“Just say it straight—what’s the matter?” Lin Nuo asked.
“Uh… it’s about you and the Princess’s engagement being moved up, and starting the marriage chamber tonight.”
“Ton… ‘cough cough’! No way.”
Lin Nuo refused on the spot.
“Tell Mother that Fatty Bird is about to have little Fatty Bird. I’m busy lately…”
“Sigh! Lin Nuo, really!”
The noble voice carried a faint reproach as it drew near.
Just as Lin Nuo was about to leave, Mother Puli tugged him to her side.
“Where’s that courage you showed earlier in front of so many guests?”
Sure enough, Mother began to nag: “Your father even praised you for agreeing to the Princess’s request to place the Blessing Statue in the Sacred Relic Hall. He said you’ve grown up, and you don’t seem to dislike Amidina that much. We’re just trying to get you two to handle the things couples have to do sooner or later. And yet you come up with that Fatty Bird pregnancy excuse to dodge it!”
“Chirp chirp!”
Fatty Bird flew into Puli’s arms, as if joining in her complaint about Lin Nuo bullying the little bird.
“You did say she’s my fiancée.”
Lin Nuo deliberately emphasized the last three words.
Seeing Mother’s firm insistence, he silently looked up to the sky.
Although he had anticipated being urged, this pace was just too fast.
“Amidina is a good girl; she just seems a bit cold in personality,” as if knowing her foolish son would make a hundred excuses, Puli added:
“It won’t take long—just a few days. Once you understand what Amidina has gone through, you’ll share the same protective feelings that your father and I have for her. She really is a good child… Your father and I have always respected your choices, but on this matter…”
“If Amidina agrees, we still hope you’ll consider it. You’ll never think we’re putting you in a difficult position.”
Buzz—
Those words seemed to strike a nerve.
Lin Nuo vaguely sensed the problem he had long ignored.
The original plot only recorded Amidina being humiliated by him, threatened with the gold-and-stone statue, and almost being forced into the marriage chamber.
She was saved by Feng Aotian passing by, who knocked him out and then embraced Amidina on the wedding bed.
The next day, Xiafuya hurriedly left to fight monsters as planned, taking with her a completely disheartened Amidina and leaving the Clemence family behind…
But Lin Nuo had never thought—what if Amidina had stayed in the castle this time?
Since childhood… was there some mystery surrounding Amidina’s origins?
Born into the Angel-blessed Sword Family devoted to the Archangel, with a mother who died young, unloved by her father and everyone in the Duke’s Mansion…
Such a background shouldn’t lead Mother to speak so highly of her after just meeting her.
‘Original plot, original plot… ugh!’
Lin Nuo knew the original plot, but it mostly focused on romance, lovey-dovey moments… and indispensable risqué scenes.
As for other serious content…
Tsk, do you expect a story that starts off with a little group’s daily life to write four chapters about serious things?
Eight years ago, to escape an impending yandere crisis, Lin Nuo followed the Saint Knight Order to the harbor and was caught in a sea battle.
He already realized he was not omniscient.
The book didn’t mention that sea battle, but that didn’t mean this parallel world, which was real to Lin Nuo now, hadn’t experienced it.
Amidina’s background hadn’t been revealed much either.
If Mother said that, could there really be key hidden details behind Amidina’s story that the original plot never touched on?
“Anyway, stop asking so many questions. Your father and I wouldn’t harm you.”
“Besides, even if you’re reluctant, you can’t just ignore Amidina on her very first day here, chatting away so long with those stunning female guests…”
Perhaps feeling it was futile to persuade him, Puli sighed and then entrusted Hans, “Hans, you talk some sense into him.”
“Yes, yes, Master Lin Nuo, Madam’s advice is correct.”
Hans stroked his mustache, raised his eyebrows, and began:
“In my opinion, the young lady who just spoke with you is indeed somewhat pretty, but compared to Her Highness the Princess… uh… it’s like young Master Lin Nuo compared to me—both have their merits, hard to say which is better, but the latter has a certain mature charm like aged rum…”
“…”
“Master, have I convinced you that the Princess is more suitable? What are you looking for?”
“The trash bin—you disgust me, I’m going to throw up.”
“…”
The old butler fell silent, aggrieved.
Lin Nuo was even more speechless.
‘Are you two rehearsing a comedy skit?’
Not bothering with plots anymore, he took Mother’s arm: “Mother, why don’t we talk about what to eat tonight first?”
“Eh, I haven’t finished telling you the important stuff yet. What about food—”
“I want roast flower duck, roast young chicken, roast gosling, and braised salted duck…”
“You little rascal, always joking around…”
“Madam, it’s fine. I also think the girl who spoke to Master Lin Nuo earlier is exactly the kind of face a normal man would want to get close to.”
A cold female voice carried a unique ethereal quality.
It seemed that after today’s surprisingly respectful treatment at Claremont Manor, Amidina had already started to blend in here.
Lin Nuo met her beautiful peach blossom eyes and seemed to catch a subtle teasing tone in her words.
Seated among the scattered guests, staring at Yulilian eating watermelon, Feng Aotian secretly comparing who was more magnificent, also looked at Amidina.
But unlike Feng Aotian’s gaze, Lin Nuo saw that Amidina approached like a savior:
“Madam, as the lady of the Duke’s Mansion, arranging such an important matter should first ask if Her Highness the Princess agrees. To propose marriage and consummate the union less than a day after we meet isn’t very proper noble etiquette.”
She tossed the question that had long troubled him straight back at Puli with sparkling clarity.
Puli’s face showed a hint of embarrassment.
“Amidina, you’ve just arrived here and probably heard everything…”
Lin Nuo whistled softly.
Even his endlessly nagging Mother momentarily stumbled over her words.
Was there any need to press for an answer?
Puli said, “We intended to ask your opinion before moving the engagement along quickly, but considering you’ve just arrived at the Clemence family manor and castle and are still unfamiliar…”
“Though admittedly it was a bit abrupt.”
Amidina replied, “Madam, I have already felt your sincerity and that of everyone here. If you and the Duke both think this engagement with the Clemence family is bound to be fulfilled sooner or later, and now is the more appropriate time to advance it, I am willing to consider it and give you an answer later.”
“Pfft—”