“This is nothing more than possessiveness.”
Grand Duke Veronica shook her head on the spot, wanting Luo Xiya to come to her senses.
“You’re right, but also not quite.”
Luo Xiya continued, “Possessiveness is certainly a part of it, because that’s just one aspect of love. If I didn’t like him, what would it matter to share him with others?”
“But Mother, love isn’t just about possessiveness. It’s also about supporting each other, helping each other, and giving to one another.”
“I’m willing to share everything I have with him, even things he doesn’t want—I’d still want to force them on him. But I would never deprive him of anything just for my own selfishness, even if I think it’s for his own good.”
“And we trust each other completely. He believes that I’d never make him do anything he doesn’t want to do, but actually, I feel that if I truly wanted him to do something, he would never refuse me.”
“Mother, let me ask you—would you still call that possessiveness?”
Grand Duke Veronica, suddenly fed a mouthful of such words, was genuinely at a loss for words at her precious daughter’s logic, for it was already beyond her common sense.
“So you’re saying you must marry him?” Her tone grew a little annoyed and embarrassed.
Luo Xiya just let out a few light hums, not responding further.
She wasn’t someone who didn’t know her place.
There was no need to make a scene with her mother; just show her resolve for now.
After all, this sort of thing would take a long time, and by the time she had more say in things, her mother’s opposition probably wouldn’t be so strong anymore.
The thoughts Grand Duke Veronica had just let go of now rose up again in her heart, burning with irritation.
That Roman—what a troublemaker!
In her fit of embarrassment and anger, Grand Duke Veronica thought of Roman’s pitiful, alluring demeanor around Luo Xiya, and couldn’t help but curse him inwardly as a little troublemaker.
Looking again at Luo Xiya’s seemingly calm yet resolutely determined expression, she could only temporarily drop the topic.
Of course, she couldn’t help but jab at Luo Xiya one last time: “How many times have you done that sort of thing with him?”
Luo Xiya’s calm expression suddenly showed signs of cracking, her lips twitching in a peculiarly awkward way.
“Why are you asking about that?”
Her tone finally began to weaken.
A faint curve finally appeared at Veronica’s lips as she sneered, “Do you think I don’t know your temperament? Why else do you think I’d be worried about this?”
Other noble ladies, in pursuit of pleasure, would have their men take medicine beforehand or forbid them from finishing inside.
Knowing her own daughter’s temperament, and with Luo Xiya’s earlier statements, she couldn’t help but be on guard.
In fact, it was just as she suspected.
Luo Xiya would never make Roman take those harmful medicines, and, indulging in momentary pleasure, had never told Roman not to finish inside.
Every time, she would even clamp down on Roman’s waist, holding him tightly inside…
Ahem, back to the point.
Luo Xiya, with perfect composure, explained clearly to Veronica, “I won’t suddenly make you a grandmother, so you can rest assured.”
“Hmph, you’d better not…”
Veronica muttered, though even she sounded a little contradictory.
She had no interest in men, but for the sake of the family and her own preferences, she did have a soft spot for cute, pink-cheeked children.
If Luo Xiya really did make her a grandmother early, she’d probably just accept it with a resigned sigh.
With that, the two finally stopped talking.
Veronica had finally come to understand what Roman meant to Luo Xiya, and fell into her own worries, afraid that Roman would affect Luo Xiya’s future.
Luo Xiya, on the other hand, felt much more at ease.
When dealing with her mother, as long as she stabilized the situation at the start, she could handle whatever came afterward however she liked.
“Milady, we’re almost there.”
The night always seemed so uncertain.
Just as Luo Xiya caught the first rays of dawn on the distant horizon, the Gryphon Riders surrounding them spoke up to remind her.
Looking at the city in the distance, already showing signs of life, and the tightly shut bronze gates, Luo Xiya couldn’t help but raise her brows in excitement, her lips curving as she grew eager with anticipation.
Finally, they had arrived—Saint City Osiris.
As the Gryphon Riders landed, Luo Xiya’s sapphire eyes swept around.
The area surrounding the Holy City was already packed with tents, forming camp after camp.
“These are rest areas the Cathedral prepared for the embassies of all the major nations.”
A Gryphon Rider approached Veronica to explain.
Luo Xiya looked around.
Though they were all tents, the colors and patterns clearly marked out the different embassies.
For example, the Aingloran Empire’s symbol was the six-petaled Sakura Laurant Flower.
The nobles of Violet Sakura who had already arrived immediately recognized the renowned Grand Duke Veronica Kelden, and hurried over to exchange greetings, falling into the habit of chatting about family matters.
Luo Xiya only found their chatter noisy, silently gazing at the distant walls of the Holy City.
Though the gates were tightly shut, nuns were already standing atop the walls, ready to welcome them.
Almost there.
Luo Xiya thought, eyes fixed on the horizon, watching the rising arc of the sun, silently counting down in her heart.
When Luo Xiya’s countdown reached the final number—at the very moment the sun rose—a thunderous sound came from the city walls of the Holy City.
On the city walls, nuns dressed in white with black veils clasped their hands at their chests, eyes closed as they chanted the Hymn of Fara.
On both sides of the wall, rows of Knights in silver-white armor rode out on their warhorses in perfect order.
“They are the Cathedral’s most powerful Saint Key Knight Order, responsible for the opening ceremony of the Holy City.”
Veronica spoke beside Luo Xiya.
Luo Xiya gazed at these holy and beautiful Knights, each one exuding a powerful and sacred aura that made awe rise from deep within.
It was said that every Holy Key Knight was the embodiment of beauty and strength, like Valkyries from myth.
When they removed their armor, they were the most beautiful women in the world; but when they mounted their warhorses and took up their lances, they became invincible warriors, launching holy crusades for Goddess Fara.
It was rumored that most of these Holy Key Knights were girls no older than eighteen, and some had witnessed them remove their visors in triumph after defeating heretics, revealing dazzling golden hair and perfect faces, loudly celebrating the victory.
Yet while everyone in front was marveling, Luo Xiya was silently calculating in her mind how many of these Knights she could take down if it came to a fight.
Thick woolen carpets were unrolled from within the city walls, spreading out before the assembled crowd.
When the Saint Key Knights respectfully stood before the embassies and issued their ceremonial invitation, the delegates from every nation put on solemn expressions.
The banners of every nation fluttered in the morning light, and they lined up in an orderly fashion, proceeding in a long procession along the carpet.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.