Charlotte munched through the tidbits like she was attacking a battlefield ration. "Theresa, I'm losing my mind. Declan never stops. When he heard about your spring wedding event, he stormed home and trapped me." "How'd he manage that one?" Theresa asked. Charlotte growled, "He cornered me into promising I'd marry whenever he did. Then he dragged home my future sister-in-law like it was some surprise prize." Theresa let out a bright laugh. "Declan locked someone down already? Where's she from?" "She's from Dawnlight Camp. Karina Peterson. He hauled her out of danger during the big fight. I'm convinced she only agreed to marry him because she feels she owes him. I truly cannot imagine anyone who genuinely likes that man," Charlotte replied. Theresa's eyes curved with amusement. "He isn't unbearable." Charlotte scoffed. "He is—to me. He's loud, stubborn, scolds like an old uncle, waves Dad's name around, and nags every hour of the day. "He never listens. He pushes his ideas down my throat nonstop. Tell me that doesn't drive a person insane, Theresa. Tell me!" "Yeah, right. He's exhausting. Just hearing it wears me out." Theresa popped a snack into her mouth casually. "Charlotte, want me to smack him? One arm or one leg? I'll go handle it." Charlotte's hands flailed. "No! Don't hit him. He's irritating, sure, but he's still a good brother." Theresa almost choked from laughter. Charlotte realized she was being teased. Her expression darkened. "Theresa, that's not cool." "Come here." Theresa pinched her cheek gently. "You're not upset anymore, right?" Charlotte met her gaze and pouted. "I'm not mad. I'm just sick of him breathing down my neck." Theresa probed, "So what do you want? No marriage? No dating? Fully anti-relationship?" Charlotte almost agreed on instinct. Then Theresa's eyes made her pause. "Theresa... if I stay single forever, will it ruin the alliance? Will it hurt the numbers you need?" "Tsk." Theresa ruffled her hair. "Your imagination runs wild." Indeed, she needed population growth—more couples, families, and children. Yet from her position, this wasn't something to force on every citizen. It was a long-term statistic she needed to raise, not an order to hammer into people.Every policy she introduced nudged the numbers in a certain direction. If she promoted births, the community's overall desire for children naturally increased, leading to an independent increase in the fertility rate. If she chose to slow growth, she could temper that collective impulse through different regulations and incentives. Each person lived freely. Yet in population data, every individual still appeared as a single point on a large chart. Decisions made above shaped the patterns below. She never needed to control every household's choices. She only needed to steer the larger trend. People always wanted children, and they could have as many as they wanted. Those who chose not to have any would never face pressure. "Do what you want. If you want marriage, go for it. If you want to stay single, that's entirely fine. If you only want children, that's also your choice. Nothing you do will disrupt anything," Theresa told her. "In the Blazing Sun Alliance, no one will pressure you." Charlotte felt courage rise in her chest like heat. "Theresa, you're incredible." "That's nothing," Theresa replied, noticing her softer expression. "If Declan corners you again, tell him I officially approved your lifelong single status." Charlotte threw her arms around her. "Theresa, I wish you were my real sister. Declan is nothing compared to you. Not even a fraction!" Theresa blinked, quiet for a beat. "Theresa, I have a secret," Charlotte whispered. Theresa asked, "What secret?" "I don't dislike marriage itself," Charlotte confessed. "I dislike men like my brother. He's so overbearing, I assume every guy is the same—bossy, short-tempered, and always preaching. I don't want a life like that." Theresa shook her head. "That's because you haven't met enough people. Look at my guards—Kyle, Tyger, Elias, and Landon. Their temperaments are excellent. "Especially Tyger. He looks terrifying, yet inside he's soft as a panda." Charlotte's ears perked up instantly. "Tyger's temperament is really that good?"Theresa confirmed, "Ridiculously good. On the outside, he swings like a wrecking ball. On the inside, he's fluff. He never flips at any girl."