Chapter 277
A Public Proposal!
Had it not been for the Queen bringing it up, even the parties involved, Jessica and Malik,
would have completely forgotten about the matter themselves
Startled, Malik’s grip tightened on the cup, nearly crushing it.
Back then, Malik wasn’t just unwilling to admit defeat to Jessica. He also wanted to see how much that bastard Leon cared about her.
He’d gotten what he deserved. Now he still had bruises all over his body. If he had to go through that again, he would probably have to be carried out of the gate of Capitalia of Novigrad on a stretcher tomorrow.
“Well…” said Malik. He couldn’t back out now. It involved the dignity of both kingdoms.
Malik cast a furtive glance toward Leon, who sat nearby. He was quietly sipping his wine with his head lowered, seemingly indifferent to their
conversation.
However, who was Malik kidding? He knew that bastard Leon better than anyone!
Just from Leon’s simple act of sipping his wine, Malik could feel the chilling aura radiating from him with overwhelming pressure that made him look
away.
Once again, Malik stole a cautious glance at Jessica.
To Malik’s surprise, Jessica watched him quietly with her deceptively gentle yet razor–sharp eyes. An icy glint and a trace of amusement in her eyes flickered simultáneously.
Malik felt like his head was just temporarily attached to his neck, like someone could come and take it back at any moment.
“Well…” said Malik, still staring at Jessica, desperately hoping she would be the one to turn him down.
‘Doesn’t Jessica make it clear she never wants to marry me? But today, to everyone’s surprise, she doesn’t utter a single word,‘ thought Malik.
Looking at her again, Malik saw Jessica still calmly sipping her coffee, her gentle eyes meeting him with a silent message: You got yourself into this mess. Now you get yourself out of it.
Malik felt utterly overwhelmed. ‘Why did I have to shoot my mouth off that day?‘ he thought miserably. ‘Now I’ve stirred
up
trouble!‘
Malik shot Jessica another desperate look, silently pleading: Please reject me! If you, as a lady, refuse me, it won’t cause trouble between our kingdoms. But if I say no myself, that’s as good as breaking off the engagement. Neither king would ever let me off the hook!
‘Jessica, Jessica!‘ Malik thought desperately. ‘Don’t you love Leon? Just reject me already!‘
Finally, Jessica set down her cup, looked at the Queen, and said softly, “Lam of humble status and never dared hope to become Prince Malik said that day was surely spoken in jest. I wouldn’t presume to take it seriously.”
Malik’s brain exploded with a deafening boom. He nearly dropped dead on the spot.
Leon’s wife. What
Malik thought anxiously, ‘Does Jessica even realize what she’s saying? Is she deliberately making things difficult for me? What if I can’t handle the pressure and finally seek the King’s approval to marry her?‘
Sure enough, the pressure came crashing down when Jessica finished her words.
The king said, “Jessica, you are the trueborn daughter of the Yates family, a noble house that has produced nothing but distinguished warriors for generations, and never a weak woman. You, too, possess the qualities of a statesman. How could you possibly demean yourself in this manner?”
The King’s gaze bore down on Malik. “A royal marriage alliance is no laughing matter!” he declared. “Once words are spoken, they must be honored. To
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Chapter 277
renege on your word would strain relations between our two kingdoms.”
Malik was so startled that he nearly sent his cup flying.
It wasn’t the king before him that he truly feared. What terrified him was the prospect of either incurring Lean’s mortal wrath of alienating the cruzens of both kingdoms.
Malik thought bitterly, ‘Damned if I do, and damned if I don’t.‘
“… I wouldn’t dare presume. But I have indeed long admired Ms. Yates…”
The Queen smiled and cut him off. “Prince Malik, are you proposing to our dear Jessica? May I ask what betrothal gifts you have prepared?”
AD
Chapter 277
renege on your word would strain relations between our two kingdoms
Malik was so startled that he nearly sent his cup flying.
It wasn’t the king before him that he truly feared. What terrified him was the prospect of either incurring Leon’s mortal wrath or alienating the citizens of both kingdoms.
Malik thought bitterly, ‘Damned if I do, and damned if I don’t.‘
“… I wouldn’t dare presume. But I have indeed long admired Ms. Yates…”
The Queen smiled and cut him off. “Prince Malik, are you proposing to our dear Jessica? May I ask what betrothal gifts you have prepared?”
AD
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