No One Understands People Better Than I Do

Will you marry my daughter?

The Archduke placed his wine glass on the table, looked at Kang De, and asked this question.

Upon hearing this, Tina's expression changed. "Father!"

This is different from what we agreed upon beforehand.

"Please be quiet, Tina. As we agreed, you can be present for today's conversation, but in exchange, you must remain silent and allow me to finish my conversation with Kang De alone."

The Grand Duke looked at his daughter. "As a father."

Tina's hands clenched quietly, and she lowered her eyes.

The Grand Duke then looked at the Sword Saint Cascading Snow, while Hilmeria turned her head away as well.

He finally looked at Kang De, his gaze falling silently upon him.

After all, he is the ruler of a country, and having held the position for a long time, he naturally possesses a certain majesty and demeanor. Furthermore, with the added influence of the "hostility from his prospective father-in-law," his pressure is quite considerable.

His gaze was also full of scrutiny.

He is asking Kang De a question today as a father.

From his daughter's attitude and expression, the intelligence he had gathered over the past few days, and even his own experience and knowledge as an elder, he had already discerned something.

Furthermore, Goth's current situation, the new crisis facing the nation, the several hidden dangers it faces, and the reasons why Goth is able to maintain the nation's existence and even have a certain international deterrent power... The core of these chaotic and complex issues actually lies with Kang De, so some relationships must be clarified or defined.

This country cannot be allowed to continue its ambiguous relationship with Kang De.

Tina ingratiated herself with Kang De in exchange for his protection of Goth.

Because of Princess Tina, the state, officials, and even the people made arbitrary demands on Kang De, believing it was only natural for him to protect Goth and safeguard Goth interests.

If this distorted relationship and increasingly blurred boundaries of cognition continue to entangle and persist, one day it will inevitably lead to great chaos.

Both the future of the country and the happiness of my daughter will be greatly affected.

So...

He said in a deep voice, "What? Is this question difficult to answer?"

Tina and Goth must be separated.

To uphold the nation, she fawned over the powerful with a self-sacrificing mentality, always humbling herself, which tainted her feelings... If Tina had approached Kang De with such intentions, it would have been a disgrace to him as a father and to the entire nation. Goth's national security should not be borne by a girl.

So, let's say no, and then we'll handle this relationship in a more rational and simpler way...

"Of course I would."

"Puff..."

The lobster meat in the Sword Saint Cascading Snow's mouth sprayed out, and Tina's expression turned extremely astonished.

The Grand Duke opened his mouth slightly, but could not utter a single word.

--Wait a moment!

--Did I see wrong? Or was the intelligence also incorrect?

--Aren't you just a naive little kid with no experience with men and women who yearns for pure love?

--Shouldn't you have directly rejected this proposal, which has a strong political undertone?

Kang De turned to look at the astonished Tina, and smiled broadly, "Such a beautiful, intelligent, lovely, elegant, knowledgeable, understanding, virtuous and dignified young woman, who wouldn't want to marry her?"

--Say no to me!

--I just want to separate things! Tina is Tina! Goth is Goth!

--Could this also be part of that bastard's plan?!

--What did I just do!

The Grand Duke felt his lips trembling. He had been completely blinded by his displeasure and had actually done something so stupid... Who would pull out their own cabbage and put it into a pig's mouth!

I should have stabbed him with a pitchfork!

At this moment, Grand Duke Reknos's feelings were completely indescribable.

Not to mention his sister, who was glaring at him with a look that seemed to say, "What have you done, you stinking idiot [beep--]?"

Just then, Tina came to her senses.

Her expression was a mixture of joy and surprise, but she ultimately lowered her head and whispered, "Kang De, I..."

--Say something! Say something, my daughter!

The Grand Duke looked over with expectant eyes, and then saw the Cathay scoundrel opposite him extend his right hand, seemingly grasping his daughter's hand. Tina's body trembled, her dignified posture visibly softened, her face flushed, and she couldn't say a word.

"But I must decline your offer, Your Excellency."

--Hmm? Is there something you don't like about my daughter?

Sometimes, a man's heart and a woman's heart are equally difficult to understand.

The Grand Duke looked over with a subtle yet furious gaze.

All I saw was Kang De's calm and composed gaze, a frank and direct look.

Even though his feelings were complicated and hard to describe, every time he looked directly at this young man, the Grand Duke couldn't help but sigh inwardly. How old was he? Yet he already possessed the confidence to look any monarch in the world in the eye. Those with strength are always confident. What was even more commendable was that, even so, this young man's gaze remained restrained and pure.

Kang De held Tina's hand and said slowly, "Tina is a very, very good girl. It would be a very happy thing to marry such a girl and spend my life with her. You asked me if I was willing, and I'm not lying. Such a future truly makes me secretly happy."

"From the very first time we met, I felt a strong attraction to her. She was the first person of the opposite sex I had ever seen... As a mainlander, you might find it hard to understand this feeling. Before that, I was isolated from the world, utterly lonely, until I met and got to know her. She gave me such generous gifts, which I still cherish to this day."

"She brought me to the human world. Although we experienced hardship and sorrow, hope and suffering coexisted. There are too many stories to recount. I joined Goth's war. I shared the same experiences as Tina, felt the same sorrow, and fought for the same reason. Although we are far apart, the thought that a stronger young girl in a distant place is also wielding her sword for this country makes me miss her even more."

"If I could marry Tina, wouldn't I be happy? Yes."

"Do you have feelings for this kind of girl? Yes."

"I want to marry her. I don't dislike marrying Tina. I want to get to know her better, to see if we are compatible, if we share the same interests, the same aspirations, and the same beliefs. I want to do many things with her, create memories, confirm my feelings, feel attached, and finally let love blossom. Then we can exchange vows and be married. This is the kind of love and marriage I want."

"You asked me if I would marry her, and my answer is yes."

"But there's a condition: I only want to marry her because of love."

"But now I am very clear that my feelings for Tina are affection, admiration, and liking, but I'm afraid they are not the kind of love I idealize, so I'm sorry to disappoint you, Your Excellency."

I think I must decline your offer.

Kang De looked at Grand Duke Reknos and solemnly said, "My assistance to Goth was not out of any lust for Tina, nor did I intend to use her as leverage to force her into marriage. If I have any feelings for Tina, it is only that I do not want my relationship with her to be tainted by a political marriage."

He concluded his speech. "Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"..."

"..."

Wait a moment.

How did things turn out this way?

How did I end up being portrayed as a despicable father who sold his daughter?

That's exactly what I wanted to say! That's exactly what I meant!

My goal is to let Tina pursue her own happiness and for Goth to engage in negotiations with you in a more rational and realistic manner!

Goth paid a huge price and made great benefits at the national level in exchange for your protection and alliance. The Taidariel Family and even the entire country would maintain this alliance together. In this way, the subsequent negotiations and interactions could be conducted with neither servility nor arrogance, rather than with flattery and submission. In this way, Tina could face her feelings openly, and the Goth People would not become obsessed with your protection and subconsciously make demands.

That's exactly what I wanted!

The Duke felt as if he had eaten a bitter herb; his whole body was filled with bitterness.

Especially when she saw her sister's disdainful look, and then saw her precious daughter's flushed cheeks and her eyes completely filled with emotion for Kang De, she felt like pounding her chest and overturning the table.

I'm so angry!

How could things have turned out like this!

Just then, Hilmeria spoke.

The Sword Saint Cascading Snow truly lives up to his reputation as a top expert of his time. His swordsmanship is superb, his combat awareness is excellent, and he is well-versed in the art of finishing off opponents.

She said in a sarcastic tone, "You're always acting on impulse, beating around the bush, hesitating when you should be decisive, keeping things mysterious when you should be direct, putting on airs when you should be honest, making stupid mistakes when you should be putting on airs, and being indecisive when you should be ruthless. It's because of your character that Goth ended up like this, getting beaten up by the elves and betrayed by the empire. Your Excellency, you should know shame!"

--Although to be fair, Goth's current predicament is not entirely the Archduke's fault, this statement still carries considerable weight.

The poor Grand Duke, embarrassed, stood up abruptly and said with a stern face, "Excuse me for a moment."

Then he simply pushed the door open and left.

The Sword Saint Cascading Snow chuckled twice and shrugged—he learned that from Kang De.

Tina instinctively called out "Father," but the Grand Duke ignored her. Then she heard Hilmeria click her tongue and say, "That's how she was when she was little. If she got scolded, won against, or got beaten, she'd just excuse herself and go find somewhere to cry."

The princess glared and said, "Aunt! Even if we're siblings, what you just said was too much! Goth's encounter with the enemy was not Father's fault at all; he already felt guilty about it. You..."

The Sword Saint Cascading Snow said calmly, "Little girl, I am your father's sister. I've seen all the stupid things he's done, all the messes he's made, and all his personality traits, both the ones you haven't seen and the ones you haven't seen."

"To put it bluntly, he's not suited to be a ruler. He's too thin-skinned, too emotional, has too much of a conscience, and is always hesitant. Sometimes his kindness borders on pedantry. The only reason he's managed to govern the country to its current state is because that old idiot Xide complements him quite well and is willing to help him do bad things."

The knife twirled in her hand, the candlelight casting a bright halo on its blade. Hilmeria's gaze became unfocused, lost in memories of childhood, of long-forgotten events—people always like to reminisce.

She said calmly, "It's a pity. That idiot Xide is useless now. If he were to pull any tricks, no, even just let his guard down a little, your father's days would be numbered..."

At this point, the Sword Saint suddenly smirked and said, "How about we stage a coup and have your father and that old idiot Xide go to some heavily guarded manor to eat rough bread?"

"..."

Tina's experience is to ignore such rumors and gossip.

She composed herself, looked at Kang De, suppressed the agitation and emotions in her heart, and then explained softly, "Kang De, Father didn't intend for a political marriage. He was..."

Kang De nodded and smiled, "I know, your father just wanted to get things straight. He thought I would refuse outright, and then suggest that Goth is Goth, and you are you..."

Tina asked in surprise, "How did you know?"

Kang De raised an eyebrow. "It's obvious. I knew what he wanted to do the moment he said his first words. After all, from your description, what he said to me on the day of the battle, and our conversations over the past two days, I knew what kind of person he was, and of course, what he was thinking... Ha, it was as clear as if it were written all over his face."

"..."

"..."

The swordsman and the princess watched Kang De silently together.

"... What's wrong?"

Kang De glanced at their expressions and immediately understood what they were thinking.

He laughed heartily, extremely smug. "Are you wondering why I knew the answer but still blurted out those words, making him feel awkward?"

--No, of course not, that's not what we're thinking, you fool.

Kang De chuckled to himself, "Of course it's because it's fun! Who told him to put on that profound look at the beginning, with that 'I'm a wise, handsome, and deeply paternalistic cold-faced middle-aged man' expression? Of course I wanted to see his embarrassed and flustered look when his plan fell apart, to teach him a lesson. It'll definitely leave a deep impression on him, and when he sees me again, he'll surely remember what happened today..."

As he spoke, he stood up and patted Tina and the Sword Saint on the shoulder.

"Alright, I think it's about time. I'll go check on the Grand Duke."

"--Hey, you guys don't understand. Men are very concerned about their image. I 'unintentionally' exposed his pretentious act and plans, putting him in a very passive position. But when he was flustered and embarrassed, I went to talk to him and comforted him. He will definitely appreciate it and be grateful to me. He will feel that I gave him face. The more upset he was before, the more relieved he will be now."

"After all, men, especially a man like the Grand Duke, aren't petty or vengeful. If you give him face, he'll go along with it and remember my kindness..."

As he casually uttered those words that stirred mixed feelings in both women, he walked lightly out of the house, carrying with him the joy and anticipation of "I'm about to reap a wave of goodwill."

The door was closed.

Tina and Hilmeria exchanged bewildered glances.

Then they all sighed in unison.

￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥

PS1: Time to sleep, time to sleep...