Knights and Magic Wand
Chapter 357 - 357 173 Princess Ines_3

357: Chapter 173 Princess Ines_3 357: Chapter 173 Princess Ines_3 He admitted that King Lydwen, nearing fifty, retained the majestic bearing of the fabled kings of old who rode dragons.

But Orad, well-versed in the history of the kingdom and his family, had never held much genuine reverence for this king deep in his heart.

After all, if it hadn’t been for the strong support of his father and the lords of the Eastern Territory, how could the once “Earl of Hecha County” have ascended to the throne?

Everything was simply because his family did not share the Drakemar blood.

The ancestors of the Temorins, in ancient times, had an attitude of half-submission and half-independence towards the conqueror from Klonia, which ironically became an insurmountable barrier between their family and the northern throne in later generations.

Orad, every time he read the proud history of his family, couldn’t help but regret the unpredictability of fate.

…

Akman’s plump lips moved as he blissfully savored the exotic-flavored desserts on the table, pitying only that his little lovers weren’t there to enjoy them with him.

Devouring a honey syrup cake bite by bite, he caught sight of that tall irritant from the Eastern Territory approaching Princess Ines, which made him furrow his thick brows in distress.

Wasn’t it agreed there would be the King’s presence…

huh?

Where’s His Majesty gone off to?

Akman scanned the surroundings and then looked toward Orad, who had already reached Princess Ines’s side, instantly feeling the bruises on his body that hadn’t yet faded begin to ache again.

Damn it, are they all making it hard for someone as harmless as me?

It’s not as if I could possibly marry that little tyrant Ines; even if she were to marry Orad, so what?

What does the future of the kingdom have to do with me…

Sending her off far away to the East might actually be a good thing for me.

Picking up his small plate, Akman grumbled choices from the heart, turned around without a sound, and squeezed into the crowd by the dancers, pretending not to see.

…

Leon began, “…In my home country of Seryan, people consider the griffin a symbol of good fortune…”

“Princess Ines!

How do you find the matter?

My knights from the Eastern Border can hardly wait to fight for you.” Orad presented a warm smile to the princess, unabashedly interrupting the conversation between the two.

He didn’t waste time looking at anyone else, focusing only on Princess Ines’s eyes, opting for a direct approach: “The dangerous lands of that western county might be rugged for your knights, but to my Horror Wolves under my command, it’s as flat as a plain…”

…Orad had no interest in attending the insignificantly titled ceremony of a minor Earl, if not for this matter.

But thanks to this timely campaign to the south, although venturing to Kantadar held little significance for the nobles of the Eastern Territory, it nonetheless provided him with an opportunity to close the distance with the impervious Princess Ines.

The conversation was abruptly cut off, and Leon swallowed his original words, knitting his brows.

He sidelong glanced at the rude interloper, noting that the man hadn’t even bothered to give him a proper look.

Not even a token apology for the intrusion; it was as if he were mere air.

What kind of shitty attitude is that?

Leon observed this young nobleman, recalling that he was the Marquis who stood by that portly earl at the earlier ceremony.

Figures.

Currently, he was nothing more than a knight without a real title to his name, fancy term for a noble or in plainer speech, just a retainer and enforcer in the eyes of the great lords.

Indeed, he was someone of little consequence to a high-ranking noble of the Kingdom.

Shrugging his shoulders, Leon had no intention to interfere.

Since he was almost ninety percent sure that the princess had no idea about Olivia’s true identity, there wasn’t much need for social interaction with her.

Leon was about to take his leave when…

With a crisp snap, Princess Ines forcefully closed her fan, the sound of folding fan ribs seemingly carrying her indignation.

“Marquis Orad, please refrain from being so impolite before me,” the princess said, still smiling, but her tone was unmistakably chilly: “As you can see, I am quite enjoying my conversation with this sir, and we can talk about our matter at any time but not right now.”

Agatha sensed her lord’s real displeasure and, silently behind her back, balled her fingers into a fist, waiting only for the princess’s command.

“What could be more important than the cause you yearn for now?” Orad said with an unconcerned smile.

He turned his head, arrogantly glancing at the country knight whom he hadn’t noticed until a moment ago.

“Bow and step down, knight, this doesn’t concern you.

Keep your distance and don’t interrupt our conversation.”

…

Leon felt his skin twitch at the backhanded comment, a surge of irritation flashing through him, wanting to give this little jerk a taste of what being slightly disoriented in Glade County felt like.

This was the first time he had encountered such an uncouth noble from Orland since his arrival here.

Compared to him, even Canis of the Wolf Family seemed polite…

Considering the other’s deliberate disdain, Leon thought about his recent teasing exchanges with Princess Ines and had an epiphany.

A young noble in the prime of life, attempting to display a so-called grandiose front in the presence of a lady he pursued, and whose status just so happened to be superior, these types who never needed to rein in their hormonal impulses truly possessed the psyche of a beast proclaiming sovereignty.

Besides, whether intentional or not, he did seem to have gotten too close to the “prey” in the other’s eyes.

Hmm, put in his shoes, if he saw some handsome young fellow chatting up and laughing intimately with Olivia, even at a time before confession, although he wouldn’t be as haughty, he’d surely feel a twinge of irritation.