Chapter 60: To Mr. Lu Xing, Respected Fiancé-Elect of Miss Annie

Surely, no man could refuse to marry Annie—a noble, well-bred, lively, and lovely aristocratic young lady.

However, Lu Xing could not simply agree with immediate joy. Setting aside Annie's age, which was a minor detail, the other issues were of paramount importance!

"Mr. Lu Xing."

Sensing what he was about to say, the Duchess spoke, "You need not concern yourself with other matters; you need only consider whether you are willing and whether you like her. Even if you answer in the affirmative, we cannot have Annie marry you immediately. The Goddess is watching over Annie, and I must discuss the matter with her father once more."

That was indeed true. If Lu Xing were to marry Annie and share the nuptial chamber—ah, what was called the wedding night here—with the Goddess watching over Annie, would Lu Xing even dare?

"Your answer of yes or no must stem solely from a man's most sincere feelings of affection for a woman, untainted by anything else!" the Duchess added.

Her words plunged Lu Xing into deep thought. Clearly, what the Duchess was asking pointed directly to romantic love between a man and a woman, requiring no other considerations.

For instance, Lu Xing and Annie belonged to two different worlds and currently had no way of marrying at all; or perhaps their differing lifestyles, religious beliefs, upbringings, future prospects, and family backgrounds.

None of these matters needed to be considered!

The question was solely about love.

This was akin to the first love of a youth and a maiden—pure and fervent, unconcerned with the future, indifferent to family status, independent of excellence, existing simply because there was mutual affection in each other's eyes.

"Madam, my answer is: I am willing."

Following his heart, Lu Xing gave her a firm reply.

Annie's mother, Madam Bridget, smiled at him. "Very well, I also consent to the marriage between you and Annie."

"..."

Lu Xing genuinely felt as though he had just met his future mother-in-law, even though he had never even had a girlfriend.

Januina, the head maid sitting opposite him, studied him for a long time. Without turning his head, Lu Xing knew Catherine was watching him as well.

They were looking at him—the prospective husband of Miss Annie, the husband of the heir to the Northern Duchy.

The Duchess continued, "Of course, this is merely my personal consent. Annie's father has gone to inspect Aman City for the next few days. When he returns, you can meet and speak with him the next time you come over."

Lu Xing nodded.

The Duchess went on, "Should my husband also grant his permission for the marriage between Annie and you, I shall then have Annie go to the cathedral to pray to the Goddess and seek Her divine will. Only if the Goddess raises no objection can your marriage officially take effect."

Lu Xing gathered that ordinary believers did not require the Goddess's consent to marry, but because Annie was watched over by the Goddess, her every word and action needed divine permission—or at least a prayer to let the Goddess know.

"Madam, I still have many questions!" Lu Xing said, realizing she truly intended to marry Annie off to him.

"But they are all minor issues, are they not?"

The Duchess smiled. "From this moment on, you are Annie's prospective fiancé." She added subtly, "Annie's body cannot be casually looked upon by strange men—at least, you may be her future husband, not some arbitrary mysterious man from goodness knows where."

Lu Xing understood and smiled at the Duchess. "Annie has a good mother. Before outsiders, I will play my part well for Annie's sake and ensure neither she, you, nor the Duke are put in a difficult position!"

The Duchess said meaningfully, "Perhaps Annie will also have a good husband!"

Knowing Madam Bridget's intentions, Lu Xing finally cast aside his reservations.

Just as the Duchess had said, Annie's body could not be casually profaned by the gaze of just any man. Therefore, despite various complications, Annie's parents had weighed the matter and still decided to make Lu Xing Annie's fiancé.

A prospective fiancé.

Establish the formal title first; if marriage proved impossible in the future, it could be annulled.

"This is Januina, a loyal maid of the Swinton family."

The Duchess made a formal introduction for Lu Xing. "If you have any needs, you may speak to Januina, or have Catherine attend to matters for you. Should you wish to go out... Annie has told you all about this, hasn't she?"

Januina rose and bowed solemnly to him. Lu Xing originally intended to stand up, but Catherine pressed down on his shoulder from behind, signaling that he did not need to rise.

"She has."

Lu Xing had no choice but to reply while seated.

The Duchess smiled as well. "Then I shall say no more. As for Annie's leisure trip to Earth, I must trouble Mr. Lu Xing to take good care of her!"

"I will look after her well, Madam."

With official matters concluded, the maids began serving breakfast.

Lu Xing dined together with Madam Bridget.

"Do you intend to meet outsiders in Annie's guise?"

"Yes. After all, this concerns Annie's reputation."

"Should the Goddess not respond to Annie's prayers, it will not affect much. However, if you socialize with others in Annie's guise, you ought to learn the etiquette of a noble young lady."

"For instance?"

"Do not open your mouth wide when eating; you must always take small, dainty bites."

Madam Bridget used her fork with elegance, smiled at Lu Xing, and said, "Nobles of the Empire, regardless of gender, adore gentleness, modesty, and elegance, while abhorring barbarism and crudeness. This is precisely why elves are so sought after; anyone possessing even a trace of elven blood will be passionately pursued by the nobility."

Lu Xing raised Annie's slender, delicate fingers, looked at them, and then imitated the Duchess's movements. He scooped up only a tiny bit of pastry with his spoon and slowly, demurely placed it into his mouth.

"Pfft!"

Madam Bridget turned away and covered her mouth with a laugh. Januina, serving her, also smiled. Perceiving Lu Xing's astonishment, Januina explained, "Miss Annie rarely eats with the elegance of Madam, nor has Madam witnessed it many times."

"..."

Lu Xing glanced up at Catherine. This wicked sense of humor possessed by you maids—you must have learned it from the Duchess, didn't you?

The maid maintained a deadpan expression. "Respected Mr. Lu Xing, prospective fiancé of Miss Annie, elegance is a mandatory course in noble etiquette. Miss Annie is scheduled to attend classes at the Imperial Capital Royal Academy next year, and Madam has been fretting over her reluctance to study noble etiquette."

It wasn't that Annie refused to study; she simply refused to practice it!

And besides, just how many prefixes did you just add to my title?

The Duchess smiled. "With your help, Annie will certainly not make a fool of herself when she goes to school next year."

Lu Xing remarked, "I do not believe etiquette consists solely of elegance. Given Annie's personality, even if she displays occasional crudeness, her sincerity alone is enough to win her the affection of most people."

"Your words possess the bearing of a true noble."

The Duchess smiled and briefly explained the differences between the northern and southern regions of the Moliya Empire.

In general, elegant nobles remained far more popular.

Lu Xing might not need to care about etiquette himself, but it was best for him to understand it.

After finishing breakfast and chatting with the Duchess for a little while, Lu Xing rose to take his leave, departing alongside Catherine.

Watching him leave, Madam Bridget asked Januina, "What kind of man do you think he is?"

"A normal man."

"Hahaha, I thought you would say, 'a man punished by the Goddess'!"

Januina was a devout believer who had remained unmarried her entire life. Lu Xing had been punished by the Goddess right before her eyes, so Madam Bridget had assumed she would look unfavorably upon him.

"Madam," Januina said with a serious expression, "the Goddess is not only watching over Annie; She is watching over him as well."

Madam Bridget fell into a thoughtful silence, resolving to question Annie closely once more upon her return.