Faced with the sudden outburst, which killed the "competition" with just one sentence, everyone at Ryan Manor was completely stunned.
From the Prince Freckles, who was thrown to the ground, to the middle-aged noblewoman behind the princess who almost fainted on the spot, everyone who witnessed this scene could only widen their eyes uncontrollably and then instinctively open their mouths...
[Under the witness of Prince Joshua and half of the kingdom's nobility, First Princess Veronica personally agreed to your proposal. You have obtained the Gold Level Identity Badge "Prince of Lutung."]
[Prince of Lutung: A prince of the Kingdom of Lutung, husband of First Princess Veronica. Although you do not qualify to inherit the throne, your words and actions can to some extent represent the royal family's will.]
[Wearing Effect: As a prince of distinguished status, within the Kingdom of Lutung's territory, you may request anyone of lower status to salute you proactively.]
[Advancement Route: If your marriage to Princess Veronica is maintained long-term and remains intact even after she inherits the throne, this badge will automatically advance to Heterochromatic Badge "Man Behind the Queen (Rice White)."]
[Hidden Traits (no need to wear): Because this is purely a political marriage, Princess Veronica is quite fond of you but lacks a sufficiently deep emotional foundation. Thus, she will not interfere much in your private life.]
*Could she really be a princess?*
After closing the automatically popped-up new badge, Leon opened his mouth, watching the voluptuous beauty striding towards him from outside the door, not knowing what to say for a moment.
*The investigators from the Purification Bureau had just left yesterday, and the suspicion on me regarding the Ryan Blood Night hasn't been cleared. Logically, I should act cautiously now and quickly shake off the identity of Duke of Lionheart.*
But... this was a Golden Badge! And it even had a clear Advancement Route, likely leading to an Abnormal one. If I changed my mind immediately, the badge wouldn't be taken back, would it?
"Apologies, the visit is a bit sudden, sorry for disturbing everyone."
While Leon hesitated on the stage, unsure whether to advance or retreat, a certain princess who seized a great opportunity had already walked briskly to the main stage.
After nodding in greeting to the nobility who were dumbfounded by her sudden appearance, Princess Veronica gently lifted the hem of her simple long skirt and gracefully curtsied.
Then she straightened up like a swan, turned lightly, and extended her white arm covered with a thin veil towards Leon on the stage, her cheeks slightly red as she gazed into his eyes, conveying a determination of breaking the boats.
*I originally just wanted to watch the fun, but I didn't expect such a windfall waiting for me. This man before me, a few years younger than I am, is the last piece to saving the kingdom!*
*If I can leverage this marriage with him to successfully take over the political legacy of the Lionheart Family, it would be worth it even if it means completely offending the old nobility today or inviting the mad assassination of the rebels!*
Seeing the man on the stage hesitate slightly and then actually reach for his sister's outstretched hand, a prince with a severely swollen left cheek couldn't help but shiver all over, showing deep terror in his eyes, immediately raising a loud objection!
As the king's offspring, political literacy was naturally a crucial compulsory course. Although Joshua was arrogant and volatile, he was not completely foolish. After the initial shock, he immediately understood the meaning of this "hand-holding."
If that damned Duke of Lionheart successfully wooed Veronica by offering up the entire Ryan Family, it would mean that half of the kingdom would fall into his sister's hands. Their status would instantly reverse, with him ending up as the one abandoned by their father completely!
If Veronica were ruthless, he wouldn't even have a shot at inheriting the throne and might be thrown across the sea to feed the monkeys!
*No! Absolutely not! Whatever it takes, I cannot let her succeed today! Never!*
After drawing everyone's attention with two loud shouts, disregarding the still-faint pain from the slap mark on his face, Prince Freckles sternly rebuked,
"Father has already set the scope for your selection of a prince, and you must choose from those people! By agreeing to the Duke of Lionheart's proposal now, you are defying Father's orders!"
Watching Prince Freckles, who suddenly jumped out to cause trouble, Veronica curled her lips, maintaining the pose of extending her arm to Leon, responding unhurriedly,
"No choice, Duke of Lionheart is valiant, kind, young, and handsome, especially when he slaps someone in the face. It made me fall for him at first sight. Since love has come so suddenly, I can only disappoint Father's sincere intentions.
What's more, as his most beloved daughter, being a little bit willful regarding my lifelong decisions, I believe he won't blame me. He will probably even feel happy for my happiness... don't you think so, Joshua?"
Hearing his sister's loaded response, a dark expression immediately crossed Prince Freckles' face.
*Damn it! That old guy would indeed be glad, but it's not because of your so-called happiness. It's because the leader of the old nobility suddenly went mad, bringing the Department of Road Administration and the military to side with the royal family!*
*This is troublesome. It seems she's determined to seize the opportunity to swallow up the Ryan Family's inheritance. This path seems to be a dead end now!*
"Where are the people of the Ryan Family?"
Seeing his sister determined to marry the Duke of Lionheart, even if bringing up Father couldn't suppress her, and knowing that the Duke was audacious and wouldn't fear his threats, the unwilling Joshua quickly switched targets, trying to find the actual controllers of the Ryan Family to pressure that damn duke.
Coldly scanning a group of young golden haired people around him, Prince Freckles didn't even bother pretending, continuing to look for someone with decision-making power while sharply questioning,
"Is there no one left in the Ryan Family? Are you just going to watch this bastard duke wreak havoc? Do you willingly allow him to give away the entire Ryan Family?"
But even with his face already torn, no one from the Ryan Family stood up, responding with a stretch of silence and the guests' murmurs and whispers.
Seeing the Ryan Family still not emerge in such circumstances, the anxious Prince Freckles knitted his brows and shouted angrily,
"Are you really just going to watch? Is the Ryan Family all dead? No one dares to stop his nonsense?"
"Don't bother looking, there really is no one left in the Ryan Family."
Watching the young wolf baring its fangs, trying to find someone to suppress him, Leon on the stage felt strange and couldn't help but remind,
"The former duke's butler had a heart attack and is being treated in a carriage outside; the only remaining elder is quite old, and when I slapped you, he couldn't withstand the shock, passing out directly;
as for the new head of the family, when your sister agreed to my proposal, I believe he clutched his heart and fell as well... ah, the one lying at the door should be him."