At that moment, it seemed as if the surrounding sounds were completely muted, leaving only the two people staring at each other.
Fang Li gazed at Emilia, who was standing in front of him, without speaking.
Emilia, on the other hand, was full of surprise, shock, and unease.
"Why...why?" Emilia asked in a stunned tone.
Emilia's reaction was somewhat exaggerated but understandable as she never wanted Fang Li to get involved in the Royal Selection.
Fang Li had already expressed his lack of interest in the Royal Selection and the two had gone their separate ways in the capital.
This had left Emilia feeling uneasy, fearing that Fang Li would disappear and never return.
Yet here he was, showing up at the one place Emilia least wanted him to be.
Fang Li sighed and gave a simple answer.
"Perhaps this is just fate."
Just a few words, yet Emilia understood the complex reasons behind his presence.
"But..." Emilia's eyes darted to Priscilla's body, and her voice grew quieter, almost whispering, "Why did you come here with her?"
This was the source of Emilia's unease.
After all, Priscilla was one of the Royal Selection candidates and clearly a rival.
If Fang Li was with Priscilla, anyone would immediately assume he was part of her camp.
In other words, Emilia feared that Fang Li's previous proximity to her might have been a strategic ploy on Priscilla's behalf.
Had it not been for the month Fang Li spent with her, including the two times he saved her, Emilia might have believed this theory.
Of course, Emilia's supporters shared similar suspicions.
"Though I never expected Fang Li to appear like this, I had a feeling you would show up," Roswaal said.
Roswaal, dressed in his usual flamboyant style, smiled at Fang Li. "Could it be you came here out of concern for Emilia?"
Roswaal's statement implied Fang Li was not on Priscilla's side.
Both Emilia and Priscilla understood what he meant.
"How naive," Priscilla chuckled. "Regardless of what side he's on, if I want him to come, he will. Besides, he's going to be my future husband."
"Husband?" Roswaal was taken aback.
"Husband?" Emilia's eyes widened.
No one had expected this possibility, especially those who knew Fang Li.
Unfortunately, Fang Li did not show any reaction to the situation. Instead, he simply brushed it off with a dismissive remark.
"You take yourself too seriously," Fang Li said with a hint of disdain.
This lack of emotion only confirmed to everyone that the idea of him being Priscilla's husband was unfounded.
Al, meanwhile, found the whole situation amusing. "Wow, Priscilla got rejected again! What a rare sight," he commented with a grin.
Priscilla didn't seem as shocked this time. She simply brushed it off.
"I've already said that the process doesn't matter as long as the result is the same," Priscilla declared with arrogant confidence.
"Once I've declared someone my husband, he will inevitably become my husband in the end."
Leaving behind such self-assured words, Priscilla continued walking forward without looking back.
"Truly a woman blessed with the world at her feet," Al said, following after her.
"I won't disturb the two of you any longer," Roswaal remarked with a smirk as he left.
Finally, only Fang Li and Emilia remained standing together.
"I..." Emilia was at a loss for words.
Her thoughts were in turmoil. She never wanted Fang Li to get involved in the Royal Selection, yet here he was.
Emilia had feared he would leave and never return, but now he was here in a place she least expected.
Seeing Emilia's confusion, Fang Li spoke to her.
"Don't overthink it. Just go about your business as usual."
His calm demeanor helped soothe Emilia's mind.
Seeing this, Emilia felt a sense of relief.
(Indeed, he's still the Fang Li I know...) she thought.
He's always calm and unshaken. Being around him brought a sense of tranquility.
Over the past month, Emilia had lost count of how many times she found herself at peace around him.
Despite feeling calmer, Emilia still had many things she wanted to express to Fang Li.
She didn't want him to step into this world, yet he had come.
She came here thinking she might never see him again, but he was here now.
With all these emotions swirling inside, Emilia found herself speechless.
Fang Li seemed to understand what Emilia was thinking and gave her a piece of advice.
"Don't hold back. Just say what you truly want to say."
Her true thoughts? Emilia placed a hand on her chest as if asking her heart for the answer.
What was Emilia's true desire at that moment?
Undoubtedly, it was one thing.
Emilia opened her purple eyes and looked at Fang Li.
A smile gradually spread across her face.
"Being able to see you again... is a blessing."
Yes.
This was Emilia's true desire.
Without any other reasoning, it was purely her wish.
Fang Li offered her a gentle smile in return.
There was only one answer.
"I feel the same way."
...
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