Herald of Steel

Seeing the young fourteen year old lying on the royal carpet with a thin trickle of blood dripping out of her mouth as her enraged brother glared at her with unrelenting fury, Alexander's heart could not help but feel a tad bit sorry for her.

He could easily guess why she had probably done this.

She did not want to be Alexander's concubine and wished to use this incident to annul her engagement with her.

And seeing this, Alexander, being a modern man, did not launch into a torrent of rage like other men might have, but instead, could not help but sympathize with the fledgling princess.

He felt partially responsible for this and if circumstances had not called for it, Alexander surely would not have forced this fate on her.

It was because of such feelings that despite the girl's obvious attempt to anger and shame him, Alexander did not feel her punishing her in front of all these people.

Instead, to spare her from the strikes of her brother and the scorn of the entire royal court, Alexander quickly stepped in and breezily chuckled like what the young girl had done was nothing and instead commented appreciatively on her looks.

While Camelia, hearing those words somehow caused her to flinch.

Now, she did not feel overwhelmed with joy by Alexander liking her 'ugly' appearance.

Instead, she only felt disappointment and bitterness that the man had not taken the bait.

Who by now had again started to talk, still looking at her and commenting about her in a light, placid tone.

"The fact that Princess Camelia was bold enough to break tradition and show us this new type of look is really a great testament to her youth and ability to disregard old prejudices and forge new, never before paths together. I'm sure she meant nothing more by it."

"So instead of rebuking her, I believe we should all applaud her efforts. Come… *clap, *clap*, *clap*."

Toward the new haircut, Alexander managed to spew this absolute garbage of an excuse and then started to loudly smack his palms together.

And with Alexander taking the lead, the other nobles naturally had to follow suit regardless of whether they agreed or not, and thus soon the enormous halls started to ring with the jubilant pearls of applause, washing away the shock and disgust that many felt into thin air.

Or at least sink it into the depths of one's private thoughts.

Because of course long held traditions spanning multiple centuries were not simply going to dissipate just because of one nice speech.

But still, at least outwardly the court appeared to forget the incident, and seeing this complete 180 of the events, the very first reaction Philips as well as Queen Parthia was not elation at their kin being spared.

But releasing a spooky sigh that was shared with a few others in the room.

For the ease with which Alexander was able to turn the tables on such an unexpected, unfavorable turn of events, left them stunned.

With only a few words he had managed to turn himself from being made to feel embarrassed to have a very unruly consort, to making others feel like a pioneer of something revolutionary.

And with a single gesture, he had turned this 'criminal' into a celebrity,

The so very natural level of political shrewdness on display here left those able to appreciate it feeling a bit cold on their hands and feet.

These clever men were able to accurately gauge the razor sharp incisiveness of their new lord and could not help but murmur,

'I would not have been able to deal with the situation so smoothly. *Sigh*, he is no brash youngling who only knows how to win wars. He is a very dangerous politician too."

"Oh! Is that a good thing or a bad thing?'

Many were torn between feeling impressed and alarmed.

And as if to prove that they were right to feel both, as the pearls of clapping came to a close, Alexander decided to speak up again, this time his eyes a lot less mirthful as he glanced at the princess still lying on the ground.

"But I believe the princess was a bit hasty on her new look. The cuts around the edges look a bit uneven. Haha, like it was done with a fruit knife."

"Perhaps because of all the excitement she felt wishing to show it to me. That must be why she was late."

"Hemicus, please escort the esteemed lady to my room. Then send for a barber to smooth out the rough edges."

Thus, it was in such a natural way that Alexander ordered the head of his bodyguards to remove this 'eye sore for everyone' from the premises, with no muss, no fuss.

There was no shouting, no loud orders, and no angry temper tantrums to ruin the general update vibe of the party,

Instead, the command came from a very smooth transition in conversation.

The reason for Alexander's command was of course not because he found the girl unsightly.

As a modern man, this was nothing to him.

But he did it because he knew it was scandalous for all the other people here.

No one at the party really wanted to look at the princess.

A short haired woman might seem just a personal preference to us, but to the people of this time, it was the equivalent of seeing a completely naked person moving about freeing the place.

Very distasteful to look at.

Thus Alexander removed her, and in such a swift manner that Philips did not even get a small chance to step in and try and keep her with him.

The Crown Prince could only wordlessly watch as a few guards politely asked the fallen princess if she could stand up and see the girl comply with a curt nod, before following them out of the room with nary sound nor the slightest look.

She had clearly lost and knew there was nothing she could do.

While Philips, seeing his youngest sister's thin, lonely back as she left, could not help but feel melancholic.

But now that Alexander had spoken, what could he do?

And perhaps more importantly what was Alexander going to do?

Because Philips certainly did not buy Alexander's claim of liking short haired women.

And neither did the Queen Parthia.

But unlike Philips who stood there doing nothing, being a mother she decided to try and do something about it.

So hurriedly stepping up from the crowd, the woman gave a hurried bow, before claiming in a high pitched voice,

"Lord Pasha, please forgive my intrusion."

"I'm really sorry for not informing you sooner. I only found out she had done this honorific deed just before the party so could not find the appropriate time to approach you with the subject."

"I had instructed her not to attend the party and then locked her room. But she must have somehow managed to escape. I apologize. Please have mercy!"

Saying so the regal woman once again bowed in deference.

It was a move that caused many to sigh.

One because they did not think it was wise to seek Alexander's forgiveness after this grievous insult.

And two because such a move once again reinforced how they had lost the war and just how badly.

Most people here always knew the Queen to be legal and proud, never bowing her head to anyone except her king.

But here she was.

Lady Parthia's confession helped Alexander understand the reason for her pale face.

She must have been deathly scared about how she was going to even explain this to Alexander. Because surely she was not going to be able to hide it from him for any length of time.

Alexander found the entire thing a bit risible.

To him, the thing was really not a big deal.

So he chuckled, "Haha, Your Highness, you are worrying too much. This was just a harmless prank by the Princess. I have already forgotten about it."

As Alexander said, he casually brushed his hands, as if to mimic the end of discussion regarding this matter, and then quickly turned to address the gathered crowd,

"Now, let us return to the party, my lords and ladies."

And with the distraction moved, the men and women were eager to return to their food and drink, and thus this entire carfuffle that only lasted perhaps 5 to 10 minutes was quickly forgotten.

Or at the very least suppressed.

Because during one opportune moment of the party, Alexander found himself in a secluded spot with no prying ears where he instructed Philips with these simple words, "Come to my room after the party ends. We will need to discuss the matter."

It did not take a genius to guess what matter this was.

Because Alexander's tone said it all- deep, grave, and quite angry, not at all like the light tone he usually carried with himself.

For although Alexander did not show, he was certainly offended by the princess's brazen appearance.

He had no issue with short haired women, but he certainly had a problem with women who tried to humiliate him using it.

"Yes, my lord." And knowing he had to face the music, Philips's face shrunk as he squeezed out the words with great difficulty.

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