Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 227: “Thank you, Lord Tristian, for your hospitality tonight."

Chapter 227: “Thank you, Lord Tristian, for your hospitality tonight."

It was an exquisitely crafted small square box, made of an unknown material that emitted a deep, dark blue metallic luster under the light.

The eight corners were wrapped with green jewels, and the extended parts were adorned with shiny golden honeysuckle patterns made of pure gold.

Seeing this obviously expensive metal box, Astrid slightly furrowed her brows, beginning to ponder what could possibly fit inside this palm-sized object.

Some kind of small magical device? A perfume developed by the Velmont family themselves? Or perhaps some very rare and precious treasures?

Placing the ring box on the table, Tristian was in no hurry to open it, but instead brought up another topic.

"Princess Astrid, please allow me to be straightforward and ask, are you currently satisfied with our cooperation model?"

Cooperation model?

Upon hearing this, Astrid gently extended her hand, clutching her snow-white and smooth chin, her two black silk legs elegantly crossed, pondering the subtext behind Tristian’s words.

The cooperation in the perfume trade involved her providing specific formulas and techniques in exchange for a share, with the Velmont family handling production, processing, and sales.

The Empire Monthly further reduced her reliance on the Velmont family, with them only providing raw materials, initial promotion, and sales channels that were now almost entirely covered by the official channels.

"...I am very satisfied," Astrid replied.

At least for now, their cooperation allowed both parties to benefit, which was enough.

Upon hearing this, Tristian withdrew his hand from the box, speaking seriously.

"Fortunately, my views are almost in line with Princess Astrid’s..."

After a pause, the man added.

"However, I hope that in the near future, the relationship between Princess Astrid and our family can undergo some changes."

Upon hearing this, Astrid’s brows slightly relaxed, and she softly asked, "Lord Tristian, do you mean... you want to change the current sales model?"

The nature of the Empire Monthly determined that it would eventually break away from the Velmont family.

However, in terms of materials, Astrid had not yet found a suitable alternative, or perhaps there was an alternative, but the price would certainly not be as low as what the Velmont family offered.

Tristian shook his head, his thin lips parting.

"Not exactly."

"We just want to establish a closer and more solid relationship with Princess Astrid."

Upon hearing this, Astrid’s pupils slightly contracted, as if realizing what Tristian intended to do. Her slender heel clicked on the tile.

Elowen had mentioned that if she were to handle tonight’s dinner meeting, her sincerity might not be enough, and it had to be Tristian Velmont himself who attended to make it appropriate.

If that was the case, this so-called closer relationship... and the contents of this small box before her...

Was he going to...

A somewhat far-fetched possibility that she had never considered before popped into Astrid’s mind. Before she could react further, Tristian opened the box, revealing the delicate object inside.

It was a silver-white diamond ring, the band refracting a dazzling circular luster under the light, the constant flickering brilliance even dimming the moonlight falling on the table.

Apart from the metal band that served as the main body, the Red Night Stone embedded in it was even more eye-catching.

It was quietly placed on the metal frame, clear and dark red, exuding a cold aura, yet giving the sensation as if a flower was blooming before one’s eyes.

Tristian gently picked up the ring, knelt on one knee, and looked earnestly at the silver-haired princess of the empire before him, slowly speaking.

"The most dazzling gem of the Valeria Empire, the pearl in the palm of the emperor, the honorable third princess, Miss Astrid Calliste..."

"The son of the Duke Cedric, Tristian Velmont, hereby proposes to you."

"Princess Astrid, would you be willing to become my wife?"

The man’s calm tone echoed in this not-so-large room, and even Astrid, who had just thought of this, was momentarily stunned.

A few meters away, Lyra, who had been ready to accompany Astrid to leave the moment she put down her utensils, was also stunned.

Had she heard it wrong... Earl Tristian was proposing to Princess Astrid...

Proposing?

In an instant, her body felt as if it had been electrocuted. Lyra stood still, her fingers unconsciously clenching, even making a creaking sound from the excessive force.

Princess Astrid had always liked Earl Tristian, and now that he had taken the initiative to propose to her, the princess must be very happy, and it was only natural that she would accept.

It was supposed to be a happy ending for everyone, with Princess Astrid, who had been secretly in love for a long time, finally obtaining the love she had always dreamed of.

But why... did she feel so uncomfortable...

It felt as if a huge rock was blocking her heart, and her blood instantly cooled.

Lyra felt a strong chill rising from the soles of her feet to the top of her head, a faint sense of suffocation lingering at the tip of her nose, as if she was not standing in the room but submerged in some deep sea, where even breathing hard could only bring in a thin wisp of air.

Her thoughts aimlessly drifted, and Lyra suddenly remembered that Astrid had once told Charlotte that her next book would be about a marriage of convenience, with the male protagonist’s personality set to be gentle and rational, more in line with the second male lead from her previous book.

The characteristics Earl Tristian had displayed so far perfectly matched what Princess Astrid had described.

Could it be that the prototype for the male protagonist in that upcoming story was Earl Tristian.

In just a few seconds, time seemed to stretch endlessly for Lyra.

Her already sharp hearing became so acute that she could clearly discern the heartbeat in her chest.

She quietly looked at the dazzling engagement ring under the light, then shifted her gaze to the exquisitely beautiful silver-haired princess beside it.

Those clear, bright red eyes gazed at the ring in the box, her eyelashes trembling slightly, like ripples on a calm lake.

Tristian also quietly watched Astrid, a sense of unease spreading in his chest.

Astrid’s reaction was completely different from what he had imagined.

No matter how rational a lady was, she would inevitably feel excited when faced with a proposal from someone she loved.

He had thought that she would at least show a trace of emotion at some point.

However, Astrid’s gaze only revealed a hint of surprise, with no other emotions. Her facial expression showed more surprise than joy.

Astrid indeed had not expected Tristian to propose to her before coming here.

She had only treated this as an important business meeting, not a major deal concerning her future.

After a long while, Astrid softly spoke.

"Lord Tristian Velmont..."

She used his full formal name, which sounded to Lyra like she was about to accept Earl Tristian’s proposal.

Would the next sentence be... Astrid Calliste accepts your proposal...

Thinking this, Lyra felt her teeth bite into something, and a metallic taste filled her mouth. She pursed her lips, and the taste became even stronger.

Had she unknowingly bitten her lower lip too hard?

The strong metallic taste only briefly distracted Lyra. She snapped back to reality and continued watching the two at the dining table, her heartbeat growing more rapid.

"Is this Duke Cedric’s intention... or is it something you want to do yourself..." Astrid murmured, her red eyes calm like an ancient well.

Tristian remained kneeling on one knee, silent for two seconds before answering.

"Winning Princess Astrid’s favor is both my father’s wish and my personal hope."

He was the future heir of the entire Velmont family. In the face of his own future and the family’s interests, he should make sacrifices.

Moreover, and more importantly, Tristian no longer disliked Astrid as he had before.

The man even had a premonition that marrying her might bring some unexpected gains.

Just like his parents’ union, which started as a political marriage, but in their daily interactions, the couple gradually felt love for each other, step by step becoming a truly loving pair.

Besides, even if Astrid’s previous coldness was not an act, she should not refuse this marriage alliance that was being handed to her in the face of visible benefits, such as gaining the Velmont family as a backer to counter the instability of the throne succession.

After listening to Tristian’s statement, Astrid remained silent for a while, as if considering the feasibility of accepting the proposal.

For the nobles of the Valeria Empire, marriage alliances were just a routine part of catering to family interests.

However, in Astrid’s view, she had no need to put herself on the negotiating table as a bargaining chip.

Even though the chips offered by the other side were indeed tempting, compared to other methods she had thought of, this was almost a one-time solution, establishing a marital relationship, although it would not completely align her interests with those of the Velmont family, but this alone would unify many future goals.

During the period of Astrid’s silence, not only Tristian, who was proposing for the first time in his life, but even Lyra in the corner felt like she was about to suffocate.

She did not want Astrid to accept Tristian, nor did she want to see her in a wedding dress, leaning in someone else’s arms.

Even though she could not find a single reason to stop this from happening.

Under the gazes of both the visible and the invisible, Astrid slowly raised her arm, her snow-white hand catching the moonlight, like a piece of warm and delicate white jade.

If she put on that ring, her identity would no longer be just the ones mentioned by the man earlier, but she would also add another title, the fiancée of Earl Tristian, son of one of the empire’s four great dukes.

Looking into the man’s calm and earnest eyes, Astrid’s hand did not touch the ring as he had hoped, but instead reached to the side and picked up the box on the table.

At the same time, both Lyra and Tristian’s gazes focused on the box, and then they saw Astrid open it again, facing the man who had proposed.

"I’m sorry, Lord Tristian..."

She did not like Tristian Velmont, nor would she trade her life for so-called political interests.

"...I cannot accept your proposal."

As soon as the woman finished speaking, Lyra subconsciously leaned back against the wall with both hands, her heels scraping against the corner, making a faint rubbing sound.

Had she heard it wrong?

Princess Astrid just... refused?

In an instant, an indescribable emotion rushed to her brain, her heart pounding, much stronger than when she had passed the entrance exam for the Elizabeth Academy of Magic.

Although she did not understand the reason for this emotion... she was indeed very happy at this moment...

Amidst her joy, another wave of confusion surged in Lyra’s heart.

Hadn’t Princess Astrid always liked Earl Tristian... why...

This question also lingered in Tristian’s mind. The man slightly furrowed his brows but stood up with great grace, placing the ring back into the box.

"Princess Astrid, I was presumptuous."

Although he said this, Tristian still did not quite understand Astrid’s motive for doing this. Whether emotionally or rationally, their marriage alliance was the best choice.

Seeing Tristian close the ring box, Astrid brushed her hair and spoke softly.

"It’s not related to Earl Tristian, perhaps some of my previous actions have caused misunderstandings."

After all, from an outsider’s perspective, the stereotype that the original owner liked Tristian was not easy to erase.

Upon hearing this, Tristian’s eyes froze. His earlier inference was now confirmed, Astrid indeed did not like him anymore, and her previous actions were not some kind of game.

But even without that emotional foundation... marrying him should not be such a bad thing...

Tristian considered himself one of the best among the younger generation, with a vast background behind him.

Even if Astrid did not like him, she should not have refused so decisively; at least she should have considered it more.

Sensing the man’s confusion, Astrid clasped her hands in front of her lips and explained in a low voice.

"If I’m not mistaken, this proposal was not exactly voluntary for Lord Tristian either."

She did not believe her charm was great enough to make someone who had once been thoroughly annoyed by the original owner change his mind in such a short year.

Tristian did not deny it, just continued to look at Astrid, who then slightly smiled and added.

"I believe we have not yet reached the point where we need to rely on this method to maintain trust, do you agree, Earl Tristian?"

"..."

The air seemed to freeze for a few seconds, then Tristian replied.

"Princess Astrid is correct."

Earlier, they were discussing whether to take their cooperation a step further, but now it had become the minimum level of maintaining trust. Tristian knew Astrid was giving him a less awkward way out, so he followed her lead.

"I misunderstood Princess Astrid’s thoughts and overlooked your true needs. I should apologize for my presumptuous actions..."

"Please accept my apology."

Both were smart people, and there was no need to lay everything out on the table. Upon hearing this, Astrid nodded and responded gently.

"I should also apologize to Lord Tristian for my past actions. Lord Tristian’s thoughts were more or less influenced by those incidents."

After saying this, Astrid stood up and spoke politely.

"Thank you, Lord Tristian, for your hospitality tonight. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave for now."