"Most of the girls here have pink and red flowers. I know your aunt comes from an influential family, so she was able to get that invitation for you." More or less, Quinn could understand where Irish was going. Not only Irish, Quinn herself was also curious about how her aunt managed to get the invitation.
As Irish had said, a distinguished family like Knox wouldn't just look at the background of the general's future wife; they would also look for traits in each girl. As an SS-ranked general, A and S ranks were the best match for him, while Quinn, who wasn't ranked in any of the ranks, wouldn't be able to get here easily.
"But don't worry. I don't know what happened to you, but from what I can see, you're quite normal," the girl spoke again.
"I was serious when I said I'd be your friend. Trust me, I know everyone in this election. They're all the type of people I wouldn't get along with."
Quinn felt there was no harm in making friends while she was here. She also hadn't heard any bad news about Irish. Besides her tough, assertive nature and occasional rebelliousness towards her parents, she was also known for her generous donations to orphanages.
"Then let's be friends," said Quinn, who gave Irish a charming smile.
"You know, I was forced into this election. Oh, screw the Knox family and General Xavier, I knew right away that he wasn't my type."
"Then, did your father force you to come along?"
Irish nodded, "It's no longer coercion. It's more like a threat. I can't guarantee I won't embarrass him while I'm here." They both laughed. Okay, it looks like she and Irish will get along well while they're here.
While there, they also met Seeli Snow, a noblewoman with a large business. Irish and Seeli already knew each other and became good friends. Due to her very friendly nature, the three of them quickly became close.
Not long after, the seeds were asked to gather in a hall. Much like the gardens, bridges, and buildings they had passed, the hall they were gathered in also had a very traditional feel, something Quinn had never seen before.
All the girls sat in a row, with the hostess and matriarch of the Knox family seated in a very elegant posture. General Xavier's mother and grandmother, as she had heard, had a completely different aura.
Despite her advanced age, Mrs. Knox still looked strikingly beautiful. Her jet-black eyes roamed the room, gazing at each guest in turn. Beside her, the Knox family's grandmother, with her graying hair, looked even more intimidating than her daughter-in-law.
"Welcome to our humble abode. As the hostess, I would like to thank all the talented ladies for their willingness to participate in this election," Mrs. Knox began with a gentle, yet audible voice. She spoke neither too fast nor too slow. Based on what Irish had said, Mrs. Knox was both gentle and stern at the same time.
"Sorry, I'm late." A moment later, a deep, low voice came from the front. General Xavier Knox entered the room. Unlike the one she had seen on the news a few days earlier, the general was not wearing his military uniform, but rather a traditional outfit that matched his mother and grandmother's.
"I thought you wouldn't come," Mrs. Knox smiled for the first time. After greeting his mother and grandmother, Xavier took his seat. His face, which had been gentle when he spoke to his mother and grandmother, immediately turned flat and cold as he looked at them all. He didn't even look at the girls.
The madam spoke again, "In the selection process, we don't ask much of you. Just a few rules and customs in this family. Grandmother and I will choose several girls who we think will fit in well with this family." The room was silent. All the girls there were dignified women, so no one whispered, even after General Xavier's sudden arrival.
"I have a question," someone suddenly spoke, and the woman raised her hand and stood up. "Is General Xavier not allowed to choose? This is an election for his future wife, so why are you the only one who can choose, not General Xavier himself?" It was a very bold question, one that no one would ask if they still wanted to be here.
Quinn, who had been watching every event closely, noticed something. Mrs. Knox and Grandma Knox's smiles were very happy. She could also see the tension on Xavier's face loosen. The corners of his lips lifted and he said, "What are you talking about? This is the Knox family's election, can you behave yourself?" His words sounded very casual, as if he was teasing the woman who was puffing her face.
From her seat, Quinn saw the woman's face well, the only word that came to Quinn's mind when she saw her was very enchanting, she couldn't even find the right words to describe the beauty of the face in front of her.
Beside her, Irish whispered, "That woman is Youna Scarlett. She's one of the soldiers who joined the Eagle Sky Legion and is also a subordinate of General Xavier. Do you know what other rumors I heard?" Quinn turned her head, waiting for Irish to finish.
"Rumor has it that she is General Xavier's lover."
....