Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 393 - 393 392 A Match Made in Heaven

Chapter 393: Chapter 392: A Match Made in Heaven Chapter 393: Chapter 392: A Match Made in Heaven “Russell, congratulations on becoming a Baron of the Grand Duchy,” said Princess Kunlaya, who was already twelve, holding up her wine glass to Russell.

The self-service banquet had reached its end, and the guests had already formed into small groups, drinking and chatting together.

Russell had made his way over to Princess Anxia and, after toasting her, it was Princess Kunlaya’s turn to offer him a toast.

“Thank you,” Russell said with a smile, raising his wine glass.

The slightly older Princess Kunlaya still looked as delicate as a little fairy, but her demeanor had become tougher than before, vaguely conveying the elegance of a knight.

Clearly, in the past year, Princess Kunlaya had not been negligent in her diligent practice of battle qi.

After drinking a cup of wine, Princess Kunlaya began to ask Russell some questions, such as what it felt like to be a Dragon Domain Lord, and how a Flying Dragon Knight balanced relations with the Dragon Domain Lord. Russell answered these questions as simply as possible.

For a while, the two of them chatted earnestly.

“Just look at them, they truly make a perfect pair,” Lady Kuna remarked with implied meaning as she watched the two chatting not far away, then glanced at Princess Anxia.

She was the wife of Viscount Mejie, mother of the Chosen Son Mel.

In her mind, calculations had already started stirring. Now, behind Mel stood prestigious nobles such as Count Merlin, Baron Romand, Baron Gevedas, and the newly risen Baron Russell, equivalent to controlling half the kingdom.

However, within the Shadowflame Family, Mel’s influence was always lacking.

For one thing, Mel was an outsider by marriage, not a true member of the Shadowflame Family; for another, with the Grand Duke Kunstan having passed away, many in the Shadowflame Family believed Count Merlin could not be absolved of blame, and some conspiracy theorists were convinced Merlin had purposefully been reckless.

So, to clear the obstacles for Mel’s victory in the succession, he must gain the approval of the Shadowflame Family.

Obviously, Mel could not marry his cousin, Princess Kunlaya; such was considered incestuous. Therefore, Russell became the best candidate.

Everyone knew that Russell and Mel were closer than real brothers.

Should Russell marry Princess Kunlaya, it would practically be the same as if Mel had married her. As the sole descendant of the Inferno Dragonblood Family for this generation, Kunlaya could be considered a symbolic figure of the Shadowflame Family.

Were it not for the Shadowflame Dragon’s objection, the Shadowflame Family would definitely support Princess Kunlaya’s future son to become the Grand Duke.

Not to compete as the Chosen Son.

Princess Anxia gave a slight smile and did not refute Lady Kuna’s sentiment. In fact, she had harbored similar thoughts.

Rather than being controlled by a Dragon Knight father and letting Kunlaya become a political pawn, to be married off to the Scorching Torrent Kingdom, she hoped for Kunlaya to stay in the Shadowflame Duchy, by her side, enjoying a happy life.

And looking across the young people of the entire Shadowflame Duchy, none was more suitable than Russell.

He came from a noble background. Though a second son in his family, he was still the son of a great noble; he was exceptionally talented, a Flying Dragon Knight, Dragon Domain Lord, a figure of historic significance; and he was well-behaved. So far, no scandals involving Russell had surfaced, and he was also known for his gentle and refined demeanor.

Most importantly, the Shadowflame Dragon approved of Russell.

In the Dragon Sleep Continent where dragons were regarded as divine spirits, what could be more valuable than the dragon’s approval?

While Princess Anxia did not contradict, Mrs. Quinty Sunflower, the wife of the Baron of Blackgarden, laughed and said, “The young princess now surpasses even you, Princess Anxia, in her grace. Surely, she will one day marry into the Scorching Torrent Kingdom and become incomparably noble!”

“Our Grand Duchy has its own young heroes; there’s no need for the young princess to marry far,” Lady Kuna replied with narrowed eyes.

Mrs. Quinty did not back down, arguing, “After all, the nobles of the kingdom are a cut above, and the young princess’s grandfather was a Dragon Knight, you know!”

“The matter of the young princess’s marriage is naturally for Princess Anxia to decide.”

“Our Grand Duchy’s alliance with the Scorching Torrent Kingdom means that some major matters still have to be discussed with the King.”

“Has Fire Ant Swamp already turned its back on Volcanic Oasis?”

“I wouldn’t dare say that, Lady Kuna. Both of us bear the bloodline of the Shadowflame Family and are working for the future of the Grand Duchy.”

The two noble ladies spoke with smiles on their faces, but sparks flew between their words.

Soon, several other noble ladies joined in. The conversation seemed lively, but the temperature of the air around them grew colder and colder.

In the end, it was Princess Anxia who cleared her throat lightly and said, “Matrimonial matters are hard to settle. I appreciate everyone’s kindness, but let’s let nature take its course.”

Thus, no one lingered any longer on the marriage prospects of Princess Kunlaya.

Instead, they moved on to other topics: the latest plays, amusing stories from the castles, the salons at Evernight Castle, and so on.

…

After the banquet ended, Baron Romand and his wife did not stay at Red Castle to play cards all night but returned to their temporary residence in the outer castle.

“It seems the eldest sister-in-law wishes to arrange a match between Russell and Princess Kunlaya,” said Lady Meryl. “From Princess Anxia’s expression, she seems not to object to the eldest sister-in-law’s suggestion. However, what Princess Anxia truly thinks, I do not know.”

“Matchmaking Russell with Kunlaya?” Baron Romand raised an eyebrow.

Then he mused, “Speaking of young notables in the Grand Duchy, only Russell is worthy of the princess. However, I do not support Russell marrying Kunlaya, and Russell himself has his own opinions and may not be willing to accept an arranged marriage.”

“What, you no longer wish for your son to marry a princess and ride a great dragon?” Lady Meryl asked curiously.

Baron Romand had often mused privately in the past, hoping that Russell could marry the young princess and then mount a great dragon to enhance and expand the glory of the Fluorescent Fungi Family.

“That was then; this is now,” said Baron Romand, shaking his head. “The Shadowflame Dragon was taken for a ride by the Scorching Torrent Kingdom and is now full of hatred towards the Lieyang Royal Family bloodline, and half of the princess’s bloodline comes from the Lieyang Royal Family.”

“The princess is the princess, and the Lieyang Royal Family is the Lieyang Royal Family. Didn’t you say that the … great dragon is unwilling to let the princess’s child inherit the Grand Duke position because of fear of being held hostage by the Scorching Torrent Kingdom? Clearly, the dragon still has affection for the Shadowflame Dragonblood Family.”

“What does it matter whether there’s affection or not? With Russell’s rising momentum, he doesn’t need to rely on marriage to ride a great dragon.”

“Do you truly believe that Russell can ride a great dragon?”

“Why not?” Baron Romand smiled. “Our son has had an epiphany about life and death and has ascended to the legendary status of Dragon Domain Lord. So, why can’t he ride a great dragon? You know the state of the … great dragon: half-dead. Without a knight to rescue …”

The implication was clear.

Lady Meryl’s heart skipped a beat. “Romand, is it really possible?”

“It’s worth looking forward to, isn’t it?” Baron Romand smiled. “You’ve seen that Russell’s title is Baron Thunderflame. Don’t you think it feels a bit presumptuous? Shadowflame, Thunderflame—they seem to share a level of nomenclature.”

Lady Meryl didn’t understand: “Is there such a distinction?”

“You women might not think of it, but we men are willing to fight to the death on the Snowfield for a noble title, so we must ponder the significance of the rank and title. That this title passed the Council of Elders, eight or nine out of ten of those governing elders, had this thought in their minds to some extent.”

After a pause, Baron Romand smiled proudly: “They, I believe, are looking to curry favor with Russell. What if it really happens?”

At that time,

Baron Thunderflame would likely be Duke Shadowflame.