Civilization: Beyond Two Worlds

390 No One Knows People Better Than Me

“Are you willing to marry my daughter?”

The Grand Duke placed the wine glass on the table and looked at Kang De as he asked.

As soon as these words were spoken, Tina’s expression changed. “Father!”

This was different from the previous discussion.

“Please be quiet, Tina. As we agreed, you can be present for today’s conversation, but in exchange, you have to remain silent and let me finish my conversation with Kang De alone.”

The Grand Duke looked at his daughter. “As a father.”

Tina’s hand quietly clenched and she lowered her eyes.

The Grand Duke looked at Sword Saint Snowfall again, and Hillmelia turned her head to the side.

In the end, he looked at Kang De and watched silently.

After all, he was the ruler of a country. He had been in his position for a long time and naturally had a dignified bearing. Coupled with the buff of “the hostility of his future father-in-law”, the pressure was still relatively strong.

His gaze was also filled with scrutiny.

He had asked Kang De as a father today.

From his daughter’s attitude and expression, as well as the information gathered in the past few days, and even his experience as an elder, he had already seen something.

Moreover, the recent situation of Goethe, the new crisis the country was facing, the several hidden dangers it was facing, and the reason why Goethe could now maintain the existence of the country and even a certain international deterrence… The core of these chaotic and complicated problems was actually all about Kang De, so some relationships had to be clarified or determined.

He could not let this country continue to argue with Kang De in such an ambiguous manner.

Tina got along with Kang De in a fawning manner in exchange for his protection of Goethe.

Due to Princess Tina, the country, officials, and even citizens casually asked Kang De for it, thinking that it was natural for him to protect Goethe and its interests.

If such a twisted relationship and gradually blurry cognition boundary continued to be entangled and maintained, there would be a day when it would cause huge chaos.

Be it the future of the country or his daughter’s happiness, there would be a huge problem.

Therefore…

He said in a low voice, “Why? Is this question very difficult to answer?”

He had to separate Tina from Goethe.

In order to protect the country, he sacrificed himself and flattered the strong. He had always been humble and made his feelings impure… If Tina interacted with Kang De in such a mood, it would be a humiliation to him as a father and the entire country. Goethe’s national security could not be borne by a girl.

“Therefore, reject it. Then, we’ll deal with it in a more rational and simple relationship…”

“—Of course I’m willing.”

Pfft…

The lobster meat in Sword Saint Snowfall’s mouth sprayed out. Tina’s expression became extremely stunned.

The Grand Duke opened his mouth slightly, but he could not say anything.

—Wait!

—Could it be that I was wrong? Could it be that the information was also wrong?

—Aren’t you an innocent brat who doesn’t have any male or female experience and yearns for pure love?

—Shouldn’t you directly reject such a strong suggestion of political marriage?

Kang De turned to look at the stunned Tina and smiled. “Who wouldn’t be willing to marry such a beautiful girl?”

—Reject me!

—I just want to separate things! Tina is Tina! Goethe is Goethe!

—Could this be part of this b*stard’s plan?!

—What did I just do?!

The Grand Duke felt his lips tremble. He had completely been blinded by his displeasure earlier and had actually done such a stupid thing… How could he pull out his cabbage and send it to the pigs’ mouth?!

‘I should have stabbed him with a pitchfork!’

At this moment, Grand Duke Leckos’ mood was completely indescribable.

Not to mention that his sister, who had just spit the lobster, was ruthlessly stabbing him with a gaze that said, “What did you do, you stupid fool…”

At this moment, Tina returned to her senses.

She looked happy and surprised, but in the end, she lowered her head and said softly, “Kang De, I…”

—Say something! Say something, my daughter!

The Grand Duke looked over expectantly and saw the Cathayan b*stard opposite him reach out with his right hand as if holding his daughter’s hand. Tina’s body shook, and her dignified sitting posture softened at a visible speed. Her face was red and she could not say anything.

“But I have to reject your suggestion, Grand Duke.”

—Hmm? Are you dissatisfied with my daughter?!

Sometimes, a man’s heart and a woman’s heart were also very difficult to understand.

The Grand Duke looked over with subtle and secretly angry eyes.

He only saw Kang De’s calm and composed gaze. It was a calm gaze.

Even if his current mood was subtle and indescribable, every time he looked straight at this young man, the Grand Duke could not help but sigh to himself. How old was he? He already had the confidence to look at any monarch in the world as equals. Strength was always confident. What was even more precious was that even so, this young man’s gaze was still restrained and pure.

Kang De held Tina’s hand and slowly said, “Tina is a very, very good girl. If I can marry such a girl and spend my life with her, it’s really a very happy thing. If you ask me if I’m willing, I won’t lie. Such a future indeed makes me secretly happy.”

“From the first time we met, I’ve had a good impression of her. She’s the first strange… mainlander I’ve seen. It might be very difficult for you to understand this feeling. Before that, I was isolated from the world and lonely until I met and knew her. She gave me a generous gift and made me enjoy it until now.”

“She brought me to the human world. Although I experienced hardship and sorrow, hope coexisted with suffering. All kinds of stories are difficult to count. I joined Goethe’s war. I had the same experience as Tina and fought for the same reason with the same sorrow. Although we were far apart, the thought of a stronger girl in the distance also waving her sword for this country made me miss her even more.”

“Will I be happy if I can marry Tina? Yes.”

“Do you have a good impression of such a girl? Yes.”

“I’m willing to marry her. I don’t hate marrying Tina. I want to get to know her and understand her better. Let’s see if we suit each other and have the same interests. We have the same aspirations and beliefs. I want to do many things with her. Leave behind memories, confirm my feelings, have attachments, and finally nurture love. Then, exchange oaths with her and form a marriage. I want such love, such a marriage.”

“You asked me if I was willing to marry her, and my answer was yes.”

“But there’s a premise. I only want to marry her for love.”

“But now, I’m very clear that my feelings for Tina are good impression, admiration, and love, but I’m afraid it’s not the kind of love I dream of, so I’m sorry to disappoint you, Grand Duke.”

“I think I have to reject your suggestion.”

Kang De looked at Grand Duke Leckos and said seriously, “I didn’t help Goethe because I coveted Tina, nor did I plan to force her to marry me. If I have any thoughts about Tina, my only thought is that I don’t want my relationship with her to be tainted by a political marriage.”

He ended his speech. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“…”

‘Wait.’

How did things become like this?

—How did I become a despicable father who sold his daughter?

‘I clearly wanted to say this! That’s my intention!’

—Let Tina pursue her happiness and let Goethe contact and negotiate with you in a more rational and realistic manner. This is my goal!

Goethe had paid a huge price and benefits at the country’s level in exchange for your protection and an alliance. The Tedrell family and even the entire country would maintain this alliance. In this way, the next negotiation and interaction could be neither servile nor overbearing, and it would not be flattery or submission. In this way, Tina could calmly face her feelings for her, and the Goethe people would not indulge in your protection and subconsciously ask for it.

—This is my goal!

The Grand Duke felt as if he had eaten sh*t. His entire body was suffering.

Especially when he saw his sister’s disdainful gaze and his precious daughter’s red cheeks and emotional appearance, he simply wished he could beat his chest, stomp his feet, and flip the table.

He was so angry!

How could things have become like this?!

At this moment, Hillmelia spoke.

Sword Saint Snowfall was indeed an expert in the world. Her sword technique was brilliant, her combat awareness was extremely good, and she was deeply familiar with the path of killing.

She said sarcastically, “It’s emotional and roundabout. When it’s time to be decisive, he hesitates. When it’s time to say it, he keeps us in suspense. When it’s time to talk frankly, he shows off. When it’s time to show off, he’s stupid. When it’s time to be ruthless, he’s so wishy-washy. It’s precisely because of your character that Goethe became like this today. You’re pressed and beaten by the elves and betrayed by the Empire. Grand Duke, you have to know your shame.”

Although the Grand Duke actually was not that much responsible for Goethe’s current situation, these words were still very lethal.

The pitiful Grand Duke could not stand it anymore. He stood up and said with a dark expression, “I’ll excuse myself first.”

Then, he pushed open the door and left.

Sword Saint Snowfall chuckled and shrugged. She had learned this from Kang De.

Tina subconsciously called out to her father, but the Grand Duke ignored her. Then, he heard Hillmelia click her tongue. “You were like this when you were young. You were scolded, won, and beaten. Excuse me and find a place to cry.”

The princess glared at her and said, “Aunt! Even if we’re siblings, your words just now were too much! Goethe’s encounter with the war was not Father’s fault at all. He blamed himself for this to begin with. You…”

Sword Saint Snowfall said indifferently, “Little girl, I’m your father’s sister. He made a stupid mistake and messed up. I’ve seen everything you’ve seen about his personality. I’ve also seen everything you’ve never seen.”

“To put it bluntly, a person like him is not suitable to be the king. He’s thin-skinned and emotional. He has too many consciences and is hesitant. Sometimes, he’s so kind that he’s almost pedantic. It’s all thanks to that old idiot, Xide, who complements him quite well and is willing to help him do bad things.”

The table knife spun in her hand. The candlelight shone with a bright halo on the sharpness. Hillmelia’s gaze became dazed. Childhood memories and dusty pasts were always missed.

She said indifferently, “Unfortunately, that idiot Xide is already useless. If he plays any tricks, no, even if he relaxes slightly, your father’s life will not be easy…”

At this point, the Sword Saint suddenly glanced at him and smiled, “Why don’t we have a coup and let your father and that old idiot Xide accompany you to a heavily guarded manor to eat rough bread?”

“…”

Tina’s experience was to ignore such rumors.

She composed herself and looked at Kang De, suppressing the restlessness and affection in her heart. Then, she explained softly, “Kang De, Father doesn’t have any intention of a political marriage. He’s…”

Kang De nodded and smiled. “I know. Your father only wants to make things clear. He thought that I would reject him directly and suggest that Goethe is Goethe and you are you…”

Tina said in surprise, “How did you know?”

Kang De raised his eyebrows. “It’s very obvious. When he said the first sentence, I knew what he wanted to do. After all, from your description, what he said to me on the day of the war, and in the past two days, I know what kind of person he is. Of course, I also know what he’s thinking… Ha, it’s simply as obvious as written on his face.”

“…”

The Sword Saint and the princess looked at Kang De silently.

“…What’s wrong?”

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

He laughed loudly and was extremely proud, “Are you wondering why I know in my heart, but I rushed to say those words and embarrassed him?”

—No, of course not. That’s not what we were thinking, you fool.

Kang De laughed, “Of course, it’s because it’s fun. Who asked him to put on that deep expression at the beginning with an expression that said, ‘I’m a wise, handsome, cold, middle-aged, and handsome man with deep fatherly love’? Then I naturally have to see his awkward and flustered appearance when his plan fails. I’ll teach him a lesson and definitely leave a deep impression on him. When he sees me in the future, he’ll definitely think of today’s matter…”

As he spoke, he stood up and patted Tina and the Sword Saint’s shoulders.

“Alright, I think it’s about time. I’ll go out and see the Grand Duke.”

“—Sigh, you don’t understand. Men value their reputation very much. I accidentally exposed his pretense and plan, causing him to be very passive. However, when he lost his composure and panicked to hide in embarrassment alone, I ran to tell him something heartfelt and comfort him. He’ll definitely enjoy it and be very grateful to me. He’ll feel that I gave him face. He’ll be as relieved as he was before.”

“After all, men, especially men like the Grand Duke, are not petty or vengeful. If I give him face, he’ll take advantage of the situation and remember my kindness…”

As he naturally expressed such words that made the two women have mixed feelings, he walked out of the house price with light footsteps, carrying the joy and anticipation of “I’m about to harvest a wave of good impressions”.

The door closed.

Tina and Hillmelia looked at each other.

Then, they sighed in unison.

…