“Alright, I won’t joke with you anymore.” Movira’s tone was light as she pulled the topic back on track, as if that interlude just now had never happened.
“However, this matter of a title still needs to exist. We can’t keep letting you stay here without a proper name and status.
In a few days, after the matters of the Ashen Corridor are all finished, I will hold a formal ceremony.” Movira gazed into Seraphina’s eyes. This time she was truly serious.
“I will bestow upon you a formal title. The current Seraphina, no matter how you put it, is still only an informal king. Although the entire Demon Realm acknowledges your ability and status, in terms of legal principle, you have never received my formal investiture.”
These words somehow felt as if they were declaring something, leaving Seraphina also dazed.
She stared into Movira’s eyes, inside which surged emotions she could not understand yet that somehow left her flustered and uneasy.
“Alright…” Seraphina softly responded.
Just then, the study door was knocked upon, and Ailinuo pushed the door open and walked in.
She first looked at Movira in surprise as well, then saw Seraphina… His Highness was actually sitting on His Majesty’s lap again!
This familiar scene made Ailinuo’s cheeks flush a little as she greeted the two with increasing respect.
“Your Majesty, Your Highness.”
Seraphina felt as if she had grasped a life-saving straw and took the chance to try getting down from Movira’s lap.
She twisted her body a little, and this time she was released as she wished, allowing her to rapidly stand up.
Right now she couldn’t care so much about any disrespect toward Movira. What was the matter?
“What is it?” Although Seraphina’s first response was a little hasty, Ailinuo still lowered her eyes and answered, “Duke Dekrian requests an audience.”
“Dekrian? What is he here for?” Seraphina was a little surprised. Had some major event occurred again?
“I’ll go right away!” As she spoke, she straightened her clothes and walked quickly toward the door, trying to leave this atmosphere that made her face flush and heart race as soon as possible.
Movira watched her almost “fleeing in defeat” back view, then also leisurely stood up, wearing a smile as she unhurriedly followed after.
Arriving at the side hall, Dekrian was already seated upright in a chair. Upon seeing Seraphina, he immediately stood up. “Your Highness. It has been a long time.”
“There’s no need for you to be like this.” Seraphina walked to the seat opposite and sat down. “Coming suddenly—has something happened?”
Dekrian still wore that standard smile. “Your Highness is wise. Indeed there are matters of the Ashen Corridor that I need to report to you, after all you are the highest leader of the Ashen Corridor. In these past few months, all work of the Ashen Corridor has proceeded smoothly.” As he spoke, he handed over a document that was not particularly thick. “This is a summary report.”
It contained the area of all newly reclaimed land within the past half year, their location distributions, as well as preliminary reward suggestions for some who had outstanding merit. As for the subsequent matter of granting titles of nobility… that still required Your Highness’s final decision.
Seraphina took it and roughly flipped through it. The content, at a glance, was clear and orderly.
It seemed it was not some major matter, nor was there any crisis. But she changed her mind and looked toward Dekrian.
“These affairs could simply be sent by a messenger or something. Why did you still make a personal trip? We haven’t known each other for just one or two days. You know my habits. Speak directly. You have other purposes today, don’t you?”
She did not believe this shrewd Bloodborn duke would specially make a trip for such trivial matters. No matter how you calculated it, it was not worthwhile.
Having been pointed out, a bit of awkwardness flashed across Dekrian’s face, then he said with a bitter smile:
“I have always admired Your Highness’s insight. Since it is so, I will speak frankly. Coming today, besides official business, there is indeed an improper request, concerning my daughter Ailinuo.”
“Ailinuo? What’s wrong with her? Isn’t she doing quite well in the Demon King’s Castle?”
Dekrian lightly coughed and explained, “Your Highness is unaware. Among the Bloodborn, besides my own branch, there is no lack of families with considerable influence…” Before he finished speaking, Seraphina had already guessed eight or nine parts of it.
Combined with Ailinuo’s current age—
“Is it… that some major family has proposed marriage to Ailinuo?”
“Mm… precisely so. And… not just one family.
Ailinuo has only recently come of age, her appearance is also outstandingly beautiful, her temperament gentle and obedient, and she is a duke’s daughter. Being proposed to is inevitable. However, Seraphina had not expected it to be so fast.
In the days of Ailinuo’s coming-of-age ceremony, there had already been hints. At the time I temporarily pushed it aside on the grounds that she needed to go to the Demon King’s Castle. But a few days ago at the New Year gatherings of the various families, this matter was mentioned again, and the attitudes became even more explicit… On my side, it is truly difficult to directly refuse.”
Some face between fellow clansmen and the weighing of power and influence indeed made him, as a father, very troubled.
That pure appearance of Ailinuo’s that made one unable to help generating a desire to protect floated up in Seraphina’s mind. She felt a little angry, and her voice also grew much colder:
“Ailinuo has only just turned eighteen. In their eyes are they already this anxious to settle her lifelong matter? Isn’t that going too far. So, you’re finding it difficult to directly decline and want me to play this ‘villain’?”
Having his intention pointed out so bluntly, Dekrian’s old face flushed red. “No, not a ‘villain.’ Your Highness only needs to state that Ailinuo needs to remain in the Demon King’s Castle for a long time to assist in handling government affairs, and those people will naturally understand.”
Seraphina coldly snorted. “You, just say it directly from the start. Why bother taking such a big detour. Forget it. I’ll help with Ailinuo’s matter. I also don’t wish to see her troubled by these miscellaneous affairs so early. I’ll be this ‘villain.’
After you return, you can release the news. Just say it was me who said it: Ailinuo’s abilities are outstanding, and I cannot do without her! If anyone is unconvinced, let them come find me directly!”
Hearing this, Dekrian immediately revealed a grateful expression of relief. “Many thanks, Your Highness! Now I can rest easy. That Ailinuo can receive such regard and protection from Your Highness is her good fortune.”
That his daughter held such a high position in His Highness’s heart was something he had completely not anticipated, far exceeding his expectations.
Who knew, in a few more years he might no longer be able to climb high enough to match.
“By the way, Dekrian.” As the other was about to leave, Seraphina called out to him.
“Your Highness.”
“In a few days, I want to reform the system of the Ashen Corridor a little.”
Seraphina directly stated this matter. This was the best opportunity. Having just helped Dekrian with something, the other could not possibly refuse.
As expected, Dekrian did not understand what Seraphina intended to do, but the favor from just now had already been owed. Even if hesitant, he could only agree. “As long as it is Your Highness’s request, I will naturally support it.”
“Then that couldn’t be better. See you later.”
After Dekrian left, Movira arrived at Seraphina’s side almost in an instant.
And for this scene, Seraphina had long since grown used to seeing it.