The alloy door opened silently, and Yang Ming stood cautiously outside the frame.
Soft light shone out, revealing a spacious living room with a figure seated in the corner of a sectional sofa.
Was this the Princess?
A myriad of chaotic thoughts flowed through Yang Ming's mind, except for any male instinct.
The information he had just received was overwhelming.
The presence of an ordinary person inside indicated that there was no toxic gas.
Yang Ming entered the room and casually closed the alloy door behind him.
The girl looked up, her ice-blue eyes particularly striking; her soft, golden hair, unadorned, cascaded over her chest and back.
When observed, the first feature to catch one's eye would be her pupils;
as the gaze of the observer expanded, they would soon be captivated by her beautiful visage;
but as their gaze drifted over her delicate brows, cute nose, and soft lips, they would unconsciously return to her eyes, wishing to discern how many stars hid within them.
Her demeanor was beautiful; even a simple sitting posture exuded an effortless elegance, her porcelain-like skin slightly pinkish, her slightly elongated neck and the bud-like clavicles sketching out the perfect skeletal structure of a woman.
She slowly stood up.
Yang Ming could see a hint of nervousness beneath her feigned calmness.
Her lips parted slightly, and her voice matched her beauty perfectly, even if it was a bit quiet.
"Please sit, Earl Hanton."
"Uh," Yang Ming walked to the opposite side and sank into the sofa, rubbing his forehead, "What should I call you?"
"Daphne, Daphne Sherman."
The girl spoke softly, then, smoothing her skirt, slowly sat back down.
Yang Ming then noticed her deliberately chosen attire.
Truth be told, her charm was enough to captivate, easily making one overlook her evening dress.
"Do you know everything?"
Daphne asked softly.
Yang Ming nodded, looking her in the eye, "His Majesty gave me two options, to cultivate me, or to destroy me."
"I respect you deeply, you are the hero who averted a major decline of the Empire."
Daphne spoke softly:
"I too cannot defy my father's orders, perhaps we could consider a political marriage, a nominal marriage, not interfering with each other's lives."
"A nominal marriage? I don't like the idea of wearing green on my head."
Yang Ming pointed to his head, then remembered that the green hat pun was not popular in the Empire.
He explained, "If I decide to marry, I would prefer it to be a real marriage. Of course, I am still thinking about how to decline His Majesty's kindness."
"Is that so?"
Daphne seemed troubled, her head bowed in thought, fingers twirling strands of her hair.
"I'm sorry," Yang Ming immediately realized his words might have been impolite, "It's not about you; as you know, I have a girlfriend, and our relationship is strong. You are an impressive woman, at least in terms of appearance."
Daphne nodded slightly: "Actually, you are not my type, and this is indeed a problem... what about Captain Catherine?"
"Do you have a boyfriend?" Yang Ming asked.
Daphne shook her head, "I just came of age two days ago, and on that day received my father's orders."
Yang Ming asked, "What do you think, is this whim of the Emperor, or has it been planned for a long time?"
Daphne thought for a few seconds: "I cannot fully grasp my father's thoughts, but in my view, establishing a marital relationship between us would be advantageous for you, Earl."
"Advantageous?" Yang Ming laughed, "Can you elaborate?"
"Well, this is just my personal opinion."
Daphne analyzed calmly:
"You have already positioned yourself against the noble class. The nobles form a vast and complex relational system through mutual marriages.
"Now, you have the power given by my imperial father, unbeaten in face of the nobles, but once you undertake a fixed position and father finds a new tool... I may be offending you, but that's the reality.
"Then, you will face the wrath of half of the Great Nobles class, those Princes, Dukes, will attack you from all angles.
"Including but not limited to, creating scandals through media, stripping you of public support, trivializing your achievements against bugs, making you lose your superhero image in the hearts of the people.
"Please don't doubt, the privileged classes commonly use this approach.
"Trivializing serious issues, desensitizing sensitive matters, silently degrading culture, and then glorifying it as: national entertainment."
Yang Ming's impression of the Princess immediately improved.
She seemed, not just a vase.
"His Majesty really put me in a difficult position, the Sherman family..."
"A nominal marriage is your best choice, Earl," Daphne said quietly, "or, if you can make me fall for you in the future, I would also strive to maintain the happiness of our forthcoming marriage."
Yang Ming frowned, "I don't intend to abandon my girlfriend."
"Your girlfriend should understand your situation."
"What about you? Since we aren't attracted to each other, your situation might become very awkward in the future."
Daphne fell silent, her expression full of gloom.
Then, Daphne looked at Yang Ming again and said softly:
"I have lost everything.
"When father told me that I needed to marry you, to stabilize your position among the Empire's nobles, I had already lost my right to the throne.
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