Advent of the Three Calamities

Chapter 746: Announcement [3]

"Did I just hear correctly?"

"No, this makes absolutely no sense at all. Is this real?"

"This isn’t a joke, right?"

"The Zenith is engaged?!"

The news was explosive. Not just because Delilah’s appearance was something that attracted the attention of many individuals, but because of the significance that her title and presence held.

As the one beneath the Zenith, and the strongest within the Empire, she held one of the highest authorities within the entire world.

There were only a rare few individuals that held more authority than her — mainly the Emperors. And that was primarily due to the fact that they commanded enormous armies and had many powerful individuals under their command.

The reason they held more power was because they weren’t alone, unlike her.

This was what truly separated the two.

However, when it came to individual standing, she was second to none.

"Who is she engaged to?""...Is he from the royal family? If he’s from the royal family then the battle for the throne is as good as over!""It doesn’t just have to be someone from the royal family. Anyone who gets engaged with her will have the backing of the Rosemberg Duchy, alongside her. They’ll soar to the next level!"

The room grew immediately tense. Everyone started to realize the crux of the situation.

Delilah’s engagement wasn’t a simple announcement of the Duke’s daughter’s love life.

It was a significant declaration that signified an incoming political shift.

What followed after the realization was a brief moment of silence as everyone looked at each other. Shortly after, all eyes fell on Orson, who stood in the middle of the room with a thin smile on his face, seemingly enjoying the chaos that had unfolded before his very eyes.

Seeing how the situation was shifting, he raised his hand, and any lingering noise around the room faded.

He waited a couple of seconds before clearing his throat and continuing.

"It looks like everyone here is shocked by the news. I myself am also shocked by this sudden piece of news. I would’ve never expected my daughter to actively look for a partner."

His words were met with a brief moment of silence. Everyone stopped for a moment to digest them.

But then—

"What...?!?

"This wasn’t an engagement that you proposed?"

"She actively looked for the engagement?!"

The crowd erupted into murmurs and whispers once more.

"How does this make sense? She seems completely different from the rumours. Who could’ve convinced her?"

All eyes fell on Delilah as she stood in the middle of the hall without any expression, taking in all of the attention.

She was already used to being the center of attention. As such, feeling everyone’s gazes, she remained indifferent as she kept her gaze fixed toward her father.

However, it was her silence and indifference that confirmed the news to everyone.

"A moment please."

Raising his hand again, the crowd stopped speaking as Orson gathered everyone’s attention once more.

"I understand that everyone has questions they want to ask, but allow me to speak first."

Pausing, the silence lingered as everyone understood his message. He nodded quietly before continuing, "Yes, my daughter was the one to directly choose her partner. This wasn’t an engagement that I forced upon her. In that regard, you all don’t have to worry about the hidden political intentions behind the engagement."

The crowd stirred.

Many opened their mouths, ready to speak.

But before the noise could return, Orson raised his voice.

"Her partner is someone whose identity we’ve chosen to maintain as a secret for now. I understand that everyone here wants to know who it is, but we’re holding off for a few months. This is something that I’ve also decided based on the current setting. This isn’t the right place where such important news should be announced."

With a smile, Orson looked around the room.

"...And that leads to the main announcement. In about a month or two’s time, the Rosemberg Duchy will be holding an engagement party between my daughter and her partner. I’d like for everyone present to participate in the event when the time comes. You’ll find out who her partner is then. I hope that everyone here can make it."

Boom—

The place erupted into chaos again.

It looked like the nobles couldn’t stop themselves from stirring commotion at every opportunity, throwing one question after another at the Duke.

However, the Duke maintained his composure as he looked around and ignored all of the questions. He was well versed with these sort of situations.

Eventually, he settled his gaze on a certain individual.

His voice raised.

"Leaving the announcement to the side, today shouldn’t be about my daughter’s engagement. Today we should focus on the main star of the event."

Tapping his foot against the ground, the noise forcefully ceased, unlike the previous times, and a certain figure became the focal point of everyone present.

With hazel-brown eyes that gleamed under the hall’s light and a visage sharp enough to seize attention the instant one looked upon it, Julien stepped forward.

His back was held perfectly straight, shoulders squared with confidence, and his expression remained calm... so steady it was difficult to tell whether he was truly unaffected or simply masking his thoughts behind a composed facade.

Every movement he made was calm, unhurried, and carried with it a quiet weight that naturally drew the eyes of all present.

Feeling everyone’s gaze, he walked toward the Duke as the Duke smiled in his direction.

He eventually stopped right before the Duke, his eyes briefly pausing on Delilah as he gave her a brief nod.

Delilah nodded back, and the two didn’t look at each other any longer.

The Duke nodded at the sight before shifting his attention elsewhere.

"Marquis..."

All eyes turned in the direction of where the Duke looked.

Eventually, several nobles stepped aside, parting to allow the approach of a figure whose composed presence seemed at odds with the tension of the moment. Adjusting his glasses with deliberate ease, the Marquis came to a halt before the Duke and Julien.

The Duke looked at both sides before taking out two papers, upon which two signatures appeared.

"These are the contracts that both of you signed at the start of the Rite. I’m sure both of you remember them."

Neither Julien nor the Marquis said a word. However, their silence spoke volumes as the Duke handed the files to Julien.

"The moment these documents are delivered, all lands and stipulated terms will pass to Julien of the Evenus Household. Within them are the conditions pertaining to the other parties. If any among you would voice an objection, speak now. Otherwise, I shall proceed and formalize the transfer."

The Duke stared at the Marquis, waiting for him to say something. He was sure he’d have words to say. It was usually always like this.

’I’m sure he’ll bring out the situation with the dragon, but I’ve already prepared for that.’

The Duke was ready for any argument that might be raised.

And yet—

"I am fine with the terms."

The Marquis seemed strangely tame as he nodded his head.

His actions threw the Duke off a little, but he quickly recovered as he nodded and turned toward Julien, handing the papers to him.

"In that case, I’ll proceed with the transfer."

With Julien extending his hands, the Duke placed the papers into them, officializing the transfer.

That moment marked the end of the Rite.

***

’Something is odd.’

Following the transfer of terms, I was quickly dismissed by the Duke, who talked for a few more moments before eventually leaving.

Staring at the papers in my hand, I found the situation somewhat odd.

I expected there to be more trouble. I didn’t expect things to be this easy.

In fact, I was expecting the Marquis to make a scene about Pebble and whatnot.

And yet—

’He was strangely docile. Is it because he knew that it wouldn’t lead to anything, or is there more to it?’

For some reason, I didn’t have a very good feeling about the situation. The issue was that I didn’t have a concrete idea as to what he had planned, or if it was just me overthinking things.

I did tend to overthink from time to time.

I sighed and looked around me. All eyes seemed to be trained in my direction. I ignored the stares and continued scanning the room. Eventually, my gaze settled on a certain individual.

He stood with his back straight, expression completely frozen and stiff.

I walked up to him and patted him on the shoulder.

"That was some crazy announcement..."

Leon’s body stiffened further.

"The Chancellor is getting engaged? Wow!"

Leon’s body twitched.

"Whoever must’ve attracted the attention of such a beautiful and capable woman must be extremely handsome and capable himself."

Leon’s face started to contort. I laughed inside my head.

I wanted to tease him more, but before I got the chance, a couple more voices joined in.

"No, but seriously. Who do you think the Chancellor is engaged to? I expected her to be the last person to get engaged with someone."

Turning my attention toward the voice, Evelyn and Kiera walked in our direction.

Holding onto a couple of pastries, Kiera handed me a few.

I took them without much reservation and ate one.

"It looks like they’re holding some sort of engagement party in the upcoming months. I can see the event becoming extremely big. It’ll probably attract the attention of the entire world."

Evelyn’s face was quite serious as she spoke. Thinking about it, her seriousness was understandable.

In fact, just thinking about it made my stomach churn.

I would’ve loved it if they warned me in advance...

I could practically imagine the chaos that was set to unfold in the coming days after the announcement was made public.

Ruffling my hair, I put another pastry in my mouth before eventually settling my gaze on the distance, where a certain figure appeared.

Seeing her blend through the crowd, and as if noticing my gaze, she turned her back against me and walked away. I smiled before stuffing the last pastry in my mouth and excusing myself.

"I need to go. I have to handle something."

Without waiting for the others to say anything, I moved, feeling my heart quicken.

...It had been too long since I had last seen her.

I really missed her.