What is this Grand Duke Quentin all about?

Tanya's beautiful brows furrowed tightly. The Grand Duke Quentin everyone was talking about wore a long robe trailing behind him, adorned with diamonds. The intricate design was elegant rather than old-fashioned, and he had an elaborate hairstyle with heavy makeup on his face.

As she entered the main hall, his heavy gaze lingered on Tanya for a moment before shifting to Heliam on the high platform.

Heliam straightened up, his handsome features showing a hint of respect. “I didn’t expect to welcome Grand Duke Quentin at Nebula Tower. I apologize for the oversight.”

“How could I miss your grand feast?” Grand Duke Quentin replied with a smile, moving to Heliam's side and then shifting his attention to Tanya.

Tanya raised her chin haughtily, her enchanting eyes assessing Grand Duke Quentin.

“Who is she?” Grand Duke Quentin's indifferent voice reached Tanya's ears.

“She is my beloved consort,” Heliam replied softly, turning to Tanya. “Vivienne, come greet Grand Duke Quentin.”

Tanya stepped forward, slightly bending her knees, and coolly said, “I pay my respects to Grand Duke Quentin.”

Grand Duke Quentin quickly withdrew her gaze, unconcerned. “I thought it was someone formidable, but it’s just a blonde girl. What’s the big deal about sending her to King Aureliu as a favor?”

Heliam's brows knitted together. “I’m afraid I cannot comply.”

The atmosphere around Grand Duke Quentin instantly froze. “Do you dare disregard my words?”

Heliam, despite his respectful tone, was filled with resistance. “I respect Grand Duke Quentin, but I will not yield when it comes to Vivienne.”

“Vivienne is my wife, I will not give her up to anyone,” Heliam declared, each word resonating in Grand Duke Quentin’s ears.

“Absurd!” The veins on Grand Duke Quentin's forehead throbbed. “Are you trying to ruin a dynasty over a woman like King Alaric?”

“I am not King Alaric, and Vivienne will not be Seraphine,” Heliam's voice rose sharply. “The difference between me and King Alaric is that I have ascended to his position and will not repeat his mistakes.”

His words were powerful enough to leave even the experienced emperors in attendance stunned.

A wife... in the imperial family, it is both a common and a coveted title.

Grand Duke Quentin’s expression turned disdainful. “Not long ago, I heard many rumors about you. That Francois, supposedly favored in the harem. And now? Just a few days, and a new consort?”

“What wife? You and your father, overly sentimental, have broken many hearts. I’ve killed more than you’ve ever seen, yet you shamelessly speak of romantic affairs in front of me.”

His words hit Heliam like stones, his narrow eyes hidden in shadow, making it hard to discern his expression, yet his bright teeth shone with clarity.

“Francois is a consort, while Vivienne is my wife.”

His tone was emotionless, the words airy, yet they rippled through Tanya’s heart.

He called her his wife, Heliam said Vivienne was Heliam’s wife.

Tanya’s beautiful eyes sparkled like bright stars, as if Heliam’s words held a spell that kept her gaze locked.

“You’re so easily moved by the word ‘wife,’ it’s no wonder you’re just a little maid. Even modern monogamy couldn’t save your intelligence,” Alexander’s cold voice sliced through the moment, his thin lips pressed tight in dissatisfaction, eyebrows raised defiantly.

Tanya snapped back to reality, her eyes glistening.

“Heliam is confessing to me…” she murmured softly, her words breezing through Alexander's heart.

[Fan] Love Deals: Did anyone else notice that the system hasn’t issued the successful conquest notification yet?

The atmosphere stiffened.

[Fan] Hug of Love: Right? Why not?

[Fan] The Green Family: Perhaps Heliam feels it’s too humiliating to agree to King Aureliu’s request, but refusing would upset Grand Duke Quentin, so he found a way to maintain both dignity and the image of a devoted emperor.

[Visitor] Up there is 666, Heliam is such a schemer, it’s a shame the great author has him in her sights!

Tanya returned to her thoughts.

She glanced at the system notification, but there was still no response.

On the high platform, Heliam’s eyes were filled with fervent affection. Tanya pouted, then met Alexander’s cold, detached expression.

“Foolish woman.”

“Alright! Alright!” Grand Duke Quentin smirked coldly. “You’re so infatuated, now, I want to see if this Vivienne deserves such devotion from you.”

Grand Duke Quentin’s aged hand slammed on the dark wooden table, the crimson robe shifting with the movement.

“Lift your head.” His sharp tone pointed directly at Tanya.

Tanya stood unfazed, confidently raising her chin.

“Not bad-looking,” Grand Duke Quentin remarked coldly, a sneer playing at his lips. “Can you perform any talents? Show us.”

Tanya lowered her gaze, performing might provoke Grand Duke Quentin further, but refusing would embarrass Heliam.

After a moment’s hesitation, she finally managed a smile. “To Grand Duke, I have some skills.”

“Oh? Do tell?” Grand Duke Quentin raised an eyebrow, a chill running through his expression.

“I can sing and dance.”

Sure! Here’s the translation:

For a moment, Tanya couldn't think of anything, so she proposed with an indifferent expression, “Oh, I thought it was some remarkable talent. In this harem, who can’t sing and dance?” Grand Duke Quentin's brows darkened with coldness, clearly disdainful of Tanya’s words. Heliam recalled Tanya's dance from last time, although it was strange in style, he had to admit that she truly was as beautiful as an otherworldly goddess.

“I have seen Vivienne’s dance, the movements were unprecedented, indeed a stunning beauty,” Heliam remarked, piquing the interest of those present, leading to a chorus of excited chatter. Evelyn, who had been ignored up to this point, felt jealousy rise to her head. “Sister, are you talking about the dance you performed with the guard Alexander at Harmonious Hall?”

Heliam’s expression darkened. This Evelyn truly knew how to open her mouth at the wrong time. Sure enough, Grand Duke Quentin's face stiffened. “What guard Alexander? Vivienne actually danced with a guard?”

Seeing this, Evelyn quickly knelt, her tone softening. “Replying to Grand Duke, sister previously danced with the guard Alexander by her side, and at that time, everyone praised her grace, saying she seemed like a celestial maiden descending to the mortal realm.”

Evelyn's words were undeniably thoughtless, and Heliam's handsome face turned as dark as ink under her incessant chatter. “Oh? Is that so?” Grand Duke Quentin's gaze fell upon Tanya.

Her delicate face resembled the most exquisite jade sculpted in this world, with her peach blossom eyes holding a gentle ripple, the crimson gown accentuating her fair skin. Her cherry lips were slightly parted, and she wore a gold-trimmed crimson hairpin that swayed gracefully in the light breeze.

On the other side, Alexander, clad in silver armor, stood with a high nose and an extraordinary face, exuding a carefree aura. The flickering candlelight reflected softly off his silver armor, creating a captivating curve that drew the eye.

“Indeed, they are like ethereal beings.” Grand Duke Quentin said flatly, his eyes as still as a deep pool, without a ripple. Heliam's expression darkened incrementally. “That was merely my beloved performing a dance she has been preparing for days, yet was seen by someone with ulterior motives, leading to malicious speculation.”

Heliam's voice held a hint of clenched teeth, and Evelyn's tone softened. “It was Evelyn’s fault, I shouldn’t have mentioned this matter.”

Grand Duke Quentin was somewhat displeased to see Evelyn being so conciliatory. “If this matter truly hadn’t happened, why worry about what others say? Even now, you still speak on behalf of Vivienne, truly losing your rationality.”

Seeing the curious gazes of those present, Heliam couldn't contain his temper. “My woman, I haven’t said anything, who dares to be reckless?”

Tanya finally couldn’t hold her tongue. If she remained silent any longer, Heliam would surely face many troubles afterward. “Vivienne was foolish, that day at Harmonious Hall was merely her first attempt to showcase her dancing skills, resulting in her sister’s mockery.” Her eyes sparkled with insight as she strategized, “That dance was learned for Your Majesty. Since it’s already in the past, Vivienne won’t dare to bring it up. Since Grand Duke Quentin has asked me to display my talent, I must not disappoint.”

She smiled slyly, “Vivienne has been practicing a piece recently and enjoys singing, if Grand Duke would be so gracious, I would be bold enough to showcase it.”

Heliam's frown relaxed slightly, and a hint of approval flickered in his gaze. Evelyn quickly interjected, “It’s just a song, does sister really think the guests here are just watching a show?”

Evelyn’s words drew attention, and Heliam shot her an annoyed glare, making her hesitate to speak further. “Then let’s see, it’s as if we’ve invited a singer to entertain us.” Grand Duke Quentin looked down, his eyes glinting coldly, as if he expected Tanya to produce nothing remarkable.

“Then I shall dare to sing a piece.”

Tanya sang “Water Melody,” her enchanting voice echoing like a clear oriole in the candlelit Nebula Tower, reciting softly as if in an eternal night. At the climax, everyone was entranced.

Tanya elongated the final note, her crimson gown swirling gracefully in the center of the hall, the ribbons at the ends of her hair subtly hidden within her locks, creating a stunning scene.