"My daughter already has a betrothal. I do not wish for her to leave Chinston City on the eve of fulfilling it," Viscount Laiwen Chinston answered, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
Several figures stood conversing at the entrance of the reception hall, showing no intention of lingering for a detailed discussion. Viscount Laiwen Chinston had originally intended only to see off these visitors from Bourne City.
"Betrothals can always be dissolved," Viscount Blake Bourne replied, acting as though he failed to hear Viscount Laiwen Chinston's evasiveness—or perhaps simply not caring about his attitude in the least. "Forget it, say no more. If you don't trust Professor Meiqi's educational standards and believe he cannot be of any help to Lilith, there is no point in me saying another word. Dignitaries from several other city-states are lining up to seek an audience with Professor Meiqi, and I gave you ample face, yet unfortunately you fail to appreciate it."
Viscount Blake Bourne sighed with deep, dramatic regret.
"...That is not what I meant. I hold great respect for educators of the Protos Royal Magic Academy," Viscount Laiwen Chinston said, glancing at Professor Meiqi as he suppressed the impatience and irritation in his heart.
During these extraordinary times in the empire, the Snowfield Province had become isolated, caught between the Northern Border Province ahead and Box Mountain Province behind. Not only were communication and transportation severe problems, but there was also the looming threat of the Spectre Party.
If several city-states joined forces to ostracize a single one, it would be fatal. It could easily turn that city-state into the concentrated target of the Spectre Party, and without the ability to call for aid from other provinces or neighboring city-states, total destruction was far from impossible.
Clearly, many dignitaries from the other city-states were doing everything they could to curry favor with this professor named Meiqi, hoping to secure patronage at the Protos Royal Magic Academy in the future. Viscount Bourne, who had established close ties with Meiqi, was now gradually becoming the leading figure among the various nobles.
Although Viscount Laiwen Chinston also harbored doubts about Professor Meiqi's authenticity, he dared not make reckless accusations. Or rather, by this point, with Viscount Bourne backed by so many nobles, it no longer mattered whether Meiqi was real or an impostor. It was an open scheme: whoever dared to challenge Viscount Bourne from his high perch would find him swiftly rallying the other factions to crush them.
"Lilith, don't worry. Professor Meiqi is my mentor now; he won't make things difficult for you," comforted the handsome, tall young man behind Viscount Blake Bourne—none other than Viscount Bourne's son, Dean Bourne.
"..."
Lilith made no reply. Her icy expression suggested she would never reveal her heart to anyone; she merely stood waiting.
"Lilith, is there anything you would like to say?" Viscount Laiwen Chinston asked, looking back at his daughter. He always felt as though she were waiting for someone, yet her thoughts remained entirely inscrutable.
"I will not marry someone weaker than myself," she stated in a detached voice.
Immediately, a look of delight crossed Dean Bourne's face. He cast an intentional glance toward Xiaya, who sat on the sofa in the distance.
"With Professor Meiqi's guidance, I might actually be stronger than Miss Lilith now, you know?" Dean Bourne said, bowing elegantly toward her. He spoke as if inviting her to a duel, aiming to claim the position of her fiancé through it.
This finally prompted Xiaya to rise to his feet. He wanted to speak, but held back so as not to put Viscount Laiwen Chinston in an awkward position.
Although Xiaya was a noble from the south, he had long heard of Dean Bourne's foul reputation. A quintessential playboy, rumors claimed he had ruined many commoner girls, only for his influential father to settle every matter. Xiaya never judged someone purely by hearsay, relying instead on his own perception and what his eyes captured. Just now, Dean Bourne's gaze toward Lilith had feigned deep affection, yet the instant he caught sight of Side, an uncontrollable greed had surfaced in his eyes.
Xiaya had keenly caught every bit of it.
"Oh? Xiaya Candis, do you have something to say?" Viscount Blake Bourne directed his attention back to Xiaya with blatant ill intent. He tapped his wrist lightly, looking the young man up and down with a smile for a moment before speaking again. "How about this? Let my son Dean test what the last scion of the Candis family is made of. After all, Lilith said it herself—she doesn't want to marry the weak. You should respect your daughter's wishes, shouldn't you, Laiwen?"
In truth, he did not care how his son would treat Lilith once he had her; he had only instructed Dean to refrain from stirring up trouble outside until she bore an heir. Blake knew very well that Laiwen was unlikely to remarry. Once they secured Lilith, it would not merely be an alliance through marriage—the Chinston family would essentially belong to them sooner or later.
"A Tier 3 against a Tier 2... I'm afraid that is hardly appropriate. I believe some restrictions should at least be placed on both sides," Viscount Laiwen Chinston pondered aloud.
"Weakness is the fault of the weak to begin with. Why should anyone make concessions?" Professor Meiqi interjected coldly. It was as though he were declaring an immutable tradition of the Protos Royal Academy—one that brooked neither question nor dispute.
Viscount Laiwen Chinston's expression froze at once.
"Indeed... a matter concerning Miss Lilith's happiness ought to be settled decisively," Dean Bourne smoothed over the situation with an easy smile. "And the strength of the Candis family is said to reveal itself only when holding nothing back. If Mr. Xiaya truly possesses the prowess of the legendary heads of the Candis family, letting him fight with all his might without reservation will make me accept defeat wholeheartedly, even if I lose."
"I'm afraid—"
"Let it be decided, then. The loser shall never appear before me again."
Before Viscount Laiwen Chinston could offer another excuse, Lilith cut in.
"No problem," Dean agreed readily, looking thrilled. Viscount Blake Bourne wore a satisfied smile as he looked at Xiaya, who sat on the sofa unable to intervene in their conversation.
Xiaya remained silent, his head slightly lowered, like a young lion drenched by the rain by a lakeside—bewildered, powerless, unable even to see his own reflection.
Regardless of whether Xiaya agreed, the matter had already been decided. It was nothing more than choosing between giving up voluntarily or suffering a humiliating defeat.
"Xiaya has traveled a long way and must be exhausted. Holding the match now would be unfair. Let us set it for at least three days from now," Viscount Laiwen Chinston sighed helplessly, casting a deeply apologetic gaze toward Xiaya.
One could only attribute it to the cruelty of fate. In the current state of the Protos Empire, certain bonds were simply destined to be crushed beneath the wheels of destiny. If worst came to worst, he could only give Xiaya some money and send him back south; at the very least, he had to keep him safe from harm.
"Very well. When the time comes, I shall invite more nobles from the province to bear witness. Don't go back on your word then, Laiwen."
With that, the group that had already been preparing to depart walked out of the reception hall amidst polite parting words and footsteps.
Lilith cast one last glance at Xiaya, her lips moving faintly, and then turned and left without another word.
No one knew what that look meant, nor what message she had mouthed to him.
Xiaya was left standing blankly in place.
"A backward glance in formal dress, unforgettable at first sight—ah, the sweet romance of youth," Side remarked, leaning against the sofa and sipping the tart fruit tea of the snowlands as she looked at Lanqi beside her.
"Yeah."
Lanqi merely crossed his arms, his brows slightly furrowed, and nodded with a profound look on his face.
Seeing Lanqi's state, Boss Cat finally breathed a massive sigh of relief.
In truth, Hyperion had repeatedly warned Lanqi on the road never to casually interfere in other people's love lives. Most of the time, he should simply remain a quiet spectator watching from afar. Even if he genuinely felt he could not stand idly by, he had to consult the opinions of those around him first.
He might often be logically correct, but that did not necessarily mean he was doing the right thing.
Recalling Hyperion's words, Lanqi was now plunged into immense turmoil.
Chapter 314