Amari’s jaw dropped. “Andrew, you’ve got to be joking with me. Valerie is one of Chetvine’s most beautiful women, and she’s famous for being ruthless and cutthroat. She holds the rank of major general in the military, and I’ve heard that even General Turman can’t always get her to comply with orders. You’re setting me up with someone like that? Do you really think she’d agree to this, and more importantly, do you think I could handle her?”

Andrew gave a cold smirk. “You’re really something, Amari. You haven’t even tried, and you’re already scared off. Tell me honestly, do you think I’m impressive enough?”

Amari nodded emphatically without hesitation. “You’re absolutely impressive. There are countless talented young people in Chetvine, but the most impressive one? It’s not bragging or favoritism, but Andrew, you’re genuinely in a class of your own. Even Madam Baxter has said the same thing about you."

Andrew scoffed coldly. “Then what’s the problem? If you already know that I’m capable enough to handle things, why are you scared about me arranging a marriage with Valerie? There’s nothing we can’t do. I’ll handle whatever comes our way.”

Amari’s eyes flickered with uncertainty. “Andrew, are you being serious about this?”

Andrew nodded firmly. “Dead serious. I couldn’t be more serious if I tried. What I need now is to find someone who has strong connections to the Reyes family, carries enough weight, and can serve as a matchmaker. I could do it myself, truthfully. However, arranging a marriage proposal isn’t really something a man should handle directly, especially one like me. Beyond that, there’s significant tension between the Reyes family and me already. So I need to find someone influential enough to act as an intermediary and command respect in the process.”

Amari nodded, then shook his head. “Andrew, I know you mean well for me. But having me marry someone like Valerie, someone so much younger, just feels wrong, you know?”

Andrew waved his concern away. “That uncomfortable feeling is exactly the point, because you’d be robbing the cradle. But listen to me before you object further. The reason you can pull off this relationship is that you have the strength and resources to back it up. First, marrying into the Reyes family would solve your main weakness: military power and combat strength. With a family that powerful behind you, nobody in Chetvine would dare cross you. Second, you and I are both well-established here in Chetvine, so together we have enough standing to negotiate with the Reyes family on equal footing. In other words, the basic requirements for you to marry Valerie are solid; there’s nothing wrong with it. The only real question now is whether Valerie herself will have a problem with your age.”

Amari groaned, shaking his head. “Of course she’ll mind. No doubt about it. I mean, sure, it wouldn’t be a bad deal for me, but Valerie? A woman like her? You think she’d go for that?”

Andrew let out a harsh laugh. “Whether she accepts it or not isn’t really her choice to make. Marriages in elite families are decided by the family itself; that’s how these high-society families have always operated. I couldn’t care less what Valerie thinks about it; what matters is that she gives you healthy sons. Anyway, we’ll need to prepare something impressive so the Reyes family won’t reject you outright.”

Amari sighed. “Other than alchemy, I don’t have any real advantages. Money isn’t a problem, but the Reyes family and Valerie are definitely not short on cash.”

Andrew waved him off. “That’s a small issue. Leave that to me. First, you’re going to refine ten ninth-grade supreme elixirs. Their value alone could buy out half a noble estate. We’ll use them as the wedding gift, and trust me… In all of Chetvine, nothing will top that.”

Amari gawked in disbelief. “Ten ninth-grade supreme elixirs? Andrew, that’s insane! We’d be bleeding ourselves dry! I can’t believe I’m saying this, but even for a woman like Valerie, that’s overkill. She’s extraordinary, sure, but not worth that much!”