In that instant, the entire banquet hall fell into a deathly silence.
People's preferences cannot be generalized!
Some like the holiness of Rose Vesper, some admire the nobility of the Princess...
Some like big sisters...
And there are some perverted lolicons...
Even those with a stronger taste might not rule out choosing the Church Venerate Saint Monica of the Earth Mother Goddess Sect, after all, in the eyes of those who prefer mature women, Saint Monica truly possesses endless charm.
Yet Qin Chu took a liking to an inconspicuous and lowly maid—does the hero really have no issues with his brain?
Although Angelica looks decent in both appearance and figure, her status is far too lowly to match the hero.
Even Wozworth, Augustus, and Saint Monica themselves did not know how to react.
And this scenario seemed like a harsh slap on the face of Rose Vesper, who had been all prepared to reject Qin Chu.
In that moment, Rose Vesper felt a surge of heat, her cheeks burning with pain.
Her slender hands clenched subconsciously, her beautifully manicured nails almost piercing into the flesh of her palms; she trembled violently, her beautiful eyes dilating dramatically.
Rose Vesper did not like Qin Chu; she felt a visceral disgust from the very first moment she saw him. The idea of marrying Qin Chu was absolutely out of the question.
Just sharing a carriage or breathing the same air as Qin Chu was enough to make Rose Vesper nauseous, and she already had appropriate reasons planned to reject him.
She might not accept Qin Chu, but she would never allow him to propose to anyone but herself.
In an instant, that beautiful visage even seemed somewhat fierce and twisted.
The weird silence lasted a good few seconds before the scene erupted into an uproar.
The nobles and young ladies huddled together, whispering among themselves, their gazes occasionally falling on Qin Chu, Angelica, and Rose Vesper, filled with suspicion.
Didn't the oracle say that the Holy Daughter would be the destined lover of Mr. Brave? So why would the hero choose a maid?
Could it be that Rose Vesper actually isn't the true Holy Daughter and Angelica is?
Although without any basis and none of the ladies daring to voice their doubts aloud, the seed of suspicion had already been planted and was just waiting to take root and grow.
The chatter, to Rose Vesper's ears, sounded like mockery directed at herself.
If Rose Vesper previously felt aversion and repulsion toward Qin Chu, now it had turned into hatred and bitterness.
On the other hand, Nadia's expression was quite weird, mixed with surprise, curiosity, and a tiny bit of jealousy.
Angelica was also shocked to be chosen, her face blushing, and the suspicious gazes coming from all directions made her flustered; it had been a long time since she had been scrutinized like this.
Her hand was grasped by Qin Chu, and it felt as if there was electricity coursing through her fingertips, her body unaccountably numb and tingling. The man's hand was warm, dispelling the cold and pain from her body and seemingly carrying a comforting warmth.
The Desire Touch began to take effect once more, and Angelica felt a strong impulse emerging deep within her.
Her mouth agape slightly, her eyes like silk, the strange reaction in her body and the sudden fluster made Angelica temporarily at a loss for how to respond.
Qin Chu merely smiled gently, his voice as tender as ever, "Gentle and beautiful lady, would you marry me?"
Gulp...
Angelica's throat moved nervously, and as Qin Chu had thought, although Angelica had been tricked by Rose Vesper once, this did not mean she was a fool.
After the brief shock, Angelica quickly calmed down, keenly aware that this was a good opportunity to escape Rose Vesper's clutches.
Even if this man was only attracted to her body, as long as she could break free from Rose Vesper's control and no longer endure the humiliation, bullying, beating, and torment, she would be willing to offer her pure body to this man tonight...
Whether in spirit or body, she had reached the brink of collapse. Angelica was like a person about to drown, desperately trying to clutch at the lifesaving straw. She was willing to take the gamble!
Taking a deep breath, Angelica mustered all her courage, her delicate, pink lips parting slightly, "I... I'm willing..."
"No, I do not agree..."
Just at that moment, a slightly sharp voice suddenly rang out from the side.
It was Rose Vesper.
That stunning face still bore a trace of distortion, her delicate cheeks alternately reddening and paling, her eyes wide open as if they were about to split.
In the depths of those eyes lay buried anger and hatred.
Qin Chu finally stood up, his eyes narrowing into a slit as he glanced at Rose Vesper, the corners of his mouth lifting in a slight arc, "Oh, Holy Daughter, why do you not agree?"
"I proposed to Angelica, and it has nothing to do with the Holy Daughter, right?"
Gulp...
Rose Vesper swallowed hard, her pretty face turning instantly pale.
She had acted impulsively, seeing Angelica about to agree and quickly speaking out to stop her, without thinking through her objections. But Rose Vesper was a smart woman. Suppressing the anger in her heart, she swiftly came up with an answer.
"Mr. Brave, please do not misunderstand."
"At this banquet, there are many princesses, ladies, and nuns. I won't stop you from liking any of them, but Angelica, absolutely not." Rose Vesper cleverly pulled all the women at the banquet, except Angelica, into her narrative, the implication clear: if you can thwart Mr. Brave's proposal to Angelica, then you all have a chance.
Some of the women, inspired by Rose Vesper's words, began to see hope again, a light flickering in their eyes.
Though he looked like an ordinary man, not at all standing out among princes and noble sons, he was the Brave. The title held an infinite allure; any woman who became the Brave's lover could soar in status, rising through the ranks effortlessly.
In an instant, countless gazes directed at Angelica filled with hostility.
With eyes full of disdain, hostility, and even what could be called murderous intent, Angelica bit her lower lip tightly, trembling all over.
Rose Vesper was truly terrifying—she had rallied all the other women at the banquet to her side with just a few simple words.
Qin Chu, of course, knew this but was indifferent, merely curious, "Why is Angelica not acceptable?"
"Because... this woman, once a Saintess Candidate of the Holy Court, cast a vicious curse on the other candidates during the selection process."
"She is a bad woman!"
With a swish, Angelica was struck as if by lightning, her face deathly pale, devoid of all color.
Her soft, golden eyes were vacant and filled with despair!
Even if Qin Chu had taken a liking to Angelica, surely after knowing how malicious and vile she was, he would reconsider.
If given another choice, she would be the most likely candidate.
Rose Vesper took a step forward, gently catching Qin Chu's hand, her bright, large eyes staring into his, twinkling with an unresolved concern, "There are many excellent girls here. Even though the oracle says I and Mr. Brave are destined lovers, it's fine if you choose another girl as long as you're happy, Rose Vesper will bless you."
"But Angelica is not an option. Although she has been by my side for three years, her true nature has not changed. If she were to become Mr. Brave's lover, I'm afraid she might repeat her old tricks."
"If Mr. Brave were to get hurt, Rose Vesper would be very upset."
No one could withstand her move.
Even Lord Jie Luo, though he had rejected her at the time, Rose Vesper could feel his fondness for her.
Qin Chu, of all people, would not stand a chance!
This was a sure win.