"He said that the South Kingdom wants to be allied with the Wonder Kingdom," the imperial envoy stressed in a whisper. "You
should at least say something in response."
"Can't you do that in my stead?" Kile stated in an annoyed tone as he cast a glare at him. Again, he kept fixing his eyes on
Harper.
The envoy had no choice but to stand up. "Our emperor also thinks the four grand kingdoms should get along well with each
other. That is why he sent Prince Kile here to attend the ceremony, to show his sincerity."
Lance's eyes swept across the hall. He shifted his eyes from Kile to Harper. Then, he looked at Matthew and said, "Prince
Matthew, the Bright Dynasty and the South Kingdom are neighbors. We have gotten along well all these years and I hope we will
remain like that in the future as well."
Matthew snuck a sideway look at Francis, who was next to Diana. He had wanted to gauge his reaction, but the man's
expression didn't change. Matthew then responded in a calm and flat tone, "Yes, indeed. As long as the South Kingdom doesn't
interfere with our kingdom's problems, I'm sure we will remain on solid ground."
Lance's face hardened for a second. He was well aware of what Matthew implied. However, now that Francis had married his
daughter, he would not hand over his son-in-law so easily. Judging from Matthew's words, he discerned that the man was
determined to take Francis back.
"Of course," Lance said, trying to shift the topic of the conversation. Sadly, before he could even finish what he was about to say,
a loud noise sounded.
It was the sound of a gong. The deafening noise reminded him that the Worship Ceremony had started. The Holy Maiden wasn't
made costumes and performed dances. The sight of them together was magnificent. The common people knelt down at the foot
of the Holy Mountain with respect. "It's time for the Holy Maiden's show now," Harper whispered to Matthew. Then Catherine
appeared on the altar in mid-air, dressed in a fancy robe. She recited the verse while those on the ground repeated after her. Her
voice was loud and clear and could be heard from far away. Even those at the foot of the mountain could hear it clearly. Kile took
the chance and whispered to Harper, "Lady Harper, Lady Harper. Look here!"
Casting a glance at him, Harper suddenly picked up a grape and threw in his direction. Kile opened his mouth and caught it. But
he swallowed it in one gulp and ended up choking. He straightened his neck and rubbed his chest, hoping the errant grape
would make its way to his stomach. The envoy next to the prince turned pale with fear when he saw this. He immediately said,
"Prince Kile, Prince Kile. What's going on? Don't scare me!" Kile's face turned purple as he suffocated on the fruit. Miguel
happened to be next to him. He stretched out his hand and patted him on the back. Kile fell on the table from the shock as he
spat out the grape. "Oh dear God! I almost died!" Kile gasped.
The envoy had been on the verge of tears because of Kile's antics. He cast a grateful look at Miguel before passing Kile a cup of
tea. Kile took the tea and drank it up to relieve the pain. Then he helplessly glanced at Harper again.
"Aiden, I think Lady Harper is really gorgeous," he murmured.
The envoy named Aiden felt so embarrassed at Kile's flirty comment about Harper. She almost killed him. But he still thought she
was gorgeous! There must be something wrong with his brain. Did he need to be taught a lesson or be abused by her again?
Unfortunately, he dared not speak out his thoughts.
"Your Highness, we are here to take part in the South Kingdom's ceremony, not for a woman!" he reminded in a stern tone.
"I'm taking part in the ceremony now, am I not?" Kile, however, responded naughtily. "We shouldn't pay attention to other
him. That way, he wouldn't be able to behave recklessly today. Kile whistled with mischief and commented, "Lady Harper has a
bad temper. But I like it!" Aiden looked toward Harper and instead met Matthew's murderous eyes. He was so frightened that he
started trembling. "Your Highness, His Majesty said he would send you four beauties. He was confident you would like them,"
Aiden said to Kile, trying to.
pull his attention away from Harper. He didn't think Matthew was an easy one to get along with, especially with Kile showing such
feelings for the man's wife.
"I know. But I'm not interested in that right now. All I want now is to enjoy the sight of the beauty in front of me," Kile responded
pigheadedly, his pain completely forgotten at the moment. His gaze glued to Harper, his eyes growing heated.
The Worship Ceremony went on and on. Everyone on the high platform was overwhelmed with different thoughts. Francis
couldn't help but look at Harper. He noticed that she hadn't looked in his direction since he appeared as if he was an irrelevant
passer-by.
Clenching his fists, he tried hard to suppress his anger. His hatred was all-consuming, yet the smile on his face gentled with
every passing second. If people knew the rage and blood-thirst his smile was hiding, they would tremble in fear.
Diana glanced at Francis but said nothing. Instead, she picked up a fruit and took a generous bite out of it. Her eyes wandered
around, taking everyone in. When she saw Kile, who had been sitting opposite her, leave his seat and walk towards Harper, her
eyes lit up. 'Here comes our chance, ' she murmured inwardly.
"Your Highness! Please behave yourself!" Aiden becoming increasingly anxious. Kile was the Wonder Kingdom's representative.
How could he behave so rashly? He might bring disgrace to the whole kingdom!
Aiden sprinted towards Kile intending to drag him back. Harper was looking at the two men with watchful eyes. However,
something unexpected suddenly happened. Poisonous needles shot out from Harper's table and flew towards Kile.
Kile's pupils contracted in an instant at the sight. Aiden rushed to him and blocked the needles from reaching the prince. He had
wanted to persuade the prince to not act so recklessly, but the abrupt attack ended his life.
"Your... Your Highness... " Aiden stammered. Before he could finish his words, he fell to the ground in front of everyone, his back
full of poisonous needles. If the needles had struck Kile, he would have been dead on the spot.