Chapter 201 That Is the Misfortune of the Soth Empire
Princess Kirenya smiled with pursed lips. She gently stroked Lucida's hair and said loudly, "Lucida, how can you accuse Duke Virlet like this? She's not just any ordinary woman - whatever she does must have her reasons."
Then she turned to Anne, "Lucida is still young. Duke Virlet surely won't hold it against a child, right?"
These words seemed like Kirenya was educating her daughter, but everyone listening knew she was actually agreeing with what Lucida said.
However...
Selyma frowned, "I remember Lucida is actually older than Duke Virlet, isn't she?"
Kirenya shot Selyma a cold look, scaring her into silence.
Anne chuckled lightly, "Selyma is right to remind us. I was just thinking - of course I won't hold it against a child, since young children have limited understanding of things and we can't expect too much. But if it's someone older than me who lacks sense, well, that's a different story."
"I don't know where Miss Lucida heard this from - kicked out by the Titan family? That's ridiculous. I personally came to the capital to ask His Majesty for help with a legal divorce from Holden. There was never any 'being kicked out.' As for having children, I don't think the fault lies with me. And not winning my husband's heart - fine, I admit it. That's why I chose to divorce and return to the Virlet family, leaving Holden for the woman he loves. Did I do something wrong?"
Lucida pouted, "His Majesty agreed to let your ex-husband take another wife, but he didn't require you to divorce. By doing this, aren't you just being narrow-minded and unable to tolerate others?"
Anne wasn't angry, just calmly replied, "Our country's law clearly states that a husband can only have one wife. Holden using his military achievements to ask His Majesty for a special exception is his business. But I come from the Virlet family, backed by a duke's household. Why should I have to stay in the Titan family and put up with my husband having two wives at the same time? I have my dignity. Miss Lucida speaks so confidently - could you accept your husband taking another wife?"
Lucida froze. Of course she wouldn't want that. What woman would want other women in her husband's bed? Forget about wives - she wouldn't even accept mistresses. She had already decided that if her husband dared to take a mistress, she would follow her mother's example and have those lowly women executed.
Seeing Lucida speechless, Kirenya narrowed her eyes slightly and smiled, "Duke Virlet does have a point. Although everyone in the Virlet family is dead and you're the only one left, you still carry the title of duke after all."
Lucida immediately broke into a smile. Her mother really knew how to talk. Look at Duke Virlet's expression - she looked like she was about to cry. "Indeed, no wonder she can't handle being without a man and had to chase after him to such a dangerous place like the battlefield. And she's a divorced woman too. Instead of staying home properly, she runs off to a place full of men. Hmph."
When Kirenya mentioned the Virlet family, Anne's eyes turned cold. Everyone heard the malice in her words directed at the Virlets. Remembering Duke Skoda's death, they felt she'd gone too far.
But no one dared say it out loud.
Anne said coldly, "I remember His Majesty once said that the Virlet family has been the shield protecting the Soth Empire for generations. My father and brother sacrificed themselves on the battlefield, my family was slaughtered by assassins - this was a tragedy for the Soth Empire. The whole nation mourned, even people from other countries came to offer condolences. Yet the Princess casually says they're 'all dead.' Does she think the Virlet family's sacrifice doesn't count as sacrifice, or does the Princess simply have no concern or compassion for fallen soldiers?"
The moment these words left her mouth, Princess Kirenya knew she was in trouble.
The banquet didn't require men and women to sit separately - it was just because she was talking with the ladies that they had moved here, leaving the men discussing politics or trade on the other side.
But after the incident with the opera master, and because Anne, a duke, was here, those men holding wine glasses or walking sticks had slowly gathered around. Compared to ladies who loved discussing flowers, jewelry, and dresses, these men were the ones who truly held power. So when they heard Anne's words, they all frowned.
Their view of Anne was different from those ladies'.
True, Anne had been married and divorced, which didn't sound as appealing as unmarried noble ladies. But don't forget - she wasn't some delicate young miss anymore. She was Duke Virlet, whose succession ceremony was personally held by His Majesty. She had been to the battlefield and commanded the Ivy Knights, that massive force.
The Virlet family had always been distinguished in battle, receiving countless rewards. In terms of wealth, they wouldn't lose to any family. At the same time, the Ivy Knights was the Soth Empire's premier knight order. Even though this order technically belonged to the Kivara family, as long as they could use this military power for profit, who cared?
So whether it was Anne's position as duke or as knight commander, both were worth pursuing.
Most importantly, she was so young and had already become the first female knight commander in Soth Empire history. This kind of honor was what every family truly needed.
Whether Anne was remarrying or not didn't matter anymore.
Now hearing Anne accuse Princess Kirenya, they couldn't help but think deeply. Those with worse tempers immediately sneered, "Duke Skoda was a hero the Soth Empire rarely sees in a century. His death is a tragedy for the entire nation. Just because the Princess enjoys peace and luxury in the capital, does that give her the right to criticize a fallen hero?"
"When that terrible tragedy happened to the Virlet family, even His Majesty was overcome with grief. How is it that the Princess seems to be gloating instead?"
Kirenya glanced over - the first person to speak was a duke. Although on the surface a duke might not compare to a royal family member, in reality, a princess really wasn't much in front of a duke.