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Mengdie paused and stopped Aia. Her smile faded to seriousness as she slowly said, "So, do you want me to know?"
Duke remained silent, his simple answer revealing her assumption. After all, with such prolonged interactions, it was natural for her to know, especially since his young master wasn’t particularly cunning.
"Then, I apologize. Given Miss's conditions... I'm afraid..."
Despite Aia knowing she couldn’t compare to Mengdie and not holding much hope for the prince, hearing someone else affirm this still brought a sense of loss.
Mengdie glanced at her, shaking her head helplessly, "If that's the case, I hope you can help remove Aia’s name from the selection event’s list."
Mengdie then briefly repeated Nia's explanation about the ball and reiterated her need for the commission to solve the sisters’ dilemma.
After hearing Mengdie's words, Duke’s expression darkened. The old man sat silently, pondering the issue. After deliberation, he shook his head slightly.
"I'm sorry, Miss Mengdie. Withdrawing after registration is too frivolous for such an important event. The royal city fundamentally doesn’t allow mid-event withdrawals."
Aia's face turned pale, tears gathering in her eyes. Nia rushed to comfort her.
"However, your concerns are noted. Rest assured, as friends of Miss Mengdie, I will inform my master to ensure your safety. Please enjoy the ball as a festival, without any worries."
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The girls from the slums were overjoyed at the thought of royal protection, something they never expected in their lives. They excitedly hugged each other, and in their excitement, they brought out long-hidden pastries for Duke and his attendants.
"Miss Mengdie, have you finished asking your questions?" Duke cleared his throat and, upon receiving Mengdie’s nod, continued with a wry smile, "If so, please allow me to state my purpose. Officially, I am here to invite you on behalf of my master. Personally, I don't quite agree with your attendance at the ball."
"From what you said earlier, it’s clear that the ball already has certain arrangements, involving our country’s actual interests. So, Miss Mengdie, despite your excellence, I must kneel and ask the most important request of my life!"
Before Mengdie could react, Duke had already knelt on one knee, his words earnest. Mengdie, flustered, tried to help him up.
"Please promise me! If you don't, I will remain kneeling until you do!"
Mengdie, now truly panicked, knelt down too, urging, "Duke, please tell me, what is it? If it's within my power, I’ll help you!"
"No! Promise me first! This matter... it’s something a normal woman would hardly agree to. I’ve lived in the Silver Moon Kingdom all my life, and I don’t want to see any catastrophe unfold. Just this one thing... this one thing... !!!"
Left with no choice, Mengdie nodded, agreeing to an unknown request. She could see Duke’s sincerity and knew he wouldn’t ask her to commit a heinous act. So, why not agree?
"Alright, alright, I agree! Duke, please get up, we can't talk like this."
Relieved by Mengdie’s promise, Duke stood up with her help, his face showing satisfaction. He then revealed his request clearly:
"On the day of the ball, no matter how my master proposes to you, please firmly refuse! If you agree, our Silver Moon Kingdom faces the risk of annihilation!!!"
...
...
...
Mengdie felt an unreal emptiness in her heart. Was the world still normal? What did the old man just say? Edward... proposing to her?
A chill swept over her, goosebumps rising like a tide. The thought of Edward, her comrade, possibly proposing to her in twenty days... She really...
Really...
Felt the urge to punch him hard.
"I won't! I absolutely, absolutely won’t accept his proposal! I won't agree to any man's proposal!!!"
Mengdie's reaction seemed excessive to Duke and the sisters. Why such a vehement refusal, as if seeing something utterly horrifying?
With Mengdie's promise, Duke finally relaxed. He left, satisfied, with his attendants, heading towards the castle atop the mountain...
For a long time after Duke's departure, Mengdie remained in a state of shock, hugging her pillow, trembling in a corner, muttering incomprehensible words until dinner.
“(In Mandarin) Marry? It must be a joke... Haha... It's definitely a joke. How can a man marry a man? Haha, I'll just have to punch Edward’s nose crooked, and he’ll tell me it was all a joke. Haha... Haha..."
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