“Your tea.”

In Lucy’s bedroom, she held a steaming cup of black tea with both hands, her posture impeccable, her demeanor humble, like a dedicated little maid, the picture of diligence and subservience.

“Mmm.”

Shien sat in Lucy’s usual seat, crossing his legs like a lord, reaching out to take the tea Lucy offered, and taking a small sip.

“A bit bitter.”

Shien casually commented.

“I’ll add sugar for you.”

Lucy immediately added sugar to the tea.

“Only black tea?”

Shien continued speaking casually.

“There are also some pastries.”

Lucy hurried to the pantry and brought Shien some small pastries.

“I prefer biscuits and such, not sweet cakes.”

Shien casually stated his preference.

“Coming right up!”

Lucy immediately ran off.

Just like that, the Hero brazenly enjoyed the extremely attentive service, while the princess waited on him hand and foot.

This scene was definitely every man’s dream.

The dignified Kingdom Treasure, the most beautiful woman in the human world, diligently serving a man like this, one couldn’t even dream of such a beautiful sight.

But Shien had achieved it, and it was the princess who had practically dragged him here and was now serving him with equal fervor.

Shien glanced at his fiancée, who was standing obediently by his side, and smirked.

“So? Not going to play disappearing acts anymore?”

Shien’s words were pointed.

“No.”

Lucy answered readily, admitting that she was the one behind the previous incidents.

She didn’t even dare to make excuses.

Because she knew Shien could definitely tell.

So, between resisting stubbornly and confessing honestly, the princess, who loved to slack off, wisely chose the latter.

“Then let’s talk.” Shien reached out, pinching Lucy’s delicate cheek, and said with a sneer, “Tell me, why did you play disappearing acts?”

“Waaah…” Lucy whimpered a couple of times, but didn’t dare to resist at all, only saying tearfully, “It’s all your fault, being so bewitched by that Succubus. I just wanted to teach you a lesson.”

“Me? Bewitched by Shafney?” Shien raised an eyebrow and said directly, “Which eye of yours saw me being bewitched by her?”

“That day.” Lucy continued tearfully, “The day she came to the Royal Capital, didn’t you just take her away and leave me there alone?”

Was I the one bewitched?

It was clearly because I was afraid you would be bewitched by her that I quickly took her away!

Before Shien could voice his rebuttal, Lucy continued tearfully,

“And, not only did you bring her home, you even fought for her. That Succubus also declared in front of so many people that she cared about you, acting all intimate with you, practically clinging to you.”

That was also that woman’s doing, what does it have to do with me?

Shien wanted to say this, but he knew it wouldn’t be a valid explanation.

Could he really say he wasn’t allowed to be jealous when another woman was clinging to his wife, even if he was unwilling?

The fact remained that the clinging had happened.

So…

“You were jealous of Shafney, so you played disappearing acts with me?”

Shien pointed out the key point.

“Yes.”

Lucy nodded emphatically.

Shien stared intently at the princess, making her feel uneasy, before saying,

“What’s the real reason?”

Shien seemed to have seen through Lucy’s thoughts.

“Th-this… this is my…”

Before the words “real reason” could come out, Lucy saw Shien take out a parchment and place it on the table.

Thus, Lucy instantly surrendered.

“…This is my real reason, yes, but besides being jealous, I also wanted to use this opportunity to give you a warning, let you know that I have a temper, and to stop you from flirting around in the future.”

Lucy revealed her true thoughts.

“And?”

Shien continued to press calmly.

“…I wanted to make you feel guilty, make you regret it, so I could turn the tables and not be completely controlled by you.”

Lucy lowered her head.

“And?”

Shien stared intently at Lucy.

“And…” Lucy’s voice was almost a whisper, as if she was about to cry. “…I wanted to see if I could replace the Dragon Demon and become the rightful wife.”

Shien’s lips twitched.

He knew this woman wouldn’t simply be jealous.

As a member of the royal family, she wasn’t averse to polygamy. Even if she was jealous, she wouldn’t resort to disappearing acts and even using her power to the point of losing control. At most, she would take the opportunity to complain and make some demands, wanting him to pamper her.

But this princess, as expected, was as unreasonable as ever, doing all these things.

It could be said that all of this was within Shien’s expectations.

“It seems that I didn’t wrong you at all with this annulment agreement.”

Shien picked up the agreement on the table and said these words indifferently.

“I think we should talk!”

Seeing Shien about to finalize the agreement, Lucy hurriedly made this request.

“Fine.” Shien didn’t object, instead saying surprisingly readily, “How do you want to talk?”

Hearing this, Lucy started racking her brains.

How should she talk?

Admit her mistake?

But if an apology worked, this brute wouldn’t use something as serious as an annulment to force her to appear.

Then kneel?

That wouldn’t work either. Kneeling to her husband wasn’t a loss, and it wasn’t like she hadn’t done it before, even kneeling until her knees were red. But if possible, Lucy still wanted to struggle, to salvage some of her dignity.

In the end, Lucy decided she should reason with him.

“I don’t think you should be so impulsive. Think about it carefully. This isn’t something that can be easily decided, right?”

Lucy appealed to both reason and emotion.

Her implication was simple. She was pointing out that their engagement no longer just concerned them but also involved many other factors.

Such as the kingdom’s wishes.

Such as the public’s reaction.

Such as the global situation.

And the complex relationships behind it.

One thing was certain: if they really broke off the engagement, it would definitely be a world-shattering event, enough to cause riots throughout the country and even the entire human world.

Even if Ancil had signed it as the king, without a suitable reason, this agreement was just a piece of paper.

This wasn’t like celebrities in his previous life, who could just casually use excuses like “incompatible,” “no longer in love,” “tired of being together,” or “spending too much time apart.”

Personal feelings were worthless in the face of national interests. He had never heard of a political marriage that considered compatibility or love.

Of course, Shien and Lucy’s marriage wasn’t a political one, but the issues involved in their status and positions weren’t limited to mere national interests.

Therefore, even if they were unwilling to get married, at this point, it was impossible to break off the engagement.

If they really wanted to nitpick, Ancil could simply claim he was muddle-headed and made an inappropriate decision, using abdication as punishment for himself, rendering the agreement he signed invalid.

Anyway, Ancil was planning to abdicate, so this was a harmless matter.

This was also why Lucy, although panicked, wasn’t completely desperate.

Because she knew Shien must have considered these factors as well, which was why he dared to do something that seemed serious but was actually useless.

Unfortunately, Lucy was wrong.

“Indeed, with just an agreement, this engagement isn’t something that can be broken off so easily.” Shien said slowly, “But I can give it to Airi.”

“Give it to the Dragon Demon?” Lucy was slightly taken aback.

“Do you think that as my other fiancée, she would be very happy to receive such an agreement?” Shien smiled meaningfully. “Then, she could use this as an excuse to make you not only unable to be the rightful wife, but also just a lowly concubine waiting on her hand and foot.”

“Wh-…!” Lucy was struck dumb, completely stunned.

After regaining her senses, Lucy grabbed Shien’s clothes tearfully and shouted, “You can’t do this!”

She was clearly the one who came first, whether it was the engagement or…consummating the relationship, she was the first. But now, not only could she not be the rightful wife, but she would also be reduced to being a concubine?

This was simply outrageous!

She was a princess!

The Kingdom Treasure!

The most beautiful woman in the human world! The favored child of the Divine Race!

Becoming a concubine?

How could she slack off in the future then?

Moreover, with Airi’s abilities, it wasn’t impossible for her to achieve all of this.

As long as she had this agreement, no matter how many obstacles there were, the Dragon Demon, one of the highest-ranking demons, could use it to her advantage.

With leverage in hand, with a little manipulation, even if the engagement couldn’t be broken off, it was still possible to lower Lucy’s status.

This was Shien’s true purpose.

He didn’t really want to break off the engagement.

After all, she was his first wife. Even if she was being unreasonable, he wouldn’t go so far as to not marry her.

But disciplining her was still necessary.

Therefore…

“I can’t do this, then what should you do?”

Shien looked at Lucy pointedly.

“I… I won’t play disappearing acts anymore…!”

Lucy desperately promised.

“And?”

Shien looked relaxed and composed.

“I won’t use my power to scheme against you anymore!”

Lucy continued to promise.

“And then?”

Shien’s gaze towards Lucy became meaningful again.

Seeing this, Lucy seemed to understand something, and with a mixture of grievance and helplessness, she whispered,

“…The position and…request you mentioned last time, I think I can do it now.”

Hearing this, Shien finally handed the annulment agreement to Lucy with satisfaction.

“That’s a good girl.”

Shien happily won this battle.

Only Lucy remained, tears streaming down her face.

Today’s victor: Shien, a complete victory.

Roselucia Mitra: a crushing defeat.

Chapter 848: “Come On, Try Yelling Again.”

Royal Palace, Underground.

In this place housing the magic library and other important facilities, there was a prison.

This was where the kingdom specifically held important criminals.

Only the most vicious criminals, those who were basically impossible to release or even allow to live, were imprisoned here, making this one of the most important facilities beneath the royal palace.

The prison was also managed year-round by confidants of the royal family. Although there were no guards, dozens of high-level magic barriers and formulas were deployed, transforming this place into an impenetrable cage from which no one could invade or escape.

Naturally, on ordinary days, very few people came here, sometimes even years would pass without a single visitor.

And today, led by Lucy, Shien arrived here.

“Those Old Demon Faction members are imprisoned here.”

Lucy pointed to the prison area ahead, heavily shrouded in barriers, her tone seemingly back to normal.

Clearly, under Shien’s “dimension-reducing strike,” Lucy had resigned herself to fate and faced reality, no longer trying to oppose him.

Naturally, Shien wouldn’t make things difficult for this poor, slacker princess anymore.

He had already benefited a lot from her, so when it was time to forgive her, he should forgive her.

“Is this the place?”

Looking at the barrier before him, Shien didn’t ask Lucy to open it. Instead, he directly used Instant Movement, passing through the layers of barriers and entering.

A second later, Lucy also rushed in from outside.

“Are you crazy?!” Lucy complained to Shien, looking as if she had almost been scared to death. “There aren’t just barriers here, but also magic traps specifically designed to prevent prisoners from escaping. What if you accidentally triggered one?”

“Relax.” Shien waved his hand dismissively. “I have a special skill that can sense the presence of those magic traps. I won’t trigger them.”

Shien’s [Outer Awareness of Heaven’s Decree] was indeed activated, allowing him to perceive the presence of each magic trap.

Structurally, these magic formations were cleverly designed, forming a very complete and comprehensive system, undoubtedly constructed after careful consideration of various situations.

The Buztout House also had similar setups, but in terms of level, they were far inferior to these.

After all, those were things Shien had set up at a lower level, only capable of defending against petty thieves, not truly formidable opponents.

Otherwise, those Old Demon Faction members wouldn’t have dared to brazenly invade his residence and try to cause trouble.

“Where are those guys?”

Shien asked Lucy beside him.

“Inside.”

Lucy pointed towards the depths of the prison.

“Let’s go then.”

Shien didn’t hesitate and walked straight inside.

“Careful!”

Lucy reminded Shien at this moment.

Shien immediately stopped.

At the same time, a loud bang suddenly erupted from the cell closest to Shien.

“Let me out! Let me out!”

A ferocious-looking criminal slammed against the iron bars, reaching out a dirty hand from within the cell and yelling at Shien.

A startling amount of magic power emanated from him, telling Shien that he was no ordinary criminal.

However, magic runes within the cell were glowing, firmly suppressing the magic power on the criminal, preventing it from being released.

Thanks to this, this powerful criminal seemed completely unable to utilize his magic power, only able to struggle and roar hysterically like an ordinary person.

At the same time, as if triggered, banging sounds erupted from other cells.

“Let me out!”

“Get me out of here immediately!”

“Damned kingdom lapdogs!”

“Just you wait! Just you wait! I’ll kill you all!”

Criminals appeared at the front of their cells, slamming against the iron bars and roaring hoarsely.

The incessant roars intertwined, coupled with their ferocious and terrifying behavior, created a truly horrifying and terrifying atmosphere in this dark, underground prison.

If Lumia or Melika were here, they would definitely be scared out of their wits.

Even someone braver would likely feel a chill down their spine.

Shien wasn’t scared, but he frowned at the scene before him.

Lucy came to Shien’s side and said helplessly,

“The ones imprisoned here are all criminals who have harmed the kingdom, all with violent personalities.”

“Some of them have been imprisoned for several years, some for several decades, and there are even a few dwarves who have been imprisoned for over a hundred years, who knows how long it’s been since they’ve seen the sun.”

“Under such circumstances, their reactions are usually the most extreme when they see strangers.”

“There have been many knights escorting prisoners here who, because they got too close, were grabbed by these criminals. Some had their ears bitten off, some had their throats slit, some even had their eyeballs gouged out, their faces mangled.”

“So, it’s best not to get too close to them.”

Lucy explained this.

However, before Shien could react, many criminals in the cells, hearing Lucy’s voice and seeing her appearance, became even more frantic.

“A woman!”

“There’s actually a woman!”

“And such a beautiful woman!”

“Give me that woman! Give her to me!”

“Hey! You bastards over there! Do you hear me?”

“Hand over that woman obediently!”

“Hahaha!”

The vicious criminals started clamoring, shouting threats at Shien and staring intently at Lucy, their eyes filled with obscene lust.

Those unrestrained gazes, filled with greedy lust and possessiveness, made Lucy frown deeply.

As the kingdom’s treasure, the number one princess, when had she ever been stared at so blatantly with such filthy gazes?

Even those dissolute noble youths wouldn’t dare to be so blatant in displaying their desires in front of her, because they at least knew that Lucy wasn’t someone they could offend.

But what kind of people were these?

Desperadoes who defied all laws!

Such vicious individuals naturally wouldn’t be afraid of Lucy’s status, nor would they know her status, only knowing how to vent their desires.

Thus, a stream of vulgar words reached Lucy’s ears, making her expression turn ugly.

In a cell closest to Lucy, the criminal stuck out his tongue and reached out his hands, as if trying to grab Lucy’s chest, desperately clawing at the air.

In the next second…

“Swish!”

With a flash of sword light, the criminal’s tongue and both hands were cleanly severed, blood splattering everywhere.

“Ugh…!”

The criminal let out a silent scream, collapsing in his cell, covered in blood.

“…!”

The clamor of all the criminals present abruptly ceased.

Shien still stood there, but at some point, he had drawn his Holy Sword.

Looking at the gleaming Holy Sword, all the criminals seemed to be stunned, freezing on the spot.

“Come on, try yelling again.”

Shien glanced around, his voice full of mockery.

The entire prison fell silent.

Clearly, these criminals were scared.

Precisely because they were desperate criminals, they knew that this seemingly unremarkable young nobleman before them was definitely a ruthless character.

“Trying to scare me?”

Shien turned to look at the criminal who had charged forward at the beginning.

“Eek…!”

The criminal whimpered and scrambled away from the iron bars.

The remaining criminals did the same, some silently retreating from the front of their cells, some scrambling away, and some remaining in place, their eyes flickering, their expressions fierce, seemingly not scared by Shien.

But a single emotion surged in the eyes of these people.

Apprehension.

Seeing this, Shien glanced at them.

“Get lost!”

Magic power quietly burned on his body, making the apprehension in the eyes of those desperadoes grow stronger.

And the result proved that even so-called desperadoes weren’t completely indifferent to their lives.

Before long, those people were also forced back, leaving the entire prison deathly silent.

Shien then sheathed his Holy Sword and looked at Lucy beside him.

“I’m fine.”

Lucy, noticing Shien’s gaze, shook her head while muttering in her heart,

(You have some conscience, at least you still care about me.)

The grievance of being utterly defeated by Shien finally disappeared from Lucy’s heart.

“Let’s go then, let’s go inside.” Shien wasn’t sentimental, nodding as he casually said, “Actually, you can tell your father that there’s no need to keep these people.”

These words made all the criminals’ hearts clench.

“I know.” Lucy, seeming to understand Shien’s thoughts, said with an expressionless face, “But keeping them is indeed useful. Some shady magic experiments still need them.”

So ruthless!

All the criminals were filled with a mixture of shock and anger.

But Lucy wasn’t completely lying.

Some of the criminals here were indeed difficult to deal with, and some were kept for their usefulness.

And one of their uses was as test subjects for magic experiments.

Being imprisoned here was equivalent to receiving a death sentence.

Therefore, the kingdom wouldn’t show them any mercy or sympathy. Some things that couldn’t be done openly were basically all done on these guys.

In other words, although these people seemed vicious and terrifying, they had already lost their human rights and weren’t treated as human beings.

Shien certainly wouldn’t sympathize with these scumbags, so he nodded.

“Next time there are any severed limbs or body parts, I’ll pick them up and take them back as test subjects for magic experiments.”

Leaving behind these terrifying words, Shien walked towards the depths of the prison.

Lucy smiled faintly and followed gracefully.

And this time, no one dared to make a sound.

Only fearful gazes emerged from within the cells, one after another.

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