Suddenly, a voice rang out.
At the same time, a thin young man tried to push his way through the crowd.
He was about 175 centimeters tall, with black hair, a rather handsome face, a slender build, and a strange-looking necklace hanging around his neck.
đź”” [Ding! Main character detected.
Name: Lucien VortanClass: 0Talent: 0Description:
He is the illegitimate son of Count Edric. However, Count Edric brought him back into the family five years ago.
He has secretly loved Selvia but has never confessed his feelings because of the difference in their statuses.]
Seeing Lucien's information, Lathel was about to ask something but decided to stay quiet and watch what Lucien intended to do.
At that moment, Lucien rushed forward, his brows furrowed as he shouted, "I do not agree to this marriage!"
"That's…" The crowd looked at Lucien in surprise, then immediately recognized who he was.
"That's Lucien, the illegitimate son of Count Edric."
"Ah! The son of a courtesan, is it? No wonder he doesn't know proper manners. Does he think he can say whatever he wants here?"
"That's right, after all, being the son of a courtesan, how could he possibly know our noble etiquette?"
"Hahaha… Count Edric is surely in for misfortune this time. Bringing this filthy brat here is nothing short of defiling such a splendid place."
"Didn't you hear what he just said? He doesn't agree to the marriage. Hahaha… Who does he think he is, to say something like that?"
Lathel smirked, thinking to himself, 'So, the main character? I'd like to see what you can do.'
He turned to Selvia, displaying an expression of concern and surprise. If there were a World Film Association here, they would surely have to award Lathel a little golden statuette for his acting skills.
"Selvia, is that… your boyfriend?"
Hearing Lathel's question, Selvia jolted in fear, her face filled with worry and anxiety: "No! Lathel, you have to believe me. I just felt sorry for him, so I often helped him."
"I didn't expect him to cause a scene here. I truly apologize. But you must believe me, I… I really don't have feelings for him, there's nothing between us."
Lathel nodded lightly at that, his face showing a touch of sadness. "I understand. Selvia, of course I trust you."
Though Lathel said he trusted her, when Selvia saw the disappointment and sadness on his face, her worry only deepened.
'This is bad! Lathel really doubts me now.' Selvia thought anxiously, 'He'll definitely think I'm some kind of unfaithful woman.'
Although Selvia was a gentle person, at this moment she really wanted to curse Lucien out loud.
She couldn't understand why, after she had helped him so many times, he would put her in such a predicament.
Seeing Selvia's watery, frustrated gaze, Lucien thought of something and muttered, "Just as I thought."
"That bastard Lathel isn't a good man. He dares to use his power to force Selvia into marrying him."
"Selvia, don't worry, I'll save you. Even if I have to go up against the entire Royal Family, I will save you."
Lucien clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white, his face filled with anger and determination.
"Lucien, what the hell are you doing?!" At that moment, a thin middle-aged man hurried to his side.
He immediately knelt down and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, this is my son. This is the first time I've brought him here, hoping he would learn and get acquainted with everyone."
"I never expected him to cause such trouble. I sincerely apologize, Your Majesty, and to the Prince as well."
As he spoke, he pulled Lucien down to kneel beside him. "Damn it! Kneel! Apologize to the Queen and the Prince!"
Lucien snorted disdainfully. "Huh! I will not kneel before those who use power to oppress others."
"You…" Edric was so angry he almost spat blood.
He stood up, swung his hand, and slapped Lucien hard across the face.
SLAP!
Lucien didn't dodge, letting Edric strike him. Yet his face remained full of stubbornness and fury.
"You…"
"That's enough!" Catherine's voice rang out, cutting Edric off.
Hearing this, Edric immediately knew the Queen was furious and dropped to his knees at once. "Please, Your Majesty, forgive me, I…"
"This is my son's birthday banquet, not a place for you all to make a scene," Catherine said, her words full of majesty and warning.
"Your Majesty, I do not accept their marriage," Lucien spoke up.
He didn't kneel, but stood tall, looking directly at the Queen.
Catherine frowned, a flash of killing intent in her eyes.
Lucien felt as if a fire was burning inside his body, and a great weight was pressing down on his shoulders.
Still, he was unafraid, thinking to himself, "No! I will not be brought to my knees by this trash. Selvia is waiting for me to save her."
He gritted his teeth, remained standing, and with all his strength said, "Your Majesty, feelings cannot be forced. Selvia has her own thoughts and feelings."
"Your Majesty, you are a woman too—have you ever considered Selvia's feelings?"
The crowd was so angry they wanted to punch Lucien in the face.
"What the hell is that bastard saying?"
"Exactly, what is he talking about? The Prince and Lady Selvia are the perfect couple—doesn't he know what he's saying?"
"Is this idiot clueless? Doesn't he know Lady Selvia has admired the Prince for years?"
"Look, the honor of House Vortan has been trampled into the mud by this fool, hahaha…"
Queen Catherine frowned, looked to Selvia, and spoke loudly, "Selvia, are you being forced?"
"I am not the kind of person who will side with the royal family. That's why, if you don't want to marry Lathel, I will never force you into this marriage."
At that moment, Selvia truly wanted to cry. She couldn't understand why Lucien thought she was being forced to marry Lathel.
She hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, I am not being forced. As everyone said, I… I truly have liked Lathel for a long time; I just never dared to express my feelings."
"Today, when Lathel confessed to me, I felt like spring had finally come to my life. I… I…"
Selvia glanced at Lathel—she didn't want him to misunderstand, so she summoned all her courage and said, "Your Majesty, if possible, I wish to hold the wedding as soon as possible. Even tomorrow would be fine."
Catherine nodded gently, her face showing clear satisfaction.
"Did you hear that clearly?"
"No… that's not it…" Lucien was stunned, panic flashing across his face as he heard Selvia's words.
Suddenly, a thought struck him. He immediately calmed down, thinking to himself, 'Huh! She must be under duress.'
'Yes, everyone here belongs to the Royal Family. She must be afraid of retribution, or that her family would be implicated, so she said that.'
'Selvia, don't worry. I understand the pain you're enduring. I swear… I'll rescue you from this hell.'
Lucien took a deep breath and said, "I don't believe it! Prince Lathel, do you dare accept my challenge?"
"In two weeks, there will be a tournament at Carol Magic Academy. I want to challenge you. If I win, you have to give up on Selvia and set her free."
The crowd, upon hearing this, thought the boy was truly insane.
"Someone get this brat out of here."
"Damn it! Who does he think he is?"
"Bastard! He's not even worth a pile of dog shit, and he dares to challenge the Prince?"
"Huh! He's nothing but a mutt—after all, a courtesan could never give birth to a proper son."
Lucien listened to countless insults, his rage turning his face crimson.
He glared at everyone present, doing his best to memorize their faces for the day he could take revenge.
Meanwhile, Lathel inwardly sneered, 'Ah! I thought a protagonist would be impossibly clever or patient.'
'Seems I was wrong. This kid is truly a fool, but… that's fine too.'
At this point, Catherine's patience finally wore out, and she was about to signal for the guards to take Lucien away.
However, Lathel spoke up, "Very well, I accept your challenge."
Selvia gasped, hurriedly grabbing Lathel's hand, crying, "No! Lathel, you can't accept. You… you're just…"
She wanted to say Lathel was just an ordinary person, and if he accepted the challenge, he'd be in danger.
But she couldn't bring herself to say it out loud, afraid it would wound his pride.
Lathel, knowing full well what Selvia meant, gently patted the back of her hand. "Don't worry, I truly love you. That's why I'm willing to protect our love."
"Lathel…" Selvia was so touched her heart felt like it was about to melt.
Lucien, seeing that scene, clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, drawing blood.
Catherine frowned and said, "Lathel, don't act so recklessly. You are the Prince; you shouldn't risk your life against someone so low."
Lathel shook his head and replied, "Mother, when someone challenges me to ruin my happiness, if I don't accept, then I am no man."
"If I won't accept this challenge, then who will protect my future happiness?"
"Mother, I am grown now. I will protect what I cherish most."
Hearing this, Catherine was moved and nodded gently, her gaze softening. "Lathel, you've grown up."
Lathel nodded, then turned to Lucien, smiling with absolute confidence. "I accept your challenge—however, on one condition."
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