Young People Are Always Too Arrogant

Everyone was going through the motions.

But Fiora, as the one engaged, took the initiative at the most crucial moment, breaking the established procedure.

Fiora's choice caught everyone by surprise.

So much so that many guests, who hadn't been paying attention to the engaged parties, didn't even realize what was happening at first. They thought Fiora had said "I do."

Thus, the already absurd wedding became even more absurd. As people were instinctively applauding, they noticed most of the surrounding guests were silent, staring blankly at Fiora in the center of the hall. The applause eventually stopped out of awkwardness.

"I refuse." As if to ensure even those not paying attention knew her decision, Fiora announced her resolution loudly once more. "My life is my own to decide—I want to break off the engagement!"

A collective uproar erupted from the guests.

No one could have imagined Fiora would openly announce she was breaking off her engagement at the ceremony!

Even though Demacia's Imperial Capital had a rebellious young man or woman from its nobility families every year or two, looking back over decades, Fiora was likely the only one to have unilaterally broken off an engagement at the ceremony!

Sebastian, who had been beaming, visibly turned from rosy-cheeked to ashen upon hearing his daughter's words.

Dili, who had also been in good spirits, was now completely dumbfounded.

Dili knew that his handling of matters in Silvermine City hadn't been smooth, which might not be a plus in Lux's eyes. Thus, he chose to rely on Tiana and develop his career in the military.

Since Dili himself was unwilling to risk his life on the front lines, and his son Gao Kan wasn't cut out for it either, seeing the remarkably skilled Fiora, he was naturally happy to facilitate this marriage.

In fact, he quite admired Fiora's stubbornness; talented people always had their tempers!

Dili believed Fiora would achieve great things in the military, and his own family would rise with her.

He had even thought that if his son misbehaved after marriage, he'd break his legs—what a useful wife to have!

Dili knew Fiora was stubborn and that she looked down on Gao Kan, and that there was no love between them.

But... that didn't matter.

In Demacia, love was not just unimportant in noble marriages; it was practically nonexistent.

For the nobility, marriage had always been a tool for alliances.

Love?

What kind of love was that!

But Dili clearly hadn't expected Fiora's stubbornness to reach a point where she would disregard noble customs!

He also hadn't realized that Fiora's pride surpassed her recognition of her noble status!

Under these circumstances, Dili could only tremble, unable to utter a single word.

Before the guests could react, Sebastian, his face ashen, strode to Fiora's side. He grabbed his daughter and, disregarding all decorum, tried to cover her mouth.

Please, be my great-aunt, just stop talking!

In this situation, are you trying to completely offend the Crown Guard?

But alas, it was all for naught.

Fiora merely dodged lightly, evading her father's grasp, and simultaneously voiced her true feelings loudly.

"I would rather die than accept this predetermined fate where I am manipulated!"

The unique acoustics of the church hall carried Fiora's words clearly to everyone present.

All the nobles heard her.

And under their witness, her words would truly decide her fate.

The moment Fiora finished speaking, Lux parted the crowd and approached her.

"Miss Fiora Laurent—you are breaking your engagement in front of all these nobles!" Lux's brow was furrowed, her expression extremely serious. "May I consider this a provocation to the reputation of the Crown Guard family?"

"I mean no offense!" Fiora finally stopped dodging her father's grasp and stood firm. She first offered a slight bow, then spoke with a resolute tone, "But I truly have no intention of getting engaged... especially to such a good-for-nothing!"

"Then I am truly sorry, Miss Fiora." Hearing this, Lux unhesitatingly removed her glove without any hesitation. "For the honor of the Crown Guard family, I shall see you in the Hall of Duels—I will request His Majesty to witness this!"

With that, she cleanly dropped the glove into Fiora's arms and turned to leave!

Hearing this and seeing Lux's thrown glove, the nobles, who had been quietly murmuring and expecting to watch a show, were now completely stunned!

Using a duel to clear one's name was not uncommon.

But the issue was, under normal circumstances, according to Demacian custom, noble duels could be fought by representatives—after Lux proposed the duel, she could have easily chosen a skilled duelist as her representative!

Yet, Lux chose to remove her own glove, meaning she intended to fight herself!

This way, Fiora couldn't find a representative either. Sebastian, who had been considering stepping forward, could only stand there dumbfounded.

Even though Lux was now over five and a half feet tall and looked almost like an adult, she was only thirteen years old!

Now, thirteen-year-old Luxanna Crownguard, to defend her family's honor, had formally challenged eighteen-year-old Fiora Laurent to a duel, under the King's witness!

For Sebastian, regardless of the duel's outcome, the family was finished.

Realizing this, even though they knew it wasn't the time to speak, the attending nobles couldn't help but part to let Lux pass before starting to whisper amongst themselves.

Lux's choice fully complied with the laws of nobility.

But the problem was, she had thrown herself directly into it, leaving no room for maneuver. While her choice was impeccable, it was also hard to believe.

However, beyond their shock, many of the nobility were actually quite pleased to see this unfold.

Lux was held up as a model of nobility, a child to be emulated. While she was well-regarded among the nobility, that didn't mean everyone wished her well.

Even though Lux had unleashed a stunning sword strike when she was in Silvermine City, the nobles of the Imperial Capital largely dismissed it as excessive boasting. No one had ever heard of the Crown Guard's little princess practicing swordsmanship. Considering the event took place in Silvermine City, it was likely internal promotion by the Crown Guard family.

In contrast, Lux's opponent, Fiora... tsk, tsk, tsk.

In Demacian Imperial Capital, who didn't know that Miss Fiora preferred arms to finery?

Many nobles had even privately stated that if Fiora hadn't been born into the fallen Laurent family, she would have quickly become the second Tiana!

In comparison, the nobility clearly saw that Lux was destined to lose. She was trying desperately to defend her family's honor, and might even lose her own life in the process!

Hahaha, you like to pretend to be a model of nobility, can't stand to lose face, huh?

Now you've really gotten yourself into trouble!

You're still too young. A noble's face is important, but substance is even more important!

Now that you've gained face, you might lose your life in the dueling arena.

Young people – don't be too impetuous!

Realizing this, many nobles proactively sought out Jiawen III that afternoon, hoping the King would step in to preside over the situation and "witness this grand duel."

That's right, most of the nobility genuinely wanted Lux to go through with the duel against Fiora, and they were eager to see Lux in trouble.

The King's loyal dog, if it can't behave itself, wouldn't it be better to kill it and eat its meat?

Moreover, those who wanted Jiawen III to step in and preside over the situation felt completely justified.

After all, Lux was upholding her family's honor. If Jiawen III were to stop the duel now, it would bring shame upon the Crown Guard family!

Jiawen III, who wanted to resolve this turmoil, pondered for a long time but couldn't find a solution that would satisfy everyone. The catalyst for all this was Fiora's broken engagement. Lux was the one who proposed the duel, but it was the nobles of Demacian Imperial Capital who pushed for the duel to proceed!

To anyone watching, it seemed like Lux was caught in a difficult position because of her youthful impetuosity and her emphasis on honor. She couldn't advance or retreat, so she could only brace herself and push forward, stubbornly clinging to her pride and suffering for it.

But unfortunately, few people knew that this time, Lux... had willingly brought the fire upon herself.

She was indeed being put on the spot.

But this fire... was one she had stoked herself.