Chapter 102: Showing Assertiveness and Intelligence (1)

Four meters away from where Nolan and Allen were clashing, Orlan, Syra, and Alicia stood watching the scene with curious eyes.

"My dear, is it really okay to leave Prince Nolan on his own?" Syra asked hesitantly, turning to her husband. "Aren’t you going to step in and help him?"

Orlan remained composed, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Gently patting Alicia’s head beside him, he replied calmly, "Don’t worry, Syra. I’m sure Prince Nolan will be fine. Allen Ashvale is no match for him. Trust me—he’ll deal with Allen swiftly and without mercy."

Having witnessed firsthand just how intelligent and cunning Nolan could be, Orlan never once doubted him.

Allen didn’t concern him in the slightest. Even if the Duke of Ashvale himself were standing in Allen’s place, Orlan was confident Nolan would still come out on top.

This wasn’t blind faith—it was the result of careful observation and analysis over the past few days.

Moreover, he possessed sharp intuition—a sense that allowed him to anticipate what was to come.

And right now, that intuition was screaming: Nolan would utterly crush Allen in the very near future.

Seeing her husband’s certainty, Syra chose not to press the issue further.

Still, the worry in her eyes remained—anxious and uncertain about what might happen to Nolan.

And they weren’t the only ones watching. Just three meters away, Aston and Ena were also observing the scene closely.

Both of them continued watching with curiosity—especially Aston, who recalled Orlan’s earlier praise of Nolan.

I wonder if Prince Nolan really is as impressive as Orlan claims,

Aston muttered, narrowing his eyes.

He knew Orlan well, and this was the first time he’d ever heard him speak so highly of someone.

Aston wanted to see for himself whether that praise was truly deserved. If not, then Orlan had made a rare misjudgment.

But if it was... then Aston would finally make the decision he’d been contemplating for the past few days.

"So, that’s the Nolan Lorian the little girl was talking about, huh?"

From behind one of the pillars, a young woman peeked out, her eyes fixed on Nolan with keen curiosity.

She had yellow-gold hair styled in a half-up, half-down arrangement—a look that suited her perfectly.

Tall and slender, her figure was both graceful and alluring, with well-proportioned curves that would draw the gaze of any man.

She wore a striking red gown crafted from the finest materials, its beauty undeniable at a glance.

Long sleeves reached her wrists, adorned with delicate, translucent lace that added a touch of softness to her poised and confident air.

A satin ribbon tied neatly at her waist emphasized her elegant silhouette.

The open-shoulder design revealed her smooth, pale skin and slender neck, adorned with a fine, jeweled necklace that sparkled faintly in the light.

Her light green eyes shimmered—captivating and mysterious, as if capable of enchanting anyone who met them.

Unfortunately, a half-face mask hid much of her beauty, but even so, anyone who saw her could tell she was an exceptionally beautiful woman.

"He really is as handsome as the little girl said," she murmured sincerely.

However, looks alone meant nothing to her. What truly mattered was character—and she didn’t yet know what kind of man Nolan was.

Did he live up to the rumors, or was the truth something entirely different?

That was why she chose to watch more closely—to see how he would handle this situation.

"Why are you so quiet, Nolan Lorian? What’s your answer to my offer?" Allen asked, his tone casual, though the mockery beneath it was unmistakable.

Under the gaze of the curious crowd, Nolan remained composed, completely unfazed by the provocation.

As a servant passed by with a tray of wine glasses, Nolan casually took one and took a slow sip.

A bitter taste, tinged with a hint of sweetness, spread across his tongue. Subconsciously, a faint smile formed on his lips as he looked at Allen with relaxed indifference.

"You want my answer? Fine. I refuse," he said coolly. "Did you really think I was stupid enough to fall for that?"

He rolled his eyes and took another sip of wine.

His response caught many by surprise.

Most had expected Nolan to accept. But they had clearly misjudged him.

Allen, too, seemed momentarily stunned—though he quickly masked his expression.

With a faint smile still on his lips, Allen said, "Are you sure you want to refuse? Don’t rush your decision. If your sister gains my family’s support, her chances of winning will skyrocket. So think it over."

Nolan let out a soft chuckle, followed by a sigh. "Allen Ashvale, tell me—has a life of comfort made you this arrogant... or just plain stupid?"

The insult struck like a whip, and Allen froze for a moment before his face flushed with rage.

"Nolan Lorian, mind your words," he snapped, his voice laced with cold fury.

But Nolan didn’t so much as flinch. He blinked lazily and replied, "No offense—just stating the truth. You really are a fool, Allen Ashvale."

Allen’s anger flared again, but before he could respond, Nolan continued, "You’re arrogant and full of yourself. You assume everyone else is beneath you. That’s your fatal flaw. Just because you’re the heir to the Ashvale family, you think every decision rests in your hands? It doesn’t."

"That so-called promise of support for Elina? It’s nothing more than empty words. Everyone knows it. Or am I wrong?"

Allen faltered, a flicker of shame crossing his face. But he quickly recovered and let out a cold scoff. "Empty words? I’m the heir of the Ashvale family. My decisions are my father’s. How could you fail to understand something so obvious?"

In the Great Velmora Empire, the heir to a noble house typically did possess the authority to wield family power and make critical decisions on their behalf.

Of course, each family had its own policies. But generally speaking, that was how things worked.

The heads of the noble families who heard the statement nodded in agreement.

No matter what decision Allen made, he was still the heir of the Ashvale family—and that meant his choices reflected on the entire household.

However, Nolan’s next words plunged the surroundings into stunned silence. All eyes turned to him, their faces a mixture of shock and disbelief—some even tinged with horror.

"You’re right... but that only applies if you’re the sole heir, doesn’t it?" Nolan glanced at him with a mocking smirk.

Allen’s eyes widened. He stared at Nolan, confused and on guard.

"What do you mean? I am the only heir to the Ashvale family!" he snapped.

"Heh... Are you that certain?" Nolan let out a quiet chuckle. "Then tell me—what about your older sister, Margaretta Ashvale? Or do you not consider her a threat?"

The moment those words were spoken, Allen stepped back, his face draining of color. He pointed at Nolan with a trembling hand.

"Y-You... how do you know about that?"