"If my father were to arrange a marriage for me with the direct descendant of a hereditary duke, I would gain the support of that family, which would provide me with rare and valuable resources outside of Emperor Star.

"Things like love are just optional aspects of life for me.

"My upbringing also taught me that love is but a laughable façade for human desires; once you grasp power, you have everything.

"Of course, I have lost all that now, and my only concern is figuring out how to lead a fulfilling life that's destined to be empty."

"Life is never empty," Yang Ming said. "However, I can understand the feelings you have after your dreams were shattered... Perhaps we can discuss this well, but I can't quite accept the idea of a nominal marriage."

"Why?" Daphne was full of confusion.

Yang Ming shrugged. "If my nominal wife were to have an intimate relationship with another man, it would touch upon my ridiculously sensitive self-esteem."

Daphne raised her hand to her forehead, unable to help complaining, "I can't quite understand your thinking. Why mix something as important as your personal future with your chauvinistic ego? I don't care how many mistresses you have; that's the norm in noble circles. Correspondingly, you shouldn't interfere in my private life; I will maintain the decorum between us."

"Maybe I am still a commoner at heart," Yang Ming laughed, "so I think our marriage is unlikely to succeed."

Daphne frowned and said, "Simply put, you've laid down your terms, asking me to uphold the duties of a wife while you go off gallivanting? With respect, that seems somewhat unfair."

"First of all, we haven't established a marital relationship yet, and then, I am now thinking of how to find a win-win solution instead of sacrificing and giving up."

Yang Ming stood up. He wanted to try if he could make Daphne refuse on her own, so he gazed at Daphne and said deliberately,

"I really can't accept a noble form of marriage; if you are to become my wife, we must first establish a romantic relationship. Please give me some time to consider.

"If we get married, you are destined to sacrifice certain things, including the dignity of being a wife.

"I don't want to treat you that way, so I will think of other ways to gain His Majesty's trust."

Daphne nodded slightly, "I've obtained your contact information. Before you leave Emperor Star, we must visit the Imperial Palace once. In any case, please do not defy my father; he never hesitates when removing hidden threats."

"Thank you."

Yang Ming blinked and bowed slightly to Daphne.

"Happy birthday, beautiful princess... Additionally, the perfume is nice."

After that, he turned toward the door and, upon opening it, saw the figure of Director Eno.

As the alloy door to the room slowly closed, Daphne finally relaxed, leaning against the sofa cushions, lost in thought.

She really hadn't expected it.

As a princess of the most powerful empire in the Milky Way, a just-of-age girl with decent looks, taking the initiative to persuade an Honorary Earl to marry her, only to hear him say that he couldn't give up a few mistresses after marriage...

Daphne sat there contemplating quietly.

She pondered whether her understanding of the current power dynamics in the Milky Way was slightly misplaced.

To report today's conversation truthfully to her father?

What would her father say to her?

Daphne could completely imagine the tone and choice of words her father would use to describe her incompetence and cowardice.

'Daphne, when facing the White Ghost, do not treat him as a mere Imperial noble; try to lower yourself. He is an incredible life form.

'The Sherman family wants to absorb him now. In the next hundred years, the Galaxy will undergo several reshuffles and intense upheavals, and he can, to some extent, protect the Empire. I chose you because you are wise enough to become his tether.

'Human emotions are magical; you must fully utilize this.'

Daphne's collagen-filled cheeks twitched slightly.

They were merely a few mistresses; dealing with them shouldn't be too difficult.

"Please do not underestimate any member of the Sherman family. Additionally, it's the scent of body wash, you ignorant fellow."

...

In the middle of the night, Yang Ming returned to his ground-level hotel with a slight scent of alcohol.

"Sigh—"

Yang Ming sighed and lay sprawled on the soft bed, daphne's beautiful figure continually flashing before his eyes.

They had another dinner with Director Eno, where Daphne also behaved indifferently. However, before Yang Ming left, she took the initiative to ask to see him off, symbolically supporting his arm.

Director Eno's face immediately wrinkled into smiles.

Yet, Yang Ming sensed that the girl beside him seemed to have made up her mind.

Daphne was indeed very beautiful. Among the girls Yang Ming had seen, only the mature Valkyrie and Mimili could rival her in beauty.

—Of course, ranking based on appearances isn't really a civilized action.

But Yang Ming could feel that Daphne was the sort of ambitious royal daughter.

An Imperial princess was different from an Imperial princess.

Emilia's growing environment determined that she was a simple princess, concerned with how to seek welfare for the people. With her brother covering her, she was undoubtedly the most carefree girl in the Luofeng Empire.

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