Knights and Magic Wand
Chapter 356 - 356 173 Princess Ines_2

356: Chapter 173 Princess Ines_2 356: Chapter 173 Princess Ines_2 Hearing Princess Ines’s sweet and lovely voice softly praising him, those beautiful eyes filled with admiration made Leon’s heart tingle with an ineffable sensation.

Indeed, it was quite flattering for any man to receive such compliments from such a beautiful girl.

Who wouldn’t enjoy the gaze of respect and adoration from a lovely young lady?

Especially that look, it reminded him of how Olivia, below the Windmill Tower in Selva, had once listened to his tales of far places, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

It was quite similar.

However, Leon wondered if it was through the lens of love that he still felt…

Olivia’s gaze back then was clearer and more innocent, warming the heart more than Princess Ines’s now.

“Not to take all the credit, that battle was won with the unity of our soldiers and the bravery of our allies; moreover, our enemies were far fewer than a thousand.

We merely drove back a disorderly mob of seven hundred assembled by the Wolf Family,” Leon humbly said.

“That’s still very impressive, and since you mentioned reuniting with your Griffin friend, I suppose even if a thousand more enemies came, you could easily defeat them,” the young Princess said with a glowing smile, generously praising him.

Leon thought about the situation that day and sighed, “If my Griffin friend had been there, many soldiers would have been spared from sacrificing themselves in that pointless conflict.”

Having said that, he didn’t forget his purpose and smoothly took the opportunity to probe further, “Your Highness, observing the King’s majesty today riding the dragon to battle, I was deeply moved.

But since your father can command a ‘giant dragon,’ why would you be interested in my family’s Griffin?

I mean, compared to the dragon His Majesty rides, even my brave Griffin friend seems quite insignificant.”

However, upon hearing this, Ines shook her fan slightly, “Dragons and Griffins are not the same; those big creatures are smarter than ordinary beasts, but their nature is fierce and violent, completely unlike the personable and gentle Griffin.

Even as the daughter of the King, to them, I am merely a piece of meat that wouldn’t be casually devoured unless they were extremely hungry… Growing up in the Royal Palace, I never dared approach those dangerous creatures without my father and a Dragon Tamer.

Every year, there are Dragon Tamers in the Royal Palace Dragon Nest who unfortunately get eaten by dragons.

By contrast, the Griffins I encountered at Earl Nos’s place in the North were much friendlier.

Can you imagine?

That adorable yet imposing creature even played chess with me!”

Remembering the cute, fluffy Griffin, Ines covered her mouth and giggled.

That smile was genuinely heartfelt.

She paused for a moment, feeling slightly apologetic for getting carried away, “I apologize, I got a bit excited and forgot you have a Griffin yourself.”

Leon empathized with the girl’s accidental show of affection, nodding as if finding a kindred spirit, “You are right, my friend is indeed a smart and imposingly adorable creature.

Have you heard that in my homeland, Seryan, people regard the Griffin as a symbol of good fortune…”

His words were suddenly interrupted by an unapologetic voice.

…

Near the window-side banquet table, Orad, who had been conversing with the “Royalist” nobles, gradually fell silent.

A casual glance, and he noticed that the West Family’s “fat pig” was, unbeknownst to anyone, enjoying a feast alone at a distant table.

Where was Ines?

Instinctively, Orad scanned the great hall and soon spotted the beaming Princess engaged in conversation in a corner.

He turned to look for the King, but King Lydwen, who had just been discussing affairs with Earl Trosa, seemed to have left the hall for a break.

Recalling that he hadn’t received a response for a long time, Orad adjusted his collar, excused himself to his allies from the Western Kingdom’s Royalist faction, and walked toward Ines.

He hadn’t forgotten the high hopes his father had given him before he left for the Western Kingdom.

Prince Eric, straightforward and forthright, had already been won over by his family’s influence.

His own sisters had also taken turns in Prince Eric’s bed.

If he could marry the Princess and integrate Drakemar blood into the family’s lineage.

Just waiting for the day Prince Eric ascended the throne…

all of Orland would become Ostdor’s world.

Dreaming of his family’s schemes, Orad’s strides quickened.

As for gaining the Princess’s favor, he was very confident.

Not only because of his noble Ostdor lineage but because he was outstanding among his generation, distinguished in battle, and had earned a great reputation through numerous major battles against the Barbarians in the Eastern Border.

In contrast, his competitor, that surname West fat pig, whether in capabilities or appearance, had degraded the proud name of the Sea Dragon Family.

Although a remnant of the former regime, the lost nobility, still possessed the rich Weststral County.

Yet the next heir they cultivated was fat, barely able to hold a sword steady.

Now, besides this worthless noble, who else in the Kingdom dared compete with him for His Highness the Princess?

With his father’s support, the support of the Royalists, even the King couldn’t openly oppose him.

As Orad approached closer, he recalled the scene of King Lydwen III arriving on a dragon not long ago.