As soon as the words fell, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause; it was all like a rehearsed process.
The Second Prince gazed affectionately at Ave, "Ave, are you willing to respond to my burning feelings?"
Of course, all these were lies.
For Damian, Ave was just a cousin he had met a few times before. Then, for some unknown reason, she went to the Empire’s border alone and hadn’t been seen for more than two years. But when the Pope mentioned Daklimo’s Sword, the Empire’s proud Golden Fleet, he became intensely interested in Ave.
The Margaret Clan holds the key to unlocking ancient technology, and this power must be in the hands of the royal family.
The most powerful and binding tie is marriage.
Damian believes that no girl would refuse to become the Empire’s Queen.
He saw Ave’s surprised expression, a look of astonishment.
Even his mother was taken aback by his sudden confession.
Ave blurted out but softened her tone, considering the royal family’s dignity, "What I mean is, I’m not ready yet."
She glimpsed the Pope’s somewhat sullen face and instantly understood what was going on.
Ave curtsied to Damian to express her apology, hoping the Second Prince would gracefully find a way to withdraw without losing face in public. She had already noticed his face turning from green to pale.
Apparently, he hadn’t been rejected often.
Unexpected answer, Damian calmed down for a long time before coming back to his senses, barely squeezing out a tender expression, said, "I’ve been waiting for you."
Prince Freeman, seeing this, stepped forward with a smile to mediate, "Your Highness, such matters cannot be rushed. Miss Ave has just returned to the capital, which may be a bit hasty. After she has had some time to recuperate, she will surely give you a satisfactory answer, won’t she, Miss Ave?"
"I was a bit impatient."
The Second Prince said, "After you’ve had a few days to rest, I’ll arrange a grand engagement party for you."
The atmosphere of the banquet quickly returned to being lively, yet Lindong, who was watching the spectacle, felt chilled to the bone. Ethan suddenly felt someone grab his arm, and the next moment, a body with a fruit fragrance leaned against him.
"Teacher? Are you alright?"
"Just a bit uncomfortable."
Lindong’s tone was a bit weak. She initially just wanted to enjoy the spectacle, but seeing the Second Prince’s flushed and pale face after being rejected, along with the mocking expressions of onlookers, she couldn’t help but feel a moment of fear.
After a long while, she whispered, "It’s lucky you agreed back then."
Lindong suddenly realized her behavior that night was perhaps a bit too bold. If Ethan had pushed her away and refused, she would have wished she could disappear into a crack in the ground. This kind of psychological shadow is not something that can be easily cured.
Ethan said nothing, allowing her to lean on his shoulder.
The banquet then only involved sporadic small talk. When everything ended and guests dispersed, they immediately received Ave’s summon through a charged crystal. She didn’t even have time to change out of her evening dress and rushed to the secret meeting place.
"What a crazy person!"
Ave messily unpinned her braided hair, with her newly freed golden locks nodding in agreement.
She still hadn’t recovered from the shock, and a chill ran down her spine.
"It’s quite normal. The royal family requires the ancient technology that the Margaret Clan inherits, and marriage is the most common method. You are the only daughter of this generation, with no sisters."
As she knew, Henry VI’s marriage was the same, "Your actions of going to the Empire’s border and continuously opposing the church should have made many people uneasy."
Logically, the church, the Judicial Court, and the old aristocracy are a powerful interest community, and all three flourish or suffer together. However, no one expected the Margaret Clan to produce such a rebellious heir.
But it was precisely because of this heir status, otherwise, with Ave’s series of actions previously, she would have long been burned at the stake by the church if she were from another family.
"Your teacher and aunt had reasons for not recommending you return at this time."
After Henry VI’s death, the capital entered a critical period of power transition, and everyone had to express a clear political stance.
Ambiguous neutral parties would be purged—this is a fact confirmed by Beyond’s personal experience.
"I understand the reasoning."
Ave looked disgusted, "It’s just that I feel uncomfortable all over. During my visit to my aunt’s home before, I often saw his inappropriate behavior."
Among these cousins, she disliked Damian the most. He was always irresponsible, a typical playboy, and her aunt often bore the brunt of his antics.
Who would have thought Damian would become one of the strongest contenders for the throne?
Ave said, "Now is not the time to talk about this; I suspect the family will soon want to talk to me. Father seemed very displeased with my performance today."
So she urgently needed to gather people for a meeting, "Perhaps tomorrow I’ll have to move back home."
"I can help you assassinate him."
As someone who claimed to have been on dozens of dates, Rowena stepped forward, "I can give you a 20% discount for old friends."
"Ethan, I need a plan now."
Ave skillfully ignored Rowena, looking seriously at Ethan. The current situation was a mess. She was counting on Ethan to come up with some constructive opinions.
"I don’t have a plan; it depends on your choice."
Ethan never likes to interfere in others’ lives, let alone being new here, he was unfamiliar with the entanglements between the Margaret Clan and the Empire.
As a friend, there is only one thing he can promise.
"I know Old Ba’s character; if anyone tries to forcefully change your choice, He will not stand idly by."