NOVPUB"My daughter is already engaged, and I do not wish for her to leave Chinston City on the eve of fulfilling her marriage vows."
Viscount Levin Chinston pinched his brow, responding.
Several figures stood at the entrance of the reception room conversing, showing no intention of carrying out a detailed discussion in the room.
The Viscount himself was simply seeing off the visitors from Bonn City.
"Engagements can be cancelled, you know."
Viscount Black Bonn acted as if he couldn’t pick up on Viscount Levin Chinston’s hints of evasion, or perhaps he simply didn’t care about the latter’s attitude at all,
"Never mind, if you don’t trust the level of instruction of Professor Mei Qi, and don’t think he could offer any assistance to Lilith, then my words would be pointless. Quite a number of dignitaries from other city-states are lining up to meet Professor Mei Qi, and I’ve given you plenty of regard, it’s a shame you haven’t accepted it."
Viscount Black Bonn sighed as he restrained himself.
"...That’s not the case. I respect the educators of Protoss Royal Magic Academy a lot."
The Viscount of Levin Chinston, withholding his impatience and annoyance, glanced at Professor Mei Qi and said.
At this crucial time in the Empire, the Xue Yuan province ended up being isolated like an independent entity, sandwiched between the two provinces of the North Border and Hezishan.
Not only are communication and transportation becoming problematic, but there is also the threat of the Phantom Gang.
If several city-states collaborate to squeeze out one, the consequences could be dire, potentially leading to it becoming a prime target for the Phantom Gang. In the inability to seek assistance from other provinces or neighboring cities, complete destruction isn’t impossible.
And evidently, a decent number of aristocrats from other city-states are zealously seeking to garner the favor of this professor named Mei Qi, hoping for some preferential treatment in the future, at the Protoss Royal Magic Academy. 𝘯𝑜𝘷𝘱𝘶𝑏.𝘤𝘰𝑚
Viscount Bonn, being friendly with Mei Qi, has apparently started to become a force to reckon with among many nobles.
Although Viscount Levin Chinston was skeptical about the authenticity of Professor Mei Qi, he didn’t dare to make rash assumptions.
Or one could say that, so far, once Viscount Bonn had occupied a position endorsed by many nobles, the authenticity of Mei Qi had actually become irrelevant.
This could be called an open conspiracy. Anyone who dares to question Viscount Bonn, who holds a high position, will quickly be dealt with by Bonn mobilizing other forces.
"Lilith, don’t worry. Professor Mei Qi is my teacher right now and he won’t give you a hard time."
Viscount Black Bonn’s handsome and tall youth behind him, who is Dean, the young master of Viscount Bonn, reassured Lilith.
"..."
Lilith didn’t respond, her icy demeanor made it seem like she wouldn’t reveal her heart to anyone, she just stood there, waiting.
"Lilith, do you have anything to say?"
Viscount Levin Chinston glanced back at his daughter and asked.
He always felt like his daughter was waiting for someone, but he couldn’t decipher her thoughts.
"I will not marry someone weaker than me."
She said, her voice detached.
Immediately next to her, Young Master Dean Bonn seemed elated, and even glanced at Shaar who was sitting on a distant sofa with a smirk.
"Under the guidance of Professor Mei Qi, I might now be stronger than Miss Lilith?"
Young Master Dean Bonn gracefully bowed to Lilith.
It was like an invitation for a competition, hoping to thus qualify himself as a prospective suitor for her.
This made Shaar finally stand up. He wanted to say something but held himself back not to embarrass Viscount Levin Chinston.
Although Shaar was a nobleman from the south, he had heard that this Dean Bonn’s reputation wasn’t quite good; he is a typical playboy. Rumors say that he has abused many commoner girls, but all were squashed by his powerful father.
Shaar wouldn’t judge someone based on hearsay; he would rely only on his own perception and what he could capture with his eyes. Dean Bonn’s gaze on Lilith, although seemingly very affectionate, couldn’t help but turn greedy the moment he noticed Sikder.
All this was keenly noted by Shaar.
"Oh? Shaar Candis, do you have something to say?"
Viscount Black Bonn once again diverted his malicious attention toward Shaar.
He lightly patted his own wrist, laughing as he scrutinized the young man for a moment and then opened his mouth to speak again,
"How about this, let my son Dean see for himself the strength of the last of the Candis family? After all, Lilith has said that she doesn’t want to marry a weakling. You should also respect your daughter’s wishes, right?"
He really didn’t care about how his son would treat Lilith after getting her, he just instructed him not to cause any trouble before she gave birth to an heir.
Black knew that there was a good chance that Levin would not get married again. As long as he got Lilith, not only would it be an alliance by marriage, but the Quinston Family would inevitably be theirs eventually.
"A third-order fighting a second-order, that wouldn’t be quite fair, would it? We should at least set some limitations for both sides."
Viscount Levin Chinston hesitated to say.
"Being weak is a problem with the weak, who needs to let who?"
Professor Mei Qi spoke up coldly.
It was as if he was expounding the unchanging tradition of the Protoss Royal Academy, a tradition that was beyond doubt and refutation.
This caused Viscount Levin Chinston’s expression to stiffen momentarily.
"Indeed... Regarding Miss Lilith’s happiness, we should settle it once and for all. The strength of the Candis family, it is said, is always brought out to the fullest under extreme conditions. If Mister Shaar truly has the strength of the successive heads of the Candis family as the legends say, and lets him fight without any concerns, even if I lose, I will be convinced."
The young master of Viscount Dean Bonn also calmly smiled and played the part of a peacemaker.
"I’m afraid..."
"Let’s just agree on this. The loser should never come to see me again."
Before Viscount Levin Chinston could evade the subject, Lilith had already spoken.
"Fine by me."
Dean happily agreed immediately. Viscount Black Bonn showed a satisfied smile and looked towards Shaar who still sat quietly on the couch, unable to join their conversation.
He remained silent, his head slightly lowered, like a young lion drenched in rain by a lake, confused, powerless, and unable to see his own reflection.
In fact, no matter whether Shaar agreeed or not, the matter was already decided.
It was just a question of whether to voluntarily give up or to lose disgracefully.
Shaar has come a long way to be here and must be quite tired. To fight now would be unfair. Let’s say three days from now," Viscount Levin Chinston sighed helplessly and cast a deeply apologetic glance at Shaar.
One could only sigh at fate. In times like these in the Protoss Empire, some destinies are bound to be crushed by the wheels of fortune.
If things really don’t work out, he could just give Shaar some money to return to the south. At least he can’t let anything happen to him.
"Good, I’ll invite some nobles from the provinces to witness this. Levin, don’t renege at that time."
And so the few who were about to leave walked out of the reception hall once again, accompanied by polite phrases and the sound of footsteps.
Lilith took one last look at Shaar, her lips moving slightly, and then she turned and left without saying a word.
No one knew what her glance meant, or what was conveyed through her lip language to Shaar.
Shaar alone stood still in the hall, dazed.
"Looking back in full dress, a sight to remember. This is the feeling of young love, isn’t it," Sikder leaned on the sofa, sipping Bitter fruit tea made in the Snow Field, and said to Lanci.
"Yes."
Lanci just crossed his arms, wrinkled his brows, and nodded thoughtfully.
Seeing Lanci in this state, Cat boss finally breathed a sigh of relief.
In fact, Hyperion had repeatedly told Lanci on the way that he absolutely should not intervene in others’ love affairs.
Most of the time, he just had to be a silent observer.
Even if he really wanted to step in, he should ask others for their opinions.
He might be right, but he might not be correct.
So thinking back to Hyperion’s words, Lanci was now in quite a dilemma.
