Once surrounded, the guards swiftly dragged her away from the table. Sensing something amiss, one guard instinctively reached for her hair and pulled it firmly.
To everyone's surprise, the hair came off, revealing back-length crystal-white locks flowing down her back and covering her face.
A serene silence fell over the hall.
'Elysia,' Crystalia thought, recognizing the assailant the moment the guards lifted her face for all to see.
While not everyone had the chance to meet the previous royal family, some had personally encountered them, especially the Queen. As a result, seeing the familiar face and hair of the woman in front of them triggered recognition among some attendees.
Elysia Crystalforge!
The Queen's personal servant!
Even Former King Brylon couldn't help but widen his eyes in surprise at the unfolding scene.
King Garnet, however, gritted his teeth in anger. "How dare you try to assassinate the crown prince?" he bellowed.
"WHAT ARE YOU STILL WAITING FOR? KILL HER!" he ordered.
While he would have wanted to subject her to a prolonged and torturous punishment, given what she had just attempted to do, he realized there might be others like her lurking in the shadows, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. So, he opted to issue a straightforward order for her execution, unwilling to take any chances.
The guards moved swiftly to carry out the king's orders, but just as their blades were about to strike, they were immediately halted as a figure appeared before them.
"Princess," Elysia murmured audibly, her gaze fixed on the figure standing protectively with her back and arms spread apart.
Observing this unfold, Olivia Quartzwraith, who had been eagerly awaiting the conclusion of the engagement ceremony, couldn't help but release a deep sigh. She knew the engagement banquet wouldn't come to a peaceful end.
Everyone present seemed to grasp that reality, so she maintained a silent watch, curious to see how events would develop.
Undoubtedly, she wasn't alone in harbouring such thoughts. Others, too, silently observed, waiting to see the conclusion of the unfolding drama.
"What is the meaning of this? Is the Crystalforge clan finally revealing their true colours?" King Garnet spat angrily as his eyes bore into Crystalia, who stood protectively before Elysia.
Crystalia shook her head in response.
"The Crystalforge clan isn't responsible for any of this. I am solely accountable for my actions, and so is she," Crystalia responded.
After witnessing Elysia's actions, Crystalia understood that Elysia had already embraced the possibility of death, regardless of the outcome. However, recognizing that Elysia had orchestrated this daring move for her sake, Crystalia found herself willing to face their fate together, rather than being shackled to a life with the so-called Crowned Prince of the Prismerian kingdom.
As for the Crystalforge Clan, they were already on the brink of collapse, physically and mentally shrinking daily. Instead of clutching onto hope for a miracle while holding it together single-handedly, she realized that the torment would never cease, causing her to ponder over whether death might be the only solution to their situation.
"AND DOES THAT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE?" King Garnet roared.
"HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN THAT YOUR ACTIONS DICTATE THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF CRYSTALFORGE CLAN MEMBERS STILL ALIVE?" he added.
Elysia, seated on the floor, couldn't help but display a pale expression as she instantly grasped that the Gemheart Clan head was ready to take action against the Crystalforge clan because of the Princess's actions, which were ultimately her fault.
"...Princess, please…" Elysia pleaded. As she was about to finish her sentence, Crystalia's voice immediately interrupted her.
"Elysia, it's okay. I am also doing this for myself, so you don't need to worry. If I die here, I would gladly accept it," Crystalia said firmly as she stared at King Garnet fiercely.
Her words resonated through the room, leaving everyone surprised as they stared at the scene unfolding before them. Clearly, the engagement wasn't going to proceed as smoothly as planned.
Nonetheless, Zephyruon, still recovering from the stab at the side of his collarbone, couldn't help but widen his eyes in shock after hearing Crystalia's words.
Immediately, he snapped his head towards his father with an agitated, fearful look, "Father…"
"SILENCE!"
King Garnet's voice thundered through the main engagement hall. His face was filled with fury as he gazed at Crystalia and the battered maid behind her before snapping his head to the side, towards the former King Brylon's position.
He instantly narrowed his eyes at him.
"This is all part of the Crystalforge clan's plan, right?" he asked.
Former King Brylon, seated at the corner, watched the entire scene unfold with intense emotions rising deep within his heart.
He couldn't help but raise a brow in surprise when he heard Garnet's voice, turning his head to meet the gaze directed at him.
Former King Brylon stared at King Garnet. "Although I think that King Garnet's suspicions are legitimate, if the Crystalforge clan does have the capabilities to retaliate, then why would they go for a crowned Prince instead of the one already seated on the throne?" he said.
Gently sipping his wine, he awaited King Garnet's response.
Despite his concern for the Crystalforge clan's future, his daughter's safety worried him more. However, that didn't mean he would reveal such a weakness. Being perceived as a man who had lost everything, with his death seemingly imminent, he decided to maintain a stern face.
It was better to act like one who had nothing left to lose, rather than risk having his vulnerability exploited. He observed his daughter and her personal maid before shifting his attention back towards Garnet.
An unnatural silence descended upon the hearts of everyone present.
What does this mean?
Sure enough, King Garnet took Former King Brylon's words seriously. His face contorted into different expressions before abruptly returning to his previous demeanour.
Locking his gaze with Former King Brylon's, he nodded, "Very well, I am willing to overlook this whole thing if the Crystalforge clan truly had no involvement in what has happened today, under one condition," he said.
"What is the condition?" Former King Brylon asked with a foreboding in his heart, unsure of what terms Garnet, considering the kind of man he is, would be willing to set.
