The night was getting darker and the dinner was about to come to an end. Many aristocrats had dived into their luxurious carriage, leaving the castle gradually.
Merlin and Avril also approached Count Selin and bid him goodbye. Although Merlin had not drunk a lot, he still felt dizzy and wanted to go back and rest.
However, right when he stepped out of the castle, he met Baron Warren and Princess Charise again. Charise did not look so well and she seemed depressed. Her eyes darted all around and did not dare to look at Merlin at all.
Meanwhile, Baron Warren was full of smiles. He spoke a few words to Merlin in a friendly manner, then went into the carriage and left hurriedly.
Back in the carriage, Avril suddenly asked in a low voice, "Merlin, Princess Charise doesn't seem to like Baron Warren a lot. If she's experiencing some issues, can you help her?"
Merlin was not surprised by her words. Avril was a simple girl. Even after experiencing the danger at Blackwater City and going through a long journey to Prakash City, her thoughts remained simple.
Maybe she had noticed Princess Charise's depressed look and was sympathetic toward the princess since they were both citizens of the Kingdom of Light.
Merlin held Avril's hand lightly. After this event, Avril no longer disliked Merlin's certain intimate moves. Instead, she rather enjoyed the faint warm feeling in his moves.
"She has chosen her way. No one can help her."
Merlin was not a person full of sympathy. In a foreign country, the Wilson family still needed to recover from the shock they experienced. How could they get themselves into trouble?
Avril was also momentarily sympathetic toward the princess. Since Merlin did not promise her and she, too, felt her thoughts were too naïve, she did not mention this matter again.
"Charise, when will we have our wedding? I think it's better to have it earlier. Many people are aiming for the wealth in your Royal Family. If I can't block them anymore during that time, no one can save you then."
In the carriage, Baron Warren no longer wore a smiling face as he had at the dinner. His whole figure appeared dark as he stared sharply at Charise.
Charise bit her lips tight, then said dimly, "This is a great matter. I need to discuss it properly with Benin first."
A hint of elation flashed across Baron Warren's eyes. He then took hold of Charise's hand lightly and said with a smile, "I'm doing this for your good. Quickly become my wife. The people of your Royal Family will naturally be my people. At that time, even if other aristocrats have bad intention, they won't dare to do anything."
Charise did not speak a word until the carriage arrived in front of a large yard when Charise replied, "Alright. I'll get down first and discuss with Benin. I'll properly reply you then."
Baron Warren nodded and said, "Good. I'll drop by a few days later."
After saying that, Charise went out of the carriage, leaving Baron Warren alone in there as the carriage left slowly.
"Your Highness, you're finally back!"
Just when Charise had returned to her house, she saw a tall man with armor rushing toward Charise hurriedly.
"Commander Mance, what's wrong?"
Charise frowned. The loyalty of Commander Mance was nothing to be doubtful about. However, he was simply too reckless and made a rash decision. When they arrived in Prakash City, he had caused them many troubles.
Commander Mance wore a dark look and appeared to be anxious. He said in a low voice, "Your Highness, come inside and talk. His Highness Prince Benin is also here."
After that, Commander Mance brought Princess Charise into the house. Prince Benin was already waiting in the house but he looked a little pale at the moment. There was a hint of confusion and hopelessness in his gaze.
Princess Charise's heart sank and she immediately asked, "Commander Mance, Benin, what happened?"
Commander Mance exchanged a glance with Benin, then the former took a step forward. Almost with a trembling voice, he said, "Your Highness, we just received news that three days ago, Church of Light has announced the establishment of the Holy Light Empire with the Kingdom of Light as its core. The empire included the Kingdom of Wood, the Kingdom of Ciel and many large and small kingdoms! Philandeny was crowned as the first Pope of the Holy Light Empire!"
"Boom."
Princess Charise felt as if her mind just exploded, revealing a vast emptiness. She simply stared blankly at Commander Mance.
Meanwhile, Benin was kneeling on the ground as he cried to Princess Charise, "Sister, our country has fallen!"
Their country had fallen. The Kingdom of Light no longer exist! Initially, this news had been announced three days ago but it was a long journey from the Kingdom of Light to the Kingdom of Blackmoon. Thus, this news was only brought to them by some businessmen who were willing to take the risk after three days.
"Our country has fallen…"
Charise mumbled to herself. Even though she had known the Kingdom of Light could not escape its horrendous fate, but deep within her heart still existed a slight hope. She imagined that there might be an army that belonged and was loyal to the Royal Family where they defeated the Church's conspiracy and revived the Royal Family…
However, this was, after all, only her imagination. This news only burst the hope bubble in Charise's heart.
"Your Highness, what should we do next? That Baron Warren is really cunning. Your Highness, you must not stoop to compromise and marry him."
Commander Mance said in detest. He seemed to be discontented with Baron Warren.
Prince Benin also stopped crying at this moment. He said softly, "Sister, Commander Mance is right. This Warren is despicable! On the surface, he seems to offer us help, but, in fact, he only wants the wealth of our Royal Family. If you really marry him, then we'll experience much more difficulties in the future."
After a long while, Princess Charise raised her head and smiled bitterly at Commander Mance. "The Kingdom of Light no longer exists and I'm not a princess anymore."
Commander Mance wanted to speak but no words came to him. He was helpless as well. He knew what Charise said was the truth. The Kingdom of Light had been toppled. There was no princesses or princes anymore.
After a slight pause, Charise continued, "We're now the people of a fallen nation. On top of that, we're the remaining ones of the Royal Family. With our wealth, we'll always be noticed by others no matter where we go. Our only way out is to find someone strong enough to protect us. Even Benin could clearly see Warren's intention. Do you think I can't see that?"
Commander Mance and Benin wore a defeated look. They both knew what Charise said was the truth. Currently, they were marked as the "remaining ones of the Royal Family". They would surely be noticed no matter where they went.
However, Commander Mance and Benin were still dissatisfied. The former could not help but said, "Princess… Young Lady Charise, is there no other way at all?"
"Other way?"
Suddenly, a figure at the dinner flashed across Charise's mind where a thought came to her. As she caressed the dark ring on her finger lightly, she mumbled, "Maybe there's another way!"