Not only Lucy, but everyone present—including the children who had been running away—froze completely without moving a muscle.

No matter that she was a candidate for queen, throwing a book directly at the king’s face was certainly not something that could be overlooked.

Above all, the young noble children were still far too young to comprehend such a frightening situation.

Of course, Lucy was the most startled, but Luid, flustered and flaring his nostrils, quickly regained his composure and went to Kian to apologize.

“Please forgive my sister’s indiscretion, Your Majesty.”

Lucy also hurriedly stood up and apologized to Kian.

“No, I made a mistake I should never have made. Even if you punish me severely, I will gladly accept the consequences of my actions.”

Kian quietly picked up the book that had fallen to the floor.

In the corner of the room, near the art gallery. Kian knew Lucy detested books. As for paintings, unless she was doodling on Luid’s face, she showed absolutely no interest in them.

Yet Kian also knew she wasn’t the type to recklessly throw books around just because she disliked them.

There must have been some specific reason. If there had been no witnesses, he might have let it slide—but now, too many eyes were watching.

If he didn’t resolve this matter in front of these children, rumors about Lucy might spread unfavorably.

He needed to question her and settle this matter immediately.

“Lucy. Why did you throw this book?”

There was no other reason. She had simply thrown it because Luid was chasing after three boys.

But Lucy knew Luid well.

“Those three children were running away from Luid. I assumed that if Luid was chasing them, they must have done something wrong.”

“I recognize one of them, but I don’t know who the two who ran away are. Both of you, step forward.”

But the children only glanced around nervously and didn’t come forward. Luid, grinding his teeth in frustration, pointed at them one by one.

“You, you! Come out. Everyone here saw you running away.”

Helplessly, the children walked forward toward Kian. At that moment, Kian noticed shoes lying in front of each child. Then his gaze shifted to Lucy’s feet—she was barefoot.

Internally, Kian let out an ‘oh dear,’ but outwardly, he maintained a calm expression as he walked forward.

“Wait a moment.”

Kian walked over and picked up Lucy’s shoes one by one. The children were all surprised by this, but Lucy was even more shocked—and deeply embarrassed.

Kian sat down in front of the blushing Lucy and helped her put on her shoes.

The three summoned children felt chills run down their spines. If Lucy was already favored by the king, then surely the king would never forgive them for speaking ill of her.

Moreover, Kian was already widely known as a just king. The children began exchanging glances with each other, silently agreeing they had never spoken ill of Lucy.

Everyone envied her, but Lucy, having her shoes put on, felt mortified—more embarrassed even than when she had thrown the book at Kian’s forehead.

Lucy stood there, hoping desperately that this situation would end quickly.

“Now, tell me. What exactly happened?”

Luid confidently glared at the children as if declaring they were as good as dead.

“Those children were gossiping about Lucy—saying she lacks refinement, that she only became a strong candidate for betrothal because of her father!”

The children immediately waved their hands as soon as Luid finished speaking.

“No! We never said anything like that!”

“That’s right! Really!”

“Viscount Yukanadar suddenly came and harassed us!”

To Kian, the children who had gossiped about Lucy looked no older than ten.

“How old are you boys?”

“I—I’m eight, Your Majesty.”

“I—I’m seven, Your Majesty.”

“I… I’m seven too, Your Majesty.”

As expected, they were very young noble children. No matter how much etiquette they had learned, they were still clearly too young to judge situations wisely.

Kian looked at them sternly, his eyes sharp.

“There are a mage and a priest present here. If you lie, I can ask them to reveal the truth immediately. Did Viscount Luid truly chase after you for no reason whatsoever?”

Mage, priest. Though unfamiliar, these were figures one inevitably encountered in life—their very existence was mysterious.

The children quickly reddened around the eyes, as if admitting their wrongdoing.

In other words, they began bursting into tears.

“It’s not like that, Your Majesty… Waaah… Please, spare us!”

“We thought she lacked refinement because she’s good at fighting. We were wrong, Your Majesty…”

Kian realized that not only Lucy, but all the noble young ladies whose names appeared on his betrothal candidate list were enduring gossip.

If that was the case, it was actually for the better. He decided he needed to make things explicitly clear this time.

Kian addressed the gathered children.

“Listen carefully. And when you return home, firmly inform your parents: from now on, anyone who spreads rumors about Viscount Lucy here—or about any other name on the betrothal candidate list—will be severely punished. Even if you are young noble children like yourselves, I will show no mercy. Understood?”

No one dared defy the stern young king’s command. Even the more mature noble children bowed their heads obediently to the royal decree.

This incident, too, would spread like wildfire as gossip. Kian knew that.

From now on, no one would dare speak carelessly of Lucy.

“Be careful not to damage even a single rose.”

“Th-thank you, Your Grace!”

Sikar Blake stood in the garden, carefully attaching roses one by one onto the arched wedding gate. Reidox was also helping them diligently, hanging balloons.

“You could just have the servants do it.”

“They’d say it lacks sincerity. She dislikes that.”

“You’re picky.”

Not long ago, Reidox had brought Aaron to Sikar and asked him to help arrange a proposal during the banquet.

“So, when Jeremi proposed, you and Aaron helped him—now you’re saying Jeremi must help Aaron in return?”

Aaron, unable to even stand, was flat on the floor, pleading desperately.

“Yes, Your Grace. If I fail to propose this time, I fear Hersia will break up with me.”

“So you want to borrow my garden to propose?”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“What about your own place, Reidox?”

Reidox glanced meaningfully toward Jeremi. Jeremi scratched his face awkwardly and spoke carefully.

“Last time, I proposed at the Marquis’s residence—and she got even angrier because I made her go all the way there…”

“So we thought it’d be better to do it somewhere closer rather than somewhere distant.”

“Why are you even involved in this, Reidox? You haven’t even proposed yet.”

Reidox scratched his head shyly and awkwardly.

“They helped me when I proposed too.”

“I’ll just verify this myself.”

Sikar grabbed Reidox’s hand as if handling something dirty—and was quite shocked.

Both Reidox and Jeremi had already gone through proposals.

A beautifully decorated garden, a splendid event, touching music playing, making the lady shed tears of emotion—a scene that naturally evoked exclamations of happiness.

“Do people normally do all this?”

To Sikar’s flustered question, Reidox looked at him as if it were an obvious inquiry.

“Yes.”

“What happens if you don’t do all this?”

“You’ll be resented for life.”

“Resented… for life…”

Sikar seriously fiddled with his lips. Aaron, watching him, wondered why Sikar wore such an expression.

“How did Your Grace propose?”

Instead of answering, Sikar drew a knife and pointed it at Aaron’s neck. Aaron’s face turned pale with shock.

“Y-your Grace?”

“Like this?”

At Sikar’s answer, both Aaron and Reidox wore expressions of horror.

“That’s an improper proposal, Your Grace. Do you get scolded occasionally?”

Sikar strongly agreed with that statement.

“Frequently. Lately, it’s practically become routine.”

Reidox nodded understandingly.

“It’s because you didn’t propose properly.”

To realize the reason only now… Sikar couldn’t help but curse out of regret.

“Damn it.”

“It’s alright. You can learn this time.”

“So you’re saying you’ll help me when I propose?”

“Don’t you have Durion and Vika Lamberst as your reliable right and left hands, Your Grace?”

“So you won’t help?”

Reidox chuckled. Was this proud Blake Duke actually asking me for help?

Reidox wanted to confirm.

“Are you, Your Grace, currently requesting my assistance with your proposal?”

“If so?”

Reidox could tell this was Sikar’s most earnest plea for help. He wiped away his smile and spoke seriously.

“I will help you. In return, Your Grace must also properly assist Aaron.”

Sikar didn’t answer immediately. After thinking for a while, he said,

“Then let’s do it together.”

“What?”

“If my wife sees you proposing, she’ll envy Hersia. Do you think I’d want to see my wife envying Hersia?”

Thus, the two began preparing for simultaneous proposals.

And today, they were all preparing to carry out those proposals.

Reidox, standing beside Sikar, offered advice one piece at a time.

“The basics of a proposal are flowers and a ring.”

“As for rings, I’ve already given dozens. Was it just rings? I’ve also given necklaces and earrings.”

“Simply giving them and giving them as part of a prepared proposal are different. Just like how, even when eating the same food, the location matters.”

Sikar agreed with that point—he had already prepared a ring.

“So I’ve prepared the ring.”

“Well done, Your Grace. The Duchess will be very pleased. May I ask what kind of ring you prepared?”

“You’ll see it eventually—wait until then.”

If the Duke had prepared a ring, it was certainly quite expensive.

Reidox was slightly worried Aaron might not compare, but he could only hope Hersia wouldn’t be hurt by such matters.

In the garden, an arched wedding gate made of roses had been installed.

Scattered flowers and sparkling candles formed pathways, and beautiful balloons filled the surroundings.

Now, preparations were complete.