Chapter 176: Start Of The First Round
"That woman, who is she?"
"Isn’t she the same woman that got humiliated in the capital’s town square? That seat is reserved for the future Queen, so why is she sitting there?"
"I heard she was the reason GreenHollow returned to the land during the blood moon. It would be questionable if His Majesty didn’t marry a gifted woman."
"Gifted?" Another lady scoffed irritably at her companions. "She’s Samantha Dufort, the daughter of the late King’s special advisor, the man who caused GreenHollow to lose its wealth and nature in the first place. Isn’t it suspicious that the Orb was never found, but she ends up possessing the powers of the Orb? Not to mention but her eyes are green too, she could be an undercover witch, and I don’t trust her intentions."
"Hmm." One of her male companions hummed in contemplation, "but let’s face it, she is good-looking. Didn’t you see what happened during the court of public opinion? When she made an entrance and exposed Prince Eamon’s crime to the people? That day was like the sudden flip of a switch, how the accusations no longer focused on His Majesty but Prince Eamon. I admire her daring feat."
"Is she going to become the Queen?"
"His Majesty invited her over in front of everyone, it’s a silent declaration."
As the crowds continued their murmur of anticipation, Samantha took a deep breath and stole a side glance at Ivan only to find him staring at her demeanor. There was a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, the type that made her heart triple beat with a slight blush creeping in, and she really wished he wasn’t staring at her like that in front of so many people.
"Your Majesty, the Herald is speaking." Samantha tried to divert his attention to the Herald who was still standing in front of the field. Ivan’s crimson eyes reverted to the Herald almost immediately, and he schooled his composure, to Samantha’s quick relief. Lucy nudged Samantha’s arm and winked at her friend, receiving a second-hand blushing as she too had noticed what transpired between them just now.