Chapter 66: Paul, You Sold Your Own Sister?
Kailun’s “procession” consisted of just over a thousand people, all clad in black attire. Like a dark tide, they surged forward, their path unimpeded.
They arrived at the valley at 8:30 am, the sun already bathing the land in its golden light.
The valley had been meticulously transformed. Black Sunset Flowers carpeted every inch of the ground, interspersed with elegant decorations. It truly resembled a wedding venue.
But while Kailun’s face was alight with amusement, the expressions of those around him were decidedly more serious.
“Hmm, the princess isn’t here yet? Late for such an important event? How careless of her,” Kailun remarked, his gaze sweeping across the valley.
“You still haven’t told us who the bride is!” Phils, clad in a black dress, hopped out of the carriage and promptly linked her arm with his.
Kailun sighed, resigned to her clinginess. “My arm belongs to the bride today. Aren’t you afraid she’ll run you through with her sword?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll let go when she arrives. Besides, don’t you think it’s exciting? A groom engaging in secret rendezvous with another woman right before his wedding… Ooh, I’m getting goosebumps!” Phils giggled, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to tell her all about it.”
“So who is the bride?” Vivian, hopping out of the carriage behind them, echoed Phils’s question.
A strange feeling of discomfort settled in her chest.
She hated Kailun, but why did this bother her so much?
“Patience. You’ll find out soon enough.” Kailun smiled, keeping his answer a secret.
Carol, Anna, and Ella, however, had their suspicions. They all thought of the same person: the silver-haired beauty.
Carol felt a pang of envy. Anna was indifferent. Ella, on the other hand, felt a sense of pity. What a waste that such a perfect woman would end up with a devil like Kailun.
“Can I have something to eat? I’m starving!” Winnie, her face pale and drawn, stumbled out of the carriage, barely managing to stay upright.
She, too, wore a black dress, but unlike the others, she had a collar around her neck, a chain connecting it to Vivian’s wrist.
“Didn’t you feed her?” Kailun asked Vivian.
“A disobedient dog deserves to be hungry,” Vivian replied calmly.
In truth, she had simply forgotten about Winnie.
“But she hasn’t eaten in two days.”
Vivian pouted. “Don’t question my methods. I know how to train dogs. I read about it in a book.”
“I wouldn’t dream of doubting your expertise. Since you’re confident, I’ll leave Winnie in your care. If you do well, you can even train Hilna.”
He had no doubt she would excel at this task. In his past life, the phrase Vivian had uttered most often was “Be my dog.”
She might not be able to train him in this life, but training his enemies was a close second.
“Really?” Vivian’s eyes lit up.
“I never lie.”
“I’m really about to faint! Please, just a bite!” Winnie leaned against the carriage, her head spinning.
Why was she, a noble lady, being subjected to such cruelty?
And she couldn’t even vent her frustration at Vivian. Years of ingrained social hierarchy prevented her from defying a member of the Royal Family.
“The princess and the Second Prince aren’t here yet. You girls can explore the area, but stay within my sight.”
Kailun, once again ignoring Winnie’s pleas, addressed the others.
No one dared disobey him, except for Winnie. Even Vivian, thanks to her self-inflicted poisoning, was under his control.
Ella immediately dragged Anna aside for a private conversation, while Vivian, with Winnie in tow, wandered off, further depleting her already dwindling energy.
Soon, only Carol and Phils remained by his side.
“Phils, how much do you know about internal affairs?” he asked.
“A little. I used to help my family manage our territory.”
“Just a little? That won’t do. You need to learn more. I’ll find you a competent tutor after today’s events.”
He didn’t have the time to micromanage every aspect of governance. He would set the overall direction, but the details were best left to others. Otherwise, Phils and the others would be nothing more than beautiful ornaments.
“Okay, okay. But honestly, I’d rather be subjected to your… interrogation methods.”
“If you prove your worth, I might indulge your… Wait. Looks like we have company.”
He spotted the Second Prince’s entourage approaching on horseback.
He called the girls back and, with Anna and Roden by his side, went to greet their guests.
Roden was there for security. Anna, however, was there to provoke Paul, who was riding among Lodis’s men.
Not only was Paul present, but he was also positioned between Lodis and Harry, clearly favored.
And judging by his aura, he had already reached the third tier. He must have paid a steep price for that power.
The advance party was small, only five hundred men. But Kailun sensed magical fluctuations emanating from the three leaders: spatial magic, if he wasn’t mistaken.
They had clearly prepared an escape route.
“Your Highness, Bishop Harry. Thank you for gracing us with your presence. Your attendance makes this wedding truly special.” Kailun greeted them, his arm casually draped around Anna’s waist.
“The pleasure is all ours, Kailun. It’s an honor to be invited.” Lodis dismounted and returned the gesture. He eyed Anna curiously. “Is this the lovely bride? Truly a beauty, even by royal standards.”
“You flatter me, Your Highness. This isn’t the bride. Her name is Anna. Paul’s sister. I purchased her from him for two thousand gold coins. I must thank my dear friend Paul for this wonderful opportunity.”
“Oh? Paul’s sister?” Lodis turned to Paul, his eyebrows raised. “Is this true? You sold your own sister for two thousand gold coins?”
Paul felt a surge of anger. He jumped off his horse. “I have no such friend! And I have no such shameless sister!”
Anna’s expression turned even colder at his words.
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