Clearly, what he was about to face was not some cordial social event, but a banquet fraught with hidden blades and treachery.
Lynn squinted his eyes but didn't retort, steadying Eleanor as they alighted from the carriage.
At this moment, the little girl had completely transformed into her brother's clingy candy, gripping his waist tightly, her small face hidden behind his back.
Eunice and Fourth Prince Joshua had already gone in early, most likely making the first move to accuse others.
Yet, Lynn wasn't panicked—he desired exactly this effect.
As the grand doors were slowly pushed open, the pale golden light shone upon Lynn's face.
And... the countless gazes that turned towards the sound.
The moment the relief-carved doors of the Council Hall swung open, Ivyst turned her head reflexively to look.
When the familiar figure entered her sight, a trace of joy appeared in her eyes.
Although they had been separated for mere hours, it felt like an eternity to her.
She wished she could immediately dive into Lynn's embrace, greedily savoring the adorable scent that belonged only to her little puppy... huh?
The next second, her expression suddenly froze on her face.
The boy in front of her was indeed her adorable puppy, yet there was something different about him today.
Right now, a delicate and petite girl was clinging onto his waist, timidly hiding behind him with an innocent look that begged for pity.
Watching that small figure holding tightly onto Lynn, a furious jealousy surged within her, as if her exclusive rights had been ripped away.
How long had it been since he returned to the Imperial Capital?
Already bothered by that wretched future woman, wasn't he content? Had he found another in just a few hours?
So you prefer this delicate, dependent type?
It seems the mistake was mine, Imperial Princess.
I didn't conform to your liking, taking on the image you favored.
Very well, very well.
Ivyst bit down on her silver teeth, and a previously unseen gloominess emerged within her crimson eyes.
In an instant, an intense intent to kill descended upon the whole room as if it had substance!
Everyone felt the temperature around them seemingly drop, subconsciously hugging their arms and shivering.
Including the Silver Wing Knights and powerful experts like Xiya with their keen senses, they all instantly looked vigilantly in Ivyst's direction.
Clearly, there was a robust wariness in everyone's hearts towards this monstrously strong Third Imperial Princess.
Though a Sixth Rank Demigod wasn't enough to dominate the Saint Laurent Empire, killing all the likes of them present would be exceedingly easy.
None of them understood what cataclysmic event had occurred to spur such terrifying murderous intent from this monstrous Princess.
Lynn took a deep breath, aware of the Princess' near-explosive mental state.
Not far behind Ivyst, Glaya looked over with a solemn expression, showing a gaze of helplessness.
Even Aphia glanced over.
However, after seeing Eleanor, she rolled her eyes and huffed, then looked away.
Clearly, in view of this unexpected guest who was close to Lynn, these women displayed unprecedented rejection.
Eleanor's shivers became more pronounced.
Just then, from a high platform in the distance, Saint Laurent VI cast a lofty gaze down upon them.
His look mingled dominance and scrutiny, a mere glimpse enough to terrify the average person into prostates on the ground.
Shortly after, the Court Earl responsible for announcements proclaimed loudly, "His Majesty summons Lynn Bartleion to speak!"
Hearing this, Lynn gently patted Eleanor's small hand.
However, this intimate gesture drew another sharp glance from Ivyst.
The temperature around them fell several more degrees.
Sensing the alarm from the girl behind him, Lynn softly said, "Don't be scared, Eleanor. Remember what your brother told you in the carriage."
"As long as you win Her Highness' acknowledgement, no one can touch you."
He had never mentioned to the Princess his family affairs.
The reason was simple.
Even though Lynn believed they were blood-related, hence nothing would happen, he knew Ivyst's temperament—she was bound to overthink it.
Therefore, this was the first time Eleanor appeared in Ivyst's and the others' sight.
Nevertheless, Lynn didn't regard this as a concern; after all, it was inevitable that they would meet eventually.
Feeling Eleanor's reluctance to let go, Lynn sighed.
"Good girl, His Majesty is calling me; I must go first."
Saying this, he gently extricated himself from Eleanor's embrace, ignoring the faces around him—familiar and strange alike—and walked forward confidently.
At this moment, Fourth Prince Joshua was already standing nonchalantly next to the Great Imperial Princess Hillena and others as if he was an unrelated bystander, leisurely observing him, with a hint of mockery in his eyes.
Eunice, with red-rimmed eyes, clutched her skirt and stood next to an elderly man in military attire, weeping softly.
Sensing the man's hawk-like piercing gaze, Lynn understood.
This was the current head of the Mosgla family, Marquis Fred Mosgla, doubling as the acting Military Affairs Minister.
Once a close friend of his father's, he turned traitor at a crucial moment for the sake of gain.
As a noble of the Imperial Capital with a prominent name in recent years, he too was invited to attend the ceremony and now regarded Lynn with a dark look.