommodations', the boy still couldn't believe what had happened.
Just earlier today, he had been feeling like he was drowning in the depths of despair, but now he was going to be groomed as the son-in-law of one of the richest men in the country? He already had a beautiful wife and life secured in the future? Was it all really just for him?
He had been working so hard all his life, studying day and night, and finally managed to get into class A of the Imperial Academy. Despite that, he only ever dared dream of such a future in his wildest fantasies, and never expected it all to one day be true.
"Emilia…"
The name rolled off his tongue easily, and Randy found himself smiling. Although the girl always seemed to be the center of these two giant's 'moves', now that she was 'his responsibility', he couldn't help but find her endearing.
He even felt ashamed for looking down on her for being 'dumb' in the past. After all, what was wrong with a cute girl being slightly slower than her husband? Even if she acted like a princess, all he needed to do was be deserving of being called her 'prince'.
"I'll treat you right, I promise."
Randy vowed to himself, never realizing how far he truly was from ever being able to achieve this 'guaranteed future', because this 'princess' never sought a 'prince'.