Chapter 1997 - 540: It's Not Just Bats Who Sneak Food_2

That's just work!

Vivian noticed that this guy's defense was unexpectedly high, so she raised her arm to wipe her mouth.

Not bad...

Seems like I'll have to add another layer of strength!

"And then? She's with my elder brother now! And her heart is beating quite fast! What could make a hero's heart beat so fast? Could it be running? Can't be practicing swordsmanship, right? Kukuku... It's so hard to guess."

This extremely abstract guy wasn't satisfied with just bantering and started a horse stance on the sofa ruins, his small arms stretching in absurd movements.

Watching those movements that were even wilder than a Lizardman's war dance, Mia's lazy and composed mask finally showed a crack, a ripple of panic.

Never thought the bats of the Colin Family would be so vicious, biting their own neck when going mad!

Scaring yourself is fun, huh?!

"You, you won't scare me!"

Mia swallowed hard, her trembling voice full of tension, trying to find a flaw on Vivian's face, which she managed to find with her ice-cunning wit—

This guy is too calm!

Realizing this, Mia's eyes suddenly shone like magic crystal lamps, staring intently at Vivian, immediately cracking her childish and laughable gimmick.

"If... something really happened between them, how could you be so calm! Poor Miss Colin, has she fallen so low to rely on sowing discord to achieve her goals? Hehehe... What an undignified brat!"

Vivian stood in the sofa ruins, shocked with eyes wide open, her jaw dropped, and her arms stopped dancing.

"...The enchanting demons of the Padric family are blind, aren't they? Do I look calm at all??"

Mia smiled slightly, crossing her legs with elegance once again, her face returning to a calm and graceful smile.

"I won't be fooled by you!"

Vivian: "???"

...

The genius of the Colin Family, no matter how hard she tries, can't beat the fools of the Padric family.

While Vivian was suffering from the "unprincipled Beloved" and the "thick-skinned enchanting demon," and her explosive attacks failed, melodious piano sounds echoed within Glanston Castle's City Hall.

Golden radiance cascaded down from crystal lamps on the ceiling, shining together with the wall lamps on marble columns on guests holding Champagne, drinking happily.

A grand evening feast was taking place here.

Today's evening feast was not only a "hunt feast" to celebrate a bounteous harvest, but also a celebration for welcoming the hero's return!

Duke Edward stood in the very center of the banquet hall, holding his goblet high, as if it was filled with sacred light under the glow of crystal lamps.

"Gentlemen and ladies!"

The booming voice pierced through the banquet hall and the piano's transition from passionate to gentle.

"...Let us give a toast to the soldiers who returned from the north! It was they who stood up for us when we needed them most, safeguarding our duchy's northern realm, rescuing our blood-line kin from the clutches of Chaos and famine! Cheers to the Northern Relief Army! Cheers to the reborn Twilight Province!"

Edward drained his wine in one gulp, cheers erupted around him, and guests offered their blessings.

"Cheers to the Northern Relief Army!"

"Cheers to Princess Aileen!"

Feeling the spotlight-like stares on her, Aileen's cheeks felt astonishingly hot.

Not only due to the enthusiastic attention but also because a certain someone in the crowd was smiling warmly at her, offering his blessings.

After drinking her wine, Aileen's thoughts drifted back to half an hour ago, at Glanton Castle City Hall's entrance reunion.

The longing she couldn't express made her unknowingly fall into his embrace...

The soul-touching tremble sneaked back to her chest as she recalled the firm sensation.

Thump... Thump!

Unable to bear the shyness creeping into her heart, she hid her entire face behind the rim of the glass.

Tonight, Aileen wore a black off-shoulder evening gown, chosen especially by Theresa.

The deep black perfectly outlined the girl's budding figure while toning down her silver hair's coolness, making her appear more noble and dazzling under the brilliant lights than usual.

Edward nodded in satisfaction at his sister's competence, gladly letting her become the absolute focus of the night.

Nobles, gentlemen, and ladies lined up to toast, not wanting to miss the opportunity to stand out in front of the future "Princess Consort."

Aileen was so nervous that her palms sweated.

Though she's been cultured in Royal Family etiquette and shouldn't be fazed by such a minor occasion, her heart beat extraordinarily fast, and she felt unusually tense today.

The "Resonance Field" effect is mutual.

As a first-time Blood Race Beloved, she didn't realize that while she released her inner joy to her whereabouts-unknown "First Embracer," as a Beloved, she also bore the "pain" of envy, jealousy, and resentment from that "First Embracer."

Which was unbearably sour and painful.

To suppress the heart throb like a deer running wild, all Aileen could hope for was to numb her nerves with alcohol, momentarily forgetting moderation.