Chapter 643 - Conflicted Expressions

Yvonne's eyes were now on Cosmet Leopold whose attention was on the men at the same table as him.

She found his words surprising at first, considering that most men had the same thoughts that women could not be on the same level as men.

However, he was different and had no qualms with the fact that she was the one who had suggested those changes when compared to their previous assumption that it was Marquess Samed.

When they knew that it was the Marquess Samed who had suggested those changes, they praised him and treated him like a precious existence to them.

Yet when the person they thought was the benefactor of the entire Kingdom had been changed to a child, they were suddenly appalled by it.

'Hypocrites!' The little girl rolled her eyes, this time, without caring if someone were to see her disrespectful action.

They were able to treat Marquess Samed with respect but now that the truth was out in the open, they were trying to renege from their own words in the past.

They praised the changes implemented and boasted of their King's forethought but now they were questioning his intentions as well..

This realization was making Yvonne's lips curve into a frown and she wasn't the only one who felt that way.

Her parents, her two brothers, her uncle and his entire family, and even the King had sour looks on their faces at what the two Marchionesses had just said.

King Ophire had noticed Cosmet Leopold's efforts to showcase Yvonne's matter in a better light but looking at their dull reaction, he knew that things weren't sailing smoothly.

However, this had been within his expectations as these noblemen had been set in their ways, and to bring about change in the way their minds functioned was not an easy task.

'But I am not willing to give up so easily.' King Ophire declared as his eyes watched this scene from his seat.

If he wished, he could interrupt their conversation and declare his stance in this matter.

However, there would be repercussions to his every action.

While these noblemen and their families would stay silent in his presence, they would harbor dissatisfaction in their hearts.

Not only would they assume that the King was pushing his beliefs down on them, forcing them to accept and follow them but they would also direct their displeasure towards the child.

Yvonne and her brilliant ideas were supposed to act as the first step in proving to these backward-thinking men that women were just as capable as men.

However, if they failed in this first step, it would take them a much longer time to bring up such matters again.

Their belief that women are inferior would only be strengthened if this were to take place.

Therefore, King Ophire, though could not participate in this conversation, hoped that his three ministers would be able to achieve the goal for his sake as well.

On the other side, the three men who were asked the question by Cosmet Leopold had varying answers.

Baron MacIntyre heard the word 'money' and his eyes brightened before he gave his nod of approval.

Others might not know it yet but taking Miss Yvonne's idea had brought him immense profit so how could he say no to Minister Cosmet's query?

Therefore, he was on board with what that man had said.

Earl Brax Mikren neither displayed his approval nor rejection.

It could be said from his expressions that he was neutral to what was said.

While he did seem amused about Yvonne's involvement, he would like to give it more time before coming to a conclusion on where he stood on this matter.

However, Earl Blaise was on the opposite end of that spectrum as his face displayed his clear rejection of what the Minister had just said.

"I still think that paying any attention to words coming from a mere child can be detrimental to our Kingdom." He voiced his opinion as though he was concerned about the fate of his motherland.

Earl Mikren shot his neighbor a glance but did not fixate on the words being said.

After all, who did not know that Earl Blaise was a bitter rival of Earl St. Claire.

Their rivalry was only adding to the objection he now had for the child who was from his enemy's family.

Even if what Yvonne St. Claire said was right and could be advantageous to everyone, he would not accept it as that would only bring further glory to the St. Claires and he would never let that happen.

Minister Cosmet felt at a loss of words at what he heard so he shook his head and let out a sigh.

The other two ministers, Old man Carter and Marquess Kiron had been silent until now but they knew that they had to regain the upper hand in this conversation.

"Earl Blaise, do you think that the entire council of ministers was wrong?" Marquess Kiron interrogated with a stiff expression forming on his face.

In the garden, Earl Blaise had already gotten on the King's wrong side so if he were to utter another wrong word then he would be making the entire council of ministers his enemy.

The implication behind the Marquess's words was clear for the Earl who coughed but did not reply to it.

Marquess Kiron did not wish to waste time with him so he turned towards another man who would be better to help prove his point.

"Duke, would you say that the changes that the King implemented were detrimental to the Kingdom and its citizens?" He posed this question to the one man who would never utter a false word when it came to matters of the Kingdom.

Duke Maldock Brodie was put on the spot with this query but he wasn't flustered by the attention that was suddenly aimed at him.

There was curiosity in their eyes as they waited for him to answer.

The Duke did not reply right away but took his time to observe his audience.

At his table, the King did not urge him to speak nor did he sense any traces of desire coming from the King, asking him to speak in the child's favor.

Instead, King Ophire was sure that he had done no wrong and hence sat still with a serene yet confident aura surrounding him.

The Duke then turned his eyes to his fellow Duke who also seemed unaffected by the accusations being thrown around.

Duke Tanner had interacted with the child enough to know that whenever she spoke, she had something meaningful to say.

She had even convinced him to construct storehouses throughout his fief and he knew just how helpful they had been during the time of the plague.

Therefore, knowing that she was also the one who suggested the changes to the policies brought no anger to his face for he knew that whatever had been done was for the good of the Kingdom and its citizens.

Duke Brodie turned his eyes to the table with the St. Claire family with whom sat the Valente family and Marquess Samed.

None of them displayed their objection and there were also traces of vigilance as they gazed back at him, waiting to see how he would react.

The next table with the Kirons and Yonas with Old man Carter had conflicted expressions.

The Yonas seemed displeased while the Kirons and the Old man were in obvious acceptance of the King and his decision.

Finally at the last table, except Minister Cosmet Leopold and the Baron, the others had twisted looks on their faces.

'He is as unreadable as always.' Duke Brodie commented when he glanced at Earl Mikren before turning away.

Having scanned everyone present here, his eyes finally fell on the one in question.

His dark olive eyes met those amethyst eyes which had been looking at him ever since Marquess Kiron had tossed that question over to him.

Unlike his own daughter who sometimes flinched and averted her eyes away from him, this child was fearless as she gazed back at him.

He could sense no anxiety coming from her nor did he find any apprehension while maintaining steady eye contact with him.

"Miss St. Claire, would you mind answering a few questions of mine?" Duke Brodie inquired after being at a stalemate for the last few seconds, only staring at each other with no words being said between them.

Yvonne had been waiting to see how he would justify rejecting her involvement so she was surprised to see that he had questions for her instead.

However, she did not oppose his request to question her and only nodded to indicate her acquiescence of the same.