My front door leads to a comic strip

Chapter 206, page 205: Indirect Kiss

Ding-dong—

Inside the palace banquet hall, the clinking of wine glasses and the sounds of laughter blended together.

The light was bright and soft, yet it couldn't penetrate the undercurrents and the hearts of men beneath.

Gu Yuan stood alone in the shadows beside the terrace.

His well-tailored black tuxedo accentuated his tall and slender figure.

He politely declined a wealthy woman who had come with her daughter to strike up a conversation: "Thank you for your kind offer, Madam."

"As for marriage, although I have no interest in it for the time being, I already have someone I like, so I can only accept it in my heart."

The noblewoman's fawning smile froze instantly. She then half-covered her face with her exquisite feather fan and forced a smile, saying, "Is that so? I wonder which young lady is so lucky to have won the favor of the Hero, my lord."

'

She took the hand of the pretty girl, who appeared to be about fourteen, and knowing that there was no hope of a matchmaking, she slightly bowed and said, "In that case, we won't disturb you any longer."

"Let's go."

The girl pursed her lips, her eyes flashing with resentment and embarrassment, but under her mother's slightly forceful pull, she had no choice but to turn and leave.

After taking a few steps, she couldn't help but turn back and gaze deeply at Gu Yuan, as if she wanted to etch his face into her heart.

"Is it really okay to be so ruthless?" A cool voice came from the side and behind, carrying a hint of mockery.

Gu Yuan turned his head and saw Celia holding a glass of amber-colored liquid, slowly approaching.

Her gaze swept over the departing mother and daughter, her tone as mocking as ever: "This is the third attractive young woman you've rejected tonight."

"Gu Yuan, aren't you being a little too picky?"

Even by her own standards of beauty as an elf, the human girl from before could be considered beautiful.

"—Is there?"

Gu Yuan loosened his slightly tight collar; the continuous social engagements had left him feeling a bit parched.

He reached out and took the glass of wine that Celia hadn't finished from her hand with utter ease, then tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.

The cool liquid slid down his throat, relieving the burning sensation. He looked up and retorted, "So what if you're beautiful? If you lack strength, you're just a fragile vase. A hundred years from now, you'll be nothing but a handful of dust."

"That's not my standard for choosing a partner."

Seeing him drink the wine she had just drunk so naturally, Celia was inexplicably stunned, and for a moment she even forgot to ask him any questions.

It wasn't until two or three seconds later that she suddenly came to her senses, clenched her fist and coughed lightly to forcefully pull her somewhat distracted attention back, but her tone was no longer as composed as before.

"I see----"

She looked up, her golden eyes flashing with a complex light. "So, this is your reason for treating both Miliald and me as brides in that dream?"

Gu Yuan swirled the empty wine glass in his hand, his eyes thoughtful: "More or less."

But in my heart I thought, who knows?

There's no point in worrying about this now.

Everyone is dead.

Celia was extremely dissatisfied with his vague answer, her brows furrowing slightly as she was about to press him for more information.

Gu Yuan spoke first, changing the subject: "By the way, where did Miliald go? I haven't seen her since earlier."

"----she."

Celia took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the surging emotions in her heart. "They're probably going to find the legendary Emperor's Wine."

"That child's obsession with so-called fine wines is always extraordinary."

Gu Yuan nodded thoughtfully: "I see—"

He checked the direction and started to leave: "I'll go look for her. This palace is so big, I don't want her to cause any trouble."

Seeing that Gu Yuan turned around without hesitation to go find Milie, Celia swallowed back the words she was about to say.

She gritted her teeth, watched his matter-of-fact back, stomped her foot lightly, and finally quickly followed after him.

Meanwhile, in the more secluded kitchen and storage areas deep within the palace.

Unlike the grandeur of the banquet hall, the lighting here was rather dim.

Miliearde frowned slightly as she walked out of the side hall where the wine was stored.

She searched almost every possible place, but couldn't even find a trace of "Emperor's Wine," and her face showed her frustration.

"Why is this beautiful young lady wandering here alone?"

-

"Would I have the honor of sharing a drink with you?"

A slightly frivolous male voice broke the silence from ahead.

Millie Alde stopped and looked up to see a young nobleman with dark green hair, dressed in a magnificent court uniform, bowing to her.

He wore what he thought was a charming smile.

However, the overly strong, even pungent, perfume on her body immediately made her frown, as she was sensitive to scents.

Miliaelde instinctively took a half step back, creating some distance, and coldly refused, "No need."

They were preparing to leave.

"Don't be so formal—"

The nobleman, however, pressed his advantage, taking another step closer until his arm almost touched her.

At that very moment—

"Snapped!"

A large hand, with irresistible force, landed heavily on the nobleman's shoulder.

"Ouch!"

The force was so strong that the nobleman's knees buckled, he cried out in pain, and knelt down on the spot.

thump.

His knees hit the ground hard.

"Hiss—which guy dares to do this—!"

The nobleman grimaced in pain, feeling as if his bones were about to break. He angrily turned his head, only to meet Gu Yuan's cold gaze.

In that instant, he even decided where he would be buried.

After all, who in the entire capital doesn't recognize this face?

"Brave————the brave man!"

The nobleman's anger froze instantly, turning into utter terror and panic.

I never expected to meet you here—

The sharp pain in his shoulder and the undisguised coldness in Gu Yuan's eyes immediately made him realize his predicament.

Oh no, I got caught red-handed harassing an innocent girl!

Instinctively, he broke out in a cold sweat.

Then, without hesitation, she turned to Miliald, suddenly prostrated herself on the ground, and her trembling voice squeezed out from between her teeth, trying her best to express her apology: "I—I'm sorry! Forgive me for being blinded by greed! I—I offended you! Please forgive my rudeness!"

After saying that, he repeatedly apologized to Gu Yuan, kowtowing several times and saying that he would never dare to do it again.

Then, like a stray dog, they fled in a sorry state without looking back, fearing that if they were even a step too slow, they would be splattered with blood on the spot.

Millie Alder watched the man stumble and disappear at the end of the corridor, and her tense shoulders finally relaxed.

She turned to Gu Yuan and exhaled, "You've come."

"Um."

Gu Yuan nodded, his narrowed eyes shifting from the noblewoman's retreating figure. His gaze lingered on her for a moment, and only after confirming she was unharmed did he speak, "The succession ceremony is about to begin. The imperial wine you're looking for will only be brought out and shared with the court officials during the ceremony."

He extended his hand in an inviting gesture, his tone softening, "Come back with me first."

Millie Alde's gaze lingered for a moment on Gu Yuan's outstretched palm.

She hesitated slightly, but was ultimately moved by the atmosphere and the composure in his eyes, and gently placed her hand on his.

Gu Yuan held her slightly cool fingers, took her hand, and walked side by side toward the bustling main hall.

Not far away, in the shadow of the colonnades, Celia leaned against the wall with her arms crossed, taking in all of this.

She saw Gu Yuan naturally take her hand, and saw Miliealde's subtle dependence. Her rosy lips curled slightly, and she finally let out a barely audible snort: "————Hmph."