The Arranged Suitor Was the Kidnapper

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone looked at him.

The man was confused as he was met with looks of shock and pity.

“I wonder what happened to her head?”

“Who wants to have a member of the Krassium family as their in-laws?”

“Maybe they didn’t sell their daughter, but she was kidnapped. If you become engaged to the Grand Duke, even your enemies will stop you.”

As accusations and criticisms were thrown around, the middle-aged man looked uncomfortable and scratched the back of his head.

“No, it’s probably not that bad.”

The man also feared the Grand Duke, but the wealth and power of the Krassium family were quite tempting. If he could enjoy the Grand Duke’s favor by selling his daughter, it might not be such a bad deal.

“But if the Grand Duke kidnapped a noblewoman to marry her…”

“That’s a crime!”

The rumors surrounding the two of them grew like wildfire. In their minds, the Grand Duke of Krassium was undoubtedly evil, and his prospective fiance was either insane or a sold-off bride.

Just then, grand music resounded from the entrance. The official at the door, who had been checking the guest list, announced loudly:

“His Excellency Grand Duke Krassium and Lady Laria Rohan are entering.”

It was the entrance of the main characters.

Everyone stopped talking and stared at the entrance. Some had already prepared to flee to the corners, but many couldn’t resist their curiosity and watched with wide-eyed anticipation.

As the couple walked, the hem of Laria’s light blue dress rippled like gentle waves, spreading and retracting with each step. The dress was so beautiful that it could lead a trend, but no one had the opportunity to admire it.

All eyes were focused on their faces.

The woman had hair that was half-tied with silver strands, and the rest flowed down like a cascade. Despite being entirely white, there was no strange feeling. Perhaps it was because of her crystal-clear iris, reminiscent of a clear day by the lake.

A fairy, perhaps?

As they were entertaining similar thoughts, they belatedly noticed the man standing beside her.

The sound of people holding their breath could be heard clearly. The man standing next to her was no less remarkable.

A handsome man captivating enough to steal gazes, many had already opened their mouths in astonishment.

His dark-colored uniform seemed to fit him perfectly. The body lines, which weren’t hidden by the uniform, were so flowing as if they had been carved with a brush, as if it were a work of art.

Despite wearing armor that was different from the uniform, his eyes were sharp enough to notice. Beneath slightly swept-back black hair, his golden eyes shone brighter than any light in the banquet hall.

From the smoothly gliding bridge of the nose to the firm and sharp chin, there was no flaw.

If the woman was a fairy, then the man must surely be a deity from a mythological tale.

Amidst the collective awe, someone broke the silence and murmured to themselves:

“That man is the Grand Duke of Krassium?”

The stillness shattered, and a loud buzz spread through the banquet hall like a tidal wave. People who had held their breath quickly began to chatter.

“Didn’t they say he had a sinister appearance? How could he look like that?”

“Is the woman next to him the Lady of the Rohan family?”

Amidst the mix of astonishment and admiration, those who had noticed the wrist armor too late took a step back. No matter how much they lowered their guard based on appearances, they couldn’t escape the fear associated with his name.

Even those who had openly admired them earlier now huddled together and whispered with lowered voices.

“Their arms are crossed! Does he forcibly hold her so she couldn’t escape?”

Driven by instinctual fear, they naturally refrained from speaking too loudly.

Everyone in the banquet hall had the same thought. Apparently, Zenox fell in love with the beautiful lady at first sight and kidnapped her.

‘Wow, I’m going crazy, I can’t get used to it.’

Laria wanted to disappear somewhere.

Before entering, when Zenox said that she would be the star of today’s banquet, she thought it was a joke. Laria snorted at his words, but now she broke into a cold sweat as everyone was looking at her.

‘How many years has it been since I attended a banquet?’

After her disappearance, she has never attended anything other than a fox clan meeting.

‘Maybe I have a banquet phobia.’

As Laria’s body became stiff from tension, Zenox gave some strength to his arm holding her. She came to her senses from this warmth of contact.

Only then did the daze disappear, and the whispers of the people around them reached her ears.

In the banquet hall, no matter how hard they tried to keep their voices down, she still could hear snippets of conversation.

“Why are they making such a misunderstanding…? It’s not that bad.”

In response to Laria’s muttered words, Zenox raised the corner of his mouth slightly. Amidst everyone’s busy inquiries, Laria alone was defending Zenox.

“Shouldn’t we consider managing our reputation a bit? Even punishing a few people spreading false rumors might make them cautious.”

As Laria whispered softly, Zenox neither affirmed nor denied.

It wasn’t entirely baseless gossip. Some of it was true, and based on that, false rumors had spread.

But dealing with them one by one was too time-consuming when he was busy searching for Whitie every day.

“Does it bother you?”

“A little.”

“Why?”

In response to Laria’s pondering question, Zenox remained silent, his lips slightly pursed. After a moment of hesitation, Laria raised her eyebrows slightly.

“Now I’m on the same boat as you, right?”

“Indeed, that could be awkward. Probably they’ll shut up if I draw my sword.”

Shall I do that? Zenox asked with his eyes.

‘Is he crazy?’

As Laria expressed shock, Zenox chuckled.

“Just kidding.”

It wasn’t really a joke. If it were Zenox, it seemed like he might actually do that.

Once again, the conversation around Zenox entered Laria’s ears.

“They say they’re going to announce an engagement today?”

An engagement announcement? Who’s getting engaged?

“It seems like they want to make it public in front of everyone.”

“To ensure she can’t escape, they’re probably stamping it with a seal.”

It seemed like it was the engagement between Laria and Zenox that was being discussed.

‘What is going on here!’

Laria looked urgently at Zenox. He stared back, and she gestured for him to lower his head.

As he did so, Laria whispered to him:

“Did Your Excellency know about the engagement announcement at the banquet tonight?”

“…This is the first I’ve heard of it.”

Zenox pretended not to know.

“Is there a way to delay the engagement a bit? I mentioned to my family giving it some time…”

“I’d like that too, but judging by the atmosphere, it might be difficult.”

“Perhaps I should talk to His Majesty the Emperor or His Highness the Crown Prince.”

She couldn’t keep being pushed around like this.

Despite Laria’s determination, Zenox’s attitude was lukewarm. But he didn’t oppose it outright, so Laria thought he was agreeing with her.

“Huh! Whispering…”

“I wonder what they’re saying.”

The onlookers were curious as they watched the two of them and dying of curiosity.

Finally, some people appeared who claimed that there was something wrong with Laria’s head.

“She might really have a mental problem. Acting so boldly in front of the Grand Duke.”

“Shh, we just made eye contact. Look away.”

As the murmurs continued, the music changed once again. It was the music announcing the entrance of the royals.

“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is entering.”

Ishel descended the stairs and immediately confirmed Laria and Zenox.

When their eyes met, Ishel waved his hand lightly. Laria’s expression soured instantly.

It seemed that the Crown Prince was the problem all along. He had pushed for the betrothal, the wedding date, and now the engagement announcement as if he could decide everything on his own.

‘I can’t take this anymore.’

Laria’s eyes blazed with anger, and Ishel flinched. He immediately turned his gaze towards Zenox.

Why is Lady Rohan looking at me so hostilely? But Zenox didn’t respond.

Instead, taking advantage of Ishel’s crisis, he whispered just as Laria had done.

“It seems that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is the problem.”

When Ishel heard it, he had something to say at the pit of his stomach. Ishel, who was standing on the staircase, came down.

Below the chandeliers, golden hair sparkled.

After greeting the nobles who were already there, he immediately approached Laria and Zenox.

Even though all eyes were already on them, now even the knights and attendants guarding the banquet hall turned their attention in their direction.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

When Ishel greeted them warmly, Laria relaxed her expression and returned the greeting.

“May the Supreme light shine upon Frandel. Lady Laria Rohan greets His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“You don’t have to greet me with formalities every time we meet.”

Ishel extended his hand as if feeling awkward.

“That guy doesn’t do it either,” he said, glancing at Zenox.

But as soon as their eyes met, Ishel quickly turned his gaze towards Laria.

“We see each other quite often, don’t we?”

Laria remained silent. Who sees each other often at someone else’s convenience?

As if whispering, Ishel lowered his voice and continued:

“That day, Zenox was very worried.”

“Yes?”

“He was in a frenzy, saying that I should find young lady Rohan…”

Ishel joked, probably considering whether to support Zenox.

“I thought it was the young lady who was kidnapped, not the fox.”