"But it is utterly impossible for us to gain Father's consent for this plan. He is an incredibly obstinate man," Daina furrowed her brows and voiced her apprehensions.

  "He will consent, I assure you," Kenley smiled enigmatically.

  "You're that confident?" Daina wore an expression of incredulity.

  "Have faith in Mr. Kenley. I stand by you. What do you require us to do?" Guinevere silenced Daina with a gesture of her hand.

  "There's no need to be hasty. Let's first address the matters at hand..." A glimmer of sagacity sparkled in Kenley's eyes.

  ...

  "Where is Her Highness Guinevere? Why has it taken so long for her to arrive? How much longer must I wait? Hmm?!" A man's irascible voice resounded in the hall, and the ire in his eyes seemed on the verge of erupting.

  "Please calm down, Her Highness Guinevere will be here shortly." The steward bowed, showing not the slightest sign of emotional turbulence.

  "Wait, wait, wait! I've already been waiting for nearly an hour. I'll count to ten! If she doesn't emerge by then, I shall depart immediately and personally inform Father of the Christophon family's egregiously discourteous behavior!" Fox's visage contorted to such an extent that he seemed almost unrecognizable.

  "His Highness the Heir Apparent..." The steward was on the verge of saying something more.

  "His Highness the Heir Apparent Fox, Her Highness has arrived." Just then, a muffled voice sounded. A knight clad in ponderous armor led the way, and soon after, Guinevere, attired in a resplendent black gown, materialized before Fox.

  As Guinevere made her entrance, Fox's eyes gradually widened, growing larger and larger until they could widen no further. So enraptured was he that he was oblivious to the saliva that dribbled from the corner of his mouth.

  So this is Guinevere? In person, she is even more ravishing than in her portrait! It seems that Father's decision to have me wed Guinevere is truly the most judicious choice he has ever made!

  Guinevere, you will soon be mine alone! Everything about you, your very being, your flesh, shall belong solely to me!

  A lascivious glint flashed across Fox's eyes. Realizing that he had drooled, he unceremoniously wiped the corner of his mouth with the hem of his garment, exerting every effort to regain his composure.

  "Her Highness Guinevere, a paragon of beauty, holiness, and perfection! I, Fox Kurze, the second son of the Kurze family, have journeyed to the Rose Territory at my father's behest to propose marriage to you!" With that, he advanced briskly, and with a flourish of his hand, a magnificent bouquet of vibrant roses materialized in his grasp.

  These 999 roses were painstakingly selected from the enchanting flower sea of Myerzu Lake. Each one is of exorbitant value. Guinevere, surely you can see my sincerity? Why don't you acquiesce at once?

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  He then knelt on one knee, gazing at Guinevere with eyes ablaze with desire.

  "Agree quickly! Do you still want the sacred relic or not? Guinevere, why are you being so indecisive?" Fox was inwardly seething with impatience, yet Guinevere regarded him with icy indifference, impervious to the allure of his flowers.

  "His Highness the Heir Apparent Fox, I must request that you take your leave... I regret that I cannot accept your proposal of marriage," Guinevere said coolly.

  Crack... It was as if something had shattered into a thousand pieces. Fox's hand, clutching the roses, froze in mid-air, and his features seemed to petrify. The air grew frigid, and Fox stared at Guinevere, rooted to the spot.

  Tick-tock, tick-tock. As the minutes ticked by, everyone could sense that something was amiss.

  The steward regarded Guinevere with disbelief. He could never have anticipated that Guinevere would defy His Grace the Duke's command at this critical juncture.

  Before his departure, the Duke had impressed upon Guinevere the importance of acquiescing to his decision. The very future of the family hinged upon this union, which held the key to its prosperity or downfall.

  The steward had been present when Guinevere had initially agreed. He had been certain that she would ultimately comply with the Duke's wishes, but to his astonishment...

  Yet, for some inexplicable reason, upon beholding Fox's demeanor, a fleeting sense of relief washed over him. Perhaps it was for the best that she had refused. If Guinevere were to fall into the hands of a nobleman like Fox, who knew what horrors awaited her in married life?

  However, Guinevere was now certain to incur the Duke's wrath, and the Christophon family was on the brink of a new era of adversity...

  Your Highness, is this truly the right course of action?

  Fox's grip on the roses slackened. His eyes bloodshot, he bared his teeth and let out a deranged laugh, his voice strained as if on the verge of breaking.

  He laughed raucously for nearly a minute before abruptly raising his head. "Guinevere, no matter how much you struggle, you can never escape the shackles of your cursed bloodline. Do you think you can turn the tables by rejecting me? Let me be clear: my men are everywhere in this castle, from the highest to the lowest levels. And there are also those from the royal family. Agree to my proposal, Guinevere, and you may yet survive. Otherwise, mark my words: as soon as I leave this castle today, you will rue the day by nightfall!"

  "His Highness the Heir Apparent Fox, please depart. My decision is final. Whatever my fate may be, it is none of your concern," Guinevere turned her back to him, poised to leave.

  "Guinevere! Even if you're nothing but a corpse, I'll still savor your body! I'll turn you into a specimen and have you lie on my bed every day, a testament to my most exquisite artwork! Hahaha!" Fox's laughter was laced with madness.

  Guinevere cast him a disdainful glance and then took her leave.

  Only Daina's sword, gripped tightly in her hand, quivered uncontrollably. Had it not been for Guinevere's presence, she would have surely struck down this despicable creature.

  "Struggle all you want, Guinevere! This may well be one of your last chances to live! Hahaha..."

  The maniacal laughter faded into the distance, growing fainter and fainter until it was no longer audible.

  ...

  Fox departed from the castle, and his entourage pressed on without pause.

  But at that moment, inside Fox's carriage...

  "Your Highness the Heir Apparent, our prior agreement remains in effect," A shadowy figure emerged from the darkness, its features obscured.

  "I'm aware. Proceed as planned. Remember, do your utmost to keep Guinevere alive, Count Megan," Fox's eyes were filled with a malevolent glint.

  "That may prove rather difficult, Your Highness the Heir Apparent," The figure shook its head.

  "Then at least leave me her corpse! I want to create the most exquisite specimen of her, to admire her body on my bed each day, to desecrate her, and to condemn her soul to eternal torment!" Fox's features contorted with each word.

  "Your Highness the Heir Apparent, you have a rather unique taste. But... I approve," The figure cackled, its laughter as twisted as its words.

  The two of them laughed uproariously, their maniacal laughter filling the carriage.