Lloyd held Shalria's hand and replied softly,
"Then you already are. After we eliminate Joy Boy, I will hold a grand wedding here in Mary Geoise, one unlike anything the world has ever seen."
The moment she heard those words, overwhelming joy surged through Shalria's heart. She suddenly straightened her body and leaned forward, pressing her lips against Lloyd's.
Even Lloyd had not expected Shalria to become so bold. Likewise, Shalria herself had acted on impulse. Their lips met for only a few brief seconds before they separated.
Shalria no longer dared to meet Lloyd's eyes. She remained seated on his lap, their posture intimate enough to make her entire body burn with embarrassment.
Lloyd found her current appearance surprisingly captivating. A faint smile appeared on his face as he lifted her chin with his fingers. Just as he was about to move closer once more, familiar footsteps echoed from outside.
Saint Garling had returned.
Lloyd had no interest in displaying such affection in front of his uncle. He gently patted Shalria's back.
"Get down first. Uncle Garling has returned."
Shalria had secretly been looking forward to what would happen next, but the moment she heard Garling's name, she jumped from Lloyd's lap like a startled rabbit and hurriedly straightened her somewhat disordered clothes.
Lloyd also stood and adjusted his own attire. The smooth fabric quickly returned to its perfect condition with a simple motion. He then stepped forward and carefully helped Shalria straighten her clothes as well.
As she watched Lloyd gently smooth the wrinkles from her dress, Shalria felt so happy that she almost lost herself.
"Saint Lloyd..."
Lloyd lightly flicked her forehead and smiled.
"Alright, wake up. Uncle Garling is already outside. Come greet him with me."
After speaking, Lloyd walked toward the door while Shalria hurried after him.
By the time they arrived, Garling had also reached the entrance.
Upon seeing Lloyd and Shalria together, Garling was briefly surprised.
"Saint Shalria? I saw your father on the way back. Aren't you returning with him?"
Shalria wanted to say that she intended to stay the night, but embarrassment prevented her from speaking. Fortunately, Lloyd answered in her place.
"Uncle Garling, Saint Shalria will not be returning tonight. I have arranged a room for her in my residence."
Garling was visibly surprised. Even he had not expected their relationship to progress so quickly.
He glanced at Shalria, who stood behind Lloyd with a flushed face, and a smile appeared on his own.
"Very well. Our family happens to be holding a family dinner tonight. Saint Shalria, you should join us."
Shalria's eyes widened.
"Huh? A family dinner? Me? Can I really attend?"
Lloyd lightly tapped her forehead with the back of his hand and chuckled.
"Idiot. You're already my fiancée. Why wouldn't you attend the family dinner?"
In a short span of time, Shalria had received two taps on the forehead from Lloyd. Yet instead of pain, all she felt was happiness.
She intertwined her fingers in front of her abdomen and shyly lowered her head.
"Saint Lloyd, then I'll follow your arrangements."
"Go back to my palace first. Tell Monet and the others to wait for me in the main hall."
"Okay!"
Shalria nodded repeatedly before respectfully bowing to Garling. Under his smiling gaze, she turned and quickly ran away.
After her figure disappeared from sight, Garling looked toward Lloyd.
"Lloyd, I heard you call Shalria your fiancée."
"Yes. The engagement was decided this afternoon."
"And you told her about the principal wife?"
"Yes. She has already accepted it."
Even Garling could not hide his surprise.
"That is truly rare."
After all, the woman Lloyd had chosen as his principal wife was Lucia, someone who did not possess a single drop of Celestial Dragon blood. For a pure-blooded Celestial Dragon like Shalria to willingly accept Lucia's position was enough to shock anyone.
Garling sighed softly.
"That child, Shalria. You must treat her well."
"Don't worry, Uncle Garling. I will take good care of my woman."
"It should be women, shouldn't it?"
"...Uncle Garling, there is no need to focus on those details."
Garling snorted.
"What details? Which Celestial Dragon in Mary Geoise doesn't have numerous wives and concubines? You're still far behind them."
Lloyd raised an eyebrow.
"Uncle Garling, are you saying I have too few?"
"Hmph, of course it's too few. It is rare for our family to produce someone like you who is actually interested in women. Why not have more children as soon as possible?"
"But what about the rules you mentioned before?"
Garling looked at him with disdain.
"Do those rules still matter to you? Who in Mary Geoise can restrain you now?"
Lloyd merely smiled.
He had never truly cared about those rules. The only reason he had observed them was out of respect for his uncle.
Now that Garling himself no longer objected, there was nothing left for Lloyd to worry about.
The uncle and nephew remained outside rather than entering the room. Lloyd eventually asked,
"Uncle Garling, how was your first day at Pangaea Castle?"
Garling folded his arms.
"It was merely the formal inauguration process. Though it is somewhat strange not seeing Saint Warcury."
"If you wish to see him, you can visit the Topman family's cemetery."
"I have no interest in that. However, Saint Warcury served as one of the Five Elders for centuries. Regardless of his shortcomings, he devoted much of his life to Mary Geoise. You, not I, should choose an appropriate time and send something to the Topman family as a gesture."
Lloyd nodded.
"Very well. As long as the members of the Topman family do not cause trouble like Saint Warcury did, we will not make things difficult for them."
Garling placed a hand on Lloyd's shoulder.
"Lloyd, from this day onward, you are the head of the Figarland family. The decisions belong to you."
The two exchanged smiles before walking together toward the main hall.
Inside the vast and magnificent hall, Shalria, Monet, and several other women were already waiting. In addition, numerous collateral members of the Figarland family had arrived, along with Carlos and the various division captains.
The moment Garling and Lloyd entered, everyone immediately stood.
"Family Head! Young Master!"
Garling gently patted Lloyd from behind.
Lloyd raised his hand and gestured for everyone to sit.
"Everyone, please take your seats."