Raise Joan of Arc to be an empress, then discard her.

Despite being called the deputy head of the delegation, he didn't look like a big shot at all. He was not tall, only about 1.6 meters, about the same height as most noble ladies. He also liked to hunch over. After all the guests left, he even put his feet on the chair and shrank into it.

I always felt that even if this guy became the vice commander, he would only become a corporate slave, with dark circles under his eyes, and he always looked very tired. It seems that his future appearance has already been predetermined, and I can see decades into the future at a glance.

Hearing the vice-commander's words, Aaron had no choice but to come behind him and press his hands firmly on the vice-commander's shoulders, saying:

“My dear deputy commander, even if I were to covet someone’s position, it would never be yours. If I were to be promoted, I would become the commander directly and then command you directly, not covet your position as deputy commander. I’ve made myself so clear, haven’t I dispelled your doubts?”

Enzo still looked listless, making one wonder if he had even listened to Aaron's explanation.

“I used to think you were just trying to comfort me, but lately I feel like your words are becoming more and more ambitious,” Enzo said.

“But dear Enzo, if it weren’t for our beloved Captain Aurelia being unwell, I wouldn’t have come to this event at all.”

When the topic of work came up, both of them were exhausted, with Enzo feeling particularly overwhelmed by work lately.

*

The two left the VIP room, where people visiting the campus were already waiting outside.

Aaron glanced around and saw that the students who were there to greet him were already standing in several rows. The students in the front row had sashes around their necks and flower crowns on their heads. They would represent the students to present flowers to the knights.

All the students were dressed in formal attire and wearing scarves. The boys' hair was shiny as if it had been sprinkled with gold powder, and the girls wore light makeup. It looked like they had rehearsed for this event for a long time.

Aaron's gaze swept quickly across the students like a parent looking for their child in a crowd, finally settling on the blonde girl standing at the front.

Joan of Arc stood at the front of the students, dressed in a clean gown, her expression serene, quietly holding flowers, her smile beautiful and tranquil. She herself was like an iris displayed at the forefront.

Any adornment would be superfluous for her. Even though she had nothing superfluous on her, people still couldn't help but focus their attention on her and gossip about her. That was the saint of the Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Enzo and Aaron followed the principal one after the other on the red carpet. One of them had a blank expression, and the other simply put on a cold face. But when they saw the students' serious expressions during the inspection, they couldn't help but find it a little funny.

Just a few years ago, he was also a student at this school, but he couldn't even meet any important people, let alone participate in such activities.

However, a few years later, he went from being a student to receiving flowers, and his indifference to the event back then has turned into his current feelings.

However, upon thinking about this, Aaron also began to ponder. Based on his experience as a student, those who could present flowers as student representatives were usually the most popular stars in the school.

Joan of Arc, needless to say, was naturally popular at school due to her many accolades. However, Joan of Arc disliked being ostentatious and acted as discreetly as possible; she was not a star at school.

In Aaron's memory, the stars of the Holy Academy were usually like peacocks, always showing themselves off like a peacock spreading its tail feathers. He wondered if this year's students were like that.

While Aaron was pondering, they had already arrived before the students. Joan of Arc was the first student representative to present flowers, and the headmaster's voice rang out at the opportune moment:

"This is Joan of Arc, an outstanding student of our school. Joan of Arc has the best grades in the whole school. Not only is she the best in her studies, but she also started studying with a pastor at the Sacred Heart Church at the age of 13. She is a devout child of God, and even her teachers admire her."

During the flower-offering ceremony, Enzo, as the deputy commander, held a higher rank than Aaron and naturally stood in front of him. Logically, he should have been the first to receive the flowers. However, Aaron secretly nudged Enzo with his elbow. Enzo glanced at him, took a step back, and let him receive the flowers first.

Aaron often brought Joan of Arc to the Obsidian Knights, and their relationship was common knowledge within the order, including among Enzo.

"Dedicated to my beloved knight."

Joan of Arc tiptoed slightly and presented the flowers to Aaron. Judging from their expressions and interactions alone, one would never guess that their relationship was that of teacher and student; Joan of Arc had even made him breakfast that morning.

But only Aaron noticed that there was a small greeting card attached to the bouquet Joan of Arc handed him. Only the person receiving the flowers could see the card, which had a heart drawn by Joan of Arc on it.

They continued walking, and the principal introduced the next student.

There were four student representatives in total, two boys and two girls. Next, it was Enzo's turn to receive flowers.

But just as they started, something unexpected happened. The girl who was supposed to stay put and present flowers suddenly broke away from the group and held up a bouquet full of roses in front of Aaron. Aaron was stunned and looked at the girl behind the bouquet.

That was the second girl to present flowers. She should have been at the back of the line, but for some reason she rushed out early.

The young girl was beautiful and voluptuous, wearing a flamingo dress, her red hair piled on top of her head, and adorned with a flower crown. Her small face was proudly raised, looking directly into Aaron's eyes.

She was dressed as a noblewoman, but inside that dress was actually a little girl. Yet she possessed a pair of charming and affectionate eyes, especially when she slightly furrowed her brows and stared directly into Aaron's eyes. That feeling rushed into Aaron's mind, reminding him of a play he had seen before.

The play was called Persephone. Persephone was a carefree girl who skipped and hopped through the fields picking flowers. Butterflies and animals were her playmates. She pinned flowers to her body, danced with the butterflies, and received flower crowns woven for her by the birds. She was the most beautiful girl on earth, and even the god of the underworld coveted her beauty and wanted to take her away as his bride.

That girl later became the queen of Hades, but Aaron felt that a girl like Persephone appeared before him, just as carefree as a young girl, yet just as elegant and noble as the queen of Hades.

But aside from all that, she was actually a short girl whose figure was still developing, even though she was wearing red high heels and trying to stand on tiptoe, like a swan trying to hold her head high.

She stretched out her arms, hoping Aaron would accept the bouquet.

Clearly, no one at the scene had anticipated this situation. The girl blushed, bit her lip, and trembled slightly. Aaron had no doubt that if he didn't accept the bouquet, the girl might cry, and that inexplicable love would turn into hate.

Aaron had already guessed her identity and could tell that she had mustered up the courage to stand up and give her the flowers. She had never been rejected by anyone in her life. If Aaron rejected her here, it would be like refusing a bird's feathers that it had plucked from its body to give you, which would break the bird's heart.

Aaron accepted the bouquet of flowers and said thank you.

Aaron accepted the flowers, and the girl's furrowed brows finally relaxed. Although it wasn't good for a girl to always have a furrowed brow, she looked quite beautiful when she did, exuding a faint charm and languidness.

She was indeed just a 15-year-old girl, her emotions simply written on her face. If you rejected her, she would frown sadly; if you agreed, she would smile happily, proudly spreading her tail feathers like a peacock.

“My name is Carol Leclerc.” Aaron accepted the flowers, and the girl placed her hand on her chest as she introduced herself, her confident demeanor showing no concern that this was not the place for her to speak.

Aaron's gaze swept over the girl and noticed the group of people surrounding her, including both men and women. It seemed that this group was Carol's fan club, with both men and women being her supporters.

This reminded Aaron of the most popular type of girl in school during his student days. These girls were always surrounded by many admirers, and at dances, boys would constantly invite them to dance, but they would only accept invitations from the most outstanding boys. These girls would not tolerate anyone stealing their spotlight; they were always the center of attention.

Aaron was the type to study diligently in school. When attending dances, he would aim for the table with the most abundant food and concentrate on facing his rivals. He didn't know much about girls like that.

When Carol rushed out to present the flowers, Enzo was stunned. But when he came to his senses, his blank stare immediately turned resentful. He looked at Aaron like a wronged woman, demanding an explanation from Aaron.

But Aaron had no time to pay attention to the complaining woman beside him, because Carol parted her red lips and said to him, "The Midsummer Night's ball is about to begin, and I haven't found a dance partner yet, but accepting this bouquet is the same as accepting an invitation to the Midsummer Night's ball."

"An invitation to the ball?"

Not only Aaron, but everyone present was stunned, including the leaders.

Even at the free-spirited White Tower Holy Academy, the school would never make such an arrangement, having students invite knights; it was all Carol's own doing.

The vice-principal said sternly, "At the Midsummer Night's Ball, students can only invite other students. How could Carol possibly invite a knight?"

Carol shook her head: "Students can only invite other students because they cannot invite teachers. But Lord Aaron is different. He was once a student at this school, not a teacher, so he can."

The vice-principal was stunned, not expecting Carol to be so eloquent. Aaron was also stunned, not expecting Carol to know so much about him and even that he had studied at the White Tower Holy Academy.

The vice principal said firmly, "Still not. How can a girl from the school invite a boy from outside the school to the dance? What kind of behavior is this? Carol, you're so young, and you're already inviting a man from outside the school to the dance. Aren't you ashamed?"

Chapter 22 The Ball

The vice principal's words were so forceful that even those listening nearby felt his attitude was too harsh. It seemed he was really going all out to stop this farce. Although the other party was a student, she was also the daughter of a duke. By speaking like this in public, the vice principal was clearly risking offending the duke.

Carol looked coldly at the vice-principal: "If a girl were to casually invite a man from outside the school, she might feel ashamed, but Lord Aaron is different, because Lord Aaron—"

Aaron's eyes widened, but it was too late; Carol had already said, "Lord Aaron, you are my fiancé!"

These words caused an uproar not only among the students but also among the adults present. People immediately shifted their attention from Carol to Aaron.

"Such a young child is engaged to Aaron?"

"No, Carol is already fifteen years old, she's old enough to get engaged..."

“Aaron is also very young...they...maybe they really do have this relationship…”

Joan of Arc was stunned, as if a storm had suddenly struck her brain. Before this, she had no idea about it... she didn't know that her teacher was engaged to someone, and to someone her own age...

Noble marriages were extremely powerful in feudal times and were protected by all traditional powers, from the king to the church. Therefore, when Carol mentioned the marriage, the vice-principal was stunned. She opened her mouth and couldn't say a word for a long time.

If Aaron really is Carol's fiancé, then Carol certainly has the right to invite Aaron to the ball and dance with her fiancé, and no one can say anything about it.

It turns out that Carol is such a strong-willed girl. She actually dared to say this fact directly in front of countless teachers and students, and then face a storm of stares.

After saying this, Carol looked directly into Aaron's eyes, wanting to know his answer, but Aaron smiled and said, "But I also accepted that classmate's flowers, so I have to dance with her first."

Everyone was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter. Indeed, if accepting the bouquet was equivalent to accepting the invitation to the ball, as Carol had said, then Aaron would have to dance with Joan of Arc first.

Many people didn't expect that Joan of Arc would then say, "Of course, I also have no dance partner, and I would like to invite Lord Aaron as well."

The laughter stopped, and everyone looked at Joan of Arc in surprise, but Joan of Arc's expression remained calm.

"She doesn't have a dance partner?" someone whispered.

How could a girl like Joan of Arc not have any men inviting her out? Countless men in the school wanted to invite her, even hoping that she would take pity on them and accept their invitations, but in the end, Joan of Arc rejected countless boys, broke the hearts of countless boys, and ultimately did not accept any invitations from anyone.

There was a bet at school that Joan of Arc was unaware of, betting on whose invitation Joan of Arc would ultimately accept. However, the bet fell through because even the most well-informed students didn't know who would become Joan of Arc's dance partner.

Unbeknownst to them, Joan of Arc had refused all invitations and remained alone until the day of the Midsummer Night's Ball.

Aaron's response and Joan of Arc's reply made it seem like the matter could be resolved as a joke. However, when Aaron looked at Carol, he found that Carol was looking around, her alluring eyes sparkling, as if hiding tears.

Carol wasn't as strong as she appeared. Perhaps all these actions had already taken a huge toll on her courage, but now that Aaron had rejected her, the fifteen-year-old girl seemed to be caught in a dilemma, unsure of what to do.

When she bit her lip and furrowed her brows in a resentful manner, her tearful eyes appeared even more sorrowful.

Most people would feel sorry for him if they saw those eyes, but Aaron didn't intend to do anything. Just then, Carol said angrily, "Jeanne's bouquet was supposed to be given to him, but you didn't accept the flowers in order. I should have been the one to invite you."

Her voice was crisp and clear, and her tone was very serious, but no one responded to her. The order of flower presentation wasn't important to anyone; only children would care about such things.

“In that case, give me that bouquet of flowers. I can be her dance partner.” Enzo came up with a good idea and was about to accept the flowers from Aaron.

Aaron: "Don't even think about it."

Enzo: "???"

Carol seemed to finally understand something, and sneered: "As expected of Lord Aaron, to accept the invitation of two girls at the Midsummer Night's Ball. In history, there should be no one as bold as Lord Aaron."

Aaron: "???"

Before Aaron could react, Carol said coldly, "Alright then, since Lord Aaron has the guts, let's do it this way. Lord Aaron, just accept their invitations. I won't lose to that girl."

After saying this, Carol lifted her skirt, curtsied to Aaron and everyone else, and then turned and left. Regardless of anything else, the way she turned and left was just like that of a dignified noblewoman, like her mother.

As Carol left, Aaron saw a group of servants and a chubby boy in a dark blue tailcoat chasing after her. Seeing that he couldn't catch up, the chubby boy turned back and eagerly approached Aaron.

“I am Dylan Lovelesh. My grandmother was married to Duke Augustine’s great-uncle, and I am Miss Carol’s cousin.”

The chubby boy was wearing a tuxedo with a bow tie, and his honest face was full of smiles. He looked polite and spoke quite elegantly.

Earlier, Dylan and Carol's servants were standing together. Aaron thought that Dylan was also a servant or a boy who admired Carol, but he did not expect that the other party was Carol's cousin.

However, because their kinship was already very shallow, in Carol's eyes, the other party was first and foremost the son of a minor nobleman of low status, and only secondly a very distant relative. That is why Dylan was so eager to face Carol.

But Aaron learned that after Dylan's father died, he inherited his father's baronial title and was now Baron Dylan.

Dylan looked at Aaron and said cautiously, "Um... my dear cousin-in-law?"

Aaron felt a chill run down his spine and said to Dylan, "Don't call me that."

Dylan nodded quickly: "It was my fault, it was my fault."

Then, seemingly realizing that Carol had already run far away, he panicked, politely removed his hat to bid farewell to Aaron, and followed his servant to chase after Carol.

*