Face Red as a Monkey’s Butt

Tanya Lu: "Then how about I play matchmaker and—"

"Divine Lady Tanya Lu!" Suddenly, Divine Lord Tanya Quinn, seated nearby, called out.

"Huh?" Tanya Lu turned to look at her.

"Stop scribbling in the Book of Lovers," Tanya Quinn said. "Fifth Highness doesn't like Jenna Summers at all! He likes your family's Divine Lady Lucia!"

The music was loud.

At first, only those three could hear each other—the others sitting farther away couldn't catch their words.

But just as Divine Lord Tanya Quinn finished her last sentence, the music abruptly stopped.

So everyone heard: "Fifth Highness doesn't like Jenna Summers at all! He likes your family's Divine Lady Lucia!"

Lucia Lu stared wide-eyed at Divine Lord Tanya Quinn.

Everyone was looking at Divine Lord Tanya Quinn.

But Tanya Quinn didn’t look the least bit embarrassed. She calmly stroked Noctis’s head and smiled, "Fifth Highness, is that true?"

Sean Shaw’s ears turned bright red. He glanced at Divine Lord Tanya Quinn but said nothing.

The Celestial Emperor chuckled. "Divine Lord specializes in teasing shy kids. Look at my Fifth—his face is red as a monkey's butt!"

"I'm not teasing him," Tanya Quinn said. "Just now, Divine Lady Tanya Lu and the Empress were saying Fifth Highness and Jenna Summers would make a perfect match—and even wanted to play matchmaker!"

The Celestial Emperor shot Tanya Lu a look and immediately switched sides: "Really? That’s just scribbling in the Book of Lovers. My Fifth definitely likes Divine Lady Lucia. Isn’t that right, Fifth?"

Sean Shaw shot the Emperor a cold look but still said nothing.

"I know my own son. If he doesn’t speak, that means he agrees," the Celestial Emperor declared. "High God Quentin, I’ve been thinking—it’s about time I personally visit Peach Blossom Haven and propose!"

Soren Lann smiled. "Your Majesty, I hear Lucia gets a thick stack of confession letters every month at the Palace Guard Barracks! If everyone marches to Peach Blossom Haven to propose, all the little peach saplings will get trampled."

The Celestial Emperor retorted, "Oh please, Soren, you’re a bachelor—how would you understand High God Quentin’s pride? Having a daughter that 'a hundred families seek' is the greatest parental glory. The more peach trees get stomped, the happier Quentin should be! Am I right, High God Quentin?"

Quentin Lian laughed, "Your Majesty, Divine Lords, let’s not tease Lucia too much. She’s thin-skinned—if you push her, she’ll cry."

"She’s not thin-skinned at all!" Tanya Quinn said. "Divine Lady Lucia, if His Majesty the Celestial Emperor came to propose, would you accept?"

Lucia Lu shot to her feet and bolted from the room.

As she ran, she heard the whole room burst into laughter.

Outside, replaying Sean Shaw’s mortified face in her mind, Lucia couldn’t help but snort with laughter.

But the more she laughed, the more annoyed she became.

Even after all those elders practically forced his feelings into the open, he still wouldn’t say a word.

Is he just that hopelessly shy, or... am I just imagining things?

Maybe he doesn’t like me at all—maybe he just couldn’t bring himself to reject me in front of everyone?

But then she remembered that time at Ryan Lu’s place, when she’d dozed off and Sean had crept over, clearly wanting to kiss her...

Ugh! This is giving me a headache!

"Divine Lady, why are you trying to ram yourself into a pillar?" Suddenly, a voice called out from behind.

Lucia spun around and saw Claire.

"Oh? Claire?" Lucia called out. "What are you doing here?"

"Master sent me to deliver a congratulatory gift!" Claire said. "Divine Lady, are you alright?"

"I’m fine, really!" Lucia said, a bit embarrassed. "Are you heading back already?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Hey! Wait a second," Lucia called. "I have something to ask you."

"What is it?"