"Sorry, Nerissa. I keep breaking my promises to you, again and again," Felix said.

Inside the courtyard, Nerissa sat beside Felix, gently shaking her head. "Don't say that. The royal family is watching from the shadows. Until this crisis is resolved, we won't have a moment of peace.

Felix knew how understanding she was. He reached out and brushed her cheek, his gaze full of warmth.

"By the way, still no news from Westley?"

"Yeah. He's probably dead by now."

Her words were blunt, but after nearly two years without any news, death was the most likely reality.

Fortunately, Felix had emerged as her husband, or Westley, the patriarch of the Xavier family, would have been unable to hold his position any longer. However, with the royal family problem still unresolved, there was still an uneasy sense of impending disaster.

"Felix, your first guest has arrived."

From outside, Deborah's voice came through.

Felix rose, bringing Nerissa along. Since he was now in open conflict with the ro