Title? Stripped it off!

"Crown princess Everyn, have my words made you feel sad? I apologize. I didn't mean for my words truly hurt you."

Eleanora's sad expression made the crowd suck in a deep breath. It felt like sharp swords were stabbing their hearts. Franklin also felt the pain. He was mad and embarrassed by what Everyn did. He walked towards the group and stood between her and Eleanora.

"My Lady, I apologize for my fiance's ignorance. She may have felt burdened and misunderstood your kind words. I am sure that you will forgive this young Lady without holding a grudge for her wrongdoings. I thank your sincere heart and forgiveness."

Franklin tried to reach Eleanora's hands but was instead snatched by Albrecht. The people were surprised at his actions as he was cold-hearted and merciless towards women who were not his relatives or friends.

Holding Eleanora's hands as if it was a fragile and precious object sent the men into jealousy, envy, and anger. Some women were jealous of Eleanora and wished that they were in her position. In comparison, some men and women found their appearance pleasing to the eyes.

Both of their appearances complemented each other in a godly way. Eleanora's petite figure fitted completely with Albrechts big, comprehensive, and muscular body. Albrechts' warm gaze while holding Eleanora's hands brought these people to fantasize about their blooming love.

"Crown prince, are you perhaps referring that if your fiancé had somehow made a mistake, Lady Eleanora would have no choice but to forgive because she came from the Empire? While your dear fiancé is a lady from a small kingdom?

"You meant to say that our Empire had no conscience and abused our power to bully the weak? What do you think of the crown prince's word, Lady Eleanora?"

Eleanora looks up as her height only comes up to his shoulders. Her amber eyes met his red eyes, and a strong understanding was passed between the two. Eleanora smiled as Albrecht continued to play with her left hand, ignoring the heated gaze from Franklin.

"It is as your Royal Highness said. Crown prince Franklin, you may have misunderstood my intention. My dear friends and I only wanted to know why your fiancé apologized when she and her friends were never the topics of our conversation. This Lady only wanted a clear explanation after all."

In other words, it would be translated as 'don't think that you're a crown prince you can run away from the problems that your fiancé caused and blamed us with bullying, a lowly prince from a small kingdom.'

"You—"

"Crown prince Franklin, did you say something?"

Eleanora smiled while Albrecht merely glanced at him before playing with her loose hair strand and fingers.

The crowd understood what Albrecht and Eleanora meant, and the nobles from the kingdom of Asula couldn't stand because of the embarrassment that they've felt from this young couple.

The atmosphere of the banquet quickly turned sour—the King and Queen sighed before walking towards the young adult.

"Lady Eleanora, your Royal Highness the crown prince, Albrecht. I apologize for my son and his fiancé's foolish actions. If their words had soured your expression, you might punish them for being insolent."

"Your majesty, the King. I dare not punish the crown prince and his fiancé as this is not my kingdom, and I am merely a crown prince. What about you, my Lady?"

"It is what His Royal Highness, the crown prince, had said. I am only the Empire's Duke Kaleighdens' youngest child, and I have no power to punish the soon-to-be King and Queen of Asula. Per your explanation, I forgive Lady Everyn for her misunderstanding and hope that she will take this lesson as important teaching."

In other words, Everyn shouldn't try to act like a Queen if she's not appointed to be one. These words made the crowd felt like they may have underestimated the previously known Alice as a weak woman.

The month of absence from society may have changed something within her. Now, people see her as a strong woman, not a weak and illegitimate child of Marquise De Evergreen.

"I will keep that thought within my hearts, Lady Eleanora Clementine Kaleighden. As the King of Asula, may I announce the punishment of my son and his fiancé to appease your anger?"

"Do as you please, your majesty, the King."

Albrecht said as he looked at the King, whose height only reached his chin. The King nodded with a smile and turned towards the crowd.

"Nobles, Ladies, young Lords, princess and princes, and His majesties and her Majesties. I now announced, prince Frankline, to be stripped of the title of the crown prince and pass it to my second son, prince Aaron, who will be arriving tomorrow."

The King and Queen went back to their seats, and the music resumed as the people murmured at each other, ready to spread the news around the continent.

"Are you satisfied, Lady Eleanora?"

Albrecht whispered as Eleanora looked up. Her slight smile made Albrecht's heart jump joyfully, another emotion that he didn't understand.

"What about your Royal Highness, the crown prince. Are you satisfied?"

"It's enough to appease me. But my Lady, call me Al, calling me with my title is a pain in the neck."

"As you wish, Ally. Is it fine I call you that? If not, then I apologize for my slip of the tongue."

"No, you're free to call me to your liking. But may I call you Ella instead of Ellie?"

"Whatever Ally had decided to call me, after all, you are the crown prince of my kingdom."

"I see. Then, I take that as a promise, Lady Ella."

"As will I, crown prince Ally."

The two exchanged a quiet conversation while their friends were busy making fun of Franklin and Everyn. Eleanora smiled and looked at her friends while Albrecht stood beside her and gazed at her warmly, completely oblivious of his actions.