“Aunt Silvia then… and this girl who claimed my fiancé is?”

“Your Highness, doesn’t know?” Silvia titled her head in confusion. “The Vandlehouse had already talk with his late majesty about the engagement of my daughter to your highness,”

“… …”

“Hmph!” Sibylla only snorted in contempt and ignored them.

“But from what I know, the engagement is postponed, wasn’t it, Silvia?” As Cian was thinking of what to say about this sudden ‘Here comes the Fiancée event’ a cold voice rang out from behind him.

“Your Majesty!!” Silvia’s eyes widened in shock before hurriedly kneeled on the floor.

Cian turned around and saw his mother slowly walking over with a heavy expression.

“Your Majesty, forgive this servant but, I don’t know what you mean? The engagement of the two has always been the way it was even before they were born,” Silvia gritted her teeth with a pale expression.

What do you mean by postponing?

Haven’t we already made some concession about this?

The southern guardian lord, the Dark Dryads hold a considerable power among the great families and clans of the Demon Empire. They are one of the top families in the Empire. Thus, in order to sustain both clans; the Imperial Clan and the Southern guardian lord, it’s necessary to unite both families in marriage.

No one has the rights to oppose that decision.

And yet, postpone…?

Was it even a good way rather than saying it was canceled?

“I am the ruler of this Empire, so whatever I said… does it need a reason? Do I need to give my apology and explanation?” The Demon Empress muttered coldly, her gaze narrowed dangerously. The aura she was emitting was as if showing that she will claim the life before her in just a moment’s notice.

The Dryad Chieftain’s expression turned even paler and her body even trembled violently. Of course, she was not the only one, aside from Sybilla besides her, who was already on the verge of fainting from the pressure, the people around them also felt burdened, wanting to kneel in fear.

“I will decide who I will give my son to… engagement before birth? Hmph! Have I agreed to it? Only my stupid husband who said it… not me?” The Demon Empress muttered in gritting anger. “Now leave!”

“Y, yes… my apologies, your majesty!” The Dryad Queen was on the verge of crying from humiliation, but she endured it, showing how strong she was. She stood with trembling knees while dragging Sybilla’s hand.

However, the moment they turned, suddenly a soft voice rang out, “Wait,” Cian called them.

“…?!” The Dryad Queen, as well as Sibylla’s body, simultaneously jerked.

“Son?” The Demon Empress frowned as a not so good premonition surge through her. Indeed, what she had expected happened…

“Sybilla is it…? I’ll take her as my wife… there should be no problem, isn’t it, mother?” Cian turned with a faint smile as he glanced at the Demon Empress whose face had already darkened as the bottom of the pot. But Cian didn’t care and just continued to smile as if he was enjoying something.

Tap! He stepped forward, walk towards the Dryad Queen and Sibylla, before stopping in front of his supposed to be fiancée.

Looking at her dumbfounded and ignorant expression, Cian smiled warmly as possible. He put his right on his left chest, and bowed like a proper noble he had seen in one of the medieval European movies back in Earth…

“My lady, I know that you had already heard of my name but I want to properly introduce myself to you properly and sincerely, so please give me this honor…” Cian flashed a handsome smile that even made all the women in the hall tarried, spellbound.

He kneeled in one knee, like a knight in front of his princess and declared with a sonorous voice; “My name is Aanuel Heretarium Vorn Stormfury. And here, at this very moment, as the second prince of the Demon Empire, if you wanted it, if you promised to be my wife, I will vow to love you, whoever you are, whatever you may be…"

"I vow to protect you and care for you to the very best of my abilities…”

Cian heard an angry and furious ‘Stop’, and it was obvious who it belonged to… but Cian didn’t obey and kept his eyes at the stunned Sibylla. His lips curling into a gentle smile… “Will you give me the honor to possess you, my lady?”

“… …” A prince kneeling in front of many people, expressing his love… probably in this brutal society where love can be exchange with profit and benefits, where love would be easily betrayed in just a passing minute, Cian’s display was a sight to see—no, a shock to all the people and nobles present.

What’s more… it was the infamous second prince who had done it… even to the point of giving his vows using his name!

The prince who, if he liked will just snatch women in front of many people, like a scum beyond redemption.

Just what is happening… right now?

Are they seeing this real…?

“I…” despite the hate and disgust she harbors, this kind of different prince in front of her, made Sibylla didn’t know how to react. Though the happiest person in the present should be, the woman beside her, her mother. Her face had already recovered its usual color…

Indeed, she didn’t waste all the time treasuring this daughter of hers!

She actually managed to capture the prince…!

That was enough!

With the second prince as the backer, it was far more reliable than getting the first prince help in keeping the Southern Forest security among the invaders, from outside and inside the Empire. Although they were strong and powerful, being one of the great families of the great empire but due to the rich resources of the Southern region, being targeted to wasn’t unusual.

‘Treasuring a jade ring becomes a crime’ no matter how powerful they are, as long as other influences would gang up to pressure them, they would be helpless!

But with the Second Prince help and support (Though it wasn’t actually the second prince himself they wanted but the Empress), they can feel somewhat relieved from all the problems that would come later in the future.

“Enough!” However, before Sibylla could recover from confusion due to Cian’s sudden actions, an angry voice rang out. “Prince Aanuel, you can now stop what you are playing! This joke is becoming too much…!”

“But I’m not…” Cian smiled wryly. The Empress’ bountiful chest was like a magnet for his eyes, but he fought the temptation and looked at her face.

She was angry, no extremely furious, and her gaze was scary, but he couldn’t run away.

“I said, ENOUGH!” The Demon Empress gritted her teeth in rage. She turned her head, his eyes seemed to almost shoot flames towards the Dryad mother and daughter, and said, “This farce ended right now! This is a celebration of my son’s coming of age ceremony as well as him talking part to the larger world! Any nonsense must be left for later!” After saying that, she grabbed Aanuel’s wrist and drag him away.

Jealousy… ey? As Cian was dumb enough not to notice anything? Even the people around had already known the reason why the Empress refused such a good deal. After all, the Southern area is one of the most powerful influences in the Demon Empire.

Creating ties with them would be a great proposition…!

But why would the Demon Empress refused such good thing? Obviously, it’s because the doting mother didn’t want to give up her son to other people…!

Almost all the people had already known about it… but would a person dare to say it?

Marrying a relative, marrying a family member… in the Demon Empire, was it an uncommon practice…?

Obviously—No! Many clans do it, especially ancient noble clans. To protect their lineage and retained their purity of noble blood, such practice was commonly used. Though, mother marrying her children was certainly a rarity…

Parents marrying their children, or family members marrying each other—to the present age, such practice were already almost forgotten.

Even Demons have morality and principles—only those who stuck to old ways keep at it.

Besides, demons of the present times realized that having a crossed blood can make ones stronger. Especially if you marry an elite from a strong race or clan, your descendants will surely have excellent talents than the previous!

Cian chuckled in amusement. However, although he was certain about the Demon Empress possessiveness, he can’t give up this opportunity.

The Southern territory is just too important for his current situation—after all, if the Southern Lord wanted to make use of him, why can’t he do the same?

He really had a sensitive status and if he wanted to rise, he needed to influence not just his own power but those around him.

And racking up loyal and trusted subordinates with his smelly reputation was an almost impossible dream. He was extremely infamous… would someone want to be under him? Would someone decided to devote their selves and be loyal to him…? Obviously, no!

Thus, although it was a bit different but this… engagement could surely give him many benefits in the future. If he only does it right, there’s no disadvantage, only advantages!

Cian halted his footsteps. Feeling Cian stopped, the anger in the Demon Empress expression turned graver at each passing moment. Cian squeezed his hold and flashed a smile, wanting to comfort the Demon Empress before turning his head and look at Sibylla and her mother.

Sibylla seemed to still yet understand what just happened and stared at Cian with ‘I don’t know what to say’ kind of expression.

“It might be somewhat fast and quick, but please, I want you to believe my heart is pure. As a proof of that, please accept Heaven Falls Mansion in my regard. I want to give it to you as a present~”

Cian’s words were like a nuclear bomb blasting off. The entire hall quieted down—who wouldn’t understand the value of the Heaven’s Fall Mansion? It was one of the precious buildings within the Second Prince belongings.

It was only second to the Main palace in terms of value!

“Son… I think that would be too much,” The Demon Empress with a very dark expression muttered.

“Nah, it’s nothing important…” Cian responded with a harmless smile as he turned around. Before glancing one last look at Sibylla, Cian smiled at her faintly before walking away.

This is just an investment…!

If I manage to conquer her, then it would surely help me in the future… certainly!

Besides, if Cian wanted someone, even Hades himself wouldn’t be able to touch her! Thus, giving the Heaven Falls Mansion towards Sibylla was just akin to moving the money from the left pocket to the right pocket. Sibylla would be his, as her possessions…!

And Cian was confident on his own charm and allure to capture a woman of such caliber as Sibylla…!

Leaving those thoughts, Cian walked through the crowd of people with a refreshing smile. I’m sorry about this Sibylla but I’m going to make you the catalyst to change the people’s opinion about me—in exchange, I will take care of you properly… as my wife, that is…

“Sibylla, you should say your thanks!” Sibylla’s mother immediately admonished her. Cian’s action greatly shows his favoring manner… though what he was giving is something difficult to accept. But in front of many people, refusing such a gift would mean being discourteous. Thus, she didn’t say anything about it and instead, hurriedly admonished her in daze daughter.

“… …”

But Sibylla wasn’t listening. Already her eyes were fixed on Cian, who was leading his mother away from the crowd. Suspicions and doubt filled her eyes. This sudden change of attitude, only gullible, or an idiot… or probably both would accept it.

Something must be within it!

What is he planning…?

Does he want me… just to torture me for life…? Why?

For the insolent attitude, I gave a while ago…? Is this his way of taking revenge…?

Sibylla’s head blanked out. Messed up thoughts filled up her mind.

*** ***