Path To Godhood Begins With Marrying Wife And Gaining SSS Rank Skill - Chapter 240

Chapter 240: 240: Uninvited Guest 2
[Very very sorry,I fumbled badly..I uploaded chapter 240 as 239 by mistake.I have swapped the chapter and corrected it.]

[Privilege Readers…I am very very sorry…..]

…

With a calm breath, Ethan stepped forward. His movement was steady and controlled. He placed a hand across his chest and bowed low with proper courtesy.

“It is an honor to see you here, Your Highness,” Ethan said.

His voice was quiet yet clear, carrying respect without fear.

Prince Karl’s lips curved slightly. It was a small controlled smile, not warm yet not cold either. His voice was smooth when he answered.

“There is no need to be so cautious,” he said. His tone carried a grounding calmness that made the crowd listen even more closely.

“My father has heard of your achievements, Ethan. Without you, the Kingdom of Ruthiana might have lost a large part of its lands. While he and my brothers are occupied, I was asked to personally bring you gifts as a sign of appreciation.”

The crowd stirred at once. Soft murmurs moved through the guests like ripples in still water. Some were stunned by the praise Ethan received. Others were curious, maybe even suspicious, wondering why the Second Prince would deliver gifts himself instead of sending a delegate.

Ethan slowly raised his head and met the Prince’s gaze. His eyes did not shake and his voice remained calm.

“I am grateful for His Majesty’s words and your presence here, Your Highness,” he replied carefully.

Prince Karl nodded once. His attention shifted briefly to Julia, then returned to Ethan. “Your efforts have not gone unnoticed,” he said, and though the tone was steady, there was a weight behind those words that no one could ignore.

Off to the side, Roen and Duchess Emma shared a quiet glance. They both sensed something beneath the surface of this visit, something more than royal gratitude. This was not a simple ceremonial appearance.

Rina, positioned near the front while in disguise, also noticed. She looked between Prince Karl and Duke Phillips, her heartbeat a little faster.

The crowd slowly lifted their heads, allowed to straighten yet no one dared to speak. All eyes remained fixed on the Prince. The silence was tight enough that even the faint brush of metal from a guard’s armor sounded loud and sharp.

In that quietness, Ethan drew a breath and stood tall. His face did not show hesitation. He already knew that what came next would not be ordinary. The Prince’s arrival alone meant the day was shifting toward unexpected change.

Prince Karl let his eyes travel across the room again before they stopped on a black haired woman. His gaze sharpened just slightly. A quick flicker of surprise passed through him but it vanished almost instantly. Ethan noticed. Duke Phillips noticed as well.

“I didn’t know Miss Rina would be here,” Karl said.

The name dropped like a stone in calm water. Rina’s shoulders stiffened and she flinched just enough to see.

“You might be mistaking things,” she said softly.

“I am not Miss Rina.”

“Mistaken perhaps… it’s just the child you are holding seemed quite familiar.”

His words struck directly at the truth she tried to hide. Rina was disguised but the child was not.

The child’s crimson hair shone brightly in the room. Crimson hair was rare, extremely rare. In some empires it was seen as a sign of nobility. It was the kind of feature no disguise could hide.

It’s just she hadn’t expected a Prince to appear and drew the similarity quickly.

Sure enough…You can’t underestimate the Royal bloodlines who grew up in the pool of treachery and disguise.

Rina gave a small faint smile. It was controlled, almost too calm. “It’s only natural for me to be where my husband is.”

She paused and then added gently, “Though I look like her, my name is Arin, your Highness.”

“Uhh… then pardon me, lady, for the mistake!”

Karl answered with what appeared like an apologetic look, yet something in his gaze made Rina uneasy. She felt watched, studied, and not fully believed.

Julia noticed the way Ethan’s hand tightened around her waist. She looked up at him. Though he was still smiling, thick veins stood visibly under the skin of his forehead. His calmness was stretched thin.

Prince Karl maintained a polite smile as he continued. “Congratulations,” he said. Then he added lightly, “Sir Ethan, you may end up taking all the beauties of the kingdom. Perhaps you should leave a few for the rest of us.”

Laughter spread gently among the guests. It was soft and controlled but eased a bit of the heavy tension.

Ethan then arranged seats for everyone, making sure Prince Karl sat at the head table beside Duke Phillips. The wedding banquet finally began, though the atmosphere still carried an underlying alertness.

After seeing that Julia was comfortably seated, Ethan approached Prince Karl to offer a toast. Karl looked at him with interest, his eyes narrowing slightly in an assessing way.

“It seems Baron Ethan has been hiding himself quite well. With such progress, you must be a born genius.”

“You jest, my lord. It’s all luck,” Ethan replied, keeping his expression modest.

“Luck? How so?” Karl asked with a faint smiling curiosity.

“Your Highness, my talent simply went unnoticed. When I joined the house, we didn’t have advanced orbs. My rank potential was mistaken for something much lower, so it was never uncovered. Later I discovered I have higher potential and with rapid growth in business I managed to buy potion to boost my power.”

Karl raised his brows. “Oh, is that so? I’ve heard of magicians discovering new things, but in truth, this was known long ago. It simply reached our kingdom late.”

He paused, then praised him again. “What bad luck. I wish I had met you earlier.”

Ethan bowed his head slightly. “Your Highness, thank you for taking the time to attend despite your busy schedule.”

A slight grin crossed Karl’s face as he lifted his glass. “Ah, forgive me. I nearly forgot something important.”

“Important matter?” Ethan asked. Duke Phillips turned toward him, also curious.

Karl rose to his feet. His voice cut clearly across the hall. “The war that has weighed heavily on our kingdom is finally over.”

Gasps filled the hall. Joyful murmurs spread like warm wind.

Applause soon followed, and many congratulated one another with relief. Peace had finally settled over the kingdom after long hardship.

Duke Phillips leaned forward slightly. A small line formed between his brows. “Your Highness, what was the outcome?”

Karl’s expression dimmed faintly. His gaze turned more serious. “The final discussions are still underway, but it is finished. I hope everyone will now focus on building the nation.”

He then turned directly to Ethan, his eyes unwavering.”What do you think, Baron Ethan?”

The room fell completely still again.

Heads angled toward Ethan. Many did not understand why he was being asked directly but Ethan could see the deeper meaning inside that question.

This was not casual conversation rather was a test, an invitation and possibly a warning.

Hearing this,Ethan cursed inwardly.

‘What a sneaky bastard!’