Chapter 108: Completing the World (Ten)
The Big Prince wore a smile as he said this, his tone carrying a hint of playfulness. The old king's expression froze instantly. He narrowed his eyes, studying this smiling young man, trying to determine whether he was joking.
"The object of your first love..." The Big Prince appeared composed and at ease, but the atmosphere in the great hall had already shifted. Not a few people had begun sneaking glances at Princess Tommy, who stood beside Qi An.
"Princess Lu'an." The Big Prince repeated this sentence with his smile undiminished. Judging from his brilliant grin, he seemed completely oblivious to the chill that had descended over the room.
"Princess Lu'an is Tommy's fiancée." The old king gave the Big Prince a long, searching look, emphasizing the word "fiancée."
"I know she's Tommy's fiancée." The Big Prince nodded, then glanced at Qi An with a smile. "But wasn't Tommy originally opposed to marrying Princess Lu'an? I've fallen in love with Princess Lu'an at first sight. I swear I'll treat Her Highness well."
"Wouldn't it be better for everyone if I stepped in to complete this marriage instead of Tommy?" The剧烈的 reaction his words had triggered did not cause the Big Prince's expression to change in the slightest. "Moreover, Father, you promised me that I could choose whoever I wished to be my princess consort. Could it be... You're going to take back what you said?"
"Lu'an is my fiancée." Tommy gave him a cold look.
[An'an, why would this Big Prince who looks just like Zhi Le... suddenly want to marry you?]
The girl who had been dragged into this storm unawares stood quietly, her head slightly lowered. All anyone could see was her jet-black, silky hair and the veil that concealed her face. From the moment this incident had erupted until now, the girl had not spoken a single word, but her hands were trembling slightly. Everyone could see her confusion and helplessness.
She looked like a delicate flower that could not withstand any turbulence.
The nobles stared blankly at Princess Lu'an, who according to rumors was so ugly she had to wear a veil, somewhat puzzled by what sort of charm she possessed.
First there was the aloof Prince Tommy, then a beautiful young lady, and now this Big Prince of the Nuomi Kingdom.
[Zhi Le...] Qi An repeated this name in her mind, furrowing her brow slightly.
This was yet another transmigrator she recognized.
"Porter, do you truly love Princess Lu'an?" The old king looked at Tommy and Qi An standing together, then at this troublesome son of his, and couldn't help but ask once more.
Earlier, from upstairs, he had been closely monitoring everything happening in the great hall, and had clearly seen the interaction between Tommy and Qi An.
Tommy loved Lu'an.
The old king reached this conclusion without hesitation, but allowing Porter to choose any princess as his consort was also something he had personally promised.
"I love her very much... Lu'an."
Dong——
Dong, dong, dong——
A deep, resonant sound rang out. The clock hanging in the pavilion announced to everyone that midnight had arrived.
Tap, tap, tap.
Almost immediately following this sound, somewhat hurried footsteps rang out. The girl who had been standing quietly suddenly rushed out the door in her crystal slippers, moving with evident haste.
"Why did she suddenly leave? I still haven't asked her name." A handsome young man murmured.
The girl lifted her skirts as she hurried along. Suddenly, it seemed she had tripped because of her speed—one of her crystal slippers fell off. The girl seemed to glance at that shoe, then ran out without a second thought.
"She left behind... one crystal shoe."
A handsome young man ran over to pick up the shoe. His hands, bearing calluses, gently stroked this diamond-encrusted crystal shoe. The young man's voice, carrying a slightly unusual accent, rang out in the silent hall.
"She wore these shoes, and they're so small—probably not many people could fit into them."
"If we rely on this shoe, we should be able to find her."
Watching the scene unfolding by the door from a distance, Qi An's gaze also fell upon that exquisite crystal shoe.
This plot was becoming more and more similar to the Cinderella story from his previous life. Cinderella, bullied by her stepmother and stepsisters, was fortunate enough to receive help from an old woman who possessed magical abilities when the prince held his ball. She donned beautiful clothing, obtained a pair of lovely crystal shoes, and rode in a pumpkin carriage. Cinderella ultimately made a stunning appearance at the ball, and the prince fell in love with her at first sight.
However, the old woman's magic could only last until midnight, so when the clock struck twelve, Cinderella left the ball, leaving behind a single crystal shoe.
A shoe that would allow the prince to find her.
A shoe crucial to the entire story.
And now... this girl had also left behind a single crystal shoe.
"Princess Lu'an, I wonder what your thoughts are on this matter?" The old king pondered for a moment before finally directing the question to Qi An.
The moment the old king spoke, both Tommy and Porter's gazes focused on Qi An. Qi An's long lashes fluttered. With Tommy's pupils contracting, she spoke softly, "I... I like Prince Tommy."
[An'an! You—you can't say that! He doesn't have his memories from before!] The moment these words fell, the system's voice changed.
The cold aura radiating from Tommy vanished instantly, but those dark eyes did not return to their usual state—instead, his pupils contracted even further. Though his expression remained impassive, Tommy seemed to have been struck dumb.
"I never expected Her Highness to say something like that." Porter's smile remained sunny, but something in his eyes darkened. "In that case, I won't force the issue. However..."
"Many things in this world are prone to sudden change. Perhaps one day Her Highness will change her mind."
There seemed to be some deeper meaning concealed in Porter's words. Qi An's expression shifted slightly, but she didn't respond. Instead, she spoke to the system in her mind.
[...I just wanted to see how Zhi Le would react... Besides, Zhang Zhaoqi is on our side.]
[No, I don't believe that's the reason!]
It seemed Tommy had finally regained his composure. He suddenly smiled at Qi An, and those perpetually cold eyes overflowed with warmth.
This was the first time in Qi An's memory that Zhang Zhaoqi had ever shown such an expression, the first time he had been dazed for so long.
[...Mm.]
Although many things had happened in between, the banquet concluded as scheduled. The moment Qi An stepped out of the hall, Julie, who had been waiting outside, rushed over.
Qi An had returned to her quarters accompanied by Tommy. The instant she crossed the threshold, Qi An's footsteps halted.
He saw... a crystal shoe.