Hero? Are You Worthy?
Chapter 213 - 143: Annulment! You Have to Take Responsibility for Me (2)_2

Chapter 213: Chapter 143: Annulment! You Have to Take Responsibility for Me (2)_2

Antasia took a deep breath, her hand moving away from her face to reveal her red, swollen cheek.

Yet, her face still wore a perfectly impeccable smile as she gracefully curtsied to the surrounding circle of nobles.

Her movements were graceful and perfect, her voice calm and pleasant:

"Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for disturbing your enjoyment; I am feeling a bit unwell and will take my leave now. Please continue to enjoy the banquet."

After making an apology beyond reproach, Antasia did not even glance at Prince Wozworth on the floor as she elegantly turned and left.

In her heart, all of Antasia’s fantasies about the prince dissipated at that moment.

Indeed, the imaginations of a young girl were but a dream after all.

Reality was far more cruel than her own dreams.

Qin did not immediately follow her.

Wozworth arrived leisurely on the scene just as Qin was finishing off Prince Wozworth, glancing at the bloody mess on the ground with a deep frown.

Boy, the Hero does have a lethal hand... that really does not look human anymore.

"Lance, drag the third brother out and tend to his wounds..." Wozworth said with an indifferent tone.

This reaction also delighted the other sons of Wozworth; they knew that the eldest brother had completely infuriated their father today. Although there were many competitors, their chance had finally come.

"Qin, please take care of Antasia," Wozworth said with a somewhat headache, rubbing his brow.

Now the main problem was how to manage the aftermath. It was crucial that nothing happened to Antasia; if she, in despair, were to throw herself into the river and commit suicide, that would be a huge mess.

And it would deteriorate the Duchy’s relations with the Empire, bringing catastrophe upon them as well.

Wozworth also had to consider essential matters. Although the Ice Duchy was frigid and poor, perhaps it was those harsh living conditions that bred some of the finest warriors of the Sky Dome Continent.

Among the soldiers who fought against demons, those from the Ice Duchy were the fiercest and bravest.

If something happened to Antasia, these people would likely revolt immediately.

...

Meanwhile, Antasia, having left the banquet scene, did not return to Qin’s palace.

She wandered the bustling city like a homeless ghost.

The river water rippled, reflecting stars and the moon, while gentle light seeped from the beautiful houses... The whole world was very quiet.

It was a beautiful city, but this city only made Antasia feel lonelier and more helpless, even colder than the endless ice and snow of the Ice Country.

A chilly night breeze came, and Antasia instinctively pulled at the dress Miss Angelica had meticulously prepared for her.

She did not know how much time had passed until she finally stopped by the riverside, where the river water gurgled, and for the first time shed her royal demeanor, sitting down on the grass by the bank.

With no one else around, Antasia could finally let go of her feigned strength, and crystal-clear tears streamed down her cheeks, forming two distinct trails on her fair face.

They dripped off her sharp, delicate chin onto the dress over her chest.

Ah... this was not alright.

Antasia gently shook her head, wiping the tear stains from her face with the back of her hand.

She could not cry... The dress was specially prepared by Miss Angelica, and although she did not know how much mana it cost, it certainly was not cheap and should not be soiled.

But... the tears would not stop flowing.

No matter how rational or sophisticated and graceful she was, she was still just a girl.

From a young age, she had been instructed to be loyal to Prince Wozworth and devote all her love to him. Since childhood, she had been told how handsome, dashing, graceful, and gentle the prince was.

Perhaps, he really was a very handsome man, but what did grace and gentleness have to do with him?

Being slapped in front of so many nobles...

She was a Princess after all.

The shattering of dreams and an unprecedented humiliation dealt a severe blow to Antasia.

Under such circumstances, it was easiest to go to extremes.

Having endured such humiliation and even disgraced the Ice Country’s reputation, she could not face going back to her parents.

In Antasia’s small hand appeared a small bottle, containing powder made from grinding Night Sleep Flower petals.

If consumed, one would quickly fall asleep and never wake up again.

Each person from the Ice Country carried one... as they often had to go out and fight demons, magical beasts, and wild animals, not every hunt ended in victory, and if caught by wild animals, one would be eaten alive.

Watching oneself be torn apart and gnawed on by animals was a gruesome experience, and the Night Sleep Flower could spare a lot of pain.

This city’s cold indifference made Antasia shudder, but of course, some good people remained.

A small smile appeared on Antasia’s face, considering the likes of Mr. Brave, who was a very kind man, saving her from assassins, sharing his food with her, taking her into his lodging, and even risking a fallout with the Empire to defend her when she was insulted by Prince Wozworth...

That not particularly handsome figure left an indelible mark in Antasia’s heart.