Chapter 2: The Angel’s Predicament

Lucia, brimming with curiosity, pressed the blue crystal to her ear.

A man’s voice, seemingly aged, emanated from the crystal. “Duke Yass is far too deluded,” the voice declared. “We absolutely cannot agree to this.”

“The Duchy of Yass controls the fertile northern lands, its power at its zenith. Duke Yass, a descendant of a founding hero, has also begun to show signs of defiance against the Royal Family. This matter requires a cautious response.”

Lucia’s brows furrowed slightly, a hint of worry clouding her eyes.

‘Seriously? I was just planning to live out my days as a docile puppet of the Royal Family, and now you can’t even hold your ground?’

She listened intently for a moment longer, gradually piecing together the full story. It seemed Duke Yass, having achieved great merits that were difficult to reward, was now seizing the opportunity to demand a precious artifact from the Royal Family. The Royal Family, finding themselves in a predicament, had convened a meeting to discuss it.

After much deliberation, one thing was clear: the artifact could not be relinquished. The matter of how to appease him would be discussed at a later date.

“Your Majesty, our scouts have returned with news from the Elf Empire. The Elf Empress has also made a move internally; they—”

The council hall erupted into a flurry of further discussion. In essence, the Elf Empire was also making moves, coveting the supreme treasure held by the Valga Royal Family.

Their words hinted at the Elf Empress’s talent and striking beauty, even mentioning that the old king had once hoped to form a marriage alliance with her in his youth, only to be rejected. The Empress, it was noted, remained unmarried to this day.

When it was finally revealed that the Empress also sought something from Valga today, the old king seemed to finally vent his long-held frustration. His tone held both the indignation of being coveted and the superiority of one who had risen above.

‘Thirty years to the east of the river, thirty years to the west. Don’t bully a young man in poverty—no, that’s not right…’

Lucia’s frown deepened, troubled by the Valga Royal Family’s predicament.

The Kingdom of Valga, her long-term meal ticket, was now facing a sense of crisis, besieged on all sides.

However, the Kingdom of Valga was a first-rate power on the continent, having emerged victorious in the last war for supremacy. Even if other factions coveted the Valga Royal Family’s supreme treasure, they would not dare to easily initiate a war.

Her meal ticket, for now, should be safe.

Lucia reassured herself, continuing to listen to the meeting. Having heard two pieces of news concerning the Royal Family’s supreme treasure, she, too, grew curious about the coveted artifact.

“Your Majesty, the Southern Alliance’s offensive and defensive treaty proposal has been drafted and submitted. If we can secure the Southern Alliance, the Kingdom’s position will be even more stable.”

“Good. Present the treaty. I shall examine it personally.”

A silence fell over the council hall, swiftly broken by the enraged roar of His Majesty.

“Damn the Southern Alliance! How dare a mere tribal confederation covet the Valga Royal Family’s supreme treasure! This treaty will not be signed!”

Lucia flinched at the sharp bellow, surmising that the treaty must have stipulated the Royal Family surrender their supreme treasure in exchange, thus provoking such a furious outburst from His Majesty.

Lucia grew even more curious about this supreme treasure. What exactly was it that could incite such overt and covert struggles among various factions?

Just as Lucia was about to delve into her own imaginings, she heard the old king speak, and quickly straightened her posture, inclining her ear to listen.

“The Valga Royal Family’s supreme treasure must never be touched by others!”

“The bloodline of the angels belongs solely to the Valga Royal Family!”

Lucia was stunned. ‘The treasure… is me!’

Even more shocking news soon followed from the council hall: “Aida, what progress has been made on the marriage alliance between the Valga Royal Family and the angel?”

“Reporting, Your Majesty, the angel is not yet of marriageable age. My plan is to announce the engagement between the Valga Royal Family and the angel to all nations after the Grand Sacrifice.”

Lucia was stunned a second time. ‘I’m being forced into an arranged marriage!’

“That’s not enough! I want to integrate the angel’s bloodline into the Valga Royal Family, to have Valga act upon heavenly decree and become the代理人 of the gods! The marriage will proceed immediately after the Grand Sacrifice, severing their hopes entirely.”

Aida hesitated briefly. “Yes.”

Lucia was stunned a third time. ‘I’m getting married!’

Lucia instinctively glanced at the full-length mirror. The girl reflected there was still unrefined. Based purely on her appearance, whether she could even be called a maiden was debatable. She clearly wasn’t ready for marriage.

Lucia quickly scrambled to the mirror, scrutinizing her current appearance.

Apart from a captivating pair of eyes that held the glimmer of stars, the girl’s facial features were finely sculpted and perfectly proportioned. She truly lived up to the visage of an angel.

She wore a light, gauzy gown, the same color as her waist-length, snow-white hair. Her skin was like solidified cream, and her youthful figure still had room to grow. But now, there was no time left for her to grow.

Today was the Grand Sacrifice, followed immediately by marriage, then ten months of pregnancy, childbirth, becoming a mother, and raising a child? No way!

Escape!

She absolutely had to escape!

Lucia clutched her backside, her expression resolute. For the sake of her chastity, she was prepared to abandon the privileged life of the Valga Royal Family.