"Did you ever love Harper?" The question echoed in Francis' mind. It was one he had asked himself a thousand times in the past. Of course, he had loved her. Her smile alone could drive him crazy enough to do anything she asked for. He would never deny the love he had once had for her. But it was all past. Now, there was only hatred in his heart.

"Yes, I did," Francis admitted. "I loved her and hoped she would reciprocate my feelings. I was eager for it. But you know what? All I got out of this longing was disappointment, despair, pain, and grief. I lost all hope by the end. I had a hard time engulfed in despair. It was agonizing. I ended up wanting to kill her, even tried to do it, but still..."

"What? Do you regret that decision?" Diana asked dryly. Men were all the same, unable to get over what they failed to get and never cherishing what they had already.

"Certainly not. How could I? If I can't have her, I won't allow her to be with another man! I would rather destr

uel said as he waved the fan in his hand. "Our emperor is also eager in forming an ever-lasting alliance with the South Kingdom."

"Splendid! I'm overjoyed to hear that," Lance said with a smile.

Kile, on the other hand, hadn't taken his eyes off Harper. Despite the thick bandage on his head, he still did not restrain himself a bit. An imperial envoy from the Wonder Kingdom sat next to him, poking at him to remind him to behave properly. However, Kile merely moved his body to avoid his touch. "Leave me alone and don't disturb me while I enjoy looking at a beauty."

The imperial envoy was so disappointed upon hearing that. 'He was already injured from offending one woman. Why couldn't he control himself at least a little?' he cursed under his breath. However, he wouldn't dare scold Kile. With no other choice, he coughed and said, "Prince Kile, the king is looking at you."

"Why is he looking at me? I'm not some beauty," asked Kile, his eyes still focused on Harper.