Villain: After I died, all the heroines cried themselves to sleep.

When Rhodes and his two companions arrived at the palace gates, the place was already packed with people and vehicles, making it impossible to move.

Besides the imperial noble families, one can also see envoys from other countries.

Following the flow of people into the palace, we soon arrived at a magnificent banquet hall.

Maids came out of the banquet hall to greet the guests and led them into the venue in an orderly manner.

The hall was brightly lit by the crystal chandelier on the dome, with its carved railings and painted beams. Various delicacies and fine wines were displayed on the tables, and the aroma of the food and wine filled the air, making the guests' mouths water.

"Is this the extravagance of the empire? It is my honor to attend this banquet!"

The envoys from some small countries praised it humbly.

Before the Empress arrived, the guests began to chat amongst themselves.

As the head of a declining family, Rod inevitably had to participate in some social interactions.

Fortunately, his persona is that of an arrogant nobleman who doesn't smile, so he only needs to deal with families he has done business with before.

"Professor Rhodes, it's wonderful to hear you've returned from your disappearance."

"Professor, do you have any plans to reopen your course? I have a good-for-nothing daughter who has always admired your courses and wants to become your student."

"Professor Rhodes, may I ask how to address these two beautiful ladies beside you?"

Faced with the crowd's questions, Rod calmly and composedly answered them one by one.

However, before he could answer the last question, someone else had already answered it first.

"I am Rod's fiancée."

Ange gave a noble smile, took Rod's arm, and quietly pulled him closer.

"I am Old... Rod's lover."

Luna, not to be outdone, forced a smile and clung tightly to Rod's other arm.

"..."

The surrounding guests looked at each other in bewilderment.

This world does not practice monogamy. It is common for heirs of declining families like Rhodes, who have only one son, to marry multiple wives to have more children.

But everyone's eyes aren't blind, so they can naturally see that Ange and Luna are vying for each other's affections.

This situation is more difficult to handle.

Even if a clever nobleman takes multiple wives, he will not truly commit to them, and noblemen who do commit to them generally do not have a good ending.

Many noble and wealthy families have suffered massacres because of this.

The most famous case is the dismemberment of Count Ito.

In addition, during Professor Rhodes's disappearance, there were rumors that he was killed by his lover and that his body was taken away.

"Hehe...Indeed, Professor, as the sole heir of the family, you should also consider marriage and having children. Congratulations on finding your fiancée, and I wish you a happy marriage in the future."

Everyone offered their congratulations in an awkward manner.

Some of them seemed to recognize Anjie, but they didn't want to say much about the affairs of the three major families.

Hearing the congratulations around him, Rod initially wanted to clarify.

Unfortunately, his arm was being held tightly, and the force was continuing to increase.

He glanced at Ange and Luna out of the corner of his eye.

The two appeared to be smiling, but their bodies emanated a terrifying and viscous aura.

After thinking about it, Rhodes gave up struggling.

Anyway, he doesn't dislike either of them.

Although Rhodes had previously only regarded Ange and Luna as his disciples.

But after spending these three months together, I felt the deep affection that the two of them had for me.

Rod's mindset also gradually changed.

After exchanging pleasantries with everyone, Rod took Ange and Luna away from the social circle.

"Is the teacher worried that I might meet with my family and cause unpleasantness?"

Ange keenly sensed Rod's thoughts.

A meaningful smile crept onto her lips.

"Actually, you don't need to worry. I've already gone back to my family and explained things to them. They've also promised not to interfere in my life anymore."

There's no need to invite unnecessary trouble.

Rhodes shook his head.

Tonight's purpose is not with the three major families, so it's best not to get too involved.

Rhodes and his two companions arrived at the edge of the banquet hall.

Unfortunately, I ran into an old acquaintance.

"Professor Rhodes?"

Professor Moya raised his eyebrows in surprise.

Seeing Rhodes was not surprising, but seeing Angela and Luna intimately embracing Rhodes's arm was something that could not help but surprise her.

Ange and Luna both have a crush on Professor Rhodes, and she had been aware of it for a long time.

But judging from the current trend, it seems like it's about to be put on the table?

"Hmph, Professor Rhodes, as a colleague, I suggest you act with caution."

"Professor Moya, I will carefully consider your suggestion."

Rhodes nodded.

Professor Moya narrowed his eyes slightly upon hearing this.

"Professor Rhodes, your abilities in scholarship and education are indeed top-notch, but you are indecisive and disappointing in your private life. Don't forget, you have two and a half students."

"Professor Moya, I have my own ideas about these matters."

Rod said confidently.

He certainly understood Professor Moya's implied meaning.

But since he had chosen the path of not abandoning anyone, even if the road ahead was a hellish hell, he could only grit his teeth and persevere.

"Compared to my private life, Professor Moya, as Her Majesty's teacher, should be more concerned about Her Majesty."

Rhodes promptly changed the subject.

"I should be the one saying this to you."

Professor Moya scoffed.

The two were talking.

Suddenly.

A commotion erupted in the banquet hall.

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw a servant announcing it loudly.

"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived!"

The dazzling lights shone like stars.

The Empress, dressed in a magnificent gown and wearing a crown adorned with countless jewels, walked out gracefully down the red carpet, head held high, accompanied by her maids.

Unlike his languid demeanor when he met with Rhodes in private.

At this moment, the Empress was dignified and composed, looking down at everyone with an air of superiority. The invisible aura she exuded instantly silenced the entire banquet hall.

Many guests bowed their heads in awe, their faces covered in cold sweat.

The Queen casually glanced at everyone in the banquet hall, her gaze lingering on Rhodes for only a fleeting, almost imperceptible moment, before speaking coldly.

"Let's continue the banquet."

After saying that, she sat down on the throne without saying a word.

Only then did everyone breathe a sigh of relief.

"Her Majesty's majesty is becoming more and more terrifying every day."

Some people wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads and whispered among themselves.

The empress had once massacred the entire royal family, establishing her formidable and fearsome reputation.

Her radical actions in recent years have thoroughly ingrained her cruelty and capriciousness in people's minds.

Even though I'm filled with fear, I won't skip anything that needs to be done.

Representatives from various families and envoys from other countries took turns stepping forward, showering the Queen with praise and gifts, doing everything they could to please her.

The Empress remained extremely indifferent.

Even when Rhodes presented the gift on behalf of the family, her expression remained calm, no different from how she treated everyone else.

However, some foreign envoys, who seemed to have offended the Queen, took the opportunity to plead for her forgiveness.

As a result, they were ruthlessly kicked out of the banquet.

On the other side, after presenting his gift, Rhodes was pulled by his two disciples to enjoy the banquet.

"Teacher, this dessert is so delicious, you should try some!"

Luna ate the dessert at the banquet with a satisfied look on her face, then scooped up a spoonful and handed it to Rhodes to taste.

"Teacher, this is a royal-supplied red wine; it tastes very good."

Ange took a small sip of red wine and handed the glass to Rod.

If the two weren't secretly competing, even if Rhodes maintained a serious demeanor on the surface, he would probably still be happy inside.

Unfortunately, it's not advisable.

"teacher……"

"teacher……"

The soft whispers of Ange and Luna could be heard constantly in my ears.

Rhodes watched as the two became increasingly engrossed, and he found himself unable to extricate himself, leaving him both amused and exasperated.

At this time.

Rescue forces arrived.

The queen's head maid quietly approached Rhodes.

"Professor Rhodes, His Majesty invites you to the inner court for a discussion later."

It's time to come.