Everyone was going through the motions.
But Fiora, the party involved in the engagement, stepped forward at the most crucial moment, breaking the fixed procedure.
Fiora's choice was beyond everyone's expectations.
So much so that many guests who hadn't paid attention to the engaged parties didn't realize the problem at first, even thinking Fiora had said, "I do."
Thus, a wedding that was already extremely absurd saw an even more absurd scene—these people were still subconsciously applauding, only to find that most of those around them were silent, staring blankly at Fiora in the center of the hall, finally stopping their applause due to embarrassment.
"I refuse." As if to make sure even those who hadn't been paying attention understood her choice, Fiora announced her decision again in a clear voice, "My life is mine to decide—I want to break off the engagement!"
The guests present finally erupted in an uproar.
No one could have imagined that Fiora would actually announce the breaking of the engagement at the engagement ceremony!
Even in the noble families of Demacia Capital, there would be one or two rebellious young men and women each year, but going back decades, Fiora was probably the only one to unilaterally announce a broken engagement at the engagement ceremony!
Sebastian, who had been cheerful, saw his daughter's words and his complexion visibly changed from rosy to ashen.
Dili, who had been equally pleased, was now completely dumbfounded.
Dili knew that he hadn't handled things smoothly enough in Silvermere, and it might not be a positive for Lux, so he chose to rely on Tiana and develop his career in the military.
Since Dili himself was unwilling to risk his life on the front lines, and his son Gaokan wasn't suited for it either, upon seeing the astonishingly skilled Fiora, he was naturally happy to facilitate this marriage.
In fact, he actually appreciated Fiora's stubbornness; talented people always have their quirks!
Dili believed Fiora would certainly achieve something in the military, and at that time, his family would also rise quickly.
He had even thought that if his son wasn't well-behaved after marriage, he would simply break his legs—what a useful wife!
Dili knew Fiora was stubborn and that she looked down on Gaokan; there was no love between them at all.
But... that wasn't important.
In Demacia, love in noble marriages could not be said to be very important; it could only be said to be nonexistent.
For nobles, marriage was always a tool for alliance.
Love?
Love my foot!
But Dili clearly hadn't expected Fiora's stubbornness to reach a point where she could disregard noble rules!
He also hadn't realized that Fiora's pride in herself even surpassed her acceptance of her noble status!
In this situation, Dili could only tremble his lips, unable to utter a single word.
Before the guests could react, Sebastian, with an ashen face, had already Strutted to Fiora's side, grabbing his daughter and trying to cover her mouth, disregarding his demeanor.
Please, you're my great-aunt, can you just stop!?
In this situation, you're going to completely offend Crownguard!
But unfortunately, it was meaningless.
Fiora simply dodged slightly, evading her father's pull, and at the same time, loudly spoke her mind.
"I would rather die than accept such a predetermined Destiny dictated by others!"
The special acoustic structure of the church hall made Fiora's words crystal clear to everyone present.
All the nobles heard these words.
And under the witness of the nobles, her words would truly determine her Destiny.
Just as Fiora's voice faded, Lux parted the crowd and came before her.
"Miss Fiora Laurent—you are breaking off an engagement in front of all these nobles!" Lux's brows were tightly furrowed, her expression extremely serious, "May I assume you are challenging the reputation of the Crownguard Family?"
"I have no intention of offending!" This time, Fiora finally stopped dodging her father's pulls, instead standing firm, first bowing slightly, then speaking with a firm tone, "But I also genuinely have no intention of getting engaged... especially not to such a good-for-nothing!"
"Then I'm truly sorry, Miss Fiora." Hearing these words, Lux unhesitatingly took off her glove, without the slightest delay, "For the reputation of the Crownguard Family, I'll see you in the Duel Hall—I will implore His Majesty to witness all of this!"
After speaking, she neatly tossed the glove into Fiora's arms and turned to leave!
Hearing these words and seeing the glove Lux threw, the nobles, who had only been whispering and watching the show, were now utterly stunned!
Washing away shame with a duel was not uncommon.
But the problem was that, under normal circumstances, according to Demacian custom, noble duels allowed for a duel representative—after Lux proposed a duel, she could completely choose a skilled duelist as her representative!
Yet Lux's choice was to take off her own glove, meaning she intended to enter the arena herself!
This meant Fiora also couldn't seek a duel representative, and Sebastian, who had intended to step forward, could only stand there awkwardly, at a loss.
Even though Lux's height now exceeded five and a half feet, appearing not much different from an adult, she was only thirteen years old this year!
Now, thirteen-year-old Luxanna Crownguard, to uphold her family's honor, had formally challenged the already eighteen-year-old Fiora Laurent to a duel, witnessed by the King!
For Sebastian, regardless of the duel's outcome, his family was finished.
Realizing this, even knowing it wasn't the time to speak, the nobles present still couldn't help but whisper after clearing a path for Lux to leave.
Lux's choice perfectly conformed to the noble code.
But the problem was that she directly put herself on the line, leaving no room for maneuver; this choice was beyond reproach but made people feel incredible.
However, amidst their astonishment, in the hearts of many nobles, they were actually quite happy to see this scene.
Lux, as an Exemplary Noble and the ideal child, while well-regarded among nobles, did not mean everyone wished her well.
Although Lux had once unleashed an astonishing sword strike in Silvermere, in the eyes of the The Capital nobles, that was mostly excessive exaggeration—no one had heard of this Crownguard princess practicing swordplay, and considering that incident happened in Silvermere, it was likely internal publicity by the Crownguard Family.
On the other hand, Lux's opponent, Fiora... tsk tsk tsk.
In Demacia Capital, who didn't know that Miss Fiora was someone who preferred armor over finery?
Many nobles even privately stated that if Fiora hadn't been born into the declining Laurent Family, she would likely soon become a second Tiana!
Comparing the two, the nobles clearly found that Lux seemed destined to lose—she was trying very hard to defend her family's honor, and it was very likely she would sacrifice herself!
Hahaha, you like to act like an Exemplary Noble, can't let go of your pride, can you?
Now you've really put yourself in a bind!
You're still too naive; a noble's face is important, but substance is even more important!
Now you've gained face, but you'll probably lose your life in the dueling arena.
Youngster—don't be too impetuous!
Realizing this, that same afternoon, many nobles proactively sought out Jarvan III, hoping the King would step forward to preside over the situation and "witness this great duel."
Indeed, most nobles were very eager for Lux to successfully duel Fiora, and were happy to see Lux suffer misfortune.
If the King's loyal dog couldn't behave properly and instead got killed and eaten, wouldn't that be even better?
Moreover, those who hoped Jarvan III would step forward to preside over the situation were particularly self-righteous.
After all, Lux was upholding her family's honor; if Jarvan III prevented the duel now, it would bring shame to the Crownguard Family!
Jarvan III, wanting to mend this storm, thought for a long time but couldn't come up with a solution that would satisfy both sides—the trigger for all this was Fiora's broken engagement; the one who proposed the duel was Lux, but the ones pushing for this duel to proceed were the nobles of Demacia Capital!
To anyone, this situation seemed to arise because Lux was young and impetuous, valuing honor, and thus was put on the spot, unable to advance or retreat, forced to stubbornly push herself forward, suffering for the sake of appearances.
But unfortunately, few knew that this time, Lux... had deliberately courted disaster.
She was indeed on the spot.
But this fire... she had stoked herself.