You are all my wings!

"Your Highness's body has been tempered through countless trials, slaying countless demons and making so many contributions to the peace of the kingdom. Such a body, even if not a work of art, is enough to earn my respect. If it were someone else, committing all kinds of evil, then no matter how beautiful they were, they would be like a flower in hell, beautiful but repulsive. Your Highness's character is so noble, and your body is so beautiful, how could I not like it?"

Lyon said this in a calm tone.

At this time, you can't be exaggerated; the more down-to-earth your tone, the more authentic it will feel.

[Character Ophimosa's affinity +3%, current affinity 56%]

Wow, this time the price has increased a bit more.

Based on Lyon's experience, similar compliments usually only increase the score once in the same scenario, so it's amazing that they increased it twice this time.

Of course, this doesn't mean that there are any special limitations in a particular scenario. Rather, people have an excitement threshold. Unless they encounter some particularly extreme situation, if their liking for someone increases once before a scenario or event ends, it generally won't increase again.

Even in a past life, the favorability rating that had just risen could suddenly plummet because of some trivial matter, which could lead a fairy to judge it as infatuation.

Of course, Leon couldn't have seen the favorability rating in his previous life; he could only make such a judgment by observing people's expressions and demeanor.

Ophimosa's eyelids twitched, and she turned to look at Timia:

"It seems that, as you said, Leon Belon is a smooth talker."

Timia giggled:

“I didn’t criticize him for being glib. I even like it when he’s a little glib with me. It must feel wonderful. I remember he was quite cold to me last time.”

Without batting an eye?

Upon hearing this word, Ophimasso fell into thought.

A moment later, she looked at Lyon again:

"I'm asking you, Lyon Berlón, what do you think of me?"

This problem...

Something seems off.

Lyon's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that Ophimasso was starting to consider the possibility of marrying him because of the influence of royal rules?

From the results, this is a positive development.

After all, the fact that she was willing to consider this issue meant that the risk of Leon being beheaded would be greatly reduced.

But if they were to actually get married, that would be unacceptable to Lyon.

Once you get married, you can no longer use the excuse of being single to woo all the female leads!

Given the strict rules of the royal family, he would definitely face various restrictions after entering.

By now, he has already benefited from the high favorability ratings of the female protagonists and villains.

Putting aside the fact that quests are easier to trigger, the Purification Mode and Sharing Mode obtained by reaching a 90% or higher affinity with Iris Magiru also greatly help with magic learning!

How can something like this be limited to just one person, Ophimosa?

We can't sacrifice the whole forest for one tree!

A big idea flashed through Lyon's mind in an instant.

How can I avoid punishment and being forced into marriage?

"What, is it hard to answer the question of what you think of me?"

Ophimosa frowned and asked.

"Your Highness is very good. I admire and like you very much for your character and everything about you."

Lyon answered immediately.

It's like walking a tightrope right now; we need to save our lives first...

"Very good, tell me in detail what makes me good, and what do you know about me that makes you think I'm good?"

"Ophimasso said slowly."

Beside her, Timia couldn't help but laugh. Although I like your glib tongue, Orpheus hates these exaggerated and false compliments the most.

If it's just hearsay and casual talk, that will definitely be a big turn-off.

"Then let me tell you what I know. It should have been about ten years ago when Your Highness concealed your identity and joined the relatively unknown Fierce Bow Adventurer Guild in the capital. At first, they didn't know your identity and just thought you were someone from the countryside. Hey, Your Highness's ability to disguise yourself was already quite impressive back then. I was quite surprised when I first heard about it..."

Lyon began recounting Ophie Marceau's various famous achievements since her debut, as if she knew them by heart.

From the beginning of her career, Orpheus recounted every major and minor event she experienced each year, as long as it was spread by bards, detailing its origins and what she did, as if she were telling a story she had witnessed herself.

Actually, this is information from the expansion pack that every female protagonist has.

As a top-tier player, how could Lyon not be familiar with the game?

But when all of this reached the ears of Ophimasso and Timia, it was a completely different story.

The more Lyon spoke, the more Ophie Marceau's expression changed.

Timia was also very surprised, her gaze constantly shifting between Ophimasso and Leon.

No way, no way? Leon has been following the Saintess, yet he knows so much about Orpheus?

No, it's because he hangs out with the Saintess that he knows so much about Orpheus.

But at this point, the conflict between the two had not yet become public. Would Leon have investigated to this extent in advance?

Or perhaps Lyon himself greatly admired Orpheus?

Timia couldn't describe her feelings; they were very complicated—a mixture of joy and jealousy.

"Thank you for your words; they helped me make up my mind."

At this moment, Ophimasso took a step forward, approached Lyon, and slowly said:

"Marry me, Leon Belon."

[Character Ophimosa's affinity +3%, current affinity 59%]

Chapter 217 At the very least, you should kiss him once a day.

silence.

Timia glanced at Ophimaso in surprise. How dare she! Did she even realize what her words meant?

Lyon was speechless. Should he say he disagreed?

"Has Your Highness considered the weight of those words?"

Ophimasso nodded without hesitation: "I have thought it over carefully."

"Does Your Highness really think I'm capable?"

"can."

"How can that be done?"

"Undeniably, you are the most charming man I have ever met. You also possess an outstanding mind, a calm demeanor, a cautious yet bold approach to things, have done things that benefit the country, and saved my life. You are worth the price of marriage for me."

Ophimosa spoke, then paused to ponder:

"But most importantly, you said you liked me and easily told me about my past, which proves that you were not lying. Many people's liking is based on physiology and desire, not on personality."

This guy was analyzing things with a very serious expression, almost like someone analyzing a battle plan.

Leon also roughly understood Ophie Marceau's inner thoughts and guessed that she must have struggled with this for quite some time.

But in any case, the goodwill points I had accumulated before should have been helpful.

Otherwise, she wouldn't even have considered getting married.

Hmm, it seems we've overlooked a key word...

The phrase "worth paying the price of marriage" implies two possible subtexts.

One reason is that she felt marrying Leon was an extra cost.

Both refer to her view that all marriages involving her come at an additional cost.

Based on her previous self-praise, it's clear that she doesn't think marrying herself is a bad thing.

So the answer is the latter; she believes that everything related to her marriage is bad.

In other words, although she wanted to marry him, she actually had some resistance to marriage.

Or perhaps in her mind, marriage is a serious waste of her time.

This reminded Leon that in his previous life, Ophim Marceau had expressed her disdain for matters between men and women on several occasions.

It turned out to be the case.

In an instant, Lyon understood many things and said:

"Your Highness, you don't actually like marriage, and you even strongly resist it, don't you?"

Ophim Marceau was startled and looked up at Lyon with surprise.

Her resistance to marriage was something she had never revealed to anyone.

Although many of her subordinates had heard her critical remarks on various occasions, they all assumed that she would definitely get married.

As the second in line to the throne, how could he not leave behind his own offspring?

[Character Ophimosa's affinity +2%, current affinity 61%]

The moment Leon noticed the information on the panel, he knew he had guessed correctly.

Ophim Marceau stared at Lyon and slowly asked, "How did you figure that out?"

"How I figured it out is not important, Your Highness."

Lyon smiled:

"The more important question is, does Your Highness really want to do something so despicable for the sake of someone as insignificant as me?"

"What do you mean?"

Ophimosa frowned.

“What I mean is, if Your Highness is only marrying me in name only, then I think it would be better to flee to a country outside of humanity. Anyway, once we are out of the control of humans, no matter how far the king’s reach is, he can’t control whether I want to marry Your Highness or not, right? And Your Highness said before that, considering my kindness and achievements, you won’t cut off my head, right?”

Lyon said slowly.

It's hard to say whether he was using a strategic retreat as a means of advancement, or if that's what he really thought.

As a seasoned con artist, sometimes even he himself doesn't understand whether some of his words truly come from his heart.

A marriage in name only?

Ophimosa murmured the words to herself, then couldn't help but chuckle:

"What a charade of a marriage of convenience! Didn't you always say you liked me?"

Although it was a question, Ophimasso did not seem unhappy.

What's so funny about her?

"Your Highness, liking something doesn't mean you have to possess it."

Lyon said:

"Moreover, a marriage between people who don't like each other is like undercooked roast meat—either crispy on the outside and raw on the inside, or completely burnt. Is there really any point in continuing such an unpalatable marriage?"

Ophimosa narrowed her eyes slightly: "So, you think that being with me will make you unhappy?"

"No, I will definitely be very happy."

Leon is lying through his teeth:

"But I'm afraid Your Highness will become unhappy."

Ophimasso was startled.

[Character Ophie Marceau's affinity +1, current affinity 62%]

Hey, my favorability rating has gone up again.

Because it's a special event, does that mean you can just say anything and it will go up in price?

Or was it his acting skills combined with his self-confidence that enhanced his persuasiveness?