novel bin Page 283
Page 283
Raise your head.
A look of understanding appeared in his eyes.
"I understand!"
Chapter 407 is written as Wang Fei, but read as Wang Fei!
"Prince Ota, you've really gone to great lengths!"
In the crowd, the bard let out a deliberate long sigh, a sigh that carried three parts regret, three parts admiration, three parts joy, and a hint of seeing through the truth, making it clear to everyone that there was a story behind it.
The sound quickly attracted the attention of those around.
"What's going on? Tell me in detail."
"You know again?"
"Stop keeping us in suspense, just tell us what's going on."
The crowd gathered tightly around him, and the bard's lips curled into a secret smile before he lowered his voice mysteriously and said, "Haven't you noticed how cleverly this announcement was timed?"
“In the past, issuing such a notice would have been nothing out of the ordinary; at most, it would have been considered a merit and a reward. But at this juncture, just days after defeating the Fourth Demon Official and with the Queen Consort election being suspended, it’s impossible for this announcement to be without any ulterior motives!”
"nonsense!"
The crowd immediately booed; the bard's words not only failed to answer their questions but also made them even more eager to know more.
Everyone knows this announcement isn't as simple as it seems, but the key question is, where are the details? Where the hell are the details?
Seeing everyone urging him on, the bard finally began to speak:
"You all saw the chaos the demons wreaked in the capital a few days ago, right? Who were those demons after? They were after the kingdom's queen, or rather, the prince!!!"
“Those despicable demons have resorted to any means necessary. Fortunately, His Highness Ota was farsighted and used the songstress Cuiyin to save the queen from disaster… But this also confirms His Highness Ota’s worries. Once the queen is chosen, those demons will probably launch another assassination attempt that is impossible to guard against!”
Everyone nodded in agreement: "That's why the kingdom suspended the election of the queen. Isn't that normal? Everyone has accepted it."
"Whether you accept it or not is irrelevant, but think about it carefully, is this really fair?" The bard shook his head:
"Is our great and wise Prince Ota truly content to continue enduring loneliness? So many years have passed, and His Highness is well past the age of marriage, but in his heart... is there really no woman who he yearns for, who resides in the softest part of his heart?"
With arms outstretched, the bard stood on a high platform and spoke with great emotion:
"You must know, His Highness Ota is a great king, but before that, he was also a straight man!"
"Do you think it's possible that he doesn't have a secret crush or longing for someone of the opposite sex?"
A commotion gradually arose in front of the bulletin board, and everyone's appetite was immediately whetted. This kind of scandalous rumor was exactly the kind of thing they liked best.
A head quickly popped out from the crowd, beaming with excitement: "Could it be..."
“That’s right!” The bard was quite pleased with the rhythm he had set, and asserted confidently:
"Under these circumstances, wanting to be with the one I love legitimately, yet also wanting to protect her from the demons' covetousness... there's only one choice left!!!"
Everyone's expressions changed drastically: "You mean—"
If only a small number of people understood something before, now almost everyone does, their eyes shining brightly as they lock onto the names on the announcement, as if they have discovered a new continent.
"Wang Fei? Princess!"
The bard made a solemn vow.
"The songstress Cuiyin is merely a false substitute; the scholar Astrid is the true princess whom Prince Ota has always longed for! Written as a royal document, read as a princess! This announcement is His Highness's most secret... declaration of his princess status!"
"It was a foolproof plan he devised after racking his brains to protect the people he cared about, a firm declaration to prove his unwavering love to the entire continent, and a kingly act that intertwined wisdom and tenderness!"
Everyone suddenly realized that after the concert night a few days ago, where the battle of wits was no less intense than the devil's capture of Mino, they had finally understood.
The people's admiration and love for Prince Ota grew even stronger. After this analysis, their thinking became clear, and they also developed a sense of trust that this was how it should be.
While they were beginning to believe it, someone in the crowd immediately voiced their concern: "But..."
"If that's the case, what if the demons target Queen Astrid again and launch another assassination attempt?"
The bard lowered his head, a smile playing on his lips again, and questioned:
"Then how do you know if this is yet another trap set by Prince Ota against the demons?"
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone was shocked.
They finally understood why the announcement hinting at the princess was made at this time. This was clearly the best opportunity His Highness had secured after forcefully thwarting the demons' conspiracy—to finalize the princess's selection!
"Make the real appear real, and the real appear real; strategize and plan, and you will win a thousand miles away!"
The bard's eyes shone brighter and brighter: "Our Prince Ota is truly amazing!!!"
"You're just bragging!" Ultimately, some in the crowd still argued: "After all that, what evidence do you have?"
"Evidence? Hmph, who says there isn't any!"
The bard spoke with a smug yet confident tone: "The proof lies in the fact that the chosen queen is none other than the great scholar Astrid!"
"His Highness Ota has long held the throne, and due to the internal and external troubles of the demon race, he has never married... Even among the nobles, he is considered one of the older ones."
"But what about the scholar Astrid? She is about the same age as Prince Otta, 26 years old."
But haven't you noticed that over the years, she hasn't had any romantic relationships with any men, let alone been in a relationship with anyone?
Amidst the puzzled gazes of the crowd, the bard smiled and said:
"It's one thing for Prince Ota to spread irresponsible rumors about his sexual orientation, but how do you explain the fact that Scholar Astrid has been single for so many years?"
"You should know that the prejudice against unmarried women of marriageable age in the capital is a huge mountain. Even the Holy Maiden of the past suffered a lot of criticism because of it."
A woman with such lofty beliefs and intellectual depth as the scholar Astrid would certainly have no shortage of suitors.
However, based on my fortunate observations at several banquets in the capital, the male nobles and ministers treated the scholars of Astrid as if they were a monstrous threat, completely avoiding any approach! Why do you think… is that?
"A perfect woman, worthy of holding the throne of a kingdom, of noble character and free from base pleasures, has remained single for so long under such favorable conditions. This is an incredible start; even Saintess Lena cannot lose!"
"So, besides having someone else in my heart, and being tacitly excluded from marriage by all the men in the capital—I can't think of any other reason than this blatant 'truth' before my eyes."
Looking at the crowd who had been convinced by his flawless logic, the bard shrugged and smiled:
"...Could she be a spy sent by the demons?"
……
It turns out.
People's eyes are sharp.
The bulletin boards scattered throughout the capital, the crowds gathering, and the burning passion for gossip led to the discovery of the "truth" in every street and alley, which was then spread far and wide!
Now that things have come to this, few people are reading the text of the announcement anymore; what matters is that everyone knows that name, as prestigious as His Highness the Prince's:
"The kingdom's new queen, Astrid!!!"
The birth of knowledge often becomes unstoppable once it begins.
Chapter 408 I saw my deceased wife's shadow in her!
Astrid walked back to the library, completely satisfied.
She has perfectly resolved the princess's problem, and she is in exceptionally good condition now.
She had a feeling that she would be able to write a good fan fiction today.
Upon reaching the library entrance, I found a group of young women gathered together, chattering excitedly.
"I heard that His Highness Otta and Scholar Astrid met secretly in the library time and time again! This provoked Pope Brad, who had been single for many years, so he destroyed the library that night!"
"Nonsense! It was clearly the great and sacred Round Table that guided Prince Ota to his destined partner. They shared a love that resonated with their souls, and from there, their passion ignited and became unstoppable!"
"No, no! I heard that the scholar Astrid possesses the shadow of the prince's deceased wife, which led to a tragic love story involving a substitute!!!"
"That's the most ridiculous thing. Where would His Highness have a deceased wife???"
In front of the library, Astrid stood frozen in disbelief.
—She actually got a fanfiction written about her?
……
……
……
'Your Highness, was this also part of your calculations?'
In the study room.
Looking at Ota's profile by the window, after hesitating for a long time, Tus ultimately didn't ask the question in his heart, but instead brought it up indirectly:
"Your Highness, rumors about your affair with Scholar Astrid are circulating throughout the capital. To be honest, releasing an announcement at this time is likely to be over-interpreted by the people."
"Should the palace intervene, Your Highness Otta?"
"Need not."
By the window, Ota's voice sounded perfectly natural, without a trace of deception: "They're just rumors after all. Being too sensitive will only backfire. Let nature take its course, Tus. Time will tell—"
Tus nodded, naturally moving on from this minor matter, and continued his report: "Furthermore, after Scholar Astrid was bestowed the title of Royal Gate, I don't know if it was someone targeting her... but rumors have spread that Scholar Astrid had some kind of entanglement with the Fourth Demon on the night of the concert, and secretly helped the Fourth Demon escape, etc. Of course, this is only a small part and does not represent the general public's opinion, and it won't cause any major waves..."
Ota's gaze suddenly turned stern:
"What a ridiculous claim! Tus, immediately have the palace issue a clarification! How can we allow a scholar from Astrid to suffer such a great insult?!"
Tuss: "???"
Anger suddenly surged across Ota's previously calm face, and he clenched his fists:
"Those audacious fellows have really overstepped their bounds. Today they dared to spread rumors that Scholar Astrid was assisting demons, what will they do next? I don't even dare to think about what rumors they'll spread next—will they spread rumors that she's a demon official?!!"
"Tus, any emerging public opinion should be nipped in the bud!"
...Is that what you just said??
Tus stared in disbelief, realizing that his prince had stopped acting altogether.
"And what about you and Scholar Astrid..."
"The innocent are innocent!" Otta declared righteously once more, "Why would I care about those who spread idle gossip?!"