Chapter 300 - 298: The Farce Before the Engagement Ceremony

Chapter 300: Chapter 298: The Farce Before the Engagement Ceremony

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was August 28th, the day of the engagement ceremony.

As the man of the hour, George was dressed in an exquisite embroidered silk suit. He had been up since early in the morning, led by the master of ceremonies through the pre-ceremonial preparations.

This was his big day, and it was also a big day for the Kennedy Clan and its vassals. They would finally no longer have to fear Count Kudro’s threats.

However, a faint shadow of worry hung over George’s brow. As the family’s heir, he was well aware of their current situation.

If Duane were to back out of their agreement, they would likely face even more unbridled retaliation from Count Kudro after today.

And if they wanted to avoid that trouble, they would be forced to marry Natalia to His Highness Otto.

"This is just awful!"

George pinched the bridge of his nose, then forced a smile and headed outside. It was time for him to greet the guests.

Because the ceremony had been arranged on short notice, many nobles were unable to attend. However, some of the more well-informed had tasked their retainers or friends in the Silent Shore to come to Sea Cliff Castle and offer congratulations in their stead.

The Garden Courtyard.

For a change, Natalia was dressed up today.

She wore a layered blue gown, complemented by sapphire earrings and an exquisite circlet. The necklace around her neck shimmered faintly in the sunlight.

These accessories from the Magic Research Institute added a touch of elegance to her, yet they still couldn’t conceal her usual cold and distant air.

"Eleanor, has there been any news from Silent Harbor yet?"

"Not yet, Miss. But I’ve already given the order. Someone will be sent to report as soon as there’s any news."

"Oh... alright."

Natalia propped her chin in her hand, staring blankly at her reflection in the mirror.

Just a few days ago, she had been basking in the joy of Duane’s victory over Thomsen. She never imagined that event would set off a chain reaction, one that showed signs of completely derailing the course of her life.

The words her father had spoken to her that day had undoubtedly dragged her from heaven down to hell.

But as a Count’s daughter, raised and provided for by her family, her sense of duty kept her from being selfish. It seemed she had no choice but to accept His Majesty’s proposal for the good of the clan.

Over the past few days, she had tried writing to Duane, but she had yet to receive a reply.

It was as if two little figures were arguing in Natalia’s heart. One insisted that Duane had already abandoned her, while the other, a pitiful figure, still clung to a sliver of hope.

’In five more hours, my brother’s engagement ceremony will begin. Duane still isn’t here... perhaps he’s accepted the offer after all.’

Eleanor remained silent. ’The terms were so generous,’ she thought, ’who could possibly refuse?’

Suddenly, she heard footsteps. Turning, she saw Delilah entering the courtyard.

"My Lady," Eleanor greeted with a curtsy.

Natalia snapped out of her daze. "Mother, what brings you here?"

Delilah walked lightly to a nearby chair and sat down. She stroked her daughter’s hair, sighing inwardly.

"Minister of Supervision Hela has arrived. He’s in your father’s study. I came out to get some fresh air."

Natalia’s expression darkened. "Oh. I see."

Delilah rarely spent much time with her children, and she hated seeing her daughter looking so glum.

But there was nothing she could do to change the situation. All she could do was take her daughter’s hand and offer what comfort she could.

"Don’t worry. Your father promised you he wouldn’t make any commitments to Hela before sunset today."

Natalia nodded. This was, she supposed, a sign of her father’s consideration for her.

’Anyone else probably would have already contacted Minister Hela after not receiving a reply,’ she thought.

"Mother, do you think Duane will come?"

Delilah patted the back of her daughter’s hand. She didn’t speak, but her silence was an answer in itself.

In the study, high in the main keep.

Minister Hela was deeply disappointed to hear Count Kais say, "Let’s wait a little longer."

"My Lord, what are you still hesitating for?"

"His Highness will be a landed noble in the future. You don’t have to worry about Natalia being at a disadvantage or constrained after marrying him. Moreover, the Kennedy Clan stands to gain so much from this marriage alliance. I simply don’t understand what you’re hesitating about!"

Count Kais was inwardly anxious but showed no sign of it.

However, he could detect a sense of urgency in the minister’s tone during their conversation.

"Today is George’s big day. I don’t want to waste any more mental energy on this."

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK~

There was a knock at the study door.

Count Kais raised an eyebrow. This was a perfect way to delay the conversation. "Enter."

Moer came in, a flustered look on his face. He glanced at Hela and hesitated, as if unsure whether he should speak.

The Count frowned. "Speak."

If something had happened at the reception, Hela, as a guest, would find out eventually. There was no need to be secretive.

Only then did Moer speak. "It’s Count Kudro! He’s in the great hall, shouting your name. He’s being extremely... impolite."

Count Kais’s expression changed. "That absolute Mad Dog!"

He shot to his feet. "Apologies, I have something to attend to. Moer, please entertain His Excellency Hela in my place."

But Hela also rose to his feet. "No need. I’d like to go and see for myself."

He added, "Kudro is the most ill-mannered lord in the Kingdom. Only His Majesty can barely keep him in check."

"Count, today is a momentous occasion for George. With so many guests gathered at Sea Cliff Castle, failing to handle this properly will have a major impact on the Kennedy Clan’s reputation!"

Count Kais stopped in his tracks, his brow deeply furrowed.

’I know what he’s getting at,’ he thought. ’He’s just trying to push the marriage alliance.’

But the more Hela pushed, the more Kais felt that this was a coordinated campaign of pressure from the minister, or perhaps, from His Majesty himself.

’It must be because of the joint petition. His Majesty must be worried about the Silent Shore’s loyalties.’

’All the more reason for me to be cautious with my decision.’

"I will consider it."

With that, he strode from the study with purpose.

Hela smiled faintly and followed him.

Meanwhile, in the great hall, Count Kudro was pointing a finger in George’s face and berating him loudly.

A few of the early-arriving guests kept their distance. No one dared to step forward and intervene; they wanted no part in provoking this man.

Only Kennedy’s own vassals, Cruz and Jick among them, stood by George’s side, angrily denouncing Kudro.

But they were men who cared about their dignity. Even if they were to shout at the top of their lungs, they simply didn’t have a vocabulary filled with such filth.

They wanted to resort to violence, but George stopped them.

’How could a Celestial Tier Warrior possibly be a match for someone at the Silver Moon Level? Going up there would just be asking for humiliation.’

’Besides, it’s just a verbal assault. It’s not the first time I’ve had to endure it.’

’Everyone knows what kind of man Kudro is. This is just an ugly scene, nothing more.’

’The humiliation, of course, is undeniable.’

"Kudro!"

Count Kais’s deep, angry voice boomed as he strode into the hall and stood before the other count. "What do you think you’re doing?"

"Well, well, if it isn’t our esteemed Lord Count Kais?"

No longer bothering with George, Kudro was now mocking Count Kais, dragging out his words in a sardonic tone.

"I seem to recall a certain someone who used to follow me around all day like a lapdog, begging me to marry Tara to his worthless son."

"What happened? A sudden change of heart? You decided to go lick Baron Uriel’s boots without so much as a word to me?"

Kudro took two steps forward, a vicious smile on his lips. "Or did you think the Hassa Clan is a toy to be played with, that you can come and go as you please?"

"Or perhaps, you think that I, Kurudo Hassa, am a pushover?"

Kais clenched his fists, desperately wanting to plant one on that detestable face.

But he knew that for now, this was merely a verbal provocation. If he were to attack first, the nature of the situation would change completely.

"The Kennedy Clan and the Hassa Clan have never had any formal marriage agreement. I believe everyone is clear on that."

Count Kais turned and sat on a nearby bench. "Today is my son’s engagement ceremony. I have no desire to get entangled with you further. Please leave."

Kudro scoffed and sat down in the chair opposite him. "You think this engagement ceremony is going to continue if you don’t give me an explanation today?"

Count Kais’s face was cold as he looked toward the entrance of the hall. "Minister of Supervision, what are your thoughts on how this matter should be handled?"

Hela walked in. "You are both High Lords of the Kingdom. Whatever the issue, you should sit down and discuss it properly. Count Kudro, you can’t just throw your weight around and threaten violence at the drop of a hat."

Kudro said, displeased, "Hela, with which eye did you see me threaten violence?"

He glanced at Kais. "Besides, His Majesty is well aware of the situation between our two families. I’m just here today to demand an explanation on my daughter’s behalf."

Hela then turned back to Kais. "Count, His Majesty is already actively mediating the relationship between you two and has offered a solution. Perhaps you should consider it?"

He spoke cryptically, so an outsider wouldn’t understand the meaning, but anyone privy to the situation knew exactly what he was talking about.

Kais’s gaze shifted between the two men, and he scoffed inwardly. ’Are they putting on a little two-man act for me?’

In this situation, he knew that trying to resolve things through polite conversation was doomed to fail. The engagement ceremony would not be able to proceed smoothly.

He had to shatter their script if he wanted to regain control of the narrative.

Otherwise, as more and more guests arrived, the Kennedy Clan’s position would only become more awkward.

And the key to breaking this stalemate lay with the Minister of Supervision, Hela.

With this in mind, Count Kais stood up, took a deep breath, and commanded in a deep voice, "Guards, to me!"

Amidst the sound of synchronized footsteps, more than a dozen armored Guards quickly entered the hall.

"Sea Cliff Castle does not welcome Count Kudro. Show him out!"

Count Kais’s gaze was resolute. "If he kills any of you, I swear on the honor of the Kennedy Clan that I will lead all our forces north along the river, wage war upon the Three Realms Lake, and avenge you!"

As his words fell, the guests were left utterly stunned.

They had never expected such a dramatic scene to unfold on what was supposed to be a joyous occasion.

Even Count Kudro was taken aback for a moment. He looked at the Guards surrounding him; he could swat them dead with a single hand.

But what then? How to deal with the aftermath was the real question.

He had only come today to put pressure on Count Kais, not to actually start a war.

However, he was not a man who took kindly to threats.

"I’m standing right here. If a single one of you dares to touch me, don’t blame me for what happens next!"

The atmosphere instantly grew taut with tension, ready to snap.

Now, it was Hela’s turn for his expression to sour.

He was the Kingdom’s Minister of Supervision; mediating conflicts between the nobility was his primary duty.

Now, two of the Kingdom’s High Lords were on the verge of armed conflict right in front of him. It was, without a doubt, a testament to his failure as a mediator.

He couldn’t understand it. Count Kais was known for his steady composure. Why was he acting so rashly today?

But looking at Kudro, he knew the man would actually dare to make a move.

If blood were shed in the great hall, how could the situation possibly be resolved?

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed, and a guard in Cloth Armor rushed into the great hall.

"My Lord..."

Although the guard was terrified by the tense atmosphere, he still managed to deliver his message.

"Young Master Lloyd sent me back ahead of the others to inform you... Count Duane’s ship has docked."

The anxiety in Count Kais’s heart finally eased.

Since it was Lloyd who had sent the messenger back, it meant Duane had not abandoned the marriage agreement with the Kennedy Clan.

He didn’t know why Duane had made such a choice, but for now, it was undoubtedly a wonderful turn of events.

"George! Take Natalia and go welcome him outside the castle!"