Chasel''s narrowed eyes flickered as he saw no deceit or frivolity in the man''s expression, causing his initial wariness to fade.


    Coupled with his naturally insatiable curiosity, he couldn''t help but ask:


    "Really? Do we look that much alike?"


    "Absolutely, especially your eyes."


    The man nodded vigorously, his gaze locked on Chasel as if unable to look away. "But upon closer inspection, it''s just a physical resemnce. Your demeanor and movements are entirely different. I''m sorry. I mistook you for someone else."


    "No worries."


    Chasel shrugged it off nonchntly. "When you get back, you should share this story with your friend. After all, it''s quite fascinating that there''s someone who looks just like him in the world."


    The man shook his head sadly, "I wish I could, but there''s no chance now. He passed away, many years ago."


    Chasel was momentarily taken aback, "Sorry."


    "It''s okay."


    As Chasel was about to get into his car, the man asked again, "It''s really rare to meet a fellow countryman in Bastan. I mean no offense, I''m just curious where are you from?"


    "From Skyrim."


    The sports car quickly disappeared into the night.


    "Skyrim? That man was also from Skyrim."


    The man reminisced about that beautiful, delicate face, his gaze growing darker.


    On the drive back, Chasel looked out at the snowy road, pondering over the encounter with the stranger and feeling an inexplicable emotion welling up inside him.


    He had a good memory and had immediately remembered the name Aubrey.


    He was oddly curious about how much he resembled Aubrey to have caused such a misunderstanding.


    Before the sports car even reached the manor''s main gate, Chasel saw Cassius'' tall, imposing figure wearing a matching cashmere coat, silently standing, a thinyer of snow dusting his broad shoulders.


    "Cassius!"


    Chasel quickly got out of the car and ran over, plunging into the man''s arms like a graceful bird returning to the forest.


    Cassius wrapped his arms around Chasel''s waist, pulling him into his warm


    embrace and asked with a gentleugh:


    "Where did you sneak off to, my little fox?"


    "I went to get you some treats, had no time for ying."


    Chasel pouted, "I went to buy those famous local pastries, thinking of surprising you with them for breakfast. So much for the surprise."


    "It''s my fault."


    Cassius''rge hand caressed the back of his neck, gently kneading, his eyes filled with undisguised tenderness, "Having you by my side is a surprise every day. I''m already very content."


    Chasel''s fox-like eyes squinted, "I remember you weren''t this smooth-talking before, learning bad habits?"


    "Falling in love teaches you everything." The man''s dark eyes brimmed with love.


    Their breaths mingled softly and moistly together.


    Standing together in the snowy night, everything about them seemed as beautiful and dreamlike as ever.


    The sports car smoothly entered the manor gates.


    After a while, a car without its headlights on silently drove out of the darkness, stopping in front of the gate, at the spot where Cassius and Chasel had been.


    The man inside the car looked in the direction they had left, then took out his phone to look at the photo he had secretly taken of the two of them.


    If it weren''t for prior confirmation, he would have firmly believed that this was Cassius and Aubrey from before.


    He gritted his teeth and floored the elerator.


    Outside the castle.


    Chasel had wanted to tell Cassius about the little incident at the pastry shop, but seeing three unfamiliar luxury cars parked in the courtyard, with suited bodyguards standing outside, he got distracted:


    "Hey? Didn''t Jareth say the wedding was just for the Ashbourne and Abernathy families and their close friends? Are there other guests?"


    "Debby came, and she brought someone with her. To be precise, someone insisted oning with her."


    Cassius held him, his expression somewhat mysterious, "She''s quite significant."


    Chasel was unimpressed, "How significant can she be? More than our family''s firstdy?"


    "She''s a princess."


    "That arrogant? Back in the States, people also called me the prince of the neurology field." Chasel said with a proud lift of his chin.


    Cassius couldn''t help butugh, "She''s a real princess, the only princess of the Helgen royal family."


    Chasel''s mouth dropped open in shock.


    Meanwhile―


    Almost everyone had gathered in the living room, staring at the girl standing next


    to Debby, dressed in a water-blue silk gown with a white fur shawl draped over


    her shoulders, radiating elegance and grace. Everyone was stunned!


    "Let me introduce her."


    Debbie awkwardly sped her hands in front of her, offering a smile that was embarrassed yet polite, "This is Princess Ste, the only daughter of the King of Helgen."


    The room fell silent, everyone''s eyes wide with shock.


    Even Evadne, who was ustomed to high society, was taken aback, her lips parting slightly in surprise as she exchanged looks with Thaddeus.


    "Wow, a princess!!"


    Jareth eximed, his eyes widening with astonishment. "In all my life, I''ve only seen nightclub ''princesses,'' never a genuine one!"


    With that, he turned to leave, only to be grabbed by Thaddeus:


    "Where are you going?"


    "To call Mari, toe see the princess." Jareth was a curious soul, eager to share the excitement with his wife.


    "You''re a chairman now, can''t you act a bit more reserved?"


    Thaddeus shook his head in disbelief, "Mari''s had a long journey from Elmsworth here, tired and jetgged. Don''t disturb her; let her rest."


    "So, why did this princess suddenly follow Debby all the way here? What''s her angle?"


    Evadne whispered to Thaddeus, her brow furrowed, "Aside from Debby, none of us have connections with her. Not to mention the Fairhaven family, she wouldn''t travel all this way to attend the wedding of strangers. That''s impossible."


    "I''ve seen in the news, royal princesses traveling with much fanfare and attention."


    Thad''s warm breath tickled her ear, "But thisdy, traveling so light, even her bodyguard is Debby''s. Seems a bit too casual, doesn''t it? Isn''t the royal family worried about letting her out on her own?"


    As everyone murmured in confusion, Ste stepped forward with a graceful poise, bowing slightly, her smile elegant and dignified:


    "I''m a friend of the First Lady, my apologies for the intrusion, please forgive my boldness."


    Her words, lively and hopeful, darted around the crowd, seeking understanding. During the awkward silence, Emeric, apanied by Bet, walked out, both men tall and striking, their presence undiminished by any royal standard. "Dad! Bet!" Evadne rushed to greet them.


    Emeric''s lips stiffened in a forced greeting, his gaze,plex and unreadable, fell on the travel-wearydy.


    Bet, his eyes trembling as theynded on Ste''s radiant face, involuntarily clenched his fists.


    The moment Ste noticed him, her eyes lit up with eagerness, yet restrained by


    her noble status, she approached Bet with feignedposure.


    Women know women best, and Evadne sharply sensed-


    There was something more between Princess Ste and Bet.


    They had a story to tell.


    "Colonel," Ste''s face lifted in mock arrogance, locking eyes with Bet, "Aren''t


    you going to bow to a princess?"


    All eyes were on this visually stunning pair.


    Bet swallowed hard, stepping forward.


    Then, he slowly bent down, one knee to the ground, lifting her hand to kiss the


    back of it:


    "Your Highness."


    The crowd was stunned.


    Aviana, visibly annoyed, nudged Suri:


    "Since when has a Waverley been so humble?"


    Myra tugged at her, "Aviana, lower your voice, she is a princess. Bet is just


    being polite."


    "What outdated politeness, thest century has been gone for ages! And so what if she''s royalty?"


    Aviana remained indignant, "We''re not in Helgen, and we''re not Helgenese, why follow their silly rules?"


    Suri took the chance to pull Debby aside and whispered, "Debby, how do Bet and the princess know each other?"


    "Bet apanied some national officials to Helgen twice, even stayed at the pce for a few days."


    Debby sighed, "I guess, that''s when they met."


    "So, the princess came with you to see Bet?" Suri widened her eyes.


    Debby, witnessing the proposal-like scene, could only facepalm.


    As Bet rose, Ste leaned in, her hands on his shoulders, tiptoeing.


    Her fur shawl slid to the ground, and her lips found his.


    Bet''s heart raced, his body tingling, palms sweaty.


    The crowd gasped: "WOW!"


    The Ashbournes had mixed reactions, Arnold even excitedly grabbed Camille''s


    hand:


    "Bet likes women! Finally, my worries are over!"


    Camille pinched him, speechless.


    While everyone was distracted by the scene, Emeric clenched his lips, his


    silhouette silently fading away.


    Evadne noticed and quickly followed.


    "Dad, you look pale, are you feeling alright?" she supported her father, concern


    filling her eyes.


    "I''m tired, I want to rest."


    Emeric closed his weary eyes, "Evadne,ter, tell Bet toe to my room. I


    have something to say to him."