Jaxen scratched his head, a mix of confusion crossing his face. He glanced down, noticing how tightly his and Alfy’s hands were clasped together. A soft smile spread across his face.

It was the first time he’d ever held Alfy’s hand, and what made it even more special was that Alfy had been the one to reach out and grab his hand this time.

Though Jaxen had been through plenty of emotional moments before, this one made his heart race in a way that caught him off guard. A thought suddenly struck him—sharp and clear—so powerful that he couldn’t ignore it. “Jaxen, you’re in real trouble this time.”

Before he could fully enjoy the moment, though, Alfy suddenly dropped his hand the moment they were out of sight of others.

She fixed her gaze on him and asked, “Can Vincent call off the engagement with that princess? If not, I’m leaving the palace with Katelyn. I don’t want to see that fake princess ever again.”

Alfy’s feelings were always written all over her face—no hiding them.

Jaxen quickly jumped in, not wasting a second. “Relax, the engagement is definitely going to be called off. Vincent already tried to end it earlier, but the king wasn’t on board at the time.”

“But what about now? Can the king really just agree all of a sudden?”

Alfy clenched her teeth, her frustration evident. Her mentor was the greatest person of all—why should she be treated unfairly here?

Though Katelyn stayed quiet, Alfy could clearly sense the shift in her attitude compared to how she had acted before.

Alfy believed Vincent had what it took to be with Katelyn, but only if he could sever ties with that bothersome princess and end the engagement.

“He’ll agree for sure,” Jaxen exhaled quietly, feeling a bit deflated.

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He had thought this was about his romance finally starting to bloom, only to realize that Alfy’s actions were all for Katelyn.

“The Adams family’s business is much more than what people see on the surface. They’re involved in underground trades, including arms dealing. The king treats Vincent…”

“With such respect because the Adams family supplies him with weapons. Once that comes up, the king won’t have any choice but to agree.”

Alfy pressed. “Then what are you waiting for? Get them to call off the engagement, quickly!”

Jaxen’s expression shifted, growing more serious than usual.

“It’s not as simple as you think. This is a crucial international partnership. If not handled properly, it could seriously hurt the Adams family as well.” He paused, then reassured her, “Trust Vincent—he’ll take care of it.”

The Yata royal family was rich beyond belief, but their weak spot was in weapons.

This deal could bring in billions in clean profit for the Adams family every year.

In the business world, the main rule was always to protect your key interests.

Alfy rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed.

“Are all men like this? Spouting nonsense like it’s nothing, completely lacking any credibility.”

Jaxen jumped in, eager to set the record straight. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m not that kind of person. I always keep my promises.”

Alfy shot him an even bigger eye roll, her irritation clear. Meanwhile, Katelyn carefully examined the rare plants scattered throughout the garden.

“If I’m not mistaken, that appears to be an endangered species. I’ve heard both its flowers and roots are known for their medicinal uses, and there are only about ten of them left in the world.”

As Katelyn spoke, she glanced around, her surprise deepening.

“I can’t believe there are actually over a hundred of them planted in this garden!”

This place felt less like a garden and more like a rare plant showcase.

As Katelyn observed her surroundings, she realized something remarkable—most of these plants weren’t just for decoration; nearly all of them had healing properties.

It truly resembled a garden of medicinal herbs.

“The king has always had a passion for these rare plants,” Vincent said casually, though his eyes were drawn to Katelyn, revealing a flicker of interest.

As she walked through the dining hall, Ryanna followed closely behind and stumbled, causing Vincent to miss the chance to truly appreciate the traditional Yata clothing Katelyn wore.

Barry had chosen a light aqua outfit for Katelyn, complete with a delicate sheer fabric that draped over her shoulders, almost concealing her upper body. A slender, jewel-encrusted belt hung gracefully from her shoulder down to her waist. Follow current nov?ls on find~novel~net

Her lower half was adorned with a long, silky skirt that brushed the ground.

Although the outfit clearly reflected Yata’s traditional style, Katelyn wore it with such elegance that it seemed made for her, accentuating her nobility.

Even without accessories in her hair, she radiated a quiet dignity.

A brief shadow flickered across Vincent’s eyes. “You look amazing in that outfit.”

Katelyn glanced down, aware that her usual style leaned toward casual wear.

“Really? I actually like this color combination.”

As she finished speaking, she looked up and noticed a figure walking toward them in the distance. Her lips pursed slightly.

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