He took a deep breath: It's okay, I'm still here.

And I.

After a few seconds, the Grand Duchess let go of her lower lip, raised the corners of her mouth slightly, and nodded slightly.

Her tense face finally relaxed a little.

"My vassals, their intentions are very clear..." Thelma exhaled and said seriously: "Your Majesty the Viscount."

She spoke slowly, word by word: "The marriage between us is impossible."

Ian's expression changed.

As if someone opened the window, the frozen air in the Hall of Heroes finally began to flow again.

Thales could feel it: Many vassals breathed a sigh of relief quietly.

Among them, the six earls were particularly special: Nazaire glanced at Lisban opposite again, but the regent just avoided his gaze.

This made Nazer also think deeply.

Thelma lowered her head and took a deep breath: "I am very grateful for your appreciation and pursuit, but after all, you are the heir of Qiyuan City, and I am the Grand Duchess of Longxiao City. Even as shallow as I am, I know: this is

There has never been any precedent."

Under the eyes of the vassals who were much friendlier than before, the Grand Duchess cleared her throat, showed the spirit of answering questions in Xixer's class, and said slowly:

"Our sudden marriage will have unintended consequences: there may be a grand duke in Exeter in the future who will have the inheritance rights of two territories and titles at the same time. This will unbalance the entire kingdom and cause unnecessary trouble for us.

trouble……"

But she was interrupted by Ian's chuckle.

"And you just let your vassals decide for you? Selma?"

Thales saw: Count Nazaire and Count Lisban frowned again.

Ian clicked his tongue and shook his head, his tone rising.

"Oh no, no, dear Thelma," His Excellency the Viscount raised his index finger and sighed: "Don't think about your concerns and worries first, first think about the consequences you are about to face if you continue to

The current position is shaky, so there is no point worrying about the 'imbalance of the kingdom'."

Thelma was startled, and the faces of the vassals only became more and more ugly.

Ian's eyes swept across the six earls, and he chuckled: "Her Majesty the Grand Duchess, you know very well what dilemma you are facing: going to the Freedom Alliance is a mission that you must complete. If you are unable to send troops, you will be damaged.

It's far more than your reputation, and it's more than your family's reputation."

Ian's smile became a little scary, and his words became sharper: "Your situation is already difficult, but if you still let this matter go by like this today, you can only stand by and do nothing in the face of the family's mission.

Facing the vassal's unruly attitude, he was helpless to deal with it..."

"From now on, the entire Longxiao City and even the entire kingdom will know: you are just a ruler whose words have no weight. Even your vassals don't take you seriously even though they don't think highly of you in the first place.

you."

"Selma, avoid becoming a grand duchess who has no independent opinions, is manipulated by others, and is surrounded by wolves," the successor of Qiyuan City said loudly: "Isn't this why you summoned the vassals to attend the political hearing today?

The purpose?”

The Grand Duchess said nothing.

Thales saw that the faces of the six earls changed one after another.

"Then, good girl," Ian said lightly:

"Then think about my proposal and what you can gain: as long as this war is fought by us and Qiyuan City for you, then the indifference of the Grand Duke of Longxiao City will become romantic and shy.

By being reserved, you will be freed from accusations of weakness that 'disgraced the family', and Walton's reputation will not be damaged at all."

Ian smiled slightly: "And after I win, this will change the entire story of Exeter from a heavy allusion of the antagonism of the king and his subjects to a romantic story of going to war for love."

The hall was quiet for a moment.

The Grand Duchess still stared at Ian with complicated eyes, as if she was thinking about his proposal.

Count Linner and Count Curterson looked at each other and felt something was wrong with each other.

As if a century had passed, Thelma slowly raised her head and said in a somewhat lonely tone: "Yes, by that time, I may have to marry you. The most sincere person who has safeguarded the honor of my father and grandfather for me.

Suitor, right?"

At that moment, the breaths of all the vassals in the entire hall froze.

"Madam!" The young and arrogant Earl Hester couldn't bear it anymore, his golden beard trembled every inch: "I swear, as long as the Hearst family is still there, no one can force you!"

Thelma gave him a forced smile.

"Then can you count on these people?" Ian raised his head suddenly:

"If marriage can restore the family's reputation, then why isn't Qiyuan City a better choice compared to them?"

"Even, because of the support of Qiyuan City," little Ronnie, who seemed to have a chance to win, chuckled and shook his head: "In the future, no matter who wants to despise your authority in Longxiao City, they must first think about it.

The price of doing this.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the hall became different again.

The whispers of the vassals on both sides were softer, but also shorter.

On the other hand, the Regent of Lisban and Count Nazaire were both silent.

Thales took a deep breath, retracted his observation gaze, and drove unnecessary thoughts out of his mind.

So far, so good.

As long as nothing unexpected happens...

No, you can't be too optimistic.

He gritted his teeth.

Think about where accidents might happen.

For example: The relationship between Lisban and his vassals is beyond our imagination.

Another example: The people of the North have a deep-rooted view of women, which far exceeds their loyalty to their mission, their emphasis on honor, and their obligations to Longxiao City and the Grand Duke.

Another example is what he is most worried about...

Thales thought of this and glanced sideways at Ian.

For example, Viscount Qiyuancheng changed his mind midway.

Perhaps, it would be more profitable to win a marriage with Longxiao City than to directly ask Longxiao City to provide assistance?

Thales was thinking hard about every possibility.

I hope it doesn’t get to that point, I hope…

Don't have any surprises.

if not……

Thales looked back at the door. Rolf noticed his look and returned a questioning look:

【Now?】

Thales shook his head and gestured:

【No, it's okay.】

It's okay for now.

"Besides," Ian sighed and shook his head towards Thelma gracefully: "I hope you understand that at least compared to your vassals, I have no intention of forcing you."

"What we need is just a symbol that Longxiao City and Qiyuan City are standing together, and a symbol that the Ronnie family is fighting for Walton."

He nodded kindly: "If the marriage is too hasty, we can also skip this step. For this step, I will first obtain your permission to bring the Dragonlance flag belonging to Walton. I am not in a hurry.

When I return victorious from the battle, I will send you that romantic request."

Thelma, who looked extremely solemn, couldn't help being slightly stunned when she heard this.

She hesitated and said: "Your Excellency, Viscount, you are... very confident."

Ian laughed: "Because I believe that no suitor is more qualified to stand by your side than a person who has personally safeguarded your family's honor."

He looked around the audience and laughed under the vigilant eyes of the vassals of Longxiao City:

"And which suitor is better than the one who, in times of crisis, stands up without hesitation, stands in front of you, resists all harm for you, and fights endlessly for your safety and glory..."

"What's more trustworthy?"

In times of crisis…

Stand up for yourself…

Resist harm...

Fighting endlessly...

Thelma was distracted for a moment. She subconsciously raised her head and looked in the direction of Ian.

Ian frowned.

No.

His Excellency the Viscount squinted his eyes to observe the Grand Duchess' gaze: She was not looking at me.
To be continued...