Chapter 163

Cyrus eventually went back to his room to sleep with his lips swollen. The next morning, when he got up, the first thing he did was touch his lips; hmm, they were numb.

Then he remembered what he had done on the balcony the night before, and his cheeks flushed red. He angrily punched the bedsheets a few times; His Holiness the Pope needed far too much comfort...

I should have kicked him a few more times before he went into the room yesterday.

After washing up, Cyrus went out, with Judas following behind.

"Good day, Your Majesty," Judas stopped and said respectfully.

After opening the door, I unexpectedly encountered the Pope outside.

Cyrus pursed his lips, his gaze involuntarily lingering on the other person's lips. Last night, he couldn't resist and bit them, which was why he didn't leave...

Fortunately, no wound was left on it.

However, it's hard to explain now.

When Segalot saw Cyrus's caramel-colored eyes staring at his lips, he knew what Shazoi was thinking. A smile played on his lips, and he couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Sure enough, the next moment, those beautiful eyes immediately shifted away.

"Did you sleep well last night?" Segalot asked.

"Hmm..." Cyrus nodded and took the lead towards the stairs leading to the hall. Breakfast was served at this time, and guests could choose to eat in the hall or have it delivered to their rooms by servants.

Cyrus chose to go to the lobby.

They arrived a little later, and there were already people in the hall: Gena, Archibald, and Brali, who was teasing Sachi panther with a piece of raw meat he'd somehow acquired.

Orville was also there, sitting in a chair with an unusually furrowed brow and dark circles under his eyes, indicating that he hadn't slept well the night before, which made his overall demeanor much more subdued.

His silver hair cascaded down his back, and his light gray eyes somehow appeared gloomy, like a sky filled with dark clouds...

His skin was exceptionally fair, which made the dark circles under his eyes even more noticeable, making him look like a handsome yet melancholic vampire duke.

The sound of Cyrus and Segalot walking together caught Orville's attention.

He looked up at the sound, and instantly, his pupils contracted slightly, causing the plate beside him to fall to the ground...

"Splash!"

A shattering sound rang out.

The hall fell silent instantly, and everyone turned to look at Orville in surprise, while the servants hurriedly stepped forward to gather the broken pieces.

Archibald frowned, instinctively feeling that Orville seemed a little off today.

When Cyrus noticed Orville staring at him, he tilted his head knowingly. Just as he was about to speak, the Grand Duke averted his gaze and stood up from his seat.

"Have you eaten?" Archibald asked.

Orville arrived in the hall later than him, sat in a chair talking incoherently, barely touched his breakfast, and now he's already left?

However, Orville seemed preoccupied and walked away quickly without hearing Archibald's question.

Archibald said something strange.

He immediately stopped thinking about Orville's strange behavior and gestured for Cyrus to sit next to him, "Kien Gales just sent over invitations to the engagement dinner, and the wedding date has been set."

Cyrus walked over and sat down. "When was it?"

Archibald handed him an exquisite invitation—an invitation to the engagement dinner tomorrow night, while the formal wedding was scheduled for five days later at the royal palace.

Cyrus felt that time was a bit tight.

After all, there is usually a gap of about two to three months between an engagement and a formal wedding.

However, the invitation sent by the king arranged the engagement and wedding ceremonies to be very close together.

Does he seem to be in a hurry?

This is quite intriguing.

At this moment, King Asa Derick of the Bia Kingdom suddenly looked at Cyrus and smiled, "My lord, you probably don't know that Marquis Galli's daughter, Miss Shamir, is currently being confined at home."

"I heard... it's because of yesterday..."

Yasa Derick's words gradually faded under the gaze of a pair of gilded eyes.

He touched his nose, subtly signaling to the owner of those eyes that he shouldn't speak anymore, and only breathed a sigh of relief after his gaze shifted away.

It seems His Holiness the Pope's interest in this Little Rose hasn't waned; he wouldn't even let him utter a single teasing remark...

Yasa Derick was inwardly resentful.

The subtle interactions between the Pope and Bia Kingdom went unnoticed by others.

Although Yasa Derick didn't finish his sentence, the others understood what he meant. Even Brali, who was focused on teasing Sachi, looked at Cyrus.

The most important event in the Saint Airo Empire recently is the king's wedding.

The bride-to-be was caught expressing her admiration for another man in front of the Saint Church yesterday... and the news spread throughout the entire city overnight.

Even the servants in the Sheri Hall were talking about it in the morning.

The leader of the Kadi Tribe appeared composed, but he was actually a curious young man. He asked doubtfully, "The Marquis Galli's daughter is being kept at home. Could it be related to the Lord of Desinia?"

Gena glanced at Brali, who was eating breakfast, and a faint smile crept onto his lips as he chuckled softly.

The Bovell Kingdom and the Kadi Tribe in the far north and the far west, respectively.

Perhaps due to geographical location and unique climate, these two countries have developed differences in lifestyle and culture...

For example, even though it is springtime, the temperature has not yet risen and the cold air has not dissipated. Yet, Gena has changed into lighter clothes in the Empire, while Brali is wrapped in thicker clothes than others.

Regarding Brali's question, Archibald fiddled with the knife beside him, seemingly nonchalant, and said, "Well, it's probably because Little Zuoyi is too charming, making this Shamir insist on expressing her feelings before the wedding."

"Do you know Little Zuoyi has any thoughts on this?"

"I didn't provoke her." Cyrus glanced at the Pope subtly.

Archibald raised his eyes upon hearing this, then suddenly reached out and pinched Cyrus's cheek, chuckling, "You don't even know who you've messed with."

Before Cyrus Zuoyi could ask her question, Segalot grabbed the prince's wrist and pulled him away, his smile not reaching his eyes, and said, "I heard that Duke Rens ' daughter is pursuing Your Highness ardently. I wonder when the good news will come?"

Cyrus: "Duke Rens?"

Segalot: "A nobleman from the Anas Kingdom, whose daughter Tido once boldly declared her love for His Highness the Prince; her feelings for him have spread throughout the entire capital of Anas."

"Queen Minina has declared that she approves of and highly approves of their marriage."

Cyrus: "Then congratulations to Archie."

Archibald withdrew his wrist, his tone slightly cold, and said, "Your Holiness must have misheard. There's no good news to be reported."

"I am even more determined to marry the Duke Rens's daughter and make her my wife."

After saying that, Archibald turned to look at Cyrus, and said with a hint of helplessness, "Little Zuoyi, there's nothing to congratulate you on."

Cyrus said earnestly, "Archie, aren't your standards for a partner a bit too high? You're of age; it's time to get married."

How could he even fancy the Duke's daughter?

Archibald: "..."

He sighed heavily, placed a hand on Cyrus's head, then quickly moved away, saying, "Why are you worrying about this? As for the person I like..."

His Highness gazed at the person before him with a complex expression, and after a long while said, "I also don't know whether I should let him know..."

Cyrus perked up her ears. Archie already has someone he likes?!

Segalot: "Eat quickly, it's getting cold."

"Hmm," Cyrus responded, gesturing for the Pope to bring him the soup. His tone was natural and friendly, drawing glances from the others who thought to themselves that the rumors were indeed true; the Lord of Desinia and the Pope did have a very good relationship.

Archibald frowned slightly, unable to ignore the strange feeling rising in his heart.

After breakfast, everyone had their own thoughts.

The engagement banquet is tomorrow night. It is a major event in the King's life, and even the Holy See will be involved. The archbishop, cardinals, and others will participate in the King's engagement and formal wedding process.

The Saint Church was extremely busy today, and since the Pope was in the Saint Airo Empire, he could not remain uninvolved.

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So, after finishing breakfast, Segalot left the Sheri Hall.

Cyrus went back to her room to try on the dress she would wear to her engagement dinner the next evening.

If any part of the fit is not right, you can promptly have it altered by a tailor.

The suit Judas chose for him was an understated white and silver color scheme, with fitted cuffs, a frayed collar, side buttons, a cinched waist, and a badge on his left breast that signified his status—a classic aristocratic look.

Cyrus tugged at her collar and said, "It's a little tight here."

Judas unbuttoned Cyrus's clothes, glanced at her, and said, "My lord, you can have the tailor loosen the stitching here; it should be fixed by tonight."

"Are there any other comfortable places?"

Cyrus turned around in front of the mirror, hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. "No, everything else is fine, just need to alter the neckline."

Judas nodded, and then took off the dress for Cyrus and folded it neatly.

The fireplace was still burning in the room, raising the temperature and making it warm and cozy.

Cyrus tried on the clothes for a while, but felt hot. After taking off her formal dress, she sat on the sofa wearing only a light shirt.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Judas walked over and opened the door. "Grand Duke..."

Cyrus looked towards the door and saw Orville appear. He said, "Judas, please invite the Grand Duke in."

Judas stepped aside to let her in. "Please come in."

Cyrus stood up. "Judas, why don't you take your clothes and go out first?"

He figured that since Orville hadn't brought his subordinate Robert to see him, they must have something to discuss.

After Judas left, only Cyrus and Orville remained in the room.

"Your Grace, come and sit down." Seeing that Orville was still standing there, Cyrus invited him over.

But Orville made no move.

He stood a short distance from Cyrus, his light gray eyes fixed intently on Cyrus, his gaze seemingly containing endless complex emotions.

"Last night..."

Orville suddenly spoke, his voice slightly hoarse; he hadn't rested all night, and his throat was unusually dry. "I came to see you last night..."

At first, Cyrus didn't understand what he was trying to say.

But then his expression changed. "You came to find me... what did you see...?"

Orville frowned slightly, seemingly confused yet understanding. "I saw you and the Pope kissing... That kind of thing should only happen between men and women..."

"Why do you... the Pope..."

Orville seemed unable to continue, and said, "Little Zuoyi, I feel quite comfortable."

Cyrus pursed her lips. "That kind of thing, men can naturally do it too."

"I'm sorry you saw this... If you feel disgusted..."

"Men can do it too..."

Orville interrupted Cyrus before she could speak, muttering to herself, "... Then, can I... you?"

Cyrus: "..."