Chapter 168
Avinox appearance, who was dressed more stylishly today, was even meaningful.
Me and Avinox took a short walk through crowded places like last time.
And immediately headed to Larane's greenhouse.
I don't know if he noticed something.
Larane was unable to travel freely outside the mansion because of Seral, but fortunately, there were no restrictions inside the mansion.
I decided to use it to help two people a little today.
"I've already told Larane to meet me here. Oh, there she is."
"Larane..."
Avinox muttered sadly.
When she was in the greenhouse, she was always growing flowers in a shiny way.
But today was different.
It was so sad to see her sitting helplessly on the greenhouse chair.
"Then I'll get going..."
"No."
Avinox caught me trying to turn around to give Larane and Avinox time alone.
"Please be our witness, Lady Florentia."
Avinox, who still looks nervous, told me with a smile on his face.
"If Larane accepts my proposal, I plan to send the proposal in the name of Luman to Larane's father and the Lombardy family. I have already got my father's permission."
In short, he said he would follow the marriage course of the aristocrats.
I can't believe he has already got the Lord of Luman's permission.
He has made up his mind and pushed ahead with it.
"It's a little late, but I still have a chance because the Imperial Family hasn't sent a formal proposal or made an official announcement."
Avinox clenched while saying so.
"Of course... It's about when Larane accepted my proposal."
Then he goes back to tense mode.
I patted Avinox on the shoulder and said.
"Okay, I'll be happy to be your witnesses."
"Thank you!"
"Let's go, then?"
Avinox, who began walking as if he would squeak due to tension, took the lead and opened the greenhouse door.
Ugh, I'm nervous, too!
"Sir Avinox...?"
Larane called Avinox in a trembling voice as if she could not believe her eyes.
Avinox approached Larane and asked in a friendly voice.
"Your face looks a little swollen. Are you all right?"
"I'm fine... You didn't reply to my letter, so I was wondering if Sir Avinox was okay..."
Larane's words were cut off.
It was because Avinox slowly fell on one knee.
"Oh, Sir Avinox?"
"Lady Larane Lombardy. My courage was too late."
Avinox opened a small box of rings he had taken out of his arms and held it out in front of Larane.
"Will you marry me?"There was a moment of silence.
Avinox with the ring held his breath.
I held my breath from the back so as not to disturb as much as possible.
Then I heard a little noise.
Hiks!
It was the sound of tears falling from Larane's eyes.
"Oh, Sir Avinox..."
Larane clasped his hands and looked at Avinox.
And Larane smiled broadly with a smile on her pretty face.
"Ah, Sir Avinox..."
It was just when Larane finally accepted the proposal.
Dang!
The greenhouse door opened with a loud noise.
"Oh, Father...!"
"What are you doing, Larane!"
It was Viese who jumped in.
The first to respond was Avinox.
Standing in the way of protecting Larane.
"Lord Lombardy, listen to me for a moment."
Then Viese's eyes caught fire more.
He mumbled while glaring at the strange man who seemed to protect his daughter, who had an important marriage.
"Your face, I've definitely seen somewhere... By any chance, Luman...?"
After finding out who Avinox was, Viese was even more distorted.
The Eastern Luman was known to be a family that openly supported Perez.
Lignite Luman was close to Perez at the Academy, Perez helped the East receive trade subsidies, and Luman volunteered to follow him on Ivan's last trip.
"What are you doing, Young Lord Luman!"
Viese, who shouted out loud, slap the ring in Avinox's hand away.
Here, the ring box that Avinox cherished in his heart lay on the greenhouse floor.
Looking at it, Avinox said in a calm voice.
"I'm sorry I didn't greet you in advance. But Larane and I have been dating, and our Luman family is about to formally send a proposal to Lombardy. I know there's a marriage coming and going, but please consider..."
"Look, Young Lord Luman."
Viese said threateningly.
"Do you know who my daughter is going to marry?"
"...I know."
"Do you know that the Luman family, who somehow tries to push his foot into the center of the Empire, will turn the Imperial Family against him, now?"
"...I'm prepared for Lady Larane."
"Oh, Sir Avinox!"
Larane shook her head in tears again.
Viese spoke up to Larane like that.+
"Has you thought it or not! Even if you act rashly, there are limits! If you act so immature, not only you but also the Luman family will be in big trouble, Larane!"
"Ah..."
Larane dropped her head.
"I'll pretend I didn't see you today, Young Lord Luman!"
Viese grabbed Larane's arm as he spoke with a vicious tongue.
"Stop it!"
Avinox grabbed Viese's hand as if he were about to break it.
However.
"...Please let me go, Sir Avinox."
Larane said in a low voice.
"Lady Larane..."
Avinox looked at Larane's arm that was held in Viese's hand painfully as if he were hurt.
However, when Larane shook her head again, Avinox hand that holding Viese's was loosened.
"Let's go, Larane."
Viese immediately grabbed Larane as if he didn't want to stay here for another second.
Larane, caught in the hand, was just dragged out of control.
And Viese found me standing at the door.
Slap!1
Without time to avoid it, my face turned sideways.
"Ti, Tia!"
"Lady Florentia!"
Avinox and Larane shock.
I could feel my lips bursting and blood flowing down.
As I quietly touched the corners of my mouth, Viese spit at my feet.
"Dirty girl. How dare you ruin my daughter's future?"
Viese then gasped as if his anger had not been resolved.
However, he hurried out of the greenhouse with Larane as if he was afraid to see the situation.
"Are you all right, Lady Florentia?"
Avinox hurried up and looked at me.
I pushed the hand slightly, spitting blood in my mouth to the floor.
In fact, I've been slapped countless times, so there's no big blow.
This is not the point right now.
I asked, staring straight at Avinox.
"What are you going to do?"
"Larane certainly accepted my proposal."
Avinox answered immediately and picked up a box of rings that had fallen on the floor.
"Now she's my fiance. I'm not giving up."
It's hard to think that he's the usual naive Avinox.
It was sparkling eyes.
"...I like it a little now."
That's the only way to protect Larane.
I said, taking a ring box from Avinox's hand.
"I'll deliver this."
Avinox seemed puzzled but soon nodded.
Believe in me.
I closed the box after confirming that the ring was safe.
The 'tap!' sound sounds cheerfully in my hand.
Do you think I'm gonna give up on this?
* * *
The conference room of the Imperial Palace.
The conference between the Emperor and the aristocracy was coming to an end.
It was a normal meeting, nothing special.
But Jovannes said to the nobles who were slowly getting ready to leave the conference.
"I have something to announce."
Eventually, the nobles sat back in their seats.
Having confirmed that they were all seated, Emperor Jovannes looked at Lulak Lombardy for the last time.
And said with a smug smile.
"I, Jovannes, are to inform the Lords that I have decided to accept Larane Lombardy, the daughter of Viese Lombardy, as a mate to the First Prince, Astana."
It was a light tone and normal facial expression as if telling a joke.
But the repercussions were not small.
"Gasp!"
"Lo, Lombardy?"
Those who didn't hear the rumors were appalled.
"The rumor was true!"
"Lombardy and the Royal Family..."
Those who knew the rumor shook their heads.
"I do not doubt that this decision will bring more complete peace and well-being to the Lambrew Empire."
Now the nobles were all looking at one place.
It was Lulak Lombardy staring at the Emperor with a stiff face.
Curiosity flashed across people's faces in such a different reaction from Jovannes, who smirked cheekily.
Wasn't the talk already over?
Is that a one-sided announcement?
Lord of Lombardy, whom the nobles knew, was never a man who wanted to be entangled in marriage with the Imperial Family.
Sure enough.
Lulak Lombardy lifted himself from the seat.
And spoke in a low voice to the Emperor.
"I refuse."
"Oh, he says no!"
A bigger echo swept the conference than when Jovannes announced the marriage.
"Well, isn't that dangerous?"
"I can't believe he turned down the Royal Wedding..."
If it was a general noble family, not Lombardy, there would be nothing to say even if it was taken here for the crime of disobedience.
"Are you going against my orders now, Lombardy?"
Emperor Jovannes asked, staring coldly at Lulak.
But Lulak didn't bat an eye.
Rather, he looked at the Emperor face-to-face and said, clearly, as if to declare.
"Lombardy refuses to marry the Royal Family."
In addition, Lulak turned his back and walked out of the conference room.
It was impossible to leave the conference before the Emperor formally declaring the meeting closed.
When Lulak grabbed the doorknob in the conference room, Jovannes shouted angrily.
"If you open the door now, you will never set foot in the Capital again, Lombardy!"
He meant to impose the Golden Order.
It was the land of the Emperor and one of the most feared punishments of the central aristocracy, which prevented them from entering the Emperor's provinces where important issues such as meetings and conventions took place.
Upon hearing the shout, Lulak looked back at Jovannes, raising one corner of his mouth smirked.
"Golden order."
It was already a punishment given to Lulak once by Jovannes's father, the former Emperor.
And after twenty years of fighting for power, the Former Emperor had to withdraw the golden order with his own hands.+
Lulak bowed slightly to Jovannes and said.
"Do as you wish."
"The Lord of Lombardy!"
Jovannes's voice was heard behind his back, but Lulak did not care and walked proudly out of the conference room, pushing away the huge door vigorously.