Chương 347: Chapter : 347

Ken just grabbed another cracker. He popped it into his mouth and chewed happily. He smiled a big, clueless smile. He thought he had just won a very funny argument. He thought he had successfully distracted them from the boring marriage talk. He just wanted to know what time lunch was going to be ready.

"Alright, alright, I will stop talking about your secret knight," Ken promised lazily. He slouched his shoulders again and let out a long yawn.

"But for the record, if he ever shows up, tell him to bring a pizza. I am getting very hungry." Naomi glared at him. Her face was still burning red. She crossed her arms tightly over her chest and looked away. She muttered angry, embarrassed words under her breath. The strategy room was filled with quiet, knowing smiles and suppressed laughter, while the laziest boy in the Empire continued to eat his crackers, blissfully unaware of the fierce, loyal heart he had accidentally captured.

Sayma sat in a plush velvet chair. The tea parlor was incredibly lavish. It was located right in the center of the Diamond District. Large glass windows let the bright afternoon sun shine into the room. Crystal chandeliers hung from the painted ceiling. Soft, classical music played from a string quartet in the corner. The air smelled like expensive jasmine tea and fresh baked pastries. It was a beautiful place. Sayma did not feel comfortable at all. She wore a very elegant, dark blue dress.

Her mother had sent the dress to the estate yesterday. It was made of fine silk. It fit her perfectly. She wore her thick glasses, but she had styled her dark hair neatly over her shoulders. She looked like a flawless, proper noblewoman. She looked down at the table. A small, folded letter sat next to her teacup. It was from her parents. The letter was extremely strict. Her family demanded absolute perfection today. They wanted her to impress the wealthy nobleman.

They expected her to accept the marriage proposal without a single complaint. Sayma pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. She let out a very quiet sigh. She picked up her teacup and took a small sip. The tea was warm and sweet. She set the cup back down on its saucer. She did not want to be here. She wanted to be back at the 13th Unit estate. She wanted to be sitting in the dusty strategy room. She wanted to read her tactical manuals. She missed the chaotic noise of her friends.

She missed Naomi yelling about chores. She missed Laxmi throwing small sparks of fire. She even missed Ken complaining about walking up the stairs. But she had a duty to her family name. She had to attend this meeting. She had to play the political game. A tall man walked into the tea parlor. Sayma noticed him immediately. He spoke to the hostess near the door. The hostess smiled brightly and pointed toward Sayma's table. The man nodded and walked across the room. This book is hosted on another platform.

Read the official version and support the author's work. This was Scott. Sayma observed him carefully. Her analytical mind instantly went to work. She expected a rude, arrogant snob. She expected someone like Niro or Zefar. The Inner City was full of cruel, entitled men. But Scott did not look arrogant. He looked very kind. He wore a well-tailored, light gray suit. He had neat brown hair and warm brown eyes. He walked with a calm, relaxed posture. He did not strut.

He did not look down his nose at the other customers. He simply looked like a nice, normal person. Scott reached the table. He stopped and offered a very polite, respectful bow.

"Good afternoon, Sayma," Scott said. His voice was smooth and friendly.

"It is an absolute pleasure to finally meet you. My name is Scott. Thank you so much for agreeing to see me today." Sayma stood up gracefully. She offered a polite curtsy. She kept her face perfectly composed.

"The pleasure is mine, Scott. Please, have a seat." Scott smiled warmly. He pulled out the chair across from her and sat down. He did not act overly aggressive. He did not try to intimidate her. He placed his hands neatly on the table. A waiter in a crisp white uniform walked over immediately. He handed them two fancy menus with gold lettering.

"I heard they have fantastic pastries here," Scott mentioned casually. He looked at the menu.

"My family highly recommends the vanilla cream cakes. Would you like to try one? Please, order anything you like. I am completely happy to provide the meal today." Sayma looked at the menu. The prices were astronomical. A single slice of cake cost more than most commoners made in a week. She thought about Ken. If Ken were here, he would order five slices of cake and ask for a box to take more home. The thought made a tiny, almost invisible smile touch her lips.

"A vanilla cream cake sounds wonderful," Sayma answered politely.

"Thank you." Scott smiled and placed the order with the waiter. He also ordered a pot of rare imported black tea. The waiter bowed and hurried away to fetch the food. Scott turned his attention back to Sayma. He looked at her with genuine, respectful interest.

"I have been following the news of the Succession War," Scott said. He did not sound condescending. He sounded genuinely impressed.

"Your unit has been making massive waves in the capital. The 13th Unit went from a complete underdog to a major contender. Everyone is talking about your recent victories." Sayma blinked. She felt slightly surprised. Most noblemen did not care about a woman's tactical achievements. They only cared about her appearance or her family's wealth.

"We work very hard," Sayma replied modestly. She folded her hands on her lap.

"Princess Iris is an exceptional leader. We have a very dedicated vanguard. We operate well as a team."

"You are being far too humble," Scott chuckled softly. He shook his head.

"I read the tactical breakdowns in the newspapers. The experts say the 13th Unit's defensive formations are absolutely flawless. They specifically highlighted your barrier magic. They call you the brilliant mind behind the shield. You are a master tactician, Sayma. It is incredibly impressive." Sayma pushed her glasses up. She did not know how to respond to such a sincere compliment. He was not flattering her with fake words. He had actually paid attention to her skills.

"Thank you, Scott," Sayma said quietly.

"My magical studies are very important to me." The waiter returned. He placed two beautiful slices of vanilla cream cake on the table. He poured the steaming black tea into two porcelain cups. The smell of fresh vanilla and rich tea filled the space between them. Scott picked up his small silver fork. He took a bite of his cake. He nodded in approval.

"They really are fantastic. Please, enjoy." Sayma took a small bite. The cake was incredibly soft and sweet. It melted in her mouth perfectly. It was a flawless dessert.