Having a Weakness Makes You Easy to Handle

"Princess Royal of Lyndaria is arriving!" The doorkeeper's voice was stuttering, clearly startled—and he wasn't the only one.

"What's going on?" The guests at the banquet were just as surprised, glancing at those beside them and whispering in confusion.

At this moment, no one had time to debate the titles between Sean and Linden anymore. What caught everyone's interest was this suddenly-emerging Princess Royal of Lyndaria—there hadn't been the slightest rumor of her coming.

Everyone turned to look toward the entrance—except for Ninth Royal Uncle and Sean, who remained still. Yet the gravity in their eyes showed they weren't as unconcerned as they seemed.

For the Princess Royal of Lyndaria to appear at this moment—no one would believe she was just here to watch the Martial Arts Conference. It was obvious she was targeting Ninth Royal Uncle.

Sean glanced at Ninth Royal Uncle, genuinely worried. Not that he doubted Ninth Royal Uncle could handle the Princess Royal—he was worried the Princess Royal would make trouble for Serena.

It's always easier for a woman to make things difficult for another woman.

"Ninth Royal Uncle, Palace Lords, I'll go out to greet the Princess Royal. Please, make yourselves comfortable." Fortress Lord Ling stepped aside with a gesture of invitation. Ninth Royal Uncle and Sean didn't stand on ceremony, settling directly into the main seats.

Ninth Royal Uncle sat in the center, with the Moonvault Palace Lord and Sean to his left and right. The head table had no place for the Princess Royal of Lyndaria. Linden raised his eyebrows, sensing trouble, but he couldn't very well ask Ninth Royal Uncle to move.

Everyone's seats had been arranged long ago; with the Princess Royal of Lyndaria showing up out of nowhere, Skyvault Fortress hadn't made any preparations for her.

"Tian'er, come greet the Princess Royal with me." Fortress Lord Ling, worried Linden might cause trouble, dragged him along.

Faced with young talents like Sean and Ninth Royal Uncle, even Fortress Lord Ling couldn't help but feel envious—let alone Linden.

Everyone's attention was fixed on the Princess Royal of Lyndaria about to enter. Sean, seeing no one was watching them, gave Ninth Royal Uncle a questioning look: Why would the Princess Royal show up here?

Ninth Royal Uncle shook his head slightly, indicating he didn't know. Sean frowned: You haven't heard a single thing?

Ninth Royal Uncle shook his head again. If he'd gotten word, he wouldn't be this shocked.

Sean's frown deepened. He didn't even have to think to know this Princess Royal wasn't here for anything good. This Martial Arts Conference was about to get interesting—though he wondered if he'd end up playing the fool for everyone else's show.

Ninth Royal Uncle glanced up, giving Storm Cloud Bu and Brandon Bu—seated at the secondary table—a look, signaling them to send someone to investigate right away. Brandon Bu, sitting here as 'Lance Quinn,' couldn't easily move. Storm Cloud Bu nodded and slipped away unnoticed, just as Fortress Lord Ling led the Princess Royal of Lyndaria inside.

The Princess Royal of Lyndaria didn't put on any airs—she brought only four maids and two guards, but even so, her entourage was still impressively grand.

Though nearly forty, the Princess Royal of Lyndaria was exquisitely maintained—her every gesture full of allure. As soon as she entered, she removed her white fox-fur cloak, revealing a blazing red palace gown that dazzled the crowd. A woman her age wearing such bold red with aristocratic elegance and seductive charm was truly rare.

The whole hall was stunned by her entrance—no one expected the Princess Royal to be so beautiful and youthful.

With Ninth Royal Uncle as precedent, everyone greeted her enthusiastically. The Princess Royal of Lyndaria responded with approachable warmth, nodding and smiling back at the crowd.

Faced with such a mature, gracious, and noble beauty, the men couldn't help but entertain thoughts—they grew even more enthusiastic about the Princess Royal. She walked and paused, turning a short distance into a full quarter-hour.

"Ninth Royal Uncle, Palace Lords, sorry to keep you waiting." The Princess Royal of Lyndaria stood at the end of the head table, addressing the three seated men.

The Moonvault Palace Lord meant to rise, but seeing Ninth Royal Uncle and Sean unmoved, he restrained himself and sat back down awkwardly, greeting, "Your Highness, Princess Royal."

The Princess Royal didn't mind Ninth Royal Uncle's coldness. She sat down directly across from him, smiling broadly. "I never expected to meet Eastlyn's Ninth Royal Uncle here—coming to Skyvault Fortress was the right choice after all."

Ninth Royal Uncle remained silent, not even glancing at her. On closer inspection, there was a trace of disgust in his eyes and impatience in his expression.

Sean knew the reason, and had to hold back laughter to avoid losing face in public.

Seeing Ninth Royal Uncle unhappy made him happy.

"What's wrong, Ninth Royal Uncle? Not happy to see me?" The Princess Royal kept smiling despite repeated setbacks. Some in the crowd began to feel sorry for her. Sean thought to himself: Wrongly accused again—poor Ninth Royal Uncle.

"Your Highness, you must be joking. Skyvault Fortress is honored by your visit," Fortress Lord Ling interjected at just the right moment, sparing the Princess Royal from embarrassment and asserting his position as host—no matter how distinguished Ninth Royal Uncle was, he had no right to decide who was welcome here.

"Look at me—seeing Ninth Royal Uncle makes me so flustered I say the wrong thing. Fortress Lord Ling, please don't take it to heart." The Princess Royal of Lyndaria waved charmingly, and her maid stepped forward to pour wine for her and Fortress Lord Ling.

"Fortress Lord Ling, I truly meant no offense—please don't mind," the Princess Royal said, raising her cup and draining it in one go. Fortress Lord Ling couldn't back down; he followed suit, finishing his wine. "It's nothing, Princess, don't worry about it."

With that, Fortress Lord Ling flashed a smile seductive enough to outshine any innocent girl, making the Princess Royal laugh out loud.

The Princess Royal beckoned again, signaling her maid to pour wine for everyone. Everything went smoothly—until the maid approached Ninth Royal Uncle. Before she could get close, he kicked her away: "Out."

With a loud crash, the maid was sent flying, landing hard and falling silent after a single scream. The crowd stared at Ninth Royal Uncle in shock, unable to understand what had gotten into him.

Even if Eastlyn and Lyndaria were at odds, things shouldn't be this hostile in public.

"Ninth Royal Uncle, is something bothering you?" Fortress Lord Ling forced down his anger and smiled.

Causing trouble on his turf—Ninth Royal Uncle was making him lose face.

Ninth Royal Uncle didn't spare him a glance. The Princess Royal, meanwhile, slapped her forehead as if she'd just remembered something. "My memory is getting worse with age—I actually forgot that Ninth Royal Uncle can't stand women, can't bear the scent of powder. No wonder you looked so unhappy when I came in."

Whether her words were true or not, neither Ninth Royal Uncle nor Sean believed it. Ninth Royal Uncle glanced at the Princess Royal: What is this woman plotting?

The Princess Royal blinked, throwing a flirtatious look at Ninth Royal Uncle. He turned away in disgust, which only made her smile brighter.

People with weaknesses are much easier to deal with.

Eastlyn's Ninth—let's settle old and new scores together. I've tolerated you long enough...