Leo Astoria, carrying a jewelry box, entered the side hall, guided by his attendants.
He was wearing a white military uniform and was tall and robust.
Beneath his short, golden hair were a pair of deep green eyes, their expression haughty, carrying a habitual aloofness and scrutiny.
His presence today is merely to follow his family's instructions and maintain a facade of harmony and closeness with the royal family.
And by the way, I extend my condolences to the princess who nearly lost her life due to the failed ceremony.
His family had always intended for him to marry into the royal family.
The originally chosen candidate was Princess Shen Zhiyi.
But he received a military report.
The royal family has decided to abandon Shen Zhiyi and instead groom the second princess, Shen Xiya, as their heir.
Putting aside his disdain for arranged marriages.
Even if he were forced to establish a connection with the royal family, he would never choose this princess who had already lost power.
But the moment he stepped into the main hall...
He changed his mind.
Shen Zhiyi, dressed in a light purple court dress, sat leisurely in the main seat, talking to a man next to her.
"Colonel Leo Astoria greets the Princess."
The conversation stopped.
Both pairs of eyes turned to look at him.
When Leo saw Shen Zhiyi's face clearly, a flash of amazement crossed his eyes. After bowing, he respectfully opened the jewelry box and placed it on the table in front of Shen Zhiyi.
“Your Highness, this is a small token of Leo’s appreciation. May it enhance your glory.”
Shen Zhiyi looked into the box.
It is an incredibly gorgeous set of ruby jewelry, shimmering and dazzling, and absolutely beautiful.
She glanced at Samus instinctively.
Seeing his sullen face and silent expression, she slightly curled the corners of her lips.
She suppressed the smile in her eyes, leaned forward, and carefully examined the ruby. She exclaimed in an exaggerated manner, "I've heard that Ice Crystal City, where the Astoria family lives, is rich in gemstones. Now that I've seen it, I can confirm that it lives up to its reputation."
Leo had a sudden thought.
A hint of pride and eagerness flashed in his green eyes.
He leaned forward and said, "If the princess likes it, Leo can take her to see Ice Crystal City."
"The Astoria family and I... will welcome the princess very much."
This ruby was prepared by the family.
He didn't take it to heart at first.
But now it seems that this gemstone is not a good match for the princess.
She deserves better.
"Crack—!"
The teacup beside him suddenly shattered on the ground.
Leo's smile froze on his lips, his brows furrowed in displeasure as he looked at Samus beside Shen Zhiyi.
He just saw it.
A black snake tail flashed by.
Was he doing it on purpose?
"Sorry, it was an accident." Samus lowered his head meekly, as if it was just his tail that had gone awry and had nothing to do with him.
Shen Zhiyi glanced at the broken pieces on the ground.
His gaze lingered on Samus for a moment, a fleeting smile playing on his lips, before turning to Leo with a hint of helpless apology, and saying:
"Colonel, please forgive me. I'm just a clumsy snake-man and I've disturbed you."
She spoke casually.
It seemed as if they didn't want to dwell on the matter.
Leo was about to explode with anger when he heard this, so he had to suppress his rage and wave his hand magnanimously.
"It's alright, it's just a cup."
"It's good that the princess wasn't frightened."
The princess wasn't angry, and he couldn't very well overstep her bounds and lose his temper.
That would be incredibly ungentlemanly.
He wanted to make a good impression on her.
Despite what Leo thought to himself, he still gave Samus a disapproving look.
As expected, it was a lowly black snake.
They have absolutely no sense of etiquette.
Getting angry with someone like that would only damage your own dignity.
Samus's face darkened.
Lions are irritable and easily angered, and they hate having their dignity challenged.
This Leo actually endured it.
It seems he has designs on the princess.
He lowered his eyes, and his large hands, hanging at his sides, slowly tightened.
...
Leo chatted with Shen Zhiyi for a long time before taking his leave.
He walked into the garden when someone suddenly called out to him.
"Colonel Leo!" Shen Xiya lifted her skirt and ran to him.
Leo looked closely before bowing.
"Greetings, Second Princess."
Shen Xiya looked surprised: "We've never met before, how did the colonel recognize me?"
Leo pointed to her brooch.
"The Moonsapphire is the only one of its kind in the country. I heard that the Queen bestowed it upon her beloved youngest daughter. Although Leo has never met the second princess, he recognizes the gem."
A smile bloomed on Shen Xiya's lips.
"The colonel is indeed as wise and quick-witted as the rumors suggest."
She touched the brooch. "Originally, Mother was going to give this brooch to my sister, but she doesn't like gemstones, and she dislikes Mother even more..."
She took a deep breath and looked up. "So they gave it to me."
"If my sister wanted it, how could it be my turn?"
Her expression was somber.
But he secretly observed Leo's expression out of the corner of his eye.
Leo frowned.
Thinking of how much Shen Zhiyi had adored the ruby just now, a guess flashed through his mind.
It seems that the relationship between the eldest princess and the queen is not as harmonious as rumored...
"Colonel?" Shen Xiya called out when she saw him lost in thought.
Leo snapped out of his reverie. "Does the Second Princess have anything else? If not, I'll take my leave now."
"Wait!" Shen Xiya called out to him, thought for a moment, and bit her lip, saying, "The colonel is exceptionally intelligent, so I won't beat around the bush."
"I've heard that the Astoria family intends to form a marriage alliance with the royal family. Is the Colonel here today for this reason?"
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