Eugenie looked at Will’s eyes and realized that the Young Master of the Hysterm Family, whom she had always considered “stupid,” “irritable,” and “childish,” was showing a terrifying gaze like a hunter stalking its prey—even though only a moment ago, he had seemed like a pervert obsessed with a half-elf, touching Miss Treya’s hands.
Eugenie felt that she had fallen into a trap.
For some unknown reason, he had seen through her tricks in teaching Treya sword skills, and then applied that line of reasoning to thirty puppets.
It was too impulsive. Even without agreeing, she could have achieved her goal. But by agreeing…
She listened to the applause around her.
Although two puppets remained on the stage, compared to the “unqualified” feat of “destroying 10 puppets and leaving 7,” the feat of “destroying 30 puppets and leaving only two” seemed like a minor flaw in an otherwise perfect performance.
It was like the difference between scoring 58 and 98 on an exam.
Moreover, Treya, in her white dress with silver hair, cutting a dashing figure as she wielded her silver sword, and her silhouette standing under the moon as she sheathed it…
It only made her appear perfect and beautiful.
Agreeing to it was like sending fireworks to celebrate Princess Treya’s debut in swordsmanship!
“Did I succeed? No… I haven’t succeeded…”
Treya turned her head and looked at the two remaining puppets on the stage, knowing that she had not succeeded.
But…
Why were the other twenty-eight successful?
When she snapped out of her daze, she could finally hear the thunderous applause erupting around her.
“As expected of Princess Treya.”
“Although there were some minor imperfections, achieving such a result with her first attempt is truly remarkable.”
“People with elven blood are truly beautiful in everything they do.”
These…
These were compliments directed at her?
But…
Why?
So, Will’s final request wasn’t meant to make things difficult for her?
When she saw the thirty puppets, she thought it was Will being his usual obstructive self.
But…
It wasn’t.
That’s right, it was…
It was him who had spoken those encouraging words to her earlier?
“I am truly sorry, Your Highness Princess Treya.”
Accompanying this was…
Will’s black attire slowly fading, transforming into a radiant white.
“Ah, as expected… it’s a dream that’s too good to be true… I knew it just by watching you fight, Treya.”
Will stood before her and bowed deeply with sincerity.
At this moment, it felt as if he had snatched away all the strings that bound her from Eugenie’s hands, untangled all the sharp steel wires around her, and stood on her side.
“Wh-what is it…”
“Seeing Miss Treya’s silver hair and that sharp sword light, I finally understood. You carry half the blood of elves, noble and beautiful like them, and half the blood of the Entak Royal Family, resilient like this great dynasty.”
Will’s words were extremely theatrical, sounding like a string of lies deliberately performed.
He knew, of course, that this performance was rather distasteful.
But…
Seeing Treya’s glistening eyes trembling.
Given Treya’s current lack of sharp political acumen, Will was worried that if he didn’t make his appearance, this simpleton wouldn’t realize he had helped her from behind the scenes.
Come on, he had made such a big sacrifice; he still had to take care of business.
“I believe in you, my fiancée.”
Finally, Will glanced at Eugenie, who was standing far away.
She was practically burning with anger.
Will was ecstatic.
Will felt that he had received the rewards for his mission.
“You, you, you, you—!”
“Mother—this is outrageous! People from the Hysterm Family are truly as pretentious and fake as the rumors say, it’s disgusting.”
Turning, Eugenie anxiously complained to Anna.
This is bad.
If she complained…
Not to mention her own overly dramatic and insincere behavior, she had just proposed to break off the engagement, and now she was acting out like this.
It also made her seem insincere.
Could it be…
Could fate’s “broken engagement” appear because of this?!
After all, they had a mother. Though her mother was a bit fierce, compared to him, who seemed fatherless, she still had the upper hand.
“Ahem, Young Master Will, although the engagement was announced today, I believe you should still be more reserved. Our Royal Family is not…”
Anna seemed genuinely displeased, but before she could finish, Carver interrupted her:
“While Princess Treya has proven herself, regarding the situation Will encountered… does the Royal Family dare to guarantee that you have no involvement whatsoever?”
Huh?
Will was surprised by Carver’s interruption as he stepped forward.
Carver was stepping in to save the day?
He had directly shifted the topic back to the sharp question Will had initially raised.
So, he did have a father after all.
“The Entak Royal Family has always opposed such matters, judging solely on merit. Of course… if there really was a prince or princess orchestrating this behind the scenes…” Anna swirled her wine glass, “then we would certainly not tolerate it.”
“Thank you for the Royal Family’s decisiveness. In that case, until the Royal Family thoroughly investigates the mastermind behind this…”
Whether it was Will’s imagination or not, he felt Carver glance in Eugenie’s direction.
“We shall temporarily postpone the subsequent engagement ceremony and the planned cooperation between the Hysterm Family and the Royal Family. After all, I cannot confidently entrust the Hysterm Family and Will into your hands under such circumstances. What is your opinion, Queen?”
“Carver, this is tantamount to breaking off the engagement…”
“Hmm… there’s some difference, isn’t there?”
Without waiting for Anna to respond, Carver clinked glasses, seemingly indicating mutual agreement.
“As expected of the head of the Hysterm Family, this is a way to maintain a good outward appearance without taking responsibility? Even if it’s discovered to be the fault of someone in the Royal Family, we will not reveal their true identity to you.”
“Oh? If that’s the case, then what right do you have to seek the Hysterm Family’s support?”
“You— fine, we… will postpone it for now.”
Will watched this scene unfold.
It was rare for Carver to be so assertive.
“However…”
He carefully considered and analyzed the hidden meanings in their words…
So, this was still leading to a broken engagement?!
As everyone knows, there’s a phenomenon called “postponed again and again until it disappears,” which often occurs in various delayed project launches.
Saying it’s a postponement is merely a tactical maneuver announced to the public.
Once the memorable period passes, it’s common to quietly announce the cancellation.
“Although I guessed this would be the outcome, it still feels like a lot of wasted effort…”
Will sighed.
But at this point…
The biggest conspiracy at the banquet had indeed been resolved by him, and the most stressful and confrontational moments had passed.
It was time to properly enjoy the banquet (sweet moments).
If his suit hadn’t been too inconvenient for smuggling items, he would have liked to take some back for Iaar, that glutton, to taste the sweetness of the Royal Family’s pastries.
Just as he was thinking this, he felt someone tugging at his sleeve from behind.
A gentle tug, a pull.
Treya, who was slightly taller than him, actually bent down slightly, looking up at him.
“Uh… Miss Treya? What’s wrong?”
“Your clothes… they got some dust from the puppets just now, they’re a bit dirty.”
She patted his clothes with her hand.
—This attitude is not right!
“Did… did that get it clean?”
“…It’s still a little dirty.”
She curled her hand into a fist and rubbed it on his back.
Will didn’t recall his back coming into contact with any puppets.
“You… could it be that you have something you want to tell me in private but are too embarrassed to say it…?”
Upon hearing this, Treya suddenly looked up.
The outdoor lights made her ice blue eyes shine.
It even made Will feel that his reflection in her eyes was also shining.
She pouted her small lips and nodded vigorously, with great seriousness and anticipation.
The half-elven princess was truly invincible when it came to using her looks to ask for favors.
