His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's Cinderella didn't flee when the clock struck twelve—though, in truth, the banquet had been held in the afternoon and would conclude before dinner. On the contrary, they spent a delightful time together at the banquet. The frail Crown Prince even danced several times for the first time in his life, and every dance was with none other than Miss Campbell.
He even introduced the young lady to the King in front of everyone afterward—an unmistakable sign of how much he favored her.
What surprised the guests even more was that the King, whom many expected to object in some way, showed no sign of displeasure. Instead, he spoke to Miss Campbell with a genial smile, leaving her completely flustered by the unexpected favor.
"You've just arrived in the capital, Miss Campbell. I'm sure you haven't had the chance to properly explore the city yet. When you have time, let Edward take you around."
With these words, the King essentially gave his approval, and the Crown Prince, who had been feeling slightly anxious, was instantly overjoyed.
He voiced what he had long been planning in his heart: "Yes, Father. I was just about to invite Miss Cindy to stroll through the city with me tomorrow."
The King nodded. "Very well. Be sure to bring a few guards with you and stay safe."
"I will." The Crown Prince replied cheerfully, then led his dance partner off to mingle elsewhere—he hadn't officially extended his invitation to Cindy yet.
Once the Crown Prince had left, the King, who had started to feel a bit weary from the banquet, also quietly excused himself. He didn't bring along his mistress and chose instead to return to rest alone.
The King had always been among the first to leave such events, so the guests simply bid him farewell with a bow and quickly returned to the festivities.
The chief steward followed closely behind the King. When they reached a quiet, secluded area, he couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, do you truly approve of His Royal Highness associating with Miss Campbell? Her family is in decline—she likely won't be able to offer the Crown Prince any meaningful support."
The King waved his hand dismissively. "I find her quite decent. Her family background might be lacking, but at least she's intelligent and has a good heart."
If even Countess Nelson could dig up Miss Campbell's background in a short time, how could the King possibly be unaware?
The King had already had every eligible young lady invited to the banquet investigated beforehand. Though he claimed to let his son choose freely, he was never going to allow him to marry someone with a dubious background or incompatible disposition. A bit of advance screening was only prudent.
Even if he hadn't initially paid attention to the Campbell family, the moment the Crown Prince began interacting with the young lady, the servants had already submitted full reports on her background.
Thus, the King knew more than most. He was well aware of how Miss Campbell had struggled under the malicious designs of her stepmother after the death of Baron Campbell and how she had cleverly fought to protect herself all this time.
Given the Baroness's clear intent to mold her stepdaughter into a socialite, she should never have allowed Miss Campbell to attend the banquet. And yet, not only did Miss Campbell manage to persuade her, but she also stood out among the crowd and won the Crown Prince's favor. Even the King had to admit he admired her for that.
As for whether her original target was the Crown Prince or someone else, the King didn't particularly care. As long as she didn't cause a scandal and the Crown Prince liked her, that was good enough.
The King didn't dislike clever girls. On the contrary, he rather appreciated them. They were far preferable to those vapid nobles who only knew how to eat, drink, and play. Such a girl was far more suitable for the Crown Prince.
Of course, at present, the Crown Prince merely had feelings for the young lady. Whether they would come to fruition depended entirely on her abilities.
The chief steward couldn't read the King's mind and instead voiced further concern: "But, Your Majesty, if the Crown Princess comes from too humble a background, won't the Crown Prince lack a powerful supporter?"
"Once Edward regains his health, this country will be his sooner or later. A powerful in-law family would only become a burden to him."
Although the King had high hopes for his son, he was well aware of Edward's gentle temperament. That kind of personality might not be the best fit for kingship. It would make him more susceptible to influence—especially from his wife. Thus, a Crown Princess without powerful family ties, even an orphan, would suit him better. At least there'd be no risk of the queen's family seizing political power.
Moreover, the Crown Prince's strongest competitor had already been forced out of the running. With no real challengers, Edward didn't need powerful backers to secure the throne. In that light, the background of the future Crown Princess wasn't such a critical factor.
That was precisely why the King allowed his son to broaden his criteria for choosing a bride. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so accommodating.
"But... what about Prince Andrew...?"
After all, the Crown Prince wasn't the only heir. There was still Prince Andrew. Though Andrew showed no intention of contesting his older brother now, the future remained uncertain—especially with the powerful Aldridge family behind him. And now, the Aldridge heir was about to marry a young lady from the Williams family, two of the most powerful noble houses in the empire.
This was a political headache for the King and one he slightly regretted. Back then, he had brokered this marriage to strengthen Andrew's influence, thinking it a wise move. But now, in hindsight, it might not have been the best decision after all.
Still, the marriage was already arranged—there was no undoing it.
Fortunately, both the Aldridge and Williams families were his vassals and had always shown loyalty. While the King regretted his choice, he wasn't truly worried that they would take Andrew's side and oppose Edward.
Especially with the Williams family—the King felt particularly reassured. If Felix Williams had any such ambitions, his wife, Wei Wei, would never have stepped forward to treat Edward. Everyone knew how critical Edward's condition was. If not for Wei Wei, the King would never have guessed that she could cure him.
Since she chose to heal Edward, the Williams family was aligned with him. This act of kindness guaranteed their future glory. They had already won—no need to risk anything further.
So, though the King had some passing regrets, he wasn't truly worried.
He even sternly warned the chief steward never to speak such things again: "Edward and Andrew have always been close. There's no way something like that will ever happen."
Fratricide was the last thing the King ever wanted to see. He would never allow it to happen.
After the banquet, Crown Prince Edward indeed followed through on his words and frequently invited Miss Campbell on outings. Their presence became a familiar sight across the capital. Whether noble or commoner, everyone quietly watched the deepening bond between the two young people. The citizens were reassured by the Crown Prince's improving health, while many speculated on when the royal engagement would be announced.
With the King's tacit approval—perhaps even open support—no other noble had the power to interfere. Some young ladies did try various means to catch the Crown Prince's eye, but all failed without exception. In the end, however unwilling, they had to let go of their dreams of becoming Crown Princess and turn their sights elsewhere.
The only people who truly didn't want Edward to be engaged to Miss Campbell were the Campbell Baroness—who had thoroughly exposed her vicious nature in her mistreatment of her stepdaughter—and the two children she had spoiled rotten. Even her own natal family, who had previously looked down on Miss Campbell, began trying to curry favor with her after this stunning turn of events. Only the Baroness and her children continued to seethe with jealousy and hatred, yet they were completely powerless to do anything about it.
When Prince Edward finally learned from others that the Baroness had intended to turn his beloved into a mere socialite, the ever-gentle Crown Prince flew into rare anger. Though he didn't directly punish the Baroness, he immediately invited Miss Campbell to stay at the palace and made it clear that he didn't intend for her to maintain any contact with her stepmother's side of the family.
From that moment on, everyone understood exactly where the future Crown Princess stood regarding the Campbell Baroness's household. The nobles—experts in flattering those in power—soon followed suit, treating the Baroness and her children with disdain. Even her own natal family kicked them out, afraid that continued association would draw the Crown Prince's ire.
Still, the Campbell Baron's family didn't end up on the streets. They still held a fiefdom and retained their title, which had not been stripped. Just as they were driven out of their former residence, news from the northwest border arrived—Felix had defeated Duke Romanov, reclaimed all the noble lands he had seized, and was preparing to return in triumph.
The recovery of their territory meant the Campbell family could return and resume their baronial duties. However, their land had been ravaged by war. The peasants had fled, the serfs taken away. Restoring the land to its former prosperity would be a steep challenge. Coupled with their now ruined reputation at court, the family's future looked bleak.
But no one had the time or concern to worry about a fallen noble household. All attention was focused on celebrating the latest military victory.
Duke Romanov's defeat meant all the lands he had occupied were reclaimed, including some foreign territories he had previously annexed. The duke himself took his own life in bitter defeat. It was a decisive and complete triumph. The only regrettable part was that, before his suicide, the duke had secretly smuggled his wife and children out of the country. They had now become exiled nobles in foreign lands, and Felix had no authority to pursue them across borders. As such, the King's original order to eradicate the entire Romanov family remained unfulfilled.
Still, with their departure, these fugitives no longer posed a threat. The King did not blame Felix, instead commenting that the family had simply been lucky—and happily turned his attention to preparing a grand celebration for the army.
When September arrived, Felix and his troops finally returned to the capital.
Just like when he had departed, Wei Wei stood atop the city wall, holding the now-walking baby Anthony in her arms, watching the long column of soldiers stretch from the horizon toward the city gates.
Compared to when they had left, this battle-hardened army looked completely different. As they approached, they exuded the fierce aura of war—formidable, disciplined, and still carrying a hint of the killing intent that clung to them from the battlefield.
At the head of the army rode the triumphant Marquis of Williams—her husband, Felix.
He was clad in full armor, visor down, so his face was obscured. Still, he seemed uninjured.
During the campaign, the couple had kept in touch through frequent letters. However, Felix had always written only cheerful things—never sharing the hardships. Wei Wei knew full well that no war was ever as easy as he made it sound. Even though European battles weren't on the scale of those in Huaxia—where hundreds of thousands could be mobilized at once—even smaller engagements resulted in casualties. And this had been a do-or-die war to determine the fate of an entire noble line—how could there have been no losses?
Standing at the front of the welcoming line was the King himself. His health had improved considerably—his body now almost fully recovered from his previous poisoning, with only his prematurely white hair hinting at what he had endured.
Wei Wei didn't pay much attention to the King's speech. Her eyes were fixed on Felix, who had removed his helmet. His face was slick with sweat from the weather. He looked noticeably thinner, his skin tanned, but his gaze was steady, his posture upright—radiating a soldier's composure and strength. There was no arrogance or vanity from victory—only calm resolve.
As if sensing her gaze, Felix turned and met her eyes. The cold sharpness in his expression melted into warmth and affection, and he offered her a radiant smile.
If not for the King's presence, he would've rushed forward to embrace her on the spot.
Wei Wei couldn't help but smile back. The couple exchanged a lingering look of deep emotion before Felix reluctantly averted his gaze at the King's discreet cough.
The King had arranged a grand celebration for the army, open to the entire city. The event would be held in three days in the square in front of the palace, with both nobles and commoners invited. A massive bonfire banquet was planned, promising revelry for all.
For now, the weary soldiers were dismissed and allowed to rest.
Knowing Felix was returning victorious, Wei Wei had already petitioned to return home from the palace, citing that both the King and Crown Prince were now stable and no longer required her constant attention.
Her request had been approved, so she moved back into the marquis's residence with her attendants and the knights Felix had left behind to protect her.
It's worth noting that this "marquis residence" was not the old count's home they had used after marriage, but a new house—one Wei Wei had recently purchased. And its previous owner? Duke Romanov himself.
Felix's original house had been small—fine for temporary lodging but not ideal for long-term living. They had planned for some time to buy a larger home. However, spacious properties in the capital were scarce.
But after Romanov's escape, his grand-ducal estate was seized by the crown. When Wei Wei sold corn and sweet potatoes to the King, he offered her the mansion as partial payment for the deal. Thus, they now owned two properties in the capital.
The Romanov estate was close to the palace—just a five-minute carriage ride—making it convenient for Wei Wei to come and go. The grounds were vast, practically a manor in size. Though it had no accompanying farmland, the house alone had over 200 rooms—more than even the Sardinson Castle—and far more luxurious.
The estate had only been built five or six years ago after Duke Romanov inherited his title and bought out another noble's land to build it. He spared no expense. The most impressive feature was the enormous bathhouse, capable of holding dozens of people at once. Lion-headed spouts fed hot water from a room specifically designed for heating, allowing for continuous supply. There was even a smaller tub next to the main one for personal use—making it incredibly convenient.
Such bathhouses weren't unique in the capital, but only the wealthiest nobles could afford one.
Of course, Wei Wei had still spent a fair sum. Though the King had deducted the estate's value from their trade deal, it had been priced at market value—nearly half the total payment—proving just how valuable it was.
Wei Wei didn't feel short-changed. A house like this wasn't something money alone could buy—if not for the King's consent, she never would've acquired such a residence.
This ducal mansion perfectly suited the soon-to-be-promoted Felix. The house was new, so Wei Wei didn't renovate much—just repaired some damage and added furniture. The Royal Knights, in their enthusiasm during the seizure, had been far too rough. Many furnishings had been destroyed, and valuables were taken. What Wei Wei got was a mostly empty, slightly damaged estate, which she had spent a fair amount restoring.
Thus, her move-in was recent.
Unlike ordinary soldiers who could go home immediately, Felix—as commander-in-chief—had to enter the palace to report the victory and receive an official commendation. His knights had to stay with him, while Wei Wei—being a woman—couldn't attend such political affairs and returned home early to make arrangements.
Worried that Felix might not find the new house, she sent a servant to wait at the palace gate.
As it turned out, this was wise. Felix had indeed forgotten they'd moved and hadn't yet received Wei Wei's letter about the change.
Had it not been for Hank, his attendant, they would've gone to the wrong house.
Fortunately, the ducal estate wasn't far. Within minutes, Felix and his knights arrived.
The estate was enormous. High walls enclosed vast grounds. Beyond the main gate lay a lawn, and only after crossing it could one see the mansion some thirty meters away.
This wasn't Felix's first time here—he had attended Duke Romanov's banquets before. But he had never imagined he would one day live here as a master.
At the entrance, Wei Wei and the servants were already waiting.
"Welcome home, my lord Marquis."
Led by Wei Wei, the butler, and attendants bowed in unison to greet their master.
"I'm home!"
Felix leaped from his horse, paying no mind to anyone else. His eyes were only for his beloved wife. He bounded up the steps in a few strides, opened his arms, and pulled Wei Wei into a tight embrace, burying his face in the crook of her neck, breathing in her familiar scent with longing.
This scent. This soft body. She was the woman he had thought of every single day.
"I missed you so much!"
Despite being squished by his armored body, Wei Wei didn't mind the discomfort. She tenderly ran a hand through his now-long, unkempt hair and replied with a radiant smile, "Welcome back. I missed you too."
The long-separated couple shared a moment of deep affection. When Felix had finally hugged his fill, he eagerly leaned in for a kiss—but someone else wasn't too happy being ignored.
Little Anthony, sandwiched between his parents, finally had enough and let out a dramatic wail.
The cry was loud but fake—more like a protest than true distress. Still, it snapped Felix out of the moment.
"Oh, my Anthony! Let Daddy see—have you grown?"
He scooped the boy up and held him aloft, delighted to find that his son had indeed grown heavier.
"You've gained weight. That means you've been eating well." The proud father rubbed his bristly chin against the baby's soft cheek, leaving red marks that made the little one very unhappy. He covered his cheeks and patted Felix's face angrily, babbling in protest.
Felix only laughed and leaned in to tease him further.
Flustered, baby Anthony—previously only able to babble—in his frustration suddenly blurted out a recognizable word.
"Daddy! Bad!"
Instead of being upset, Felix was overjoyed. He turned to Wei Wei with delight. "He called me Daddy! He remembers me!" He had feared that the long separation would make Anthony forget him.
Wei Wei hadn't told him that she had been using a small portrait she painted to help Anthony recognize his father. She simply nodded with a smile. "Anthony's very clever. He's learned quite a few words recently, haven't you?"
As if he understood, Anthony pouted, rubbed his red cheeks, and grumbled, "Mommy," before stretching his arms toward her.
That prickly, stubbly Daddy? No thanks!