Arthur took a deep breath, his composure slipping for a fraction of a second. He clenched his fists, his sharp eyes fixed on Victor. The overwhelming urge to end this insolent show of arrogance burned inside him, but he couldn’t afford to act impulsively not in front of this high-profile audience.
He closed his eyes momentarily, exhaling deeply as if expelling the frustration building within. When he reopened them, his gaze was cool and calculating, his royal demeanor restored.
“I’ll entertain your theatrics for now,” Arthur said quietly, his voice low but filled with warning. “But let me remind you, Victor your actions tonight will carry consequences. Don’t mistake the protection of a treaty for immunity. If you’re naïve enough to believe otherwise, you’ll learn the hard way.”
Victor smirked, his arms crossed, exuding an air of defiance”Consequences? You speak as if I’m concerned. I’ve already made my stance clear. I’m not here for you, Arthur. I’m here for Avey.”
Arthur’s jaw tightened at Victor’s audacity, but Victor wasn’t finished.
“Why even stand in my way?”Victor continued, a glint of amusement in his eyes.”Your interference only strengthens my point. Let Avey decide. Or is it that you’re afraid her choice won’t favor you?”
Murmurs spread through the crowd like wildfire.
“Does he have a point?”
“Why is the prince pushing so hard if Avey hasn’t given her answer yet?”
“Could the accusations against him hold some truth?”
Arthur patience was wearing thin, but he knew better than to rise to the bait.Any reaction out of line could tip the delicate balance against him.
Victor, basking in the growing murmurs, pressed on.”Avey,” he said, turning toward her with a self-assured smile. “Don’t be afraid. Choose me. Stand by me, and I promise neither the royal family nor anyone else will ever harm you or the Starline family.”
He straightened, his aura shifting to that of a battlefield general strong, confident, unyielding.His hands rested behind his back, his presence radiating authority and pride.
“I DECLARE THIS AS THE PATRIARCH OF THE VANEZ HOUSEHOLD.
THE RESULT OF THIS BATTLE…
WILL SOLELY BE DECIDED BY ME. VICTOR VANEZ.”
The crowd gasped, stunned by Victor’s bold proclamation.
“The audacity!”
“He’s speaking like he’s already won!”
“This is getting out of hand…” Read the latest on empire
Arthur’s gaze flicked to Avey.”Avey,” he called softly, his tone measured but firm. He stepped forward slightly, extending his hand in her direction.”Make your choice. Your answer will settle this once and for all.”
Victor’s eyes didn’t waver as he too turned fully toward Avey.”Avey, my words are true. Choose me, and I’ll shield you from all harm. You’ll have a partner who understands what it means to fight for what’s right.”
All eyes shifted to Avey.The room was thick with tension, the weight of two men’s pride and futures resting entirely on her decision.
From the sidelines, Lucian leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable. Yet, anyone who knew him could sense the faint tension in his posture. Celestia, standing beside him, glanced at him briefly before looking back at the scene unfolding. A mischievous smile danced on her lips as if she were enjoying the chaos more than she should.
Olivia’s expression was a mix of cold calculation and restrained anger.Her sharp eyes flicked between Victor and Arthur, silently gauging their worth, while Rose’s gaze remained locked on Avey. Rose’s hand unconsciously clenched at her side, her face betraying her internal turmoil.
“Who does she pick?”
“Her choice will change everything…”
“Imagine being in her position right now.”
The whispers from the guests grew louder as anticipation reached its peak.
Avey, standing at the center of it all, looked at the two men. Her face was calm, composed, and unreadable, but inside, her thoughts churned like a storm.She slowly turned her head, her gaze sweeping over Arthur and then Victor before landing briefly on Lucian in the distance.
Lucian didn’t move, his face as still as stone. Their eyes met for the briefest moment before he turned away, staring off into the distance as if he wasn’t involved in this circus at all.
Avey’s lips pressed together, her expression giving away nothing.The room was silent, the air charged with anticipation.
What will she choose?
The question hung heavy in the air, waiting to be answered.
Avey felt the weight of their gazes on her, but inside, her emotions were cold and detached. Tch, what a messed-up situation. I’m being treated like a prize in a game they’re playing for their own benefit. It’s disgusting. Her thoughts churned with quiet disdain as she assessed Arthur and Victor, two men who claimed to want her yet cared little for her as a person.
She knew who they were what they were. From her past life, Avey was fully aware of their intentions. Neither cared about love; they were drawn to her power, her family, her background. Love? That’s a joke in the upper echelon. To people like them, emotions are nothing more than useless distractions. Her lips pressed into a thin line, betraying her inner frustration.
She blinked slowly, her expression calm, betraying nothing of her storming thoughts. Taking a soft breath, she readied herself.
From the sidelines, Melody shifted uncomfortably, her maternal instincts kicking in as she watched her daughter in the middle of the brewing storm. This feels humiliating, even to me. Melody’s gaze flicked toward her husband, Antonio, silently pleading for support.But Antonio simply lowered his head slightly, signaling his unwillingness to intervene.
“It’s all about interests, in the end,”Melody murmured to herself with a sad smile. Then, steeling herself, she whispered softly, “Do what you think is right, my girl. I’ll support you.”
Avey didn’t react visibly to her mother’s words, but she felt their weight. With a steady breath, she turned her attention back to the two men vying for her answer.
Victor straightened, confidence still painted across his face, his smirk daring. Arthur stood tall, poised, yet his eyes narrowed as if attempting to anticipate her every word.
Finally, Avey’s soft yet clear voice broke the tense silence.”Victor, I don’t remember us having anything that could be misconstrued as a relationship. I don’t understand why you’ve even brought this up it feels strange and inappropriate.”
The hall froze.The murmurs ceased, the silence heavy with disbelief.
Victor’s smirk faltered, his face darkening as her words sank in.
Arthur, who had been carefully maintaining his composure, nearly let out a laugh, his lips twitching as he fought to suppress it. But even the prince couldn’t help the small chuckle that escaped. His shoulders shook slightly, and he quickly masked his amusement behind a polite cough.
Victor clenched his fists at his sides.This stupid woman…how dare she humiliate me like this!
“I think you’ve misunderstood,”Victor said, forcing a tight smile. His voice lowered but carried a dangerous edge. “Perhaps you’ve forgotten the three dates we shared? I can provide evidence if you’d like don’t be afraid, Avey. I’ve already told you, there’s no need to fear the royal family. I’ll protect you.”
The room erupted in hushed whispers.
“Three dates?”
“Does he really have evidence?”
“Why doesn’t she remember?”
Avey’s expression didn’t waver. Her voice, however, turned icy.”Don’t misunderstand, Victor. Those weren’t dates. They were for other purposes entirely.”
Victor’s face stiffened, but before he could respond, Avey continued, her tone deliberate and cutting. “Actually, I’ve always thought of you more like… a brother. So, please, don’t do this.”
The words hung in the air, and for a moment, there was complete silence.
Then came the laughter.
“Brother?!” someone snorted.
“She called him a brother?! Oh, the humiliation!”
“How shamelessly bold of her!”
Arthur couldn’t hold back any longer.A full, rich laugh erupted from him as he bent slightly forward, his shoulders shaking. “Brother?” he repeated, his voice filled with amusement. “You…called him a brother?”
Even the onlookers who were initially silent joined in, chuckling and whispering among themselves.
Victor’s face darkened to a dangerous hue, his clenched fists trembling as his fury mounted.How dare she! How dare they! A faint glint of murderous intent flickered in his eyes, but he forced himself to stay composed or at least as much as his frayed pride would allow.
Arthur finally straightened, his laughter subsiding into a satisfied smirk.”Well, Victor, it seems your… ‘relationship’ wasn’t quite what you thought it was.” His tone dripped with mockery, his satisfaction evident.
Before Arthur could continue his taunts, Avey’s voice rang out again, cutting through the laughter. “And I’d also like to apologize to you, Your Highness,” she said, her tone calm and measured.
Arthur froze, his smirk faltering as he turned to her, confusion flickering in his eyes.”Apologize? For what?”
Avey’s serene expression didn’t falter as she met his gaze. “For rejecting your proposal as well.”
The hall fell silent once more.
Arthur’s brow furrowed slightly”Wait…what?” His usually sharp and confident demeanor cracked for the briefest moment, revealing genuine surprise.
The murmurs among the guests exploded.
“She rejected the prince?”
“What is she thinking?”
“First Victor, now Arthur? Who does she intend to choose?”
“Reject me? What do you mean by that?” Arthur’s eyes narrowed, a sharp glint of confusion and suppressed anger flickering within them. He refused to let any hint of humiliation or frustration show on his face, maintaining his composed demeanor despite the blow to his pride.
“It’s not like that…” Avey started, her tone measured, her mind racing. She needed to shift the narrative, and fast. Then, as though a spark of inspiration struck her, she continued with calm determination, her gaze steady.
“Actually, the truth is…I’m pregnant.”
—