Alfred III smiled and nodded to the foreign guests, then raised his glass and said loudly: "Today, I am very happy that all the guests have come from your country to express their blessings to me for my birthday. I feel extremely honored to invite us to drink a glass of wine together. May our friendship... whether it is between countries or personal... last forever and become deeper and deeper."
Everyone raised their glasses and said in unison: "May the king have a happy birthday."
May the friendship last forever”
Everyone drank the wine, and immediately there were attendants walking among the crowd holding glass jugs, pouring new ones for people.
Alfred III smiled happily, raised his hand and announced: "Everyone, please feel free to enjoy the wine and food here, the orchestra will present the most beautiful music." He snapped his fingers, and the musicians who had been waiting in the corner of the hall began to play. As the cheerful music played, he politely extended his hand to the queen. Queen Lorna, who was dressed up, smiled, followed him down the dance floor, and started dancing.
Others also took action, some danced with their pre-arranged partners, some made temporary invitations to their favorites, and some even got into a quarrel over the right to dance with a beautiful girl, but they were worried Members of the royal family were all present, and they had no choice but to lower their voices, which made the hall seem peaceful.
Minna originally wanted to dance with Alex, but now she could only stand with Manda on the edge of the hall, constantly whispering comfort to her
Manda looked at Selig who was dancing with Princess Noga in the center of the hall with a pale face. Her hands were so thin that only skin and bones were left, and she was wringing her handkerchief hard, and her teeth were almost biting her lower lip.
Beryl, who was standing next to her, also had a livid face. She kept looking in the direction of the second prince and didn't even notice that the eldest prince Hyatt had been watching her from a distance, but she never noticed her. Looking at his eyes, he was a little frustrated. He called Herbie, the attendant beside him, and whispered a few instructions.
After the song ended, the people on the dance floor took a break and dispersed. After a while, the orchestra played another lyrical song. This time, most of the people dancing were couples. After a while, several young men and women joined.
Hubert came to invite Beryl, but she refused very coldly. Lilith kept a straight face. Seeing this, Lilith hurriedly left. Several ladies and friends came over with a smile and talked to Hubert cordially. He looked at Alex with cautious eyes again. When the former turned around to look for other dance partners, Alex left very smartly on the pretext of getting a drink. Then he turned his head and said fiercely to the eldest daughter: "Which number is this?" Come back?! Didn’t I ask you to get closer to him? Why did you refuse?!"
Beryl raised her head: "I'm not interested in that kind of man!"
Lilith was choked back and her eyes widened and she turned to glare at the second daughter: "Manda! Don't make that face! Since it's impossible anymore, you have to think about the many young talents tonight. I'll call you later. Mrs. Ball will introduce you to some dance partners."
Manda's eyes didn't even move: "No need for mother, I'll be fine alone." She stared at Selig's hand holding Princess Stella and saw the princess talking to him with a coquettish look on his face. Manda listened with a hint of helplessness and a bit of indulgence in her expression, and her eyes were filled with tears in the blink of an eye.
Ming Na handed over the handkerchief at a loss: "Didn't he ask someone to send a message to tell you not to worry? It's nothing but political needs." If the two countries were really going to marry, she would have gotten the information from the Security Agency long ago. Now it's just hearsay everywhere. It can be seen that the rumors are just rumors. Besides, Princess Noga is planning to get married to the real crown prince. It has not yet been determined whether the second prince will become the new crown prince. It is impossible to announce this news tonight.
But Manda couldn't understand this. She heard rumors that the second prince was getting engaged to Princess Noga almost every day. She occasionally met Miss Duras at a tea party elsewhere and she didn't come up to provoke her anymore. I heard that she was also engaged to a certain nobleman. All day long, his father, Earl Elon, could hear members of the Noble Council discussing what benefits this marriage would bring to East or how rich Princess Stella's dowry would be. Otherwise, the prince and the princess got along well and often stayed together. News about the place of travel. My father and mother often lamented the loss of a good marriage. Although they were avoiding Manda, it was not difficult for her to know.
Is Selig really going to marry someone else? Does he really want to give up on their relationship
Manda clutched the sapphire pendant on her chest tightly. The color of this necklace did not match the light yellow dress she was wearing, but it was the first one Serig gave her after the two confirmed their feelings for each other. Gifts with extraordinary meaning
Beryl glanced at her a few times and sneered: "What? Aren't you giving up? I told you a long time ago, don't expect the impossible! If you weren't useless, how could things have been delayed until today?!" She glanced at the second prince angrily, then pushed Manda towards the door: "If you can't bear it anymore, go back, lest everyone else be happy and you are the only one crying!"
Ming Na quickly stopped her: "What are you going to do?!"
"It has nothing to do with you!" Beryl pushed her hand away and started to pull Manda out. The latter struggled a few times and cried out. Lilith screamed in disapproval: "Oh! Beryl! Lil!”
This small commotion attracted the attention of people around them. They stopped talking and turned around to see Lilith blushing. She tried hard to maintain a decent smile on her face, but squeezed out a sentence between her teeth: "Stop it quickly, it's really too much." Shame on you!”
Beryl let go, and Manda covered her mouth with a handkerchief, with tears in her eyes. She looked at her sister Mingna with a frown and looked at them with a little fear. Suddenly she heard Alex's voice from behind: "What's wrong?" ?What happened?" She turned around and sighed, took the hot milk tea in his hand and handed it to Manda: "Take a sip and relax.
"We can sit next to each other." Manda forced a smile and did not take the cup.
At this moment, the queen suddenly clapped her hands and gestured towards the orchestra, and the musicians played another piece of music. Compared with the one just now, this piece of music was more subtle and touching. It was East's famous love piece. , who rarely appeared at birthday balls, the queen looked at her second son with a smile on her face, who was about to walk back to her seat, and gave him a gentle push: "Please ask Princess Stella to dance again, you two are not very good at talking. Come?"
Selig frowned, and Stella asked with a sweet smile: "Is it okay?" With a hint of pleading in his eyes, he sighed, and had no choice but to hold her hand and walk down the dance floor again, lowering his voice: "Okay, I'll ask my coachman to take you there, and then say hello to his housekeeper..."
"Thank you! Serig" Stella immediately smiled as brightly as a flower. Seeing from a distance, Manda felt heartache again. She immediately turned her head around and covered her mouth in tears.
Ming Na had a headache: "Didn't you say you would believe him? Why are you crying again now? You obviously said you would be strong and you would never doubt him."
Manda shook his head in pain: "That's what his letter said, but...everyone is telling me that he is going to be engaged to someone else. What I see now has also verified this fact. How can you tell me to believe him?" ?”
"How can a woman who only waits foolishly succeed? How can you, who can do nothing but cry, get the love of a prince?!" Beryl said coolly, and Minna turned her head. He glared at her, but she remained unmoved
Alex suddenly interrupted: "Miss Manda, since you think everyone thinks so, why don't you ask him? What matters is what he thinks, isn't it? Doubt it just because of other people's words, you are right Is this the only level of love His Highness has?"
"No!" Manda choked and retorted, "I am willing to believe him, as long as he tells me to believe it."
"Then what are you doing now?" Alex frowned and stared at her, "If it were me, and one day someone suddenly told Mingna that I betrayed her, ask Mingna if she would believe?"
Manda was startled and looked at Ming Na. Ming Na was a little confused: "Why are you talking about me? Of course I don't believe it. What kind of relationship do you have with me?! Even if you really betrayed me, I don't need anyone to tell me. "
Alex smiled and looked at Manda: "Similarly, if someone told me that Mingna betrayed me, I wouldn't believe it. I would rather ask her in person because to me, she is better than saying those words. Local people are more important”
Ming Na blinked, suddenly a little embarrassed
Manda had been stunned for a long time. She bit her lip so hard that it bled. Suddenly, she lifted up her skirt, pushed aside everyone in front of her, and rushed towards the second prince: "Sai Rigg!"
Ming Na didn't hold her back and was startled: "What is she going to do?!" Beryl also followed nervously.
When Manda rushed to the second prince Selig, the hall was already silent. The musicians stopped playing. Everyone was looking at her, wondering what she was going to do. Anyone who knew about her relationship with the second prince, Then they discussed quietly in private
Selig let go of Stella's hand and looked at his sweetheart in front of him with some confusion: "Manda, what's wrong with you?" Stella also had a face full of questions.
Manda held back her tears and asked loudly: "Everyone is saying that you are going to be engaged to this princess. Is this true? Have you forgotten our agreement? Are you going to give up on our relationship? !”
Selig was shocked: "How is this possible?! Didn't you read my letter?"
The queen was stunned with shock and hurriedly called to the attendants: "Pull her down quickly! This is simply ridiculous!" She apologized to Duke Jedda in a low voice: "It was because the attendants were not cautious enough that they let this crazy woman in. Yes, I’m very sorry.”
Jada glanced at her and said nothing
Lilith rolled her eyes and fainted. She was supported by her eldest son Bevin who hurried over. Her younger son Feld hurriedly picked up her feather fan and fanned her. Go over there and apply medicated oil on her
Selig looked at his mother dissatisfied, turned around and took Manda's hand: "Don't take it to heart, you go back first, I will find you soon."
"No!" Manda shook her head, "I want an affirmative answer! I can't do anything but wait. This kind of life is too painful. Please tell me, are you still willing to be with me? Never be separated for the rest of your life?" Just like you once swore to do it!"
"Guards!" the queen shouted angrily, and the king frowned to stop her: "Calm down, queen!"
"How can you tell me to calm down?!" The queen threw his hand away and shouted, "Guard! Guard!"
"Don't come over! What do you want to do?!" Selig stood in front of Manda and angrily shouted at the soldiers who were surrounding him. He turned to the queen and shouted, "Mother! Don't do this! Manda is my future wife. You can’t do this to her!”
There was an exclamation from the crowd, and almost everyone turned their attention to Princess Stella who was standing aside. She seemed to be a little confused about the situation, and looked at Selig in confusion.
"You have no idea what you are talking about!" the queen screamed, and was pulled hard by the king: "That's enough! There are still guests here, queen!"
The queen calmed down, but when she thought about her perfect plan being disrupted like this, she was angry and anxious, and her angry eyes immediately turned to Elon
Yilong's face was a little pale. He walked up to Selig and said, "Your Highness, Manda is too reckless. She shouldn't do such a thing in this situation. Please forgive me, I have to take her back."
Selig looked hesitantly at Manda, who looked at him with tears in her eyes and smiled sadly. He felt sad in his heart and held her in his arms: "I'm sorry, Manda, I made you suffer." He felt relieved.
Turning back to face his parents, he said in a loud and clear voice: "Father, please marry Manda and stay with her forever. No matter what happens, my mind will not change. Please give us your blessing!" "
The crowd was in an uproar again. What did the second prince's words mean? Would he actually rather give up his marriage to Princess Noga and marry the daughter of an earl? For a person who is likely to become the crown prince of a country, this is really not a smart choice.
But when he saw the surprised smile on Manda's face, he didn't regret it at all, and looked at his parents more firmly.
The queen was so angry that her whole body was shaking. If looks could kill, she would have killed the girl who seduced her son a thousand times. But the king frowned slightly and asked in a deep voice: "Serig, are you sure? Even if I want you Will your heart change if you choose between the succession to the throne and the girl next to you?”
There was a tremor in the hall, and then it was as quiet as death. Everyone stared at Selig's mouth, wondering what he would answer.
Selig held Manda's hand tightly. He could feel her shaking slightly, but he smiled brightly at her and turned to his father: "Yes, Father, my mind will not change."
The queen screamed, her face turned as pale as a dead person, but the king smiled and snapped his fingers: "What are you waiting for? Play some music! Love is the eternal theme. Let's drink to the most beautiful relationship in the world! "The attendant quickly brought the wine, and he raised his glass to everyone. People were still a little unable to react. They raised their glasses blankly and responded sparsely. After the wine was drunk, they all woke up.
Cheerful music sounded, and Selig smiled and took Manda's hand, leading her to spin in a circle. After a while, more than ten couples of men and women joined the dance floor. The colorful skirts turned and the center of the hall seemed to bloom. huge flowers
There was silence at the seats of the Nuojia Mission. Everyone's face was a little ugly. Envoys from other countries invited their partners to leave, but they still stood motionless.
The third prince, Gadmund, jumped out of nowhere and ran to Princess Stella with a smile: "Your Highness, can I ask you to dance?"
Stella seemed to be looking at something, but was surprised when she heard this: "What?"
"Dance." Lord Gadmund extended his hand politely, "You are the most beautiful woman in the entire hall. I want to ask you to dance. You won't refuse, right?"
"Hey! Your Highness, this is too much!" A delicate voice of protest immediately came from the center of the hall. Gadmon waved his hand without looking back: "Bianca, you are too old for me."
Bianca stared at him coquettishly, and casually threw the small bouquet of flowers on her skirt over. Then several other beauties threw the flowers at Gadmon angrily, but Gadmon accepted them all with a smile. They formed a bunch and sent it to Stella: "Flowers match beauty, Your Highness Princess, for the sake of the flowers, don't reject me." People around laughed kindly and whispered that this little prince was really childish.
Stella also laughed dumbly and tapped his head gently: "Okay, my little prince, for the sake of the flowers being very beautiful."
Gardmon cheered, pulled Stella and ran to the dance floor. In fact, he didn't dance seriously, he just played with her, and walked through the crowd, making her giggle.
Jada's face improved slightly, but she still looked at King Valfred III and Queen Lorna with a somewhat unkind look: "Excuse me, what is going on?"
Alfred III said with a smile: "Young people love to play, don't you dance? Let me introduce you to a beautiful dance partner?" The queen tugged on his sleeves hard, and he glanced at her lightly. , then raised his head to look for the lonely noble girl
At this time, a figure flashed, and his daughter Sarah suddenly stood in front of him. He was a little surprised: "Sarah, you..." Thinking of his youngest son's behavior just now, he felt warm in his heart, took his daughter's hand, and smiled at Jada Said: "My daughter Sarah, although she is not as good as your sister, she is also a great beauty to me!" Sarah was glaring behind her angrily. She was a little surprised when she heard this, but she quickly calmed down. Come down and look at Jada with a smile
Jada smiled faintly, took Princess Sarah's hand and walked to the dance floor. On the way, she winked at her subordinate, who nodded knowingly and left quietly.
However, the queen glared angrily at the person who appeared next to her at some time: "Beryl... Cardo, what were you doing just now?!" She just saw clearly that this woman pushed her daughter.
Beryl changed her previous coldness and smiled: "Your Highness, there is not only one kind of marriage."
The queen was stunned: "What did you say?!"
"If Princess Noga marries the future King of East, the prince she will give birth to will be half Noga blood." Beryl approached her and lowered her voice, "Is such an heir to the throne really suitable? But, If our princess from East becomes Queen Noga, it means that the future King Noga will have half of the blood of East and be the descendant of you and His Majesty the King!"
The queen's eyes lit up and she looked at her daughter and Duke Jedda on the dance floor, thoughtfully
Beryl secretly breathed a sigh of relief. From the corner of her eye, she saw Serig and Manda running hand in hand through the crowd towards the direction of the walk. Suddenly, she felt extremely dazzled. She bit her lip, looked around and no one noticed her, and then followed quietly.
Hyatt, who had been sitting in the corner, noticed where she was going. He waved to the guard Herbie and whispered something, and the latter pushed his wheelchair and followed her.
(A big showdown in the four-corner relationship... In the next chapter, Mingna faces Jada, what will happen?)