"Although I have many things I wish to discuss with you, the person who needs you most right now is probably Princess Erin Campbell. She would be very happy if you could go and see her."

"I am planning to do just that."

Edward, feeling comforted, was willing to listen to persuasion and looked casually towards Ges.

Noticing the Duke's gaze, Ges quickly spoke up.

"Princess Erin is resting in the annex! Since returning that day, she has been feverish, suspected of suffering backlash from the Light of Praise..."

Edward frowned and said.

"Why didn't you say so earlier? Take me there at once."

"Yes!" Not daring to expose His Majesty's pretense, Ges hurriedly walked ahead to lead the way.

Luo Yan did not follow, only slightly nodding and saying.

"I will wait for you in the reception room."

He was well aware that if he were present, both Erin and Edward would feel uncomfortable, unable to act naturally, and would speak behind masks.

"Please bear with me for a while, I will be back shortly." Edward acknowledged his good intentions, gave him a grateful look, and then followed behind Baron Ges to the annex on the other side of the fountain garden.

Watching the group depart, Luo Yan stood by the fountain for a while before being led by a servant to the main building's reception room.

To prevent him, also a guest, from feeling neglected, Marina took on her husband's role, and like yesterday, eagerly attended to him.

Though that eagerness was somewhat overly enthusiastic, Luo Yan appreciated her goodwill and then expressed his desire to be quiet before conversing with His Majesty.

Her regretful gaze turned wistful, but Marina eventually withdrew, gently closing the door behind him.

The once noisy room returned to silence, as if the singing canary had returned to its cage.

Luo Yan took a sip of red tea and placed the teacup back on the tray.

Youyou's shadow appeared on the shimmering water surface, sighing leisurely and said.

"...Sometimes I really can't figure out, what kind of feelings Duke Edward has towards his sister. He seems to both dislike her and yet can't let her go."

Just like before.

It had always been silently observing from the sidelines, without boundaries, following to the annex and had just drifted back from there.

Although it was not the Demon King Territory, there were "followers" of the Demon King present, and since the Demon King was nearby, it could float by the window for a glance.

Luo Yan pondered for a while and then spoke.

"Complicated emotions."

"That's as good as not saying anything." Youyou couldn't help but retort.

"Because it's indeed not something that can be explained in a few words." Luo Yan replied casually.

Just like Vivian's feelings towards him, which boiled down to whether resentment or guilt prevailed.

Even for himself.

Originally, he felt justified reprimanding that brat since he indeed owed the Colin family nothing, but upon seeing Erin Campbell's efforts in places unknown to Edward and the suspicion in Edward's eyes, he suddenly wondered if he was being too strict.

Some mistakes are clearly caused by the older generation.

Roxey's indecision and silence almost destined Vivian's misunderstanding, and Roxey's silence might not just be due to selfishness, but also pressure from his father Caesar.

As for Prince Caesar, he had his own issues. Not only did he have to face the Demon God, but also other members of the Demon God Cabinet and the Council of Elders of the Colin Duchy, even as a Demigod, he couldn't truly do as he pleased.

"Every family has a scripture that's hard to recite." Luo Yan couldn't help but lament.

Youyou, floating nearby, teased.

"Are you thinking about yourself?"

Luo Yan calmly replied.

"I'm not a machine; feeling empathy is natural for humans."

As he finished speaking, carrier pigeons bearing royal commands finally flew back to Thunder City, followed by steeds racing from the Governor's Mansion to various barracks in the city.

Before the recruitment points had a chance to take effect, Duke Edward canceled the mobilization.

With the arrival of this letter, the war cloud looming over Thunder City seemed to dissipate in an instant.

But in contrast, a new tsunami quietly swept across the entire city...

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