The princess called up one of the attendants and asked about Tommy. The man quickly brought up a list. Everything about the Snowdrifts and those of import in the guild had been well documented.

Naturally, information on Tommy is included.

When the princess found out that he is sixteen and already an Entry SS Cultivator, she looked at him with disbelief.

Those scrawny limbs and whiskerless chin belong to a Double S ranker?!

Not just his cultivation. This boy… man, is a Great General whose first promotion trial landed him a hundred thousand soldiers and his second promotion trial at the battle for the Ku Kang Plateau won him another hundred thousand.

His title as the assistant guild master of the Snowdrifts is equally prestigious.

By now, the Snowdrifts is no longer a simple guild but a powerhouse that is equal to any small nation.

It may be small, but the Snowdrifts could match up against titans like the Silent Lambs Empire. Maybe not in direct conflict, but they have no problem to force a giant to bow down with the right tools.

This does not mean they do not have what it takes to clash with armies. Having proved themselves against the Ku Kang camp, the Snowdrifts may be greater than Logres in military might. All they lacked is a defensible position like Avalon.

The deeds that Tommy achieved are renowned as well. Taking on a hundred thousand enemies in one go and forcing them to concede is something that not many cultivators can accomplish.

Considering his age, cultivation stage, title, and accomplishments, Tommy is indeed far better than any other person the princess had met.

If only his looks are just as exceptional.

The princess Luftie laid her eyes to scrutinise Tommy for the first time.

The lad’s features are heavyset and sharp but gentle and refined. There is no respectable beard or moustache like the other guys she is so used to seeing, making his chin look like a woman’s.

Nor is his skin toughened by the harsh winter winds. If he went on a hunt, the fast gales may disfigure his girly smooth skin.

Any other girl will fall for his good looks, but here at Avalon, Tommy is like an unflavoured beverage lacking in taste.

Princess Luftie believes herself to not be a shallow woman, but this is an exchange without any relationship foundation.

She wants her man to win other men at everything. That means, she would rather Tommy is only S rank but two and a half metres tall and looks like a bear.

This is how all people are. On a white sheet of paper, if there is a blemish spot, no one will mention how much space is usable and stare at the only unwanted part.

This is especially true for Luftie when her first impression of Tommy had already been ruined.

She thought to herself, at least she could pull sufficient support from the Snowdrifts to retake the north if she marries Tommy and chided herself to relent.

Bearing such thoughts, she opened her mouth, “Sir Tommy, I can accept your marriage proposal, but you must pass my tests.”

“Nonsense,” the king chided, “for Sir Tommy to be beholden with you is an honour.”

Lufter knows that Logres’ plight is dire. If the country hides in Avalon, they could be safe, but they will never be able to safely step out of this valley, much less retake the north. The Snowdrifts’ willingness to become their ally is their chance. They can only accept it gratefully or decline respectfully to wait for another proposal.

To set conditions for the other party will only cause every king and emperor on Gaia to laugh at how churlish and ballooned they are.

Unexpectedly, Tommy seemed willing to negotiate and asked, “What kind of tests do you have in mind?”

The princess paused for thought then said, “Three things. You need to prove yourself capable of leading an army, manage a country, and be popular among the citizens.”

She thought to herself, if Tommy could fill in what Logres lacked, it may help with the current situation. Even if Luftie thought highly of her country, she has no delusions about how they landed into this state. Luftie secretly added the condition of being popular. If Tommy could succeed then even if he does not look like a real man, she will not be seen as a laughingstock.

Tommy nodded seriously but added, “In that case, I have a condition of my own. I already have a fiancé so if our marriage goes through, she must take the position of first lady. Considering that we will not be together after the wedding, and Princess Luftie would not be interested in my family matters, I hope that the kind princess could allow me this.”

*SLAM*

The princess slapped her armrest heavily and stared at Tommy with fury.

The atrociousness!

He dares take another woman as wife, and even place the girl in front of her?

Who is this girl? No, no matter who she is, she cannot compete with an actual princess like me.

The whole throne room looked at the princess who looked like a provoked cat.

“You would put a commoner before a princess like me?” she nearly screamed.

Tommy’s eyes twitched a little. This girl’s voice sure is sharp.

On his side, his father had the exact same expression, except it is from how straightforwardly direct his son approached the topic.

This is what his son meant when he said to leave it to him?

Leave it to him to wreak havoc?

Looks like his son did not inherit his silver tongue.

Sidd sighed, “Princess, please still your anger, I will teach my son the proper manners.”

Seeing how sincere the knight is, Luftie nodded.

“Tommy, how could you put someone else before a princess! That is disrespectful! You should put them together. Why can’t there be two first ladies?”

Hearing the start, the princess nodded in agreement, thinking that at least Sidd is loyal and knows how to upkeep the royal honour.

But what was said at the end caused her and her royal father to gape like fishes.

Two first ladies? How did this guy think up such a thing?

Tommy bobbed his head up and down rapidly, “Yes lord father, you are right. I should have suggested to have two first ladies. I was careless to overlook.”

No, wait. This is kind of wrong, isn’t it?

This princess deserves to be the first lady. The others can take the latter places. No, they should just be satisfied as concubines.

Hang on. Why should I share a husband when I’m a princess?

Unexpectedly, before the princess could rebuke Sidd, the king spoke, “As expected of my loyal knight. This suggestion is indeed considerate. Once the young general completes his tasks, we shall arrange the wedding.”

“Your majesty!” the princess Luftie protested to her father.

The king waved away the protest and gave her a look saying to discuss this in private.

The princess puffed up her cheeks angrily then turned her face away from Sidd and Tommy.

Tommy did not expect such a childish behaviour from the princess and started to re-evaluate her.

The two fathers in the audience hall discussed the wedding procedures a bit further and then moved on to the resources that can be exchanged.

The more Luftie hears, the livider she became. Why are they talking like things had already been affirmed?!

“Your majesty,” Sidd says, “the aid from the Snowdrifts is timely. They can prepare us to have the proper military arm we need to retake the north.”

Out of a sudden the princess rebuked the knight with a scrunched-up nose, “Ha, with Sir Sidd as our Commander-in-Chief, even ten proper armies will be led to their knees.”

Her voice is dipped with revulsion as though the fall of Logres is all because of Sidd.

When the princess entered the audience hall, her porcelain face and doll-like features was eye-catching indeed. Tommy carefully observed this girl who might become his future wife, but never expect her to have such an unsightly expression.

It wasn’t that she looked ugly when infuriated but that unconcealed arrogance and open disgust can make even the prettiest lass look like a mean hag.

Feeling it was not enough to vent her displeasure, the princess added, “Had you been there, Astolat would not have fallen so quickly. Yet afterwards, you acted as though the whole of Logres owed it to you. The decisive order to retreat came from the Pendragon, Avalon belongs to the Pendragon. My father did not pursue the matter, but don’t you think you had been shamelessly amassing praises that belongs to my family?”

The audience hall fell into an uncomfortable silence. Tommy looked at the king who obviously did not refute what the princess said nor rebuked her for the discourtesy. He then turned to his father. Red-faced and bulging veins but he tolerated everything.