Quick Transmigration: Saving The Crazy Villainess 217 Su Luxi 7

"I heard the royal family is already deciding for the first prince's marriage..."

"Oh? I'm sure many families already volunteered their little ladies. Who became the final candidates for his fiancee?"

"There are many notable girls in the capital and even in the major cities outside the capital. But I'm certain the ones the royal family considered are with ranks of at least Marquis. The four ducal houses have greater chances to be selected."

"Hmm. I see."

"Wait. Cross out the last ducal house. Duke Wade has no daughter and I don't think the Emperor will take his branch families into consideration. Remember, they only rose by two ranks because of the prophet."

"Makes sense. So the only ones left are the House Jasmine, House Lilac, and House Bolden. To be honest though, I think the one with the highest chance to be the crown prince's fiancee is the one from the last house I mentioned."

"Rumina Bolden? Well, I also have heard of her excellence. She would make a very good empress. The crown prince is good, but with her around, it's like he has been given a pair of wings."

"No... actually, though I hate to admit it, but the little lady from House Bolden might even be too qualified... and more excellent than the crown prince...."

The day was bright thanks to the clear and sunny weather. It was a great day for a birthday celebration. The party had not started yet but there were already many people gathering in groups in the gigantic garden.

A few parents came with their children and most of them were on one side of the garden seated at the round tables scattered there. The kids were on the other side, making friends and socializing, acting like adults as they make connections. From the latter group, not few were having their first societal debut today.

'They are talking about her again...' A boy around the age of thirteen balled his fist and held too tightly on his little sister's small hands after hearing the words the adults were exchanging amongst themselves.

The princess who felt pain from her hand cried out, "P-prince brother! P-pain!"

However, the young boy was lost in his thoughts and insecurities, remembering how his father, the Emperor, praised that girl in front of him and told him to cherish her in the future.

He was working hard too. Why did he never hear his father praising him for his efforts?

His train of thought was interrupted when the girl he was escorting violently cried and pushed him away to free her other hand. "Bad brother!"

The crown prince blankly stared at the girl on the verge of crying then recovered from his stupor. With an apologetic smile, he crouched down and led the girl to a vacant table, ignoring the gasps and sudden silence at the table where he heard the gossiping.

"Your brother did not mean it. Believe me. I... was just thinking of something very important."

He coaxed the little princess with sweets before leaving her to her nannies and peers. Walking towards the circle where he would be surrounded and flattered, his steps were heavy. His mood was dampened by another mention of that girl who had actually already become his fiancee.

"Your Highness, the servant at the gate has just announced, Mr. Luke Wade made an appearance."

"Your Highness, it seems Ms. Rumina Bolden has also arrived."

After the greetings and idle chats he had with the various people of different ages that attended the gathering, one of his servants walked toward him to relay this information.

Despite wanting to frown after hearing his fiancee's name, he maintained the unreadable expression on his face and nodded to his acquaintances. He didn't move from his position, knowing those two, like the other guests, would definitely find him to greet him.

Dictated by customs and traditions, to a certain extent, one's actions could be predicted. However, outside of that, it would be hard to predict what a person you don't know would do.

The crown prince was indeed greeted by the two people who just arrived. But unlike the others who stayed to flatter him, one of them moved away to find a secluded corner, seemingly scared of him, while the other did the opposite, he found another spot and gathered the crowd around him.

However, for the latter, he felt no annoyance, since, to understand why he was getting that much attention, he simply a.s.sumed he was the next leader of the Holy Church.

The girl's case was different though.

It was his first time meeting her, but despite seeing how beautiful and cute she was in her dress, all he could find in his heart for her was annoyance.

Why was she better at everything than him? And could garner everyone's praises even though she was younger than him? And why was she afraid of him?

The immature crown prince couldn't think far ahead yet and see the advantages a smart and capable woman could bring him. The compet.i.tiveness in him and his childish jealousy was causing his judgment to be impaired.

The party started at his cue and greetings. But since the celebrant was a kid, most of the events were for the younger generation. The Emperor only showed up in a few minutes and before leaving said,

"I see. Both the heirs of House Wade and House Bolden came. It's nice to see you two here, especially you, Miss Bolden. I've heard of your great genius, coming up with a cure to a terrible malady by yourself, and even at your age. It's admirable."

The prince's eyes darkened because the lion-like man never said a thing to him, and did not even smile at him. As a challenge to him by the other royalties, he arranged everything at this party. It was him who made sure the food, the people, and everything else was taken care of, yet instead of getting praised, he got snubbed? And it was that heiress from House Bolden who got noticed just for attending?

'... Even though I know this Rumina Bolden is not at fault... Why is my heart feeling so uncomfortable? Will I truly want to live with this girl in the future?'

Aware of the answer, he gave the girl a good look. Not long after, he fell into contemplation, eyes somehow falling onto Luke Wade's poker face.

With a plan in mind, while all sorts of literary and talent compet.i.tion between the young people were happening, the young male lead walked towards the boy who was older than him by two years.

"Mr. Wade." After exchanging with the other a standard bow, he asked, in a way which naturally sounded like there was no room for refusal. "May I invite you for a talk."

...

Jiang Li was not annoyed by the male lead's sudden action earlier, but amused. He might have been too bored lately. So he entertained the younger boy and looked for a private place to continue their conversation.

And this seemed to be a good decision as he heard something funny.

"You... I'm ordering you to help annul my current engagement!"