Chapter 174 - A Predestined Tragedy
By the time, Leon arrived at the banquet, the guests had already begun eating and chatting in an elegant manner for some time.
"Did I arrive late?"
Leon thought he was quite punctual. He had arrived at the banquet on the dot. At least, according to the time written in the letter. If Vigo Primrose purposely wrote the wrong time to embarrass him, Leon could only shrug his shoulders. It wouldn't be a surprise to see petty tricks coming from a narrowminded person.
In fact, this was indeed the case. The banquet starts at 6PM, but Vigo Primrose wrote down 6:30PM in the letter. In addition to the early start to the banquet, it made Leon appear really late to the party.
However, the fact that Vigo Primrose did not know Leon's identity meant that he had long severely underestimated the latter's importance.
The news of Leon's return had not reached the Cromwell family. Thus, Dwight and Bromley were pleasantly surprised the moment Leon appeared.
"Leon, my boy. You're--"
"Sir Bromley, this person must be your son-in-law." Vigo Primrose interrupted, before Bromley Cromwell could finish his words. "Pardon my rudeness. I did not mean to interrupt your words, but I cannot help but speak up the moment I saw this person. I feel that this person isn't putting your Cromwell family in his eyes at all."
"Oh?" The previous words Bromley prepared to say were killed in his stomach. Dwight also kept his silence as a profound light flashed in his eyes.
"It is already a good thing that this son-in-law of mine still made it to the banquet. He had been away from the Capital for a week. As such, we couldn't inform him of the banquet. Regardless of whether he puts us in his eyes or not, he is still my son-in-law and it could be considered an internal matter of our family. For you to say that in front of all our guests, it doesn't seem like you are giving our Cromwell family any face either, Sir Vigo." Bromley stated in a less welcoming tone.
Leon flashed him a wink to remind him not defend him. He wanted to see what Vigo Primrose intended to do. He was already aware that Vigo Primrose was planning to humiliate him the moment he arrived, but this couldn't be it.
Receiving Leon's signal, Bromley hid his displeasure with a smile and added, "What intentions do you have for saying this, Sir Vigo?"
Vigo Primrose was not facing Leon and missed their short exchange. Seeing Bromley's neutral attitude, Vigo became bolder like taking a mile when given an inch.
"Away from the Capital? I'm afraid it was more like this commoner had been slaving away in the mines for a week instead, Sir Bromley. Don't fall for the boy's lies and tricks. My teacher had already confirmed this. The boy had the smell of a miner." Vigo said, before adding, "It's an internal matter only if this commoner remains your son-in-law, Sir Bromley."
"What you mean is…"
"Dade, come over here." Vigo gestured to his son, who was sitting at a different table with his wife, before continuing, "What do you think of my son? He might be slightly older than your daughter, but I think they would make a good match. My son is already a 4th step Awakener and willing take over my position in the future. Also, the marriage union between our son and daughter would only benefit both our families."
Dwight and Bromley couldn't help but twitched their eyes. Vigo's meaning was clear. He implied an older partner was more suitable for Lynne because he was stronger and more capable to take care of her.
If it was a two months ago, Bromley might have considered it, but it would have still been rejected by Dwight if Lynne was unwilling.
But times have changed, they already found a good partner for Lynne, not to mention Lynne had reached a very high realm. Dade's 4th step cultivation was just trash in their eyes.
It was a pity that Vigo Primrose did not know that and spoke confidently with outdated ideals.
"You already know, my lord father has already set the engagement between Leon and my daughter. Are you asking us to break our word, Sir Vigo?" Bromley said sternly.
"Sir Bromley has spoken too seriously." Vigo Primrose continued to wear a confident smile. "We are all smart people here. I am aware that it was a fake engagement to prevent further marriage proposals at your doorstep. How could this commoner brat possibly be worthy of your daughter? For the sake of this marriage proposal, I have prepared another gift that you would find hard to refuse."
"Pft…" At the side, Oliver Lucretius couldn't fully contain his amusement and allowed a portion to escape his mouth. He thought, 'There are definitely smart people at this table, but this idiot is definitely not one of them!'
"Is there something funny about what I said, Sir Oliver?" Vigo Primrose said with displeasure.
"Hahaha… No, it's nothing." Oliver shook his head, before continuing, "However, I'm quite curious what kind of gift you have prepared, to give you such confidence."
"I'm also quite interested." Porter Fischer added. Under the table, his hand was clenched with sweat.
He had let his guard down. Although Fischer and Primrose were working together, they were not allies. If Primrose and Cromwell are bound by marriage, it would put his merchant association in an unfavorable position.
Dammit, he still hasn't settled the score with Vigo regarding the abandoning the pill store. It was unreliable to place his trust in Vigo Primrose. Opponent did not seem simple.
Suddenly, a servant of his Fischer family arrived by his side.
"Did you get what I asked for?" Porter whispered.
The servant nodded and passed over a more detailed background report. The exchange between Porter and his servant was short and casual. It did not arouse any suspicion.
"Well?"
Porter returned his focus to Vigo.
Vigo's lips curved upwards and snapped his fingers.
"Bring forward the special gift."
A special jadeite box was soon placed on the table by the servants. The opening of the jadeite box brought forth a wave of escaping cool mist and an exotic spirit herb was exposed to the eyes of all the onlookers.
"This is… the 7-Petal Frigid Agapanthus!?" The crowd exclaimed. No one expected the item sought the Queen would suddenly turn up here.
Leon, who had not uttered a word since his arrival, squinted his eyes. Went fishing for gold, but end up with diamond. To Leon, the herb was more important than procurring wealth. This was a rewarding trip.
"Are you crazy, Vigo!?" Dropping the formality, Porter jumped out and condemned him. "You've been keeping what the Queen had been looking for! Why haven't you handed it over yet! Have you gone stupid? The monetary reward isn't much, but a Queen's favor is priceless. You rather gift it away then to use it yourself?"
This person was irredeemable. It was a mistake for Fischer to have any relation with Primrose. If the Royal family knew Primrose found the herb they were looking for, but didn't hand it over, it would provoke their ire. The Queen's anger was to be feared. He did not want to be dragged down along with this person.
"Crazy? No, you are mistaken. I am very sane." Vigo said flatly. "The royal family is too difficult to contact. It's uncertain when the Queen will become reclusive again and the prince had not shown himself. There is not much business opportunity here, but if I gift it to Sir Bromley in exchange for a marriage alliance, it would be much more beneficial. I believe there are many areas where our families could cooperate. Isn't that right, Sir Bromley?"
Bromley and Dwight looked at Vigo with an amused yet peculiar expression. This would have indeed been a good way to try establishing a closer relationship with the Royal family. However, their Cromwell family have already succeeded in establishing a good relationship as their in-laws.
"Boy, what will you do after seeing this? "Bromley turned to Leon with a smile.
Being blatantly ignored, Vigo's face immediately soured. "Sir Bromley, why do you care for the opinions of a commoner!?"
Bromley closed his eyes in silence.
"That is indeed an interesting question. I cannot overlook this." Leon answered.
Being ignored not once, but twice, Vigo became furious. However, he directed his anger at Leon. He couldn't afford to offend the nobles.
"So, what if you can't overlook this!? You are just a lowly commoner! I would be worried about my own life, if I were you, Crystal Thief! I have already sent someone to notify the guards! That's right! I know you have stolen the heavenly crystals from the underground mine to cultivate!"
Bam!
Oliver Lucretius slammed the table, before Leon could utter a word.
"I have tolerated you long enough, Vigo! How dare call his highness a lowly commoner and accuse him of stealing heavenly crystals! If his highness wishes, her majesty will gladly give him all the heavenly crystals in the kingdom…" Oliver stood out at this moment and righteously condemned.
"What nonsense are you talking about, Oliver!? This brat is just a…"
Leon pulled over a spare chair and seated himself with one leg over the other.
"Commoner, right? Vigo, you are too narrowminded. Before the palace guards arrives, I, Leon Crawford will give you one chance to admit your mistakes. The same applies to you, Porter." Leon stated. Since it was exposed, Leon no longer hid it.
"Your highness, this subject was blind to have offended you! Please have mercy!" Porter immediately dropped to his knees and pleaded with a pale face. He had just finished reading the report sent by his servant. Oh my god, I tried to steal the prince's property! I'm so dead!
After all this trouble, Leon decided to give them one chance as they were ignorant of his status. He was after their wealth and not their life. He had to show some mercy for the ignorant was not guilty.
"You are seeking death, brat! Dare to impersonate royalty!" Vigo barked. "Once the palace guards arrive, you're dead!"
Alas, some people are not afraid of death until they see the coffin… It was a predestined tragedy.
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