Path To Godhood Begins With Marrying Wife And Gaining SSS Rank Skill - Chapter 324:The Kingly Presence

Chapter 324:The Kingly Presence

“Despite being taught by the finest tutors, do you not know basic manners?” the voice continued.

“Also…..My husband doesn’t have a habit of playing with cheap second hand trinkets used by others.”

“So stop being rabid dogs begging for bones.”

“…”

The words silence the entire silence following which a scream erupted in Ethan’s mind..

‘What the fuckkkkkkkkk?’

‘Thats too sickk…Ahhh…Claira I feel my love for you gushing out.’

A deadly silence fell.

All eyes turned toward the brave woman who had spoken.

“And who are you?” someone asked sharply.

Claira stepped forward, lifting her gown slightly and bowing with perfect elegance.

“It seems you have all forgotten about me,” she said calmly.

“I am Claira Blank, the sixth wife of Ethan Blank.”

“What!”

Gasps and murmurs of shock erupted on everyone’s face.For a moment that didn’t know what to say and it felt as if the entire hall had stopped breathing.

Ethan chose that moment to step in.

“Ladies,” he said evenly, “all your requests will be heard. I am not running away after the banquet.”

“I will listen to your concerns later, but for now, I am here to accompany my wife.”

“Wife…” several voices echoed softly.

Their gazes shifted back to Claira. They searched her face for jealousy, insecurity, or fear, but found none.

“Now,” Claira said, her voice steady, “please step aside and allow us to enter.”

She gently pulled Ethan forward and walked inside with him, leaving the group behind in stunned disbelief.

As soon as she left, whispers turned sharp.

“That bitch…”

“How dare she?”

“A cursed woman acting proud.”

“Just wait…”

They cursed underneath but all their words fell into deaf ears.

……..

Inside the ballroom, music flowed smoothly, and the atmosphere grew lively.

Many women tried their best to approach Ethan. Some laughed softly, others leaned closer than necessary, and a few openly invited him to dance. Their gazes were filled with interest and temptation.

Ethan responded to all of them with the same polite smile. He neither encouraged nor rejected them outright cause someone else was bearing the brunt

Each time someone stepped too close, Claira intervened naturally. She would take his arm, redirect him, or pull him gently toward the center of the hall.

Soon, she led him onto the dance floor.

The music shifted, and the two began to dance.

Ethan placed one hand at her waist, while Claira rested her hand lightly on his shoulder. Their movements were calm and coordinated, as if they had practiced together for years.

The music shifted into a slower, deeper rhythm, and the noise of the hall faded into the background.

Ethan placed his hand firmly yet gently at Claira’s waist. His palm was warm, steady, grounding. Claira rested her hand on his shoulder, her fingers curling slightly as if afraid the moment might slip away if she loosened her grip.

Their other hands met and fingers intertwined

The first step was slow.

Ethan guided her forward, and Claira followed without hesitation. Their movements were smooth, natural, as if their bodies already knew the rhythm without needing thought. The floor beneath them reflected the glow of crystal chandeliers, and their shadows moved as one.

Claira lifted her gaze.

For a brief moment, she forgot the hall, the nobles, and the whispers. All she saw was Ethan.

His eyes were calm, deep, and focused only on her. There was no distraction in them, no calculation. Just presence.

“You’re doing well,” Ethan murmured softly, only for her to hear.

Claira’s lips curved into a small smile. “You’re not leading too fast this time.”

He chuckled under his breath and spun her gently.

Her dress flared as she turned, the crimson fabric flowing like liquid fire. The peacock-shaped mask caught the light, casting delicate shadows over her cheekbones. When she returned to him, Ethan’s hand caught her effortlessly, pulling her back into his arms.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Stepping through the stage,taking a sharp turn and twist.

Ethan lowered her slightly, supporting her back as Claira leaned into the dip, her hair cascading down. For a heartbeat, they stayed there, suspended between breath and motion. Then he pulled her back upright with ease.

Their steps became faster.

Claira’s confidence grew with every movement. Her posture straightened, her steps sharpened, and her eyes no longer carried hesitation. She met Ethan’s gaze directly, unafraid, unwavering.

“You look happy,” he whispered.

“So are you,” she replied.

The music swelled, and their movements expanded across the floor. Ethan guided her into a sweeping arc, then drew her close again. Their foreheads almost touched as they moved in sync, breaths aligned, hearts beating to the same rhythm.

Around them, the whispers grew louder.

But they did not hear them.

Claira’s hand tightened slightly in his.

“I’m not scared,” she said quietly.

Ethan leaned closer. “Good.”

He lifted her hand and turned her once more, slower this time. When she returned, he did not pull away. Instead, he held her close, their steps becoming smaller, more intimate.

The final notes of the music echoed through the hall.

Ethan bowed slightly, still holding her hand.

Claira curtsied gracefully, her dress settling around her feet.

For a moment, silence filled the space between them.

Then applause erupted.

It was loud and reluctant but something unavoidable.

Ethan did not look at the crowd.

Neither did Claira.

They were still looking at each other.

And in that moment, nothing else mattered.

Around them, whispers spread.

“How is this possible?”

“Wasn’t she treated badly when Sir Ethan took her in?”

“Then why does he look so devoted?”

“Who knows, maybe that witch used witchcraft.”

“Yes, she must have used magic to bind him.”

“What else can you expect from a witch?”

While all this happened, Duke Phillips quietly moved to a corner.

“Damn it,” he muttered inwardly. “Why does he always attract trouble?”

“Those bastards will come looking for me next.”

After the dance ended and the music softened, the atmosphere shifted again.

Moments later, the princes entered.

Except for Karl, the second prince, and Albert, the third prince, no one paid much attention to the others.

As soon as Albert stepped in, his eyes locked onto Ethan with cold intensity, as if trying to bore a hole through him.

If looks can kill,he might have killed several times over.The house restriction imposed on him severely harmed his reputation.

Still, he restrained himself.

Meanwhile, Karl walked toward Ethan and greeted him.

“Baron Ethan,” Karl said with a polite smile. “It has been some time.”

“Your Highness,” Ethan replied with equal courtesy. “You seem well.”

“Thanks to the stability of the Kingdom maintained by the valorant efforts of nobles like you,” Karl said lightly.

“Stability..” Ethan replied. “It’s our job to maintain order and peace.”

Their words were polite, but both measured each other carefully.

Despite exchanging pleasantries, Karl did not move away. Ethan began to feel slightly uneasy when a loud announcement echoed through the hall.

“His Majesty Mark De Rudius, King of Ruthiana, is entering.”

The doors above opened, and the king appeared on the upper floor. He raised his hand slowly.

Reluctant applause filled the hall.

Ethan frowned the moment he looked up.

The king looked different.

There was nothing unusual about his appearance. He was still an old man with gray hair and a wrinkled face.

But his presence was completely different.

This time, he did not look foolish or absent-minded. He looked like someone who had ruled for decades.

An aura of authority surrounded him from head to toe. With the crown and scepter in his hands, he appeared majestic.

Ethan glanced around and saw the same expressions everywhere.

Shock and confusion plastered on everyone’s face.

A grin slowly formed on Ethan’s lips.

‘Interesting,’he thought.

‘Very interesting.’

‘I wonder what kind of show we are about to witness tonight.’