"Elizabeth…"
Benedict was filled with endless regret. He was ashamed of himself. He wanted to step up and defend Elizabeth, but his position was too meager. Aside from the fact that he was not even the Hawken Household's heir, he was also the center of countless rumors. Lorenzo kept an eye on his movements the entire time. If Benedict made a move, it would spell calamity for him. He would disappoint his brother, but also his father. This was all a game that the Grand Nobility were playing, not a stage he could step into. That was why he loathed the nobility. That was why he loathed his weakness!
Lady Christina looked apologetic while Sir Winstin, Lord Fredrick, and other shrewd youths observed everything calmly. They were curious about how Elizabeth would handle this pressure. If she persevered and stood strong even then, that would be enough. In that case, they could consider future cooperation. This competition held deeper meaning than what many realized. However, if she crumbled and gave up, then it was over. Much less Queen Bethnal, not a single Grand Nobility Household would support her. Without the backing of any influential family, Elizabeth would be nothing more than an old story.
Most of the Grand Nobles were smart enough to hide behind smirks and grins. Of course, their expressions easily exposed their innermost thoughts. Anyone could tell that they were the riffraff of the younger generation. The ones who cleverly concealed their thoughts were the true wolves. That said, no one dared to say a thing. Despite Elizabeth's humiliating defeat, she remained the heir apparent! With the monstrous Royal Family standing behind her, a single foul mouth was all it took to damn their family as traitors. Nonetheless, where there were people, trouble would never fall behind.
The silence of the hall was shattered by a murmur, "Doesn't she have to pay the wager?"
"That's right… We all heard it loud and clear. Lord Fredrick made a gamble with Her Highness."
"If she lost, then she has to honor the wager."
"It's only natural," many chimed in to agree.
No one knew who said it first, but it started a storm of commentary. After all, they were united against a common enemy. Facing the mockery of all these youths made Elizabeth's spirit shrivel. After all, she was simply too young and inexperienced. Her temperament had yet to go through a baptism of fire. It was still rooted firmly in her backwater background of New Havens. She felt weak and powerless against the frightening momentum of the crowd. When it was one against everyone, it felt like the sky caved in and the ground split in twain. That titanic mountain of pressure crushed and suffocated her. Every breath felt like molten metal, burning her heart and lungs.
She took a few, deep breaths and tried to calm her tumultuous mind. Alas, she laughed inwardly. She deluded herself into thinking that her training was enough to stun these youths speechless, that she could solve this thorny problem once and for all. Little did the girl know, she had stumbled off the thorny path and into the pits of the underworld! But that was not too surprising… Elizabeth used to be a novice in all fields. How could a few months amount to anything? Anyone would realize the impossibility of the task! Her defeat was destined from the start!
Everyone believed she would break down and reveal her true pathetic self. Youth was riddled with heated moments and carelessness. Elizabeth was no different. However, contrary to their expectant gazes, she raised her head and revealed a calm expression. Her eyes carried a faint allure of determination. Everyone was shocked. For the first time, Lady Kalasena glanced her way. Lord Archibon's brow crumpled as a look of seriousness emerged. Even Lord Fredrick's perpetual stoic face raised an eyebrow. For once, they felt not the presence of a kid pretending to be a princess. For once, they felt surprise, wariness… but most importantly, fear! Elizabeth carried a queenly disposition that demanded reverence!
"It's just a small wager," she flatly said.
Who could understand Elizabeth's thoughts? On one hand, her temperament was rough. It was far from reaching the level of royalty. On the other hand, she had experienced many things already. Her family's death, her months in the Xingyuu Empire, her final battle with the emperor… Her breadth of experience could be vast compared to these youngsters. Furthermore, her months training in Castle Reinhard had exposed her to the ugliness of reality. Prince Ranir, Prince Belmond, and Princess Rosia humiliated her every chance they had. Even the servants and guards leered at her from closed doors. If Elizabeth did not harden her heart after all that, then she was truly useless!
"Then Your Highness will honor it?" Lord Fredrick asked in confusion.
If what she was saying was true, then that was equivalent to political suicide. Many of these youths were the heirs of the Grand Nobility. They would grow to become the next apex power alongside Elizabeth in the future! Fredrick could understand if she stormed out in a fury, cutting all ties with them. He could also understand if she apologized meekly and begged for forgiveness. However, this was out of his expectations. Elizabeth had calmly stated her desire to honor the wager! Therefore, he was at a loss.
"Whether I honored the wager or not was irrelevant," Elizabeth replied sharply. "Isn't that right, Lord Fredrick? In that case, I shall take my leave here. It was a pleasure meeting all of you."
Before he could reply, the girl had already turned to leave. Lady Christina was dazed but followed closely behind. Sir Winstin paused a moment, gave a knowing glance in a certain direction, and left as well. Many of the youths were confused and looked to Fredrick for an answer. Kalasena also frowned, while Archibon had a thoughtful gaze. Fredrick smiled wryly. He copied Sir Winstin's glance toward the second floor. Who knew what he was thinking?
The grand hall inside the Daemon Household was very large and there were several blank walls in between the priceless tapestries and paintings above the hall. If any of the youths were keen enough, they would notice that many things were rearranged and there was significantly more blank space than before. They were not true walls, but cleverly designed viewing rooms! From the hall, no one would be the wiser unless their senses were sharp enough.
Around half of the rooms were occupied with older gentlemen or ladies. Some were carefree, some were aloof and cold, others were serious and frightening. Their composure easily radiated a strong confidence allowing them to tower over others. Their power was so unimaginably vast that even the Royal Family had to treat them with respect. They were none other than the leaders of the Grand Nobility! Surprisingly, they had personally come to see the heir apparent with their own eyes. Such an important event that could mark the rise or fall of their family, they would never leave it to their heirs!
In one room sat an older man. His posture was impeccable, and his aura was sharp. It seemed as if his aura would burst out at any moment. His body gave an imminent sense of danger to any who laid eyes on him. A beautiful sword rested on his chair, ready at a moment's notice. He was Sir Roland Hawken, the patriarch of the Hawken Household! Normally, he was the Protector of Prince Ranir and dressed in the Royal Guard's uniform: an illustrious set of plate armor and a red golden cloak. Now though, he was wearing a set of simple but formal clothes. That showed that he currently represented the Hawken Household, not Prince Ranir!
The man stared at Elizabeth's receding figure until she boarded her carriage and left. He pondered over her last remark. The subtle meaning may have passed over the youngsters, but Roland knew what it meant. It was exactly as she said. The purpose of the wager was nothing more than a test to push Elizabeth over the edge. The Grand Nobility wanted to see the true colors of this heir. They left Fredrick in charge of the affairs below, while they watched from above. Needless to say, Roland and his peers were somewhat surprised to see Elizabeth caught onto them. That fact alone was worth its weight in gold.
Then, Roland's eyes swerved to instantly pick out his two sons. Despite the size and clamor of the crowd, his Martial Perception was frighteningly potent. He could count the hairs on Benedict's chin, much less spot him in the crowd. Since he was present all along, he had witnessed firsthand Benedict's attempt to interrupt the wager. Although Lorenzo was there to force Benedict to step down, his intentions were clear as day to Roland. The man showed a sliver of displeasure before he decided to leave.
In another room was a scholarly man. He was revered as one of the sharpest minds in the Alzar Kingdom. Normally, he would rear a highly refined and intellectual air around him. But now… there was nothing like that. An otherworldly aloofness emanated from his bones as if nothing were worthy of his attention. Everyone had to prostate before him! His bearing was borderline frightening and cold to the extreme. This man was Lord Wenmord Lannisail, one of the main instigators of this whole charade. He eyed Elizabeth with plain eyes. After Elizabeth left, a servant came to check up on Lord Wenmord, but the man had already vanished. And so, marked the end of Elizabeth's first public appearance as heir apparent of the Alzar Kingdom! But this night… would only be the start of much more.