Caleb took a brutal heating. Not a single person stepped in to stop Dn.


    Even the young nobles watching from the sidelines were stunned. ''Marrying both of the Duke of Mowbay''s daughters? Who does he think he is?" They thought..


    They could tell just by looking at Gabriel''s face-dark as a thundercloud-that if Caleb weren''t rtive, he might not have made it out alive.


    Gabriel might have held back, but Dn and the others didn''t.


    Benedict stayed out of it, but Matthew pretended to break up the fight while sneaking in a few punches of his ownL


    Before long. Caleb was sprawled on the ground, bruised and battered, groaning


    in pain.


    Cameron and his friends winced at the sight. Realizing they''d better get out before they became the next targets, they hurriedly said their goodbyes to Gabriel and slipped away-leaving Caleb behind.


    Once Dn and the others were satisfied, Sophie forced a stiff smile, jealousy flickering in her eyes. Through clenched teeth, she said, "Alright, Dn, that''s enough. Caleb must''ve just spoken without thinking"


    She couldn''t understand why Caleb, who had always despised Eliza, would suddenly offer her the position of concubine. She assumed he must have panicked when Eliza escted things.


    Dn reluctantly stepped back for Sophie''s sake, but the idiot had to open his mouth again. For the first time, Caleb actually contradicted Sophie.


    "I wasn''t speaking without thinking," he insisted. "I truly love Sophie, and Eliza truly loves me. Given the circumstances, how could i abandon either


    of them!"


    Eliza was disgusted. Caleb was, without a doubt, the most self-absorbed,


    delusional man she had ever met. S She couldn''t believe she had ever thought he was worth anything.


    Sophie''s expression turned dark. If she could sew Caleb''s mouth sh


    shut, she would


    Gabriel''s voice was ice-cold. "Benedict, have him sent back to the Marquis''s estate” His patience was razor-thin. "Tell his parents that if they can''t teach their son properly, I''ll do it for them."


    Sell oblivious, Caleb protested, "Uncle Gabriel, I meant every word! You can''t


    Gabriel bellowed, finally losing his temper.


    Benedict didn''t wait for more orders. He dragged Caleb out before he could humiliate himself further.


    withdraw his decree. If you


    Once silence returned, Gabriel turned to Eliza. "I don''t care if this is about Caleb or not. Today, you will beg the king to w refuse, you''re no longer part of this family"


    Eliza met his gaze without dinching. "Thank you for your blessing, Father"


    With that, she turged and walked away.


    "You="Gabriel was momentarily stunned


    She didn''t pause and didn''t look back.


    her nerve. His face darkened. "Stop right there, Eliza


    Gabriel took a deep breath before snapping. “Dn, Matthew, what are you waiting for? Take her back to her room.


    "Yes, Father" The two brothers immediately moved to grab her.


    Kralizing things were about to take a turn for the worse, Eliza hiked up her skirts and ran, throwing etiquette to the wind. But there was no way she could outrun her brothers, both far more athletic than she was.


    They caught up in no time. "Eliza, stop being so damn stubborn," Dn


    Tyou don''t want to piss off Father even more, you''d better go back." Matthew warned.


    Dn and Matthew blocked her path Gabriel''s voice was cold. "Take her away and lock her up. No one lets her out without my onder"


    Just dien, a deep,ry voice came from the main gate "Quite the lively serne at the Duke''s estate today"


    slurp gaze swept over Sophie and


    Everyone turned to see a silver-haired man, strikingly handsome, striding in with several ck g solders. His sharp the others, carrying an unmistakable authority


    10.17 AM


    Nn''s voice was calm but firm. "What''s going on here?"


    Benedict''s expression shifted. He immediately pulled Eliza and Sophie down into


    a kneel. "We greet Your Highness, Prince Nn "


    Sophie''s eyes lit up as she stared at Nn.


    Gabriel however, didn''t kneel. He merely frowned slightly and said, "So it''s Prince Nn. My household is busy today. Your Highnes. Perhaps you. could visit another time,


    He hadn''t expected Nn to show up. This was trouble.


    Nn, unfazed by Gabriel''sck of respect, responded smoothly. "It''s okay. I''m not here as a guest today"


    Then, turning to Eliza, he said, "Holy Lady of Walden, it''s time. Let''s go!"


    Eliza was surprised that the king had sent someone as important as Nn to escort her. Normally, she might h his presence was nothing short of a relief.


    have felt intimidated. But right now,


    Since thete king''s death, her father had built a stronghold of power within the court, surrounding himself with high-ranking officials. Even the king had to tread carefully around him.


    But there was one person who could still keep Gabriel in check. Aside from thete king, the only man capable of doing so was the Prince Regent Nn.


    Nn had spent years on the battlefield, earning countless military victories and a fearsome reputation. Hemanded an army of 500,000. If he had any interest in the throne, the country''s ruler might have been him long ago.


    But because he had remained fiercely loyal to the king, many officials held him in high regard. Since Nn''s return, Gabriel had gone out of his way to avoid him whenever possible.


    However, Gabriel hadn''t expected Nn to be the one escorting


    ling Eliza to a nunnery.


    Eliza gave Nn a respectful nod. "Thank you foring to escort me, Your Highness. She hesitated before adding, "Td like to bring a few things with me. Would you mind waiting a moment"


    "You have fifteen minutes. Be quick" Nn replied. "If you have too much to carry, ask the ck


    g soldiers for help"


    Thest time he had seen Eliza was outside the royal study, and the dim light had obscured her features. Now, he saw clearly-the was indeed a breathtaking y


    young woman.


    Uncharacteristically patient, Nn gave her the time she requested.


    Eliza epted his offer and asked a few ck g soldiers to follow her as she headed toward her mother''s room.


    Dn and Matthew moved to stop her, but the ck g soldiers unsheathed their des in an instant-the cold metal nearly grazing them. The brothers paled and froze in ce


    Gabriel''s expression darkened. "Nn, this is my home, not your battlefield. Keep your men in check."


    AD