The next day, Kyle was called to the great hall, where the engagent ceremony was set to take place.
When he arrived, he was t with an overwhelming sea of nobles, all dressed in extravagant clothing.
The polished marble floors glead under the golden chandeliers, and the scent of expensive perfus lingered in the air. It was clear that this was an event of great importance.
Kyle, however, didn't care for the grandeur.
The Grand Duchess's butler had insisted that he dress appropriately for the occasion, and although he had no interest in fancy clothes, Kyle had decided to put on the formal attire they had prepared for him—a sleek black suit with intricate silver embroidery.
As he walked into the hall, he felt the weight of countless stares.
Many of the nobles looked at him with disapproval, their expressions cold and filled with distaste. Kyle could practically hear their thoughts:
'Why him?'
'How did a useless noble like him secure the Grand Duchess's favor?'
'This engagent is a mistake.'
Kyle ignored them all, his face impassive as he strode forward. He had no interest in their approval.
At the center of the room, Grand Duchess Amanda stood tall and composed. She was dressed in a regal white gown, her silver hair cascading over her shoulders like moonlight.
As Kyle approached, she extended her hand toward him.
Without hesitation, Kyle took her hand, stepping beside her as the murmurs in the room grew louder.
Then, the butler stepped forward, presenting a parchnt scroll—the official engagent contract.
The Grand Duchess smiled at Kyle.
"Sign this, and it will be official."
Kyle reached for the parchnt and grabbed the quill.
But just as he was about to sign—
A sharp voice cut through the hall.
"I object!"
Kyle paused, his eyes flickering to the nobleman who had spoken.
An older man in luxurious robes stepped forward, his face twisted in disapproval. He was soon joined by several others.
"Your Grace, this is madness! You are the Grand Duchess! You could have anyone you desire, yet you choose a disgrace of a noble? A useless third son?"
The nobleman continued, his tone bordering on desperation.
Another noble spoke up, voice laced with contempt.
"This is a trap! This boy is clearly trying to take advantage of you, Your Grace. You deserve better!"
Kyle remained silent, watching them with mild amusent. He wasn't offended—he had expected resistance.
Instead, he turned slightly to glance at Grand Duchess Amanda, wondering if she needed his intervention.
To his surprise, she acted before he could.
Without hesitation, Amanda wrapped an arm around Kyle's shoulder, pulling him close to her side.
The entire hall fell silent.
Her piercing gaze swept across the room, filled with authority.
"I have made my decision. I invited Kyle Armstrong to be my fiancé. This is my choice, and mine alone. If anyone has a problem, they may bring it up with personally."
She said, her voice calm but commanding.
The hall was deathly quiet.
Many of the nobles swallowed nervously, realizing that challenging the Grand Duchess was not a battle they could win.
So of them lowered their heads in defeat, while others clenched their fists in frustration.
But in the end, no one dared to speak up again.
With the objections silenced, Kyle calmly picked up the quill once more.
He signed his na without hesitation, sealing the engagent contract.
The butler stepped forward and confird the official engagent to the gathered nobles.
"From this mont forth Lord Kyle Armstrong is the fiancé of Grand Duchess Amanda."
The butler announced.
A few scattered claps echoed in the hall, but the mood was tense and bitter.
The nobles may have lost this battle, but Kyle could tell that this wasn't the end.
There would be consequences.
Still, Kyle couldn't bring himself to care. He had gotten what he wanted, and that was enough.
As the Grand Duchess led Kyle out of the great hall, the nobles watched in displeasure.
But among them, one person in particular was struggling to hold back her emotions—lissa.
She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.
Her heart burned with jealousy and frustration.
Kyle—her Young Master—was walking away with another woman.
A powerful woman. A woman lissa couldn't compete with.
Her thoughts grew darker as she imagined the Grand Duchess stealing Kyle away from her.
For a mont, a dangerous idea crossed her mind.
'If the Grand Duchess were to… disappear…'
She almost took a step forward, intent on following them.
But before she could act, a firm hand gripped her shoulder.
She turned, only to see Bruce looking at her with a serious expression.
"lissa, don't. Stop being too much. Co back to your senses."
He warned in a low voice.
lissa's breath hitched.
For a second, she felt ashad.
Had she really just thought about eliminating the Grand Duchess?
She bit her lip and forced herself to calm down.
______
As Grand Duchess Amanda led Kyle out of the great hall, the air between them was strangely charged.
Kyle smirked, glancing at her from the corner of his eye.
"So? Did you bring here to have so fun?"
He asked casually.
Amanda's steps faltered, and a deep blush imdiately spread across her face.
"W-What?! Of course not! Get your mind out of the gutter!"
She stamred.
She crossed her arms, her flustered expression making Kyle's smirk widen.
But before she could say anything else—
Swish!
A sharp wind cut through the air.
Kyle's body moved instantly.
He wrapped his arm around Amanda's waist, yanking her against his chest just as his other hand drew his sword.
Clang!
The sound of steel eting steel echoed in the hallway.
The attacker was caught off guard. His blade was intercepted, his attack completely nullified.
His eyes widened in shock—he had expected to strike his target without resistance.
Kyle narrowed his eyes.
The assassin hesitated for a split second before trying to retreat, but Kyle didn't let him.
With a swift spin, Kyle let go of Amanda, catching the assassin's wrist in one smooth motion.
The assassin let out a pained grunt as Kyle twisted his arm, forcing him off balance.
With a hard shove, the assassin crashed to the ground.
Amanda finally caught her breath, blinking in shock.
"Shit!… since when did you notice him?"
She asked, still processing the situation.
Kyle flicked his sword clean and sheathed it.
"The second I stepped into the hallway. But I decided to wait before acting."
he answered casually.
The Grand Duchess stared at him, both impressed and slightly annoyed.
"Waited? You used as bait?"
Kyle shrugged.
"That makes us even, right? Besides, you would have been fine. I was right here, wasn't I? I protect my people, and you are now part of them."
Amanda huffed, crossing her arms, but it was more so to hide her blush.
Kyle ignored her, instead crouching down next to the unconscious assassin.
He reached out and pressed two fingers against the man's forehead. A pulse of mana shot through his fingertips, knocking the assassin completely unconscious.
Kyle stood and dusted himself off before glancing at Amanda.
"He's all yours. Take care of him."
He said.
Amanda sighed and rubbed her temples.
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