"Your Highness?!"
Bet''s eyes sparkled with intensity as he gazed at the slightly childish, utterly charming face that suddenly appeared before everyone.
His heart rate skyrocketed, and he had to forcefully close his eyes to reassure himself that everything in front of him was indeed real.
Ste bit her lip gently, stealing a brief nce at Bet before withdrawing her gaze as swiftly as a bird flying past, leaving no trace.
Originally, he was the one who suggested they should go back to how things were between them.
But now, seeing Ste truly sorting out her feelings, truly not sparing him another nce, his heart felt as if it was being slowly sliced by a dull knife, the dull pain unbearable.
"Debby, why did you bring Her Highness over?" Cassius immediately stepped forward to greet them.
Debby''s eyes welled up, "Her Highness is here to help everyone."
Upon hearing this, the crowd gathered around.
Thaddeus, breathing heavily, asked urgently, "Your Highness, can you really help us?!"
"I heard that Evadne has disappeared, taken away by Avery, the notorious leader of Helgen''s most fearsome undergroundwork."
Ste''s eyelids were slightly swollen, obviously from crying, her voice soft and choked up, "I''m so worried... So yesterday, I pleaded with my father, hoping he could use the royal influence to help you search for Evadne across the nation."
Bet''s heart trembled, "Ste..."
Thaddeus, Cassius, and the others were deeply moved upon hearing this.
They had only interacted with Princess Ste for a few days during Mr. and Mrs. Fairhaven''s wedding and didn''t have a deep rtionship.
But for her to offer her help, regardless of the oue, their gratitude was immense.
Ste, with tears brimming in her eyes, sneaked another nce at Bet:
"My father... finally agreed to help you find Evadne!"
The group erupted in cheers, overjoyed!
Just moments ago, they were worried about how to gain royal approval to mobilize the military. In the blink of an eye, their biggest problem was resolved!
"But... my father has one condition," Ste hesitated.
Thadus''s gaze intensified, without any hesitation, "No matter the condition, even if it costs me my life, I agree!"
Ste paused, then slowly approached Cassius, lifting her pale face to meet his dark, intense eyes:
"My father says he wants Mr. Cassius Ashbourne toe to the pce; he wishes to meet you."
Everyone was surprised, their eyes turning towards their leader.
Cassius frowned, "Meet me? Why?"
Ste shook her head, "I don''t know. He wants you toe to the pce first thing tomorrow morning. As long as you meet him, he will agree to deploy troops to help you find Evadne.
That''s the only condition my father has."
Cassius resolved his expression, dispelling all doubts, "Alright, I''ll go to the pce tomorrow."
...
ROSE Ind.
In the evening, avoiding the scorching sun, Evadne was dressed in a fiery red backless dress by her maid, sitting in a wheelchair as Avery pushed her to view their wedding venue.
Several servants were still hard at work, fixing up the rosary.
They aimed to finish the arrangements as soon as possible, so Mr. Chambers and
his beloved could marry here sessfully.
From then on, this tranquil ind would have a beautiful mistress.
Evadne gazed distantly at the dazzling ROSE garden in front of her-
The fountain with the goddess statue was surrounded by fragrant, radiant
ROSES, shimmering under the fiery sunset.
She loved red, and she adored ROSES.
But the fairy-tale beauty in front of her brought no joy to her heart, as if whaty before her eyes was a cold, eerie graveyard.
Avery entered the center of the ROSE garden, and after a while, carefully picked a bunch of the most vibrant ROSES, running back to her with a face full of joy.
His youthful elegance, free of any malice, highlighted by his pale, handsome face, painted the picture of an innocent young man.
Just by looking at his face, his smile, you could never associate him with murder, brutality, sin... those bloodiest and dirtiest of words.
"Evadne."
Avery''s forehead was sweaty, his breath uneven, as he knelt on one knee, presenting the red ROSES to Evadne.
Evadne lowered hershes, observing his hands covered in dirt and blood from the thorns.
Her dark eyes were like dried-up ancient wells, lifeless and still.
Avery''s eyes became moist, his voice rough with intense emotion:
"Marry me, will you?"
Evadne suppressed the tumultuous feeling in her stomach, staring coldly at him, wordless.
Silence was her limit.
If she spoke, her words would be sharp as knives, aimed straight at his heart.
But, she had to endure.
She naturally didn''t want to marry this mad devil, but more than that, she feared forgetting Thaddeuspletely.
"If you don''t say anything, I''ll take it as your consent."
Avery''s eyes curved into a smile, radiating the happiness and sweetness of a soon-to-be groom.
A perfect example of deluding oneself.
Avery put down the ROSES and took out a red velvet box from his pocket.
Inside was a pear-shaped, ten-carat red diamond engagement ring.
He trembled as he took Evadne''s limp left hand, slowly sliding the ring onto her finger.
Evadne felt a strong sourness at the tip of her nose, nearly bursting into tears.
A proposal, a diamond ring, a wedding...
These firsts were all supposed to be reserved for Thaddeus. Now, they were being stolen away by Avery, bit by bit.
At this moment, she regretted not marrying Thaddeus sooner, even if it was a simple ceremony, even if it was just a ring from na, having experienced it would have been enough for a lifetime.
She had always thought she and Thaddeus had all the time in the world.
But fate is fickle; you never know what tomorrow might bring, what ident might fall from the sky.
Avery stood up, drawing Evadne''s trembling frame into his arms.
Just as he couldn''t help but lean in for a kiss, a pebble rolled under his foot,
shattering the seemingly romantic moment.
Avery looked up coldly-
Unbeknownst to them, Hans had appeared not far away, leaning against a pir, watching them expressionlessly.