Chapter 59: A Noble’s Scorn and a Princess’s Fury

After the minor commotion subsided, students began to arrive in a steady stream. Rather than forming organized ranks, they naturally gravitated into small, familiar clusters, drawn to those they already knew.

With more people came more potential for trouble, and Gern’s group, unfortunately, occupied a rather conspicuous spot.

The nobles from the Klett Kingdom, observing their Princess standing so intimately close to this man, naturally bristled with indignation.

“Young Master, isn’t that the same man who was seen drinking with Her Royal Highness the Princess the other day?”

“I’m not blind. It’s him.”

“Come, let’s go confront this favored man by the Princess’s side. I’m eager to see what special talent this lad possesses to have captured her heart.”

Gern, idly observing his surroundings, soon noticed a group of five approaching, led by a young man.

The man was strikingly handsome, clad in a brocade robe, his long black hair flowing in the breeze, lending him the air of a wandering knight.

“Greetings, Princess.”

Lilia shot the man a disgruntled glance. He was an old acquaintance, one who had previously pursued her affections.

Yet, unlike the boorish Anthony, this man was at least unwilling to shed his facade, maintaining the pretense of a gentleman.

Between Anthony’s bluntness and this man’s insidious nature, Lilia found the latter, who would stab you in the back, far more detestable.

After a single, cold glance, she offered a terse, one-word reply.

“Mm.”

Despite Lilia’s frigid demeanor, he betrayed not a hint of embarrassment, maintaining a cordial smile as he inquired, “And these individuals beside Your Royal Highness?”

Lilia sighed with an air of resignation. She truly wished to avoid any prolonged interaction with the man before her.

Yet, bound by the strictures of etiquette, she couldn’t simply ignore him, a fact that only fueled her disdain for him.

An uncouth lout like Anthony could be dismissed outright, but this man, with his overly polite facade, was a different matter. To send him away might invite unforeseen complications later.

As a princess of the Klett Kingdom, she was destined to inherit her father’s legacy and rule the realm.

Against such individuals, she currently had no effective means of recourse.

Fortunately, Hera possessed a keen sense of observation. Just as Lilia prepared to introduce her companions, Hera stepped forward with a warm smile.

“Greetings, young sir. I am Hera Lopez, the eldest princess of the Elven Forest.”

The man’s eyebrow arched slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his face at the sight of the young woman’s revealing attire.

Yet, his surprise quickly dissipated upon learning she was an elf. The elven concept of attire diverged significantly from that of humans.

They considered themselves darlings of nature, believing that clothing merely sullied their forms.

It was only after enduring the ravages of war for a time that they began to appreciate the utility of garments.

Even now, armor was reserved for battle; in their daily lives, they favored light, airy garments much like Hera’s.

“Ah, so it is Her Royal Highness, the Princess of the Elven Forest. My sincerest apologies for my oversight. I am Leon, the eldest son of the Florian family from the Klett Kingdom.”

Though his words conveyed deference, his eyes betrayed not a hint of genuine respect.

Leon’s gaze, hungry and possessive, roamed over Hera’s form, as if he wished to consume her entirely.

Hera was long accustomed to such rapacious stares. While she offered no outward protest, a definite sense of revulsion festered within her.

After offering a polite greeting, Hera subtly distanced herself, as if wary of any further entanglement with him.

Leon found her reaction unsurprising. Elves were exceptionally perceptive of others’ intentions; often, a mere glance was enough for an elf to grasp the unspoken meaning in one’s heart.

Hera’s wariness towards him was entirely natural.

Following Hera’s lead, Sina offered Leon a brief greeting as well.

Leon, however, seemed to hold no particular interest in Sina. After a perfunctory greeting, his gaze settled squarely on Gern.

“And who might this gentleman be?”

Gern’s eyes narrowed imperceptibly. He recognized the man before him; this very individual had been present when Gern, in his Silver Dragon Girl form, had first encountered Lilia.

He had even stumbled upon Gern and Lilia sharing drinks. Clearly, this fellow harbored a tenacious pursuit of Lilia.

“Greetings. You may simply call me Gern.”

“Oh? Gern, you say? And might I inquire as to your esteemed father’s position within the kingdom?”

Upon hearing the question, Gern’s brow furrowed. His parents had both perished in the war years ago, and this sudden mention stirred a wave of displeasure within him.

Still, he found himself unable to lash out, as the man was presumably unaware of his circumstances. Thus, he replied with a touch of diplomacy.

“My father, though humble, once served as a commander in the kingdom’s forces. He fell in battle several years past.”

“Ah, a commander’s son, you say? I’ve heard much of your esteemed lineage.”

“The rank of commander forms the very bedrock of the kingdom’s military. It’s truly remarkable that Brother Gern’s father contributed so significantly to the realm.”

“I have always held simple, honest folk in high regard. Might we share a few drinks another day?”

Gern tilted his head, scrutinizing him, a prickle of unease already stirring within him.

He then recalled that both Hera and Sina had appended their family names when introducing themselves.

As a mere commoner, he possessed no such thing as a family surname.

This fellow, whose name coincidentally echoed that of a certain Heretic God cult, was clearly employing veiled sarcasm to highlight Gern’s humble origins, subtly broadcasting his perceived mediocrity to those nearby.

He was, in essence, reminding Lilia that Gern was merely a commoner, unfit to stand among them or engage in their conversation.

A cold, dismissive sneer touched Gern’s lips as he fixed his gaze directly on Leon.

“Alas, I’m not much of a drinker, so I must respectfully decline.”

“Now, now, that simply won’t do! You shared countless cups with Her Royal Highness the Princess just the other day. How can you claim to be a poor drinker now?”

“Unless, of course, the Princess, in her magnanimity, was merely indulging you that day?”

“All those present that day were scions of nobility. Surely, you wouldn’t wish to deny such an esteemed gathering?”

With the conversation having devolved to this point, Gern had no intention of holding back. He let out a chilling sneer, and within his clenched fists, battle qi began to subtly coalesce.

“So, if I understand correctly, you imply that I have no choice but to attend this ‘drinking party’?”

“Oh, heavens no! How could you suggest such a thing? I merely wished to offer a gentle reminder: if one lacks the inherent strength, it is best not to harbor delusions of touching things beyond one’s reach.”

“Lest you find yourself without a grave when the time comes.”

Leon’s face held a faint, patronizing smile, as though he were an old friend offering Gern a well-meaning warning.

Just as he was about to continue, Lilia’s fists clenched tightly at her sides.

“Enough!”

“Get out…”

Leon’s smile vanished, replaced by an expression of profound shock and bewilderment.

“Your Royal Highness, you…”

“I said, Leon, get out! Get out of my sight!”

“But…”

Leon hesitated for a moment, but by then, Lilia’s patience had completely snapped. She stepped forward and delivered a resounding slap across his face.

“Your Royal Highness!”

Leon had utterly failed to anticipate Lilia’s physical retaliation, and the shock on his face deepened into pure disbelief.

“Get out! Don’t force me to draw my sword!”

In the next instant, a longsword materialized sharply in Lilia’s hand.

Seeing that Lilia was truly prepared to act, Leon dared not utter another word. He merely shot Gern a venomous glare before fleeing as if his life depended on it.

****