I’m Really Not Trying to Be Chased by the Heroine as the Villainous Playboy! – Chapter 548

Chapter 95: The Trap of Choice

A humble inquiry, a sincere proposal, a handsome prince, and a beauty carved from snow—this should have been a picturesque, romantic scene.

However, all the border nobility who understood the underlying reasons were struck with horror.

Brittany’s expression changed drastically, instinctively wanting to stand up and say something, but was firmly held back by Barry, whose expression was equally frozen.

The prince’s proposal was not something they could dare to offend.

Aside from Xue Nuo herself, no one had the privilege to refuse.

In contrast, the inland nobles seemed to have been rehearsing this, creating a ruckus.

“I see, it was my lack of foresight. If His Highness marries Miss Xue Nuo, he can support her and revitalize the Andervith family, and she can inherit all she deserves—it’s a win-win!” Count Laka laughed heartily, and the nobles around him echoed.

“His Highness, a member of royalty, is willing to bend down and kneel—what true love this is!”

“The union of the Andervith family and the Rose Royal family will be an unprecedented step for both families; the former duke would surely be pleased from the afterlife!”

“It guarantees the stability of the empire’s borders, and witnessing this historic moment is an honor for us!”

Though it seemed like a proposal, this was clearly a premeditated forced marriage!

Amidst the crowd’s clamor, Xue Nuo’s gaze darkened: “Your Highness, I should have mentioned that the engagement is already…”

“It has nothing to do with the engagement; please don’t doubt my sincerity.” Winter even pulled out a ring.

The silver ring, set with a cold blue gem, sparkled like the most beautiful star, causing many young ladies, even married women below, to widen their eyes, stirred by romantic feelings.

“This is made from the deepest part of the polar ice and our empire’s unique polar secret silver, commissioned from the platinum workshop a year in advance.”

Winter gazed at the girl before him, eyes filled with affection: “If you accept the engagement, please allow me to personally put this ring on your finger.”

To the oblivious little girls, Xue Nuo appeared to be the happiest woman in the world.

A handsome and elegant prince, an expensive sparkling ring, considerate of Xue Nuo bearing the duke’s responsibilities—all painted a picture of the most genuine proposal, leaving no reason to refuse.

Yet, the silver-haired girl clenched her fists, her fingertips digging into her palms, flames of fury raging within.

That ring, more than a wedding band, felt like a humiliating shackle.

How could she fail to see Winter’s true intention?

Of course, you’re clever enough to catch that, right?

Beneath the layer of affection, Winter’s heart was filled with mocking laughter.

There was a 99% chance that Xue Nuo would refuse.

Once married, allowing royal influence to meddle in border affairs and restrict Xue Nuo’s freedom—half the battle was already lost.

Winter knew very well that Xue Nuo had never harbored any feelings for him.

Thus, her only option was to refuse.

The elegant persona she had painstakingly curated over the years was all aimed at this moment.

In public, she would turn down a prince’s humble and sincere courtship, rejecting a plan that could ease tensions and stabilize the situation.

Why? Why would you refuse?

Ordinary girls fret over rejecting matchmaking; the duke’s daughter, Xue Nuo, felt this even more.

Not good enough? You find the noble, elegant, impeccable empire prince beneath your standards?

Unwilling? You refuse to accept the olive branch from the imperial family and don’t wish to submit to the royals—what exactly are you plotting?!

Simply put, this was a provocation.

Winter never expected Xue Nuo to acknowledge the engagement.

He only needed to create enough commotion to place a label and justify armed intervention in border affairs.

From the very beginning, the royal family had been preparing for military conquest of the empire’s borders!

As for Xue Nuo, refusing was just perfect.

Once I bring the imperial forces and capture you, I believe you will regret this refusal deeply. But, that would also make for a certain kind of fun.

I, Winter, can afford to wait!

With such thoughts, Winter desperately suppressed the corners of his lips from rising.

On the other side, Xue Nuo’s breathing was heavy.

For both public and personal reasons, she couldn’t possibly agree.

Thus, her only choice was to refuse.

However, facing such a solemn proposal, there were no excuses left to stall. A rejection would mean tearing the face off of Winter and, ultimately, the royal family.

War was inevitable, the empire’s borders would once again be drenched in blood.

The remaining vassals, the last hometown, the familiar sights—everything would cease to exist, and in the end, all that sacrifice would yield little chance of victory.

Compared to the entire empire, the border forces were still slightly inferior.

Snuggled by the fireplace with Roy, waiting for the snow country’s sunny days was forever in the past.

Xue Nuo had long been aware of this.

She just didn’t expect this day to come so soon.

Just like back then, without a proper farewell, her parents and friends were swallowed by the oncoming army of the dead, blood staining the snow. No matter what she chose, everything felt like snowflakes slipping through her fingers, leaving only numb hands, unable to hold onto anything.

Two paths—one was merely a matter of when she would lose everything.

She really had no choice.

Anger, disgust, but what surged more was a deep, suffocating sense of powerlessness.

Just like on that cold, dark battlefield covered in blood, where she could only abandon everything she cherished and keep running.

And this time, even fleeing would bring disappointment.

Amidst the muffled, jarring sounds of celebration, facing that figure she despised so much, the silver-haired girl’s lips trembled slowly.

The flickering lights blurred her face.

“I refuse…”

Just as the silver-haired girl was about to give her answer, the old count’s face was full of despair, the imperial prince showed a triumphant look, and the inland nobles, like wolves, were preparing to pounce according to the script—

What echoed instead was loud enough to be somewhat deafening applause.

The applause interrupted the proposal scene, shifting everyone’s focus to the black-haired boy not far from Xue Nuo’s stage.

“Didn’t expect to see such a show while attending the Winter Festival; Prince Winter truly opened my eyes.”

The slightly rude teasing instantly enraged the inland nobles.

Count Laka was the first to lose his temper: “Mr. Roy, I say this without malice, though you are a guest, this is our empire; the matter of our prince and duke’s daughter is not for you to…”

“Let him speak.”

Winter stood up, waved his hand, stopping Laka’s outburst.

He maintained a gentle demeanor and questioned, “Mr. Roy, I’m curious, what reason do you have to interrupt my sacred moment of proposing to Xue Nuo?”

“Surely, as a vow knight of the kingdom, you’re not causing a ruckus for no reason, right?” As he said this, a glimmer of mockery flashed in Winter’s eyes.

Facing the provocation, the black-haired boy rose and approached the stage: “I certainly have a reason.”

“Xue Nuo Andervith will be my private tutor for the next two years; Your Highness’s marriage will have to wait until after that.”