I’m Really Not Trying to Be Chased by the Heroine as the Villainous Playboy! – Chapter 817

Chapter 30: What’s More Important

Both being the sons of marquises, and with An Bo being a senior, he had looked down on this new rising star more than once.

Just because he happened to be riding the coattails of the princess and the saintess, he thought he could bask in the limelight and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

However, when faced with Roy at this moment, An Bo couldn’t muster an ounce of arrogance. Under those stormy, dark gold lightning flash eyes, he gradually found it hard to breathe.

Even putting aside power, he could feel that the other party was at least a mid-level Extraordinary Being, far above him.

Being recognized as the top talent in the academy city already proved a lot.

The crushing force of power and extraordinary talent left An Bo without even a shred of courage to contend.

“So, you’re the mastermind behind all this?” Roy asked casually.

There was a hint less of anger and a touch of indifference, as if he had lost interest entirely.

The fact that the other party couldn’t even be bothered to care was the true humiliation.

But just then, a carriage rushed in.

The blue-haired prince stepped off the carriage, and An Bo’s eyes lit up.

He couldn’t handle Roy, but someone could surely handle him!

Damn Lionheart folks, don’t think you can run wild!

An Bo hurried over to Jason, overjoyed: “Your Highness Jason! You’ve come at the perfect time!”

“It’s time to show these arrogant Lionheart folks what’s what!”

However, the blue-haired prince walked right past him and made a beeline for Roy.

Not even caring about being overlooked, as long as he could see the Lionheart folks get a lesson, An Bo was satisfied.

Yet again, he was disappointed.

No scolding, no questioning, Jason and Roy’s conversation was eerily calm, not deep in friendship, but definitely not hostile, and it ended with the two laughing.

“I understand now.”

Jason turned back, his smile vanishing instantly, a sinister glint reflecting off his glasses: “Repeatedly disobeying my orders and offending friendly foreign emissaries, it seems Master An Bo is quite dissatisfied with my resolve.”

“…That’s just strange! We, the South Sea faction, are seniors; why should we share benefits with them peacefully?! Your Highness, why are you afraid of these folks?!”

“Short-sighted.”

Jason shook his head.

Faction disputes were just rehearsals for future conflicts, and the interests between nations were far more important.

Giving up a few strongholds and some goods to gain the goodwill of the Lionheart Kingdom was a surefire deal. Long-lasting friendship far outweighed fleeting enmity, yet, some people just couldn’t see that.

“Roy, An Bo has caused you trouble. What do you think I should do with this guy?”

“Your Highness is joking. How could I dare to decide for you? However, in my view, foolishness isn’t a sin.”

Disobedience, however, was a crime a ruler could not tolerate.

Mentioning that point made Roy’s displeasure quite clear.

Compared to the many alliances led by the Lionheart Kingdom, a mere marquis’s son hardly mattered.

Besides, what was important was the marquis, not his son.

Jason wouldn’t fail to understand such priorities.

Jason grasped his true intent, slowly nodded, “Regardless, disobedience is disobedience.”

“If it weren’t for Mr. Roy arriving just in time, if I hadn’t received news that you had tried to attack the Lionheart students today?”

“I…”

“An Bo, it seems I need to report your behavior to your father, so he can decide whether you still have the right to continue your studies here.”

For some people, the impact of parental notification hits hard.

Especially for nobles, where parents control family inheritance. Letting them know of one’s disobedience is tantamount to a death sentence for a political career.

“Your Highness? Your Highness?! How could you believe the counsel of a foreigner… Wait, I was wrong! Please don’t…!”

An Bo never expected that his prince would, to win Roy’s favor, unhesitatingly abandon him.

By the time it came to this, he didn’t even get the chance to plead before Jason’s guards dragged him away.

The members of the South Sea faction were washed away like a receding tide, while the Lionheart faction continued their planned course.

Once everyone dispersed, Jason rubbed his aching temples, forcing a smile: “Sorry, I didn’t manage things well this time and made you trouble.”

“There’s always going to be petty individuals, lacking perspective. They’ll pay for this affront, but I hope it won’t shake the foundation of friendship between our two nations.”

“Mm,” Roy nodded slightly.

Once realizing that the mastermind was just a character like An Bo, he even felt too lazy to be angry, wanting only to wrap up these trifles quickly and return to accompany Charlotte.

Seriously, what a waste of good time to be here dealing with political antics when he could be with a girl!

“By the way, last month, our merchant guild sent a delegation to visit the Lionheart Kingdom. It’s about time for their arrival, yet there hasn’t been any news…”

It was indeed peculiar.

But Roy was speechless.

Could it be that I’m just a marquis’s son who doesn’t meddle in diplomatic affairs between countries? Talking about this with me is pointless.

“I’ll tell Charlotte.”

“Thanks a lot. Please extend my congratulations to Her Highness the Princess.”

Seeing Roy eager to return, Jason didn’t waste more words, leaving graciously.

——————————

The street scene was bustling.

The Lionheart flag danced in the flames, the laughter of the crowd echoed through the night sky, and the brilliant lights formed a golden ocean, stretching as far as the eye could see.

Just like the Lionheart capital.

It was akin to what she had seen countless times when stepping out for air at the end of her birthday banquet.

Lively, boisterous, yet strangely lonely.

Charlotte leaned against the windowsill, twirling her empty wine glass. As the birthday star, what reflected in her eyes wasn’t a crowd celebrating her, but the pitch-black night.

She couldn’t say she disliked it, but she had never really enjoyed birthday banquets.

Celebrating was more a political activity aimed at uniting nobles and the people, making speeches and toasting were her duties as a princess.

Only last year’s birthday, meeting the Young Boy, made her truly feel warmth, realizing how beautiful that moment at sunset was.

But…

“The sunset is already over.”

Whispering softly, Charlotte lowered her gaze.

She didn’t know what gift Roy was preparing, but what she truly wanted had never been a carriage, jewels, or even a uniquely crafted date.

The night breeze was chilly.

As a fire-type Extraordinary Being, Charlotte trembled slightly, feeling as lost as a shivering little kitten in the long dark night.

Gifts, really, anything would do.

“Come back soon, you idiot.”

“So, am I not back already?”

“!”

The sudden call from behind startled Charlotte, causing her wine glass to fall from her hand, bringing about a wave of curses from below.

The two quietly retreated back into the balcony.