Chapter 169

Seta perfectly knew how to read the Emperor’s mind and she had a knack for saying what the Emperor wanted to say at the moment thanks to Apollonia’s coaching.

“Your Majesty. Didn’t the princess just say that she needed a knight as her escort?” Seta spoke in a coquettish voice.

“Yes.”

“At the duels earlier, one person made a bet on Rajan’s princess while the other wagered Count Buiche. Will it not be a win-win outcome if we view their values equally?”

The Emperor flashed an ear-splitting grin.

It was exactly what he wanted.

“Then, send Uriel to Princess Apollonia, and the Rajan’s princess to Caelion.”

Caelion’s expression hardened a little, his pupils trembling.

He even skipped a meal just to practice and it was all worth it.

“Your Majesty. I was definitely the winner of the match a while ago——”

“I will no longer hold you accountable for hosting such a lowly contest in the Royal Court.”

The Emperor cut Caelion off when he tried to insist his legitimacy as the duel’s sole and final victor.

“You must choose between Rajan’s Princess and Count Buiche. The person who will not be chosen will become Apollonia’s servant.”

The Emperor didn’t particularly seek Apollonia’s opinion so it was pretty clear he wasn’t interested in it.

A fishy smile spread on Paris’ lips, thinking that Evangeline wasn’t much of a prize for Caelion in exchange for Uriel.

Caelion didn’t have the talent to properly judge a person’s worth—between Uriel and Evangeline—-in the first place.

‘Uriel. Try acting even just for a bit.’

When Apollonia winked at him, Uriel stood still and forced himself to look shocked.

There was no soul in his acting at all.

Apollonia was fortunate enough that Uriel was straightforward and his handsomeness also added to the charm.

“I shall take the princess of the Rajan Kingdom.”

The Emperor burst into a guffaw.

The crowd gasped, giving Caelion a wide-eyed stare.

Seta also covered her mouth with a fan in surprise.

Great acting should look like that.

“I’m sure everyone heard it loud and clear. As of today, Rajan’s princess belongs to Caelion, Count Buiche must also enter the Star Palace immediately.”

In his head, he must be calculating how many assassins were left, living in the Capital.

Finally, Caelion cast Uriel an apologetic look, grabbed Evangeline’s wrist and left everyone in the arena

Arms and hands rigid, nobody knew that Caelion was trying his best not to touch her that much.

* * *

“Did it have to be this complicated? Caelion could have just won from the beginning.”

“My father would have been very suspicious if you insist on offering yourself to me even after Caelion won the prize. My father is strangely twisted.”

Uriel and Apollonia were chatting in the backyard of a separate palace while holding their refreshments.

Of course, no one would be able to hear their quiet conversation there.

“Caelion’s initial defeat had given him a reason to bid something to the crown prince as bait.”

Uriel said with a nod, taking the teacup from the table to his mouth.

After inhaling its relaxing scent, he tasted the cold fruit tea with his tongue.

“That’s it.” Apollonia smiled, affirming Uriel’s words. “Anyway, I’m glad everyone found their place.”

“Caelion’s initial defeat had given him a reason to bid something to the crown prince as bait.”

Uriel said with a nod, taking the teacup from the table to his mouth.

After inhaling its relaxing scent, he tasted the cold fruit tea with his tongue.

“That’s it.” Apollonia smiled, affirming Uriel’s words. “Anyway, I’m glad everyone found their place.”

It was the first time that both of them were talking to each other without caring about other people..

Uriel couldn’t remember the last time he saw her in bright lights.

It must have been a long time ago.

Uriel was once again in love with Apollonia.

She seemed more mysterious at night as if darkness could swallow her at any given moment.

Under the sun, Apollonia shone like a beautiful and shiny jewel.

“Welcome to the Star Palace, Uriel.” She greeted him with a dazzling smile.

This particular backyard, which he had seen dozens or hundreds of times, suddenly looked different.

The grass was greener and the fountain seemed sparkling.

“It should be, ‘Welcome back to the Star Palace’.I’ve never thought of any other place as my home.”

Apollonia, who was currently chewing on a small piece of cake,chuckled.

As if she had judged that the warm greetings and small talks were over, she got up from her seat with a grim countenance.

“Shall we go?”

“Already?”

Uriel smirked and emptied the teacup.

He already knew that his owner liked to move to the next as soon as possible.

“Yes. We have one more person to greet.”

Uriel nodded and stood up.

“Let’s go see if Milon’s Eye is doing well.”

Uriel smiled, looking ahead of her.

She was mysterious at night and she sparkled in the daytime.

However, Apollonia, who constantly implemented her schemes, would always get a hold of what she wanted.

She was fascinating enough to drive people insane.