Yang Ming didn't know why, but seeing this beautiful princess stirred up a sense of irritation in his heart.
He gazed intently at Daphne, and his brow furrowed involuntarily.
Daphne displayed her excellent demeanor with courtly etiquette, quickly concealing the surprise in her eyes, and smiled at Yang Ming,
"Was I too presumptuous? I was just thinking, perhaps yesterday's conversation didn't go well, so today we can change the atmosphere and have a good talk about the significant topics of the future and life."
Those big eyes of hers blinked gently, and that natural charm inexplicably soothed Yang Ming's mood a little.
Yang Ming asked incredulously, "You can accept even such harsh conditions?"
"Even if one can obtain a man's promise in name, one still has to face these highly likely facts after marriage—isn't this the norm for marriages among the Imperial Nobles?"
Daphne lifted her skirt slightly and walked elegantly indoors, speaking softly,
"Of course, I will also try to keep my matters from you, to protect your fragile and sensitive self-esteem."
Yang Ming gave an awkward laugh.
Outside the door, Han Xiang's timid voice suddenly became a bit louder,
"Sister, sister, are there a lot of reporters downstairs?"
Han Yin said, "Don't talk nonsense! What reporters, they're just some gossip media from the Emperor Star, without press credentials, only good at sensationalizing and spreading gossip!"
Yang Ming's eyes narrowed slightly, a bit of annoyance showing within.
Gossip media blocking the door?
Called over by Daphne?
Wanting their affair to quickly become the Empire's news sensation?
One could only say, the daughter of the imperial family truly had a mind not to be underestimated.
Seeing Yang Ming's expression grow colder, Princess Daphne reacted swiftly.
She smiled and said, "Yesterday's trending topic had nothing to do with me, but today I must show my father some results—trust me, this will also be beneficial to you."
Yang Ming suddenly took half a step forward, revealing a bit of the aura he developed fighting within the Insect Swarm.
Daphne instinctively took a few steps back.
"I haven't agreed to you yet!"
"You have no other options."
Daphne quickly steadied her mind,
"Before stepping into the Empire's dirty political circle, you should have prepared for this insight.
"Now, because of my father's order, you are enraged at me, a woman—is this truly the demeanor of Lord White Ghost?"
Yang Ming almost swore out loud.
He held his left hand to his side, paced back and forth, taking several deep breaths.
"Sit," Yang Ming pointed to the corner.
"Thank you," Daphne lowered her head and walked over, gracefully seating herself on the edge of a single sofa, navigating around the maids sprawled on the ground.
Yang Ming asked, "Did you call me here today to go public with our date?"
Daphne replied gently, "You can think of it that way, and if I could take your arm as we left the hotel, that would be even better."
"Haven't you considered the negative impact of doing this?"
Yang Ming's mind raced, immediately finding a point of rebuttal,
"I haven't broken up with Catherine yet, and my relationship with her has already attracted attention.
"Your actions are those of a third party interfering and deliberately stirring things up—your reputation will suffer greatly."
"Actually, it's okay. I've analyzed Captain Catherine's personality. She will consider your situation and choose to remain silent."
"Our story needs a beginning, Earl. Although starting in this way is not perfect, it's not bad either.
"Public opinion can be guided, and the Empire's populace's reverence for the royal family will make them more cautious in their words. As long as we direct public opinion to view the princess's marriage as the Empire rewarding a hero, it will be a win-win situation.
"Do you resist me because walking beside me makes you feel embarrassed?"
Yang Ming cursed, "I'm resisting your way of forcing the issue! Can't you wait even a few days?"
Daphne pressed her lips slightly, her demeanor when bowing her head somewhat aggrieved.
"I'm truly defeated!"
Yang Ming turned and entered the bathroom, the sound of the door slamming showcasing the restlessness deep inside him at that moment.
Once the door closed, Yang Ming's expression reverted to calm.
He gazed at himself in the mirror, frowning in thought.
To be precise, he was reflecting.
Since yesterday, Director Eno's words had unsettled his defenses, and he had been led by the nose ever since.
It was Director Eno who chose Daphne—Daphne was also a victim in this matter, but there was no way around it. The only space Yang Ming could find to struggle was with her.
This massive Sherman family was a hundred times harder to deal with than the Old Emperor himself.
Now, reporters were waiting downstairs.
The Old Emperor in the Imperial Palace must have already received the news through the Antenna Organization, waiting to watch a good show.
That Director Eno, hiding in the research institute, the one in the Sherman Empire closest to the Faya Civilization, was the true boss-level presence of the Empire.
It truly felt like there was no way out, no place to hide.
What could he do now?
Yang Ming opened the communicator, intending to send Catherine a message, to explain that he might have to play along with the act, but touching Catherine's icon, a bit of struggle arose in his heart.
Reason told him he couldn't drag Catherine into this event.
Catherine's ideological imprint had issues—she should now be in a state of outward calm, but inward radicalism.
She was resentful of royal power and the noble class, contemplating how to reform the Empire's system to liberate the Empire's billions of people, especially those hundreds of billions with Slave Status.
Now wasn't the time to add fuel to Catherine's fire.