Chapter 236: Isn't That Right?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 236: Isn't That Right?
The last rays of the setting sun vanished deep beneath the horizon. Even the breeze blowing from the riverbank carried the desolate, killing chill of late autumn.
The elegant, silver-haired girl stood there in her simple white dress, looking like a snow lotus blooming atop a mountain peak—breathtakingly beautiful and frigidly cold.
Her appearance caused the atmosphere of the scene to shift instantly. It was as if a new predator had broken into the hunting grounds; the other hunters immediately grew wary, narrowing their eyes and tensing their muscles, ready for anything.
Only the "Little White Rabbit" remained, shivering uncontrollably.
"Celicia, what... what are you doing here?"
Celicia didn't seem to notice Muen’s question. Her cold eyes swept casually over him before landing on the two beautiful girls by his side.
"Anna Kabulin?"
"It has been a long time, President."
Anna let go of Muen’s hand and nodded with a smile.
"It has been a long time. You seem to have changed quite a bit," Celicia said, eyeing her up and down.
"And you are as beautiful as ever, President."
Anna was likewise sizing up Celicia.
The girl before her had long hair that hung like the Milky Way and eyelashes that looked like frozen frost. Her face was exquisite, her gaze frigid. Though she wore only a simple white dress that didn't quite match her status, it only served to highlight her natural, peerless beauty.
Truly stunning, Anna thought to herself.
When it came to beauty, Anna considered herself second to none, but the ethereal, aloof aura Celicia possessed—like a snow lotus standing alone in the world—was something no one could hope to match or imitate.
Anna knew that for men, this "look but don't touch" temperament was the most provocative of flames.
Especially for a certain pervert.
"I remember... your name is An, right?"
Celicia turned her gaze toward An and spoke softly.
"We met at the Duke's Estate before. You are Muen’s personal maid."
"It is truly an honor to have my name remembered by Her Highness the Princess."
An also withdrew her hand, pinched the hem of her maid outfit, and performed a respectful curtsy.
In the presence of a Princess, for the sake of the Duke's Estate's reputation, she had to reclaim the poise of a perfect maid. Consequently, she could no longer hold onto Muen with such obvious intimacy.
"Mm."
Celicia nodded slightly and said nothing more, as if she were merely offering a simple greeting.
But immediately after, she looked toward Jin Ze. Specifically, at the shackles in his hands.
"Jin Ze, what do you think you're doing?"
"Th-that... Muen Campbell attacked me..."
"Even if he attacked you, as long as he isn't an evil believer, then this is merely a public security matter. Since when has the Silence Bureau’s reach grown so long that it has the authority to handle civil disturbances?"
Celicia narrowed her beautiful eyes and spoke coldly.
"This..."
Jin Ze froze for a moment, and then his expression immediately turned to one of excitement.
"Right! This is a public security matter! It's not my problem! Haha, not my problem at all!"
"Muen Campbell, you just wait! I'm going to the Guard Corps right now to report you! You're going to get exactly what's coming to you, just you wait!"
With that, Jin Ze bolted. He ran so fast that he vanished from sight in the blink of an eye.
Muen stared in the direction Jin Ze had fled, his face a mask of utter bewilderment.
He had so many complaints bottled up that he didn't even know where to start.
A public security matter? I didn't hit a civilian! Think about your status as a Silencer, man!
And what the hell is the Guard Corps going to do? Those useless drunkards wouldn't dare come within five miles of this place! Any single person here could crush them a hundred times over!
Muen felt like weeping.
By now, even the surrounding Silencers who had been watching the drama had withdrawn at some unknown point. On the silent street, only the four of them remained—one man and three women.
Without him realizing it, the three women had shifted into a subtle pincer formation, standing in a triangle. Muen was right in the dead center of that triangle.
What kind of ultimate stable structure is this? An structural engineer would weep with envy at this design!
But stay calm, Muen. You have to stay calm.
It’s not time to despair yet.
Think about it carefully. This triangle isn't so stable that it's hopeless. After all... no matter how you look at it, Celicia doesn't have any romantic feelings for me.
And with her personality, it’s impossible for her to get jealous or fight other women over a man.
The only bond between us is a piece of paper—an engagement. Though that engagement will soon become a formal betrothal, Celicia certainly won't let herself be bound by such a thing.
So, you're just passing through, right, Celicia?
Muen looked at Celicia expectantly.
Celicia’s gaze circled the group before finally returning to Muen.
Then, her pink lips parted. Amidst Muen’s hopeful anticipation, she spoke slowly:
"Muen Campbell, you're coming with me."
"..."
Cardiac arrest.
In an instant, Muen felt the atmospheric pressure on the field drop another level. The two gazes that had previously held a hint of respect for Celicia’s status turned icy in a heartbeat.
The equilateral triangle was now perfectly sealed.
"Wh-what?"
Muen’s teeth chattered as he asked tremulously, "W-why?"
"Because..."
Celicia was about to answer when she finally seemed to notice the bizarre atmosphere. Her gaze swept over An and Anna, her willow-like brows arching slightly. A faint curve suddenly traced her lips as she changed her answer:
"Do I need a reason to tell you to come with me?"
Dominant.
Powerful.
Unquestionable.
Even though the girl was just standing in front of him, Muen felt as if a cold, high-and-mighty "overbearing CEO" was looking down on him, stepping on his face with a porcelain foot clad in black stockings.
She’s so bossy, I love it...
Wait, is this the time for that?!
Why?!
Muen couldn't understand it.
Princess Celicia, why are you getting involved in this too?!
How is my little pond supposed to survive a Great White Shark like you thrashing around in it? Two of them were already terrifying enough!
"Wait a moment, Princess," An finally couldn't help but step forward. "The Young Master is still injured and needs to return to the Duke's Estate to recover. I'm afraid he cannot go with you."
"Exactly," Anna chimed in. "And taking someone away without any reason isn't quite right, is it? It doesn't exactly suit your status, President."
"Strange. If we're talking about recovering from injuries, what place could possibly have better facilities than the Imperial Palace?" Celicia responded casually.
An’s expression shifted slightly; she truly couldn't refute that.
"As for... status?"
Celicia continued, "That’s even stranger. If we're going by status, compared to those of you with 'unclear' relationships, shouldn't I be the one with the most right to take him away?"
As she spoke, Celicia turned her head. A phantom of a smile played on her lips as she gave Muen a deeply meaningful look.
"Isn't that right, my dear fiancé... who is due to be officially engaged to me in just a few months' time?"