Alan?!
Everyone in the banquet hall stared at Alan, their mouths agape and faces filled with astonishment.
Duke Alice actually knew Alan!
Not only that, but she even addressed him respectfully as "young master"!
It was well-known that Duke Alice possessed exceptional talent, unparalleled strength, and an extraordinary background that left others in awe.
She was also famously proud and aloof.
For her to address someone with such respect was an extremely rare occurrence.
Instantly, all eyes turned to Alan, filled with shock and curiosity.
Who exactly was this Alan?
Even Audrey, who was naturally proud to her core, gazed at Alice in disbelief.
As the only female duke of the Plantagenet Kingdom, Alice was a household name.
Many people would go to great lengths and spare no expense to forge a connection with her.
Yet, those who earned her respect were almost nonexistent, especially among her peers. Such recognition was nearly unheard of!
What made this Alan so special?
The second prince's expression also darkened as he observed Alan.
Duke Alice actually knew Alan—and seemed to have a good relationship with him!
A trace of regret flickered through the second prince's heart.
It seemed he had missed an excellent opportunity to build a valuable connection and strengthen his relationship with Duke Alice!
As Alice approached him, Alan nodded slightly and said, "As you wish."
At that moment, one of the second prince's advisors stepped forward with excitement and said,
"Duke Alice, Alan insulted Miss Audrey earlier and disrupted the banquet with violence!"
Alice glanced at him.
The young man puffed out his chest proudly and added, "Duke Alice, I am the second son of House White. I was present when you challenged my elder brother!"
He hoped that earning Duke Alice's recognition would elevate his status both within his family and as an advisor to the second prince.
After he spoke, everyone turned their attention to Alice.
Alice looked at Alan, who remained silent and made no effort to explain himself.
Worried that Alice might be misled, Isabella anxiously interjected,
"Duke Alice, they were the ones bullying us. They were targeting my brother…"
In a few succinct words, Isabella explained the events leading up to the confrontation.
Hearing this, Alice's expression immediately turned cold as she directed her gaze at Audrey.
Audrey's pupils constricted under Alice's sharp stare, and a sense of unease flashed across her heart.
Although the Chrysanthemum family had a long and prestigious history, it was nothing compared to Alice.
From what Audrey knew, the power behind Alice was unimaginably vast.
Even organizations as influential as the Church of Steam and Magic and Lioncrest Academy, which spanned multiple kingdoms, avoided offending her.
As Audrey's unease grew, Alice spoke slowly:
"Audrey, the Chrysanthemum family may have a long noble lineage, but I see no trace of noble grace in you. Remember, you don't just represent yourself—you represent House Chrysanthemum. Let this be the last time."
For Audrey, who valued her reputation above all, being reprimanded by Alice in front of everyone was the harshest punishment imaginable.
Yet, in the face of Alice, she didn't dare utter a single word of protest.
Audrey clenched her skirt tightly, her silence drawing Alice's continued scrutiny.
"Are you unwilling to admit your mistake, or do you think you've done nothing wrong?" Alice asked sharply.
Not one to show leniency, Alice unleashed an overwhelming pressure, a force that seemed to compress the entire space around her.
Audrey's body trembled under the suffocating weight. The invisible force squeezed her from all sides, and with a muffled groan, her legs sank deep into the floor.
As Audrey was utterly suppressed, many of the young elites present broke out in cold sweats, trembling uncontrollably.
The hall fell deathly silent. Even Audrey's admirers didn't dare to plead for her.
Under Alice's oppressive aura, beads of sweat formed on Audrey's once-proud face, which now brimmed with unwillingness.
As the Chrysanthemum family's star prodigy, she had always been a dominant presence wherever she went.
But now, she was utterly overpowered, unable to muster any resistance.
Just as Audrey seemed about to be crushed into the ground, an elderly woman in a regal gown approached. Bowing respectfully to Alice, she spoke apologetically:
"Honorable Duke Alice, I humbly ask for your forgiveness on Miss Audrey's behalf. Please consider this a mistake of youth. House Chrysanthemum will forever cherish your goodwill."
Alice lowered her gaze slightly. The overwhelming pressure she had exerted on Audrey disappeared without a trace, as if it had never existed.
Freed from the suffocating force, Audrey collapsed to the ground, her chest heaving as she struggled to breathe.
Alice surveyed both Audrey and the elderly woman, her tone cold as she said,
"Alan is my friend. If House Chrysanthemum has any objections to what happened today, they are welcome to bring them directly to me. However, if anyone dares to target Alan or his sister in secret, it will be considered a declaration of war against me."
The elderly woman dared not argue and quickly responded, "This was all a misunderstanding. I will personally report this matter to the head of the family."
With that, she helped Audrey to her feet, and the two left the hall.
Alice then turned her frosty gaze toward the second prince, her demeanor icy.
The second prince's expression grew grave. From Alice's treatment of Audrey, it was clear that her relationship with Alan was anything but ordinary.
"Second prince," Alice began, her tone cutting, "the Plantagenet Kingdom is already surrounded by enemies, teetering on the brink of collapse. Now, when we finally have someone as talented as Alan, you suppress him just to curry favor with Audrey? Do you realize the harm you're doing to the kingdom?"
Alice's reprimand struck the second prince like a thunderbolt, sinking his heart.
He knew very well that Alice held a uniquely elevated status within the Plantagenet Kingdom.
Even his father, the king of the Plantagenet Kingdom, showed her a measure of reverence.
Respect? No, it was awe.
If Alice decided on something, even the king himself would do everything in his power to support her.
With the Plantagenet Kingdom beset by enemies on all sides, it was Alice's extraordinary talent and influence that deterred those ambitious neighboring kingdoms, maintaining a delicate balance in these tumultuous times.
The second prince shuddered at the thought: if Alice grew to despise him, the throne he considered within reach might suddenly become impossibly distant.
Alice's voice interrupted his thoughts, calm yet commanding:
"Since this is your first offense, I suggest future banquets welcoming Lioncrest Academy students be entrusted to someone else."
The second prince hastily nodded in agreement and quickly departed, unwilling to linger a moment longer.
Seeing that the matter had been settled, Alice turned to Alan, gesturing politely:
"Shall we, Alan?"
Alan nodded, but glanced at Isabella with a hint of concern.
"I'd like to bring her along," he said.
Alice smiled faintly. "Bring her with you."
With that, she led Alan and Isabella upstairs, their departure watched by countless astonished eyes.
...
"To think Alan and Duke Alice are so familiar with each other…"
The banquet hall was filled with expressions of shock and regret.
Many had seen Alan earlier but dismissed him as someone with no background, unwilling to engage. Now, they were nearly beating their chests in remorse.
...
On the third floor, Alice invited Alan and Isabella into a private tearoom.
The room was spacious, serene, and completely insulated from the outside. A faint aroma of tea filled the air.
Alice poured each of them a cup of tea and remarked with a touch of admiration:
"When we last met, you were just a Tier-Iron Level 10 Magus. Now, you've comprehended Blade Spirit, mastered Insightful Heart, and could likely overpower even a late-stage Tier-Bronze Mage."
Alan nodded but stared at Alice curiously.
"Why is it that I feel I have no secrets in front of you?"
Alice chuckled softly. "There are few people in this world I can't see through."
She pointed to her eyes. "It's a gift."
Alan didn't press further. Many of the world's renowned prodigies possessed unique talents, often guarded secrets.
The fact that Alice openly shared hers with him was a sign of her trust.
It made Alan realize just how extraordinary Alice truly was. It was no wonder the second prince and the Plantagenet Kingdom's nobility treated her with such deference.
After a moment of thought, Alice spoke again, her voice light but inquisitive:
"I heard that someone brazenly attacked the Sacred Battle Legion of the Barton Kingdom in Ironblood City. Was that you?"
Alan nodded. "The Barton Kingdom was running rampant—I couldn't stand it, so I acted. But I didn't think such news would reach someone as busy as you."
Alice smiled faintly. "The third princess, a close friend of mine, wrote to tell me about it."
Alan was taken aback. "Of course. The third princess is leading forces against foreign armies, and Duke Alice challenges the top talents of other kingdoms. I should have realized."
It was only natural that two of the most exceptional women in the Plantagenet Kingdom would be close friends.
Alice took a sip of her tea, her golden hair and azure eyes radiating an angelic aura. Every move she made seemed to carry an indescribable grace and harmony.
Alan found himself momentarily mesmerized until Alice set her teacup down, pulling him back to reality.
"Alan, the capital is unlike anywhere else. Beyond the battles for strength and resources, it's a place of political and personal struggles, rife with hidden dangers. Be careful."
Her tone was serious, and Alan nodded, already feeling the weight of her words after today's events.
"Thank you for today. If you're feeling up for it, shall we spar again sometime?"
Alan was currently at a bottleneck in his growth and needed to challenge true top-tier talents to push himself further.
Alice smiled but shook her head. "Let's wait until you reach Tier-Bronze. Then we'll duel."
Tier-Bronze.
Alan nodded, understanding that breaking through would bring him a transformative leap in strength.
After chatting for a while longer, Alan and Isabella excused themselves.
...
Once they left, the tranquil tearoom fell silent.
The elderly woman who had been quietly attending Alice stepped forward.
"Miss, you and he come from two different worlds. Would it not be better to cut ties completely, lest…"
Alice cast a glance at her, her voice steady. "Alan is my friend. To harm him is to declare war on me."
The elderly woman sighed and said, "Severing ties would be the best protection for him.
Alan's talent is indeed remarkable, but compared to you, the gap is still too vast. If he remains a simple friend, it's fine, but…"
She hesitated, her gaze complicated as she looked at Alice.
Having served Alice for many years, this was the first time she had seen her show such concern for a peer. It wasn't a good sign.
Alice, sensing her protector's thoughts, spoke plainly:
"What I value in Alan isn't just his talent—it's his character.
"To his friends and his enemies, he is clear about justice and retribution. His actions in Ironblood City showed his courage and resolve. If everyone in the Plantagenet Kingdom had such spirit, would we be trampled by other kingdoms?"
Hearing Alice's praise, the elderly woman's heart sank. She was about to respond when Alice turned and left the room.
The protector sighed deeply.
"Alan… I hope you harbor no unrealistic dreams. Otherwise, you'll face a reality of helplessness and despair you can't imagine…"
To her, Alice was like a shining moon in the night sky, and Alan was but a dim spark of light.
...
On the way back to Harris's estate, Isabella grinned and teased,
"Miss Alice is so kind and beautiful. I wonder who will be lucky enough to marry her someday."
She then turned to Alan, her tone playful.
"Brother, do you like Miss Alice?"
"Alice has everything she could want and is kind to everyone. You think someone like her would suit me?" Alan shook his head.
"So you do like her!"
Alan gave her a light tap on the head. "Stop with your nonsense. Go rest early and stop overthinking things."
With a sweet smile, Isabella replied, "I just want to stay by your side and help cure you."
"Brother, you're the best. I'll always stay with you!"