Chapter 849

Chapter 849: 849

The knights outside didn’t know what was going on inside, but the moment the barrier was activated, they were taken aback. They immediately became alert and rushed forward, ready to attack the barrier if something had happened to the Empress.

Before they could make a move, a voice came from inside.

"No need to attack. It’s me who crafted the barrier."

The knights froze.

They exchanged glances with each other, and one of them couldn’t help but notice something strange about the Empress’s voice. It sounded slightly hoarse.

"Are they fighting inside?" one of the knights asked.

"It might be, but why did Her Majesty’s voice sound like that?"

The knights looked at each other with uncertainty.

"Was she defeated?"

"Impossible!"

There was another possibility, but knowing how cold the Empress was, they were sure it couldn’t be true.

Still, the strange voice left them feeling uneasy.

They stood outside the chamber and waited. No one dared to enter without permission, especially since the Empress herself had ordered them not to attack.

Moments later, the barrier disappeared and the door opened.

The knights immediately straightened their backs.

Lord Ethan walked out with firm, steady steps. His expression was calm, and there wasn’t anything unusual about his appearance.

The knights saluted Ethan as he passed them.

"Lord Ethan."

Ethan simply nodded and continued walking.

Once he had gone far enough, the knights finally entered the chamber.

Inside, they saw the Empress resting on her throne.

Ophelia rested one hand on the armrest as she leaned back slightly. Her breathing had already returned to normal, but for some reason, she looked more charming and radiant than before.

Her golden hair was slightly disordered, and there was a faint flush on her beautiful face.

The knights stopped for a moment.Their gazes unconsciously lingered on her.

Ophelia noticed it.

Her gaze slowly moved toward them and she spoke sharply"Do you want me to gouge out your eyes?"

The knights immediately lowered their heads.

"Sorry, Your Majesty!"

Saying this, the group quickly ran away in fear.

Ophelia watched them leave with a cold expression. Once they were gone, she raised a hand and lightly touched her lips.

Her expression changed for a brief moment.

Then she quickly composed herself and returned to her usual dignified appearance.

Ethan returned to Duke Alaric’s mansion after leaving the Imperial Palace. When he entered the guest room, he found Gu Cheng sitting there quietly. Gu Cheng raised his head and studied Ethan for a few moments before narrowing his eyes slightly.

"You seem a little different from how you were before you went to meet Her Majesty."

Ethan’s footsteps stopped.

He looked at Gu Cheng with a surprised expression.

This guy’s discernment was troublesome.

"Different? How?"

Gu Cheng stared at him for another moment before shaking his head.

"It’s hard to explain. It is just a subtle feeling."

Ethan coughed and quickly changed the subject.

"Forget about it. How was your day?"

Gu Cheng didn’t press him further, but his eyes still carried a trace of doubt.

The matter of the Empress remained between them without being spoken about.

Ethan spent the next few days in the capital while waiting for his official documents. During this time, he also familiarized himself with some of the important places in Eldorian and handled a few matters related to his new position as a duke.

One afternoon, two lovely women came to greet him.

Valeria and Maria stood before Ethan and bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Lord Ethan."

Ethan looked at the two women and nodded.

"Greetings."

Valeria straightened herself before speaking.

"From today onward, Maria and I will be completely under your command. We will follow your orders and serve you."

Maria also nodded.

"We have already received the orders. From now on, we will stand by your side in times of trouble and need. If you need our strength, we will not hesitate to stand beside you."

Ethan looked at them carefully.

"I understand."

There was a slight pause before Valeria continued.

"There is also another matter."

"What is it?"

"The Imperial Palace has instructed us that we need to hold a small marriage ceremony with you before proceeding."

Maria lowered her head slightly, while Valeria remained calm.

"It will be a simple marriage ceremony. The Church will officially recognize us as your wives."

Ethan rubbed his forehead.

’So it has come to this.’

He immediately sent a message back to Blanks to inform his family. He was slightly worried about how they might react when they learned about this.

’Hopefully, I won’t get beaten up.’

Thankfully, the reply came soon.

It was from Sophia.

"Proceed."

She had even attached a simple message to it.

"As expected of my husband."

Ethan stared at the message for a moment.

He could almost imagine Sophia smiling proudly after sending it. The more outstanding Ethan appeared, the prouder Sophia felt.

Ethan sighed with relief.

’Thankfully, she isn’t angry.’

A simple marriage ceremony was soon arranged at the Church. It wasn’t a grand wedding like his previous wedding with Regalina. There were no huge celebrations or large gatherings.

It was simply an official ceremony where the Church recognized Valeria and Maria as Ethan’s wives.

With this, the opposition that had been growing in the court over the past few days naturally subsided.

The courtiers quickly changed their stances and began praising the Empress for her keen eye and benevolence.

"Her Majesty truly has a keen eye."

"Indeed. Lord Ethan is a powerful duke, but the Empress has wisely sent two of her own people to remain by his side."

"Now that she has sent them, the apprehension surrounding Lord Ethan has decreased."

"I am sure the Empress sent them to keep an eye on Lord Ethan."

"I was a bit worried that Lord Ethan would rise through the ranks, but now it seems the Emperor won’t be swayed."

"Yes. I was afraid of Her Majesty taking a fancy to Ethan and appointing him as Prince Consort, but now it seems my worries were unnecessary."

"As long as he doesn’t step into that position, being a Duke of the outer region holds no threat to us."