Surely no man could refuse to marry Anne, a Noble Lady of high birth, fine upbringing, and lively charm.
But Lu Xing could not immediately agree with delight. Anne's age aside, that was a minor matter.
The other issues were the important ones!
"Lu Xing-sensei."
Seeing what he was about to say, the Duchess said, "You need not worry about anything else. You only need to consider whether you are willing, whether you like her. Even if you answer that you are willing, we cannot have Anne marry you at once. The Goddess is watching Anne, and I must discuss it with her father again."
That was true. If Lu Xing married Anne and entered the bridal chamber—oh, it was called the wedding night here—with the Goddess watching Anne, would Lu Xing even dare?
"A yes or no answer should arise solely from a man's most sincere feelings of affection for a woman, without any other matters mixed in!"
The Duchess spoke again.
Her words made Lu Xing fall into thought. Clearly, what she asked about was love between a man and a woman, without the need to consider anything else.
For instance, Lu Xing and Anne came from two different worlds and could not marry at present. Or there were their differing habits, religious beliefs, upbringing, plans for the future, families, and so on.
None of those things needed to be considered!
Only love mattered.
It was like the first love of a young man and woman, pure and ardent, without thought for the future, without regard for family status, unrelated to whether either was exceptional. All that mattered was that there was love in each other's eyes.
"Duchess, my answer is that I am willing!"
Following his heart, Lu Xing gave her a firm answer.
Anne's mother, Lady