The air in the hall thickened.
The princess’s words landed with considerable weight, and the journalist who’d dared to ask the question felt a cold sweat trickle down his spine.
His face drained of some color as his mind raced to find an escape from the mess he’d stumbled into.
He’d made a mistake.
Questioning the future queen of Valenfort in front of the entire nobility and press wasn’t something just anyone could get away with.
At best, he might be brushed off. At worst… well, Valenfort’s dungeons weren’t exactly known for their hospitality.
The silence only amplified the tension.
The journalist opened his mouth, scrambling for a diplomatic response, but before he could get a word out, an unexpected sound cut him off.
“Fufufu~”
Princess Iris raised a hand to her lips and let out a soft, melodic laugh, as if she’d just heard a delightful joke.
“Oh, don’t make that face,” she said, her tone light and playful. “I was only kidding.”
The journalist felt the ground steady beneath his feet again.
“O-of course, Your Highness…”
Iris gave him a warm, friendly glance before turning back to the crowd.
“I understand there might be doubts,” she continued, her voice clear and steady. “After all, it’s not every day you get to see a war hero like Nolan Rook in the flesh.”
Murmurs rippled through the room again.
Excitement, disbelief, and fascination danced in the eyes of those present.
“However…” Iris smiled with quiet pride, lifting her wine glass slightly, “I assure you, the man standing beside me is, without a doubt, the hero of Valenfort.”
Her words sparked another wave of commotion.
Journalists scribbled furiously in their notebooks, while others whispered headlines already taking shape for tomorrow’s papers:
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
[War Hero Nolan Rook Makes First Public Appearance!]
[Confirmed: Nolan Rook, the Man Behind the Frontline Victories]
[Princess Iris and Valenfort’s Hero: Strategic Alliance or Something More?]
The scratching of quills on paper filled the air as reporters vied to capture the moment first.
Amid the clamor, a bolder journalist raised his voice to stand out.
“Your Highness!”
Iris turned to him with a curious look, silently granting him permission to speak.
“Could you arrange an exclusive interview with the war hero Nolan Rook?”
Heads snapped up instantly, interest piqued among the other reporters.
…What a pain, Nolan thought, keeping his face a blank mask as he shot a sidelong glance at the princess.
Iris tilted her head gracefully, as if mulling over the request.
“Oh, I’m afraid that’s not up to me,” she said with a sweet smile. “If you want an interview, you’ll have to ask him directly.”
All eyes swung to Nolan.
But before anyone could open their mouth, Iris added swiftly:
“Of course… Nolan’s been rather tied up lately with some investigations, so his schedule’s pretty packed.”
The hint was unmistakable.
Not an outright “no,” but vague enough to discourage any immediate push.
A few journalists clicked their tongues in frustration, though none pressed further. After all, the last thing anyone wanted was to overstep with the future queen and earn her displeasure.
With that, the focus shifted back to the princess, and the questions veered toward other topics—mostly her future reign.
“Your Highness, in your speech, you mentioned becoming the future queen. As the youngest of your siblings, how do you feel about that?”
Iris’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Isn’t it the most logical choice?”
Her tone was breezy, but the confidence in her voice was unshakable.
“As the youngest, I can ensure a long period of rule,” she explained calmly. “And besides… I’ve proven my leadership with results.”
Her smile widened just a touch.
“Many of my projects have been resounding successes. Isn’t it natural for Valenfort to want a ruler who can keep delivering prosperity?”
Her answer was so poised and calculated that even those who might’ve doubted her couldn’t muster an immediate counter.
Applause followed swiftly.
Nolan, who’d stayed silent at her side this whole time, continued playing the part of a shadow.
He had no intention of getting more involved than necessary.
But then…
“Hero Nolan Rook.”
A journalist’s voice sliced through the conversation, yanking everyone’s attention back to him.
Nolan turned his head slightly, realizing every gaze in the room was now fixed on him.
The journalist swallowed hard, fully aware of the pressure bearing down on him, but he stood his ground.
“We’ve heard countless tales of your battlefield exploits,” he said, choosing his words carefully, “but until now, you’ve never shown yourself publicly… Why have you chosen to step into the spotlight now?”
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
The bustle died.
The murmurs faded.
And the eyes of nobles and journalists alike locked onto Nolan with bated breath.
Emily, standing nearby, felt the tension spike again.
That… wasn’t just any question.
Iris said nothing.
But the smile on her face vanished.
Her sky-blue eyes settled on the journalist with an unmasked chill.
For a moment, the air grew stifling.
Nolan, sensing the weight of the situation, let out an internal sigh.