Part 2The Goddess and the Duke

Xander took me straight to the head table. Behind us, gazes converged.

After a while, Tiffany entered the hall wrapped in her father’s cloak, head bowed. The Prime Minister pleaded, "Tiffany offended the Princess and deserves punishment. But the autumn wind outside is piercing..."

The King, pained, said, "Quick, let Tiffany take her seat."

After Tiffany sat down, I sensed her venomous stare. I didn't care; let her look.

There was a gold filleting knife on the table. I ran my fingertip along the sharp blade. Xander saw it but said nothing, only pulling my hand back and wrapping it in his palm.

After a round of dishes, Tiffany said to Xander, "Xander, two years ago at the Mid-Autumn Banquet, we had this dish. I said I wanted to marry you in three years, and you didn't object. Do you remember?"

She threw a provocative look at me.

I understood Tiffany’s intent. Using old history to provoke me.

I tilted my head, looking at her with a "so what" expression.

Xander glanced sideways. "So you like being rejected in public. If I'd known, I wouldn't have saved you face back then."

Tiffany froze.

I wasn't surprised. Xander was never a "good" person. He didn't worship gods; he dared to pin a goddess beneath him.

Xander raised an eyebrow, mocking smile tugging at his lips. "I don't like you. Stay away."

Too blunt. It sounded like a threat.

The King couldn't bear seeing Tiffany’s red eyes and tried to smooth things over fake-ly. "Xander, I know you're straightforward, so I won't blame you for your harsh words this time."

Relaying on the King’s support, Tiffany said, "Xander, did you go to Aethelgard for this Princess? We’ve known each other for five years. Does that bond really lose to her stealing you away halfway?"

Xander was born incredibly handsome. Phoenix eyes slightly upturned, a languid laziness between his brows. enchanting but always unapproachable.

All of Zephyr thought only Tiffany matched the Duke. Even the King thought so.

Xander shot a sharp look, freezing Tiffany to the bone.

She looked away guiltily.

While Xander wasn't looking, I reached for the gold knife again.

A light slide. Blood welled from the cut, dripping down like red glaze on my pale fingertips.

I secretly took the knife and hid it in my sleeve.

Then I drank tea as if nothing happened.

Just then, a mocking voice came from outside. "What nonsense is Miss Tang spouting? Don't bind Xander with your wishful thinking. He hasn't given you the time of day in five years. It's not even dark yet; why are you dreaming?"

A noblewoman in a deep blue official robe embroidered with gold entered.

The Duchess of Sterling, Xander’s mother.

I called out to her, "Auntie."

The Duchess looked at me, her gaze instantly softening.

The slightly noisy banquet fell silent at her arrival.

Tiffany bit her lip, pretending to be pitiful. "Then I am willing to give up the position of main wife and be a co-wife."

The Duchess scoffed. "Our Sterling household has no intention of finding two daughters-in-law."

The Prime Minister slammed the table, furious. "Duchess, that's bullying."

The Duchess glanced nonchalantly at her bright red nails, then turned to the King on the high seat. "Xander and the Princess are childhood sweethearts. How can a latecomer compare? Though reunited after long, when the beloved arrives, irrelevant people should step aside. Your Majesty, don't play matchmaker and stuff just anyone into the Sterling house."

Officials whispered, looking shocked.

The matriarch of the Sterling house made it clear she didn't want Tiffany. How would this arranged marriage end?

The King hadn't expected this, but his intent to matchmake was clear. "Duchess, Tiffany is Zephyr's lucky daughter. I watched her grow up. Marrying into your house is a joyous event. Why refuse? My decree is issued; I won't take it back."

"The Prime Minister's eldest daughter, Tiffany Tang, will marry into the Sterling house as a co-wife on an auspicious day."

A crisp crack. The white jade cup was crushed mercilessly by Xander.

Though Xander always had a smile, I knew he hated being controlled most.

I looked at Tiffany. She thought she won, casting a triumphant look at me.

I curved my eyes. Something to play with.

Wanting to fight a royal daughter raised in schemes and plots? Tiffany, are you really ready?