"Condition?" Lucien frowned, his eyes growing impatient.
The people around him saw his attitude and immediately became even more enraged.
"Your Highness, you don't need to lower your status for a piece of trash like this mutt."
"That's right. If House Vortan can't teach you manners, let me teach you."
"Trash will always be trash. You think you can set conditions for the Prince, but the Prince can't set conditions for you?"
"I think this duel is unnecessary. How could the Prince demean his honor by fighting a mongrel?"
"Huh! A dog will always be a dog—how could it ever learn to be human?"
The crowd continued to hurl insults at Lucien, making his eyes burn red with rage as if he was about to breathe fire.
Lathel raised his hand, and instantly, everyone fell silent.
Lucien was startled at the scene.
He had thought that a useless Prince, one without any magical talent and not even an Awakened, would have no power at all.
Yet what just happened proved him wrong.
With just a single gesture, Lathel had silenced the arrogant nobles present.
This was something only the Queen and Lathel's three elder sisters could usually accomplish.
Lathel turned to Lucien, his voice warm and gentle: "Everyone, please don't insult him. None of us can choose where we're born, and neither can he."
"We shouldn't judge him for his background, only for his actions here and now."
Hearing this, the crowd nodded, looking at Lathel with even greater admiration.
"The Prince is absolutely right."
"Ah! The Prince's compassion truly knows no bounds."
"Even when harassed, the Prince is still so forgiving and protective of that mutt. He's so merciful."
"That's right. Your Highness, you don't need to show mercy to him. He's just trash. I would gladly be your sword to cut off this dog's head."
Hearing the crowd's words, Lucien clenched his jaw even tighter, as if he wanted to grind his own teeth to dust.
'Damn it!' Lucien cursed inwardly. 'Lathel, I won't be fooled by your facade.'
'I will make sure Selvia and everyone see your true face.'
Lucien refused to believe that Lathel was the good person everyone thought him to be.
Since the day he was born, he had lived at the very bottom of society.
His mother had to serve guests constantly just to raise him, until she died of a sexually transmitted disease when he was six.
Because of that, he had witnessed all the darkness of this world, seen the true faces of those considered noble and virtuous.
He would never believe that Lathel was truly kind—it had to be just a mask.
However, in his heart, Selvia was the only good person, the only light in this dark world.
When he was little, she had given him food and helped him survive his most desperate days.
After that, she even helped him find that wretched father of his, so that he could return and reclaim what was rightfully his.
That's why he believed Selvia had feelings for him. That was the only reason that could explain why she had helped him so much.
He... would never let Selvia fall into Lathel's hands.
Lucien gritted his teeth and said, "What is your condition?"
Lathel smiled, inwardly thinking, 'The fish has bitten the bait.'
"Very simple," he said softly. "First of all, Selvia is not an object. I will not put her up as a wager."
Selvia, upon hearing this, was deeply moved, her eyes growing misty as she gazed at Lathel. In her eyes, there was only the image of Lathel. She had always liked him, but now, seeing him treasure her so much, she felt happier than ever.
Lucien, seeing the look in Selvia's eyes, wanted to shout at her, 'Lathel is a liar! He only lusts after your body!'
However, Lucien was no fool; he knew that no matter what he said, she would never believe him.
Lathel continued, "My condition is simple: let Selvia set the terms for you."
"Huh?!" Lucien was startled—he hadn't expected Lathel to allow Selvia to do that.
Suddenly, Lucien sneered inwardly: 'Hahaha… Lathel, you're actually so stupid, it surprises me.'
'No, maybe you're not stupid—just overly confident. If Selvia is the one setting the terms, then she'll surely want to escape your filthy hands.'
'When that happens, I'll be able to take her away in the open—even if you're a prince, you won't be able to go back on your word.'
Lucien let out a quiet sigh of relief, feeling that everything was still in his grasp.
Selvia, too, was very surprised and said anxiously, "Lathel, I… I… I'm afraid I can't…"
"Don't worry." Lathel looked at her, reassuring her, "You are my woman. I will protect you, and I also respect your wishes."
"He's challenging me because of you, so letting you set the terms is for the best."
Everyone was very pleased with Lathel's words, even Catherine.
Hearing that, Selvia felt warmth in her heart. She nodded gently, thought for a moment, then looked toward Lucien, her gaze weary.
Lucien was startled and felt a pang of guilt. But thinking of Selvia being deceived by Lathel, that guilt immediately disappeared.
'Selvia, one day you'll understand that everything I do today is for your own good,' Lucien thought to himself.
Selvia, meanwhile, felt exhausted. Today should have been her happiest day, but instead, Lucien had ruined it.
Though she was a gentle and kind girl, right now she felt deeply uncomfortable and angry.
Selvia took a deep breath and said, "My condition is this: if Lathel wins, you must never interfere with my or Lathel's life again. You are not allowed to appear before me ever again."
Hearing her words, Lucien felt as if thousands of knives had stabbed into his heart.
Suddenly, he glared at Lathel, hatred rising to a boiling point.
'This must be his plan. Damn it! He pretends to respect Selvia's wishes, but in reality he's just using her to attack me.'
'Damn it! Bastard! Keep smiling, Lathel—two weeks from now, you won't be able to smile anymore.'
Lucien clenched his teeth, the blood vessels in his eyes becoming more pronounced, making them appear even redder.
He gripped his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white, but then slowly released them.
Lucien took a deep breath and said, "Fine! I accept this condition. See you in two weeks—if you don't dare show up, then it'll be your loss."
Inside, Lathel sneered, but on the surface he only showed a serious expression.
Lucien turned and left, and the banquet continued. Of course, the topic of the banquet had now shifted to Lucien, Lathel, and Selvia.
Lathel was about to say something to Selvia when Catherine's voice rang out behind him.
"Lathel, come with me." She spoke, and without waiting for Lathel's reply, she walked away.
Lathel frowned, glanced at Selvia, and said, "Wait for me."
Selvia pressed her lips together and nodded softly.
He gently caressed her beautiful face, then followed after Catherine.
The two entered the tea room, with two knights standing guard outside.
Catherine sat on the sofa, while Lathel stood beside her and poured her some tea.
"You used to chase after the Saintess, so why do you want to marry an ordinary girl now?" Catherine asked with a frown.
Hearing that, Lathel shook his head and replied, "Mother, it's true that I did once pursue the Saintess. However, I've grown up and come to realize the difference between ordinary people and Awakened ones."
"That's why I think I should contribute to the royal family in another way. I'll marry, have children, and continue the royal bloodline."
Indeed, the "old Lathel" had once been infatuated with the Saintess, like a loyal dog always wagging his tail for her.
But that was the "old Lathel."
Now, he was no longer that person; he had no intention of continuing to be her lapdog.
Catherine nodded lightly, a satisfied smile on her face. "You're right. Continuing the royal bloodline is the most important thing."
"After all, you're the only man in our family. You must shoulder this heavy responsibility."
Lathel smiled as he pushed the teacup toward Catherine and said, "No, Mother, don't say that. Because I'm useless, perhaps this is the only way I can contribute to the royal family."
Catherine picked up the teacup with elegant, noble, and graceful movements.
After taking a sip, she continued, "It's your birthday, and I still haven't given you a present."
"Mother, you're already so busy—you don't need to prepare a present for me." Lathel replied softly, his words filled with care. "Your presence alone is enough to make me happy."
"Hahaha… you really know how to please people," Catherine laughed, seeming only this relaxed when she was with Lathel.
"But I still want to give you a gift." Catherine stroked her chin thoughtfully, "If you're going to take on the responsibility of continuing the royal bloodline, then... I will give you another wife."