The Villainess Redeems Herself, The Beast Husbands are in a Daily Love Battle-Chapter 144: Can’t Cry

"The problem lies here."

Caleb Shaw furrowed his brow deeply.

"The attendees are few, with the procession sparse and scattered, and almost all are from marginal nobility. There are hardly any representatives from truly powerful clans. For an event of this level, it shouldn’t be so deserted. It seems like the Royal Family wants to cut costs and reduce the scale."

"But looking at these people," Selene Kane glanced around, her eyes landing on a few figures in ornate clothing not far away, "many are from major clans. These people usually act haughtier than royalty, so how could they possibly be casually arranged in the outer hall? It’s unlikely they’d be so dismissive of us."

Caleb sighed silently, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

Perhaps he was overthinking it.

Maybe the event truly had a last-minute change in venue, or it was arranged this way to avoid crowding.

Nearby, the nobles were gathering in small groups.

"Isn’t there supposed to be a grand ball today? I specifically wore my favorite luminous gown, with three layers of lace at the back, it sparkles with every step. But the chairs in the side hall are so narrow; I’m afraid I’ll get stuck or tear it. It’s a custom piece!"

"Shh, stop talking!"

Another lady wearing a silver mask urgently stopped her.

"Did you forget what happened in the side hall before? That part of history... it was sealed by the authorities for ten years before being declassified."

"Huh?"

The young woman who spoke earlier looked puzzled, blinking her eyes.

"What could happen in the side hall? Isn’t it just a regular hall? Although it’s a bit small, it couldn’t possibly be haunted, could it?"

The lady said nothing more, only shook her head lightly, her expression complex as she gazed into the shadowy columns within the side hall.

The person quickly turned aside, covering their mouth with a fan.

His voice was so low it barely disturbed the air.

The fan, made of white jade bones and thin silk, suddenly became a barrier concealing secret words.

Selene strained her ears to eavesdrop but could not make out a word; they were exceedingly cautious.

"System, can’t you amplify the sound a bit? They seem to be discussing some major gossip."

This feeling of being excluded made her uncomfortable.

Especially when it involved court secrets; even merely observing was enough to make one’s heart race.

"No."

The system’s response was cold without room for negotiation.

Selene felt a bit disappointed, but just as she was thinking, the system suddenly notified her, "The information can be converted to text."

Her heart jolted, and her eyes instantly lit up. She hurriedly urged in her mind, "Quick! Display it!"

[Several historical power struggles occurred in the side hall. The last time the side hall was opened was when Your Majesty was vying for the throne.]

A line of pale blue text appeared in the center of her vision.

"..."

Her heart tightened, and suddenly she wanted to return to her room.

The initial excitement in her heart instantly cooled, replaced by an indistinct unease.

"Caleb, if I remember correctly, our family doesn’t actually count as nobility, does it? Is it really suitable for me to attend such a major event?"

She turned to look at the male beside her, her voice much softer than usual.

They were of civilian origins, and though they were granted a residence due to Caleb’s merits, they had never truly entered the core of power.

Attending this ceremony that reopened the side hall today, was it too presumptuous?

She had already begun to have second thoughts.

She initially thought she could shine today.

But now, it seemed as if it was not such a good thing.

Earlier she had dreamed of wearing the most luxurious gown, adorned with intricate pearl hairpins.

Gracefully entering the hall amid the crowd’s astonished gazes.

But now the shadows behind that glow seemed to grow denser.

Actually, she could also start a small business, perhaps selling clothes or jewelry; there was no need to mingle in such high society, taking one step at a time would be more pragmatic.

Once the thought emerged, it became especially enticing.

Caleb’s heart softened, gently brushing her hair, reassuring her softly.

"Don’t be afraid, I’m always here. As long as you stand by my side, no one can harm you."

She couldn’t help but nod gently.

After all, he was the Federation’s strongest combatant; hardly anyone could defeat him.

Even if something like a court upheaval were to occur, would he not surely protect her?

She kept affirming this point in her heart.

Caleb’s name resonated countless times across the battlefield, striking fear into enemy lines.

Alone he held a gun defiantly, once turning the tide of an entire battle.

With such a man, if anyone could make her fearless, he was undoubtedly the one.

Just as she was about to muster a smile, a guard hurried over and respectfully said to Caleb, "Colonel, Your Majesty summons you for personal protection."

The guard wore an ebony uniform, with a gold eagle crest embroidered across the chest.

Caleb’s brow furrowed: "Today was not my shift."

Daily shifts generally followed strict schedules, rarely rearranged on short notice, let alone such significant protective duties.

Being singled out at this time defied rationale; something suspicious was at play.

"Your Majesty personally requested your presence. I wasn’t privy to the reasons. Since you’re here, it may as well fall to you, sir."

The guard spread his hands, his face full of helplessness.

After speaking, he waited quietly, his gaze lowered.

The night breeze brushed through the courtyard, sweeping up several fallen leaves, swirling between the two.

"With you nearby, everyone feels at ease."

People around nodded in agreement, their eyes conveying sincere trust.

Selene’s hand shook slightly, gripping his sleeve.

She dared not let go, afraid that releasing him would see herself swallowed into some uncontrollable whirlpool.

"It’s okay, you go ahead, work is important."

Initially, she meant to ask, "Could you not leave?" or "I’m a bit scared."

But as the words reached her lips, all that came out was a forced smile.

She tried hard to widen her eyes, not letting her emotions leak through her pupils.

This wasn’t just any employer; it was the ultimate ruler of The Empire, the helm of the Interstellar Federation.

He was the being over all power, commanding expansive territories across galaxies.

At his command, armies moved like the wind.

Selene quietly pondered, with her mind rapidly replaying scenes from countless films and dramas.

Those who accidentally offended the royal power didn’t have happy ends; they were either exiled to remote frontiers or vanished soundlessly from history.

She was an ordinary person from Vorath without even a formal identity.

Should she truly anger this supreme sovereign, it would mean even less than a speck of dust.

Even more terrifying was the presence of the Beastman Race in this world.

They were rumored to be capable of ripping steel apart barehanded when enraged. Who knew if, in a moment of fury, His Majesty might snap her up as a snack?

The thought popped up, freezing her to the spot.

An ice-cold execution platform and a black guillotine rose in her mind’s eye.

And there she knelt, her neck fragile and vulnerable.

When the blade fell, wouldn’t the blood arc high?

She subconsciously touched her neck.

Her neck was so slender; chopping it would surely be swift.

With that thought, she nearly burst into tears.

She hurriedly tilted her head back, forcing herself to blink hard, driving back the wave of sourness.

She couldn’t cry, absolutely couldn’t cry.