Royal banquet.
Shen Zhiyi arrived at the venue dressed in her finest attire, adorned with dazzling jewelry.
Its appearance immediately attracted everyone's attention.
Samus, dressed in a black knight's outfit, followed behind her.
Shen Zhiyi walked straight to Katerina, who was in the main seat.
"Mother." She curtsied, lifting the hem of her skirt.
Katarina's sharp gaze swept over her entire body.
Seeing that she had no injuries whatsoever, his expression changed slightly, but in an instant, he smiled warmly and said, "You're here."
She pointed to the seat on the left below, "Sit next to the Empress Dowager."
Shen Zhiyi calmly took her seat.
Upon seeing Shen Xiya across from him, he smiled slightly.
Shen Xiya stared at the entire set of moonsapphire jewelry she was wearing, especially the dazzling crown on her head, and almost ground her molars to powder.
She greeted him reluctantly, "Sister."
"Hmm," Shen Zhiyi responded faintly.
Shen Xiya glanced at Samus standing behind Shen Zhiyi with lingering fear, clutching her napkin tightly.
Why did that black snake come too?
What bad luck!
Her gaze fell on the moonsapphire brooch pinned to her chest, and her face instantly turned ashen.
The things she once treasured were actually inferior in size and quality to one of Shen Zhiyi's earrings!
Not to mention the crown on her head!
The best things in the entire empire had already been bought by the Empress Dowager and sent to her.
How could Shen Zhiyi exist?
It's the complete set!
The more she thought about it, the more unwilling she became.
Leo entered the venue, his eyes scanned the surroundings, then his gaze settled, and he walked towards Shen Zhiyi with a smile.
"The eldest princess!"
Shen Zhiyi turned his head in response.
Samus followed her gaze, his eyes darkening as he looked at Leo.
Shen Xiya also looked up, her eyes instantly lighting up.
"Colonel Leo."
Shen Xiya stood up.
Leo didn't even glance at her. After bowing to Katarina, he pulled out the chair next to Shen Zhiyi and said with a smile, "Princess, may I sit here?"
Shen Xiya's smile froze.
She stood awkwardly for a moment, met Katarina's gaze, gritted her teeth, and slowly sat down.
Just as Leo was about to make a move, Shen Zhiyi reached out, pressed down on the chair, and looked up at him calmly.
"Sorry, this room is taken."
Leoton lived there.
Shen Zhiyi waved her hand behind her and said to Samus, "What are you standing there for? Come here quickly."
Samus looked slightly taken aback.
She... asked him to sit down?
Why should he sit next to her?
Shen Zhiyi patted the back of the chair, "Hurry up, the banquet is about to begin."
A slight ripple stirred in Samus's heart. He walked over, tilted his head towards Leo, and gave a cold smile: "Excuse me."
Leo's face darkened.
Samus pushed past him and sat down next to Shen Zhiyi.
"Princess……"
He glanced at Shen Zhiyi, his voice low and hoarse, with a hint of something turbulent in his eyes.
Shen Zhiyi glanced at him sideways, a silent, slight smile playing on her lips.
Like a large dog whose fur has been stroked.
childish……
Katarina glanced at them discreetly, then smiled and said to Leo, "Colonel, please sit next to Thea."
Leo could only bow slightly and say, "I will obey the Queen's command."
He walked over to Shen Xiya, nodded slightly to her, and sat down.
Shen Xiya lowered her head, her smile shy.
Katarina's eyes flickered as she turned to Shen Zhiyi, asking with concern, "I heard you were attacked while on patrol?"
She ran her fingertips over the wine glass. "Are you alright?"
Shen Zhiyi met her gaze, a slight smile playing on her lips, "Thank you for your concern, Mother."
"They're all low-class people; they can't hurt me."
Katarina paused, maintaining her smile, and tentatively asked, "The guard must have suffered quite a few losses, right?"
"If there is a shortage of manpower, the Empress Dowager can allocate some elite troops to you."
"How dare I trouble the Empress Dowager's people?" Shen Zhiyi's smile deepened as she looked at her meaningfully. "I have enough people."
Katarina's eyes darkened.
None of the private soldiers she sent to test the waters returned.
Now, not a single clue can be found.
Leo immediately interjected, his gaze intense: "Why bother the Queen's guards? If the eldest princess needs anything, she can always come to me."
"Leo will always be here."
His words were quite straightforward.
The other three all changed their expressions.
"The Colonel is too kind." Shen Zhiyi said politely, deftly deflecting the question, "On behalf of the royal family, I thank the Astoria family."
She elevated his personal liking to the level of respect for the entire family.
Leo felt a little uneasy.
Seeing this, the other nobles laughed and chimed in, "The colonel really cares about the eldest princess! Could it be..."
They were hinting at something, but Leo looked directly and passionately at Shen Zhiyi.
"It's my pleasure."
"I only hope that the eldest princess can see Leo's feelings."
Click—
A crisp sound.
The silver spoon in Samus's hand snapped in two.
He lowered his head, his stray hairs obscuring the turbulent emotions in his eyes.
Leo had just had his seat taken away by him, and now he had been interrupted, so he was already feeling very resentful.
He said unhappily, "You broke a utensil as soon as you arrived at the banquet. How can someone so ill-mannered sit next to the princess?"
Samus looked up.
His eyes were cold, yet filled with violent anger, and a mocking smile appeared on his lips: "Some people are like this silverware, looking magnificent and imposing, but in reality, they break with the slightest touch."
"It's all show and no substance, the quality is questionable." He curled his lip.
Leo's anger was instantly ignited.
Everyone knows that the Astoria family was responsible for supplying the palace with its utensils.
He not only mocked the family, but also made sarcastic remarks about him!
Leo's mane practically bristled as he jumped to his feet. "If you're a man, fight me!"
Shen Xiya was shocked.
A duel?!
They won't stop until every single one of them is dead!
Her eyes darted around.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity...
Firstly, it would allow them to test Samus's current strength.
Secondly... what if Leo really did kill Samus? Wouldn't that be exactly what she wanted?!
Even if Samus used some underhanded tricks to kill Leo, she would suffer no loss.
Shen Xiya's eyes darkened, and she decided to fan the flames.
Feigning urgency, he raised his hand and tugged at Leo's sleeve. "Colonel, please reconsider!"
"You'll be in danger if we duel!"
Leo was indeed provoked and snorted, "Does the Second Princess think that I, an SS-rank, can't beat an A-rank orc?"
Shen Xiya shook her head repeatedly: "That's not what I meant."
Leo flicked his sleeve, gripped the hilt of his sword, and said coldly to Samus, "I can spare your life, but if I win, you'll have to obediently give up the position of the eldest princess's beast husband!"
"Do you dare to answer?!"
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