Chapter 767
The Black Gang was annihilated in one swift move, expanding the nation's territory by a third, and the entire country celebrated.
The royal family was in high spirits, singing and dancing, creating a festive atmosphere.
Isabella hosted a banquet in the main hall of the palace, with Leonardo as the only guest.
"I'm curious about your plans, Mr. Windsor," Isabella said with a smile.
Ivan replied calmly, "Return to where I originally belong."
Isabella looked at him and hesitantly asked, "And where is that supposed to be?"
"Perhaps we could discuss the future development of the Hinterlands, Your Majesty?" Ivan subtly shifted the topic. He couldn't reveal his origins, his family, his wife, and his children to anyone else, given his highly sensitive current identity.
""The Hinterlands have been in turmoil for three or four decades, and numerous deep-rooted problems cannot be solved overnight. So, I plan to temporarily designate the Hinterlands as a separate region, governed by its own laws and policies," Isabella elaborated on her political views. Then, she suddenly changed the subject. "I lack a capable assistant. Would you be willing to stay and assist me for a while, Mr. Windsor?"
Ivan shook his head indifferently. "I have more important things to do."
Disappointment clouded Isabella's eyes.
She lowered her gaze and took a sip of wine. After a long pause, she looked up and continued, "More important than your career—your family? Wife? Children?"
Seventeen-year-old Princess Aurora Fairfax, sitting next to Isabella, frowned slightly.
Her mother wasn't usually one to pry into others' personal affairs. 'Why is she so insistent today?'
Aurora looked up at her mother and suddenly froze.
In Isabella's always noble, elegant, calm, and composed eyes, there was a look of something akin to infatuation.
Aurora had only seen this look on her father's death anniversary each year.
Her heart suddenly skipped a beat.
Before Ivan could speak, Aurora clutched her stomach and said, "Mom, my stomach hurts. Can you help me back to my room?"
Isabella, wanting to compose herself, apologized to Ivan and then helped Aurora to the bedroom.
Isabella covered Aurora with a light blanket and said softly, "I'll go find the doctor."
"Momr." Aurora grabbed her hand. "Leonardo looks at most thirty years old. He's too young, not suitable."
Isabella's face instantly turned cold. "Do you know what you're saying?"
"I'm not a clueless little girl. I've been in many relationships. The way you look at Leonardo is like a girl in love. Mom, you're so much older than him. It's impossible between you two, and he doesn't want to stay anyway," Aurora said firmly, her lips pressed tightly together. "He's helped you achieve a once-in-a-century feat. Please, don't make things difficult for him."
"Don't talk nonsense!" Isabella scoffed coldly. "I'm forty-three years old and have never thought of loving someone else, nor will I ever remarry. He just looks too much like your father. As long as he stays to work for me, as long as I can see him every day, I won't be too lonely in the future."
She coldly stared at Aurora. "You rest well and stop overthinking it."
Isabella walked out of the bedroom, gently shaking the small medicine bottle in her sleeve.
When she returned to the dining table, she had regained her usual elegance and nobility. "I hope I didn't keep Mr. Windsor waiting too long."
Ivan glanced at his watch and said, "It's getting late. I'll take my leave now."
"Are you sure you won't reconsider staying?" Isabella asked with a graceful smile. "I can offer you a position in the cabinet."
"I'm not very interested in that. You should find someone else, Your Majesty."
"Then let me toast to you one last time," Isabella said, standing up and handing him a glass of champagne.
Ivan took the glass, gently clinked it against Isabella's, and then drank half of it in one gulp.
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