Chapter 202 Don’t Forget My Identity
The reason Kirenya could attack Anne so recklessly was simply because Anne herself was a woman. She didn't think Anne had the ability to do anything to her, so she had no qualms about it.
But these dukes and marquises held real power and influence with the King. If they complained, His Majesty would have to listen, even if he favored Kirenya.
Besides, this involved Duke Skoda and the Virlet family. Everyone knew King Rolf and Duke Skoda were close friends. He would never forgive anyone who cursed the Skoda family. Even if Kirenya was his aunt, she would lose everything for offending the Empire's hero.
Kirenya gritted her teeth. No matter how unwilling she was, she could only back down for now.
"I didn't mean it that way." Kirenya took a deep breath, trying to appear calm. "Duke Virlet, of course I know that Duke Skoda's sacrifice is a pain for countless people in the Soth Empire, including myself. As for the suffering Sophia endured, I feel very sad about it too. I was only trying to say that the Virlet family only has you, a young woman left. If no one helps you shoulder the family burden, it would be too difficult."
Anne said coldly, "Princess Kirenya, you jest. I, Anne Virlet, am the current family head, the Duke of Virlet recognized by His Majesty, and also the commander of the Ivy Knights. I don't think someone like me is as weak as the Princess suggests. I go to the battlefield not to win back some ridiculous man. Putting such a reason on me is an insult to me and a humiliation to the Virlet family."
"The Virlet family doesn't produce cowards. Since my father and brother sacrificed themselves on the battlefield, the family should naturally be carried by me. I go to the battlefield to inherit their legacy, to continue the family's honor. This is my responsibility. Yet you people criticize me, saying that after my divorce I shouldn't go to the battlefield. Then what should I do? Should I just stay at Virlet Manor crying until I die? No, I can't do that."
Anne looked around at everyone, her gaze stern, making those who had just mocked her feel deeply ashamed as they lowered their heads one after another. "Since you know I'm Duke Virlet, you should understand that a duke has a duke's responsibilities. Don't force all your outdated ideas on me, demanding that I stick to the duties of a wife and daughter. I am a duke first, then a woman. Even if I become a wife and mother in the future, I won't forget my responsibilities."
"As for the battlefield, it's full of soldiers willing to sacrifice for the Soth Empire, the bravest people. What do you take the military camp for? What do you take the border for?"
Kirenya opened her mouth but couldn't speak for a moment.
Her eyes looked somewhat confused. Just in that instant, she saw Duke Skoda's shadow in Anne again.
That young man who went to the battlefield at sixteen and repeatedly achieved merit was once the dream lover of countless young women in the Soth Empire. News of victories kept coming back to the royal city. Small neighboring countries chose to surrender under Skoda's leadership, successfully expanding the Soth Empire's territory to its current size.
Skoda took over the duke's position from his father at a young age, so dazzling that people dared not look directly at him. He also made the noblest princess of the Soth Empire fall for this handsome, talented general.
Back then, Kirenya had declared that she would marry no one but Skoda. Unfortunately, things didn't go as wished. Duke Skoda never had eyes for her.
Kirenya had made scenes, fought for him, done many crazy things, but in the end couldn't stop the man she loved from marrying another woman. And she had to be arranged by her father the King to forcibly marry a man she didn't love and who didn't love her.
It was all Skoda's fault, all Sophia's fault, and so those children who inherited their bloodline were all wrong too.
"No... it's not like that."
Kirenya's eyes suddenly turned cold. She stared into Anne's eyes, briefly intersecting with Duke Skoda across time and space, only to reach the conclusion that she had lost her love forever.
Now, Skoda and Sophia's daughter dared to challenge her here. Kirenya's heart felt like it was being strangled by a poisonous snake, hurting so much it could barely beat. Her face pale, she said, "Duke Virlet, I've already explained that I didn't mean it that way. Why must you keep pressing so hard?"
Anne looked at the burning hatred in her eyes and laughed lightly. "I've never pressed you. After all, it's always been Princess Kirenya who can't let go of her hatred and keeps pressing the Virlet family. My coming to the Princess's banquet shows I'm sincere and willing to give the Princess face by attending. But if the Princess wants to continue having people gossip about me, I don't mind having a proper discussion about it."
Lucida, who had just come to her senses, saw Anne pressing Kirenya with every sentence. Regardless of how the people around were looking at her, she quickly pointed at Anne and scolded loudly, "Who gave you permission to speak to my mother like this?"
"And who allowed you to speak to a duke in that tone?"
Anne said coldly, "Just because I'm good-tempered and didn't remind you doesn't mean Miss Lucida can keep being arrogant."
"Enough, Lucida!"
Princess Kirenya spoke up to stop her. She swept a stern look over Lucida. Lucida, who had wanted to say more, immediately didn't dare make trouble and could only gently hold her mother's arm.
"I've spoiled Lucida too much. Please, Duke Virlet, don't continue to make things difficult for her."
Kirenya was so angry she used her fan to cover her face, trying hard to calm her emotions. After a while, she turned her wrist and pointed to the dumbfounded Titan family nearby. "In fact, Lucida and I were only worried about the Titan family at first. After all, this lady said her husband is unconscious and needs Dr. Pascal's treatment, but..."
Old Lady Titan, receiving Princess Kirenya's hint, stammered, "Yes, yes, my husband is seriously injured and I want to ask Dr. Pascal for help..."
She wanted to keep attacking Anne like before, but after watching Anne stand up to Princess Kirenya without backing down, Old Lady Titan felt inexplicably afraid.
Was this still the gentle, quiet Anne from back at the Titan family?
You should know that during those three years, she and Nina had schemed against Anne plenty. Especially after the Virlet family's incident, knowing Anne had no one to back her up, Old Lady Titan made no effort to hide her malice and greed, wanting to take all of Anne's money and drain the value of her beauty.