For long-lived races, ten years was just the blink of an eye.
Elves and dragons were indifferent to the concept of time.
Humans were different.
Ten years was Jaina's youth, but it was also Vanessa van Cleve's youth.
Stormwind in this period of history was very corrupt and declining. The Stormwind Royal Family had a lot of broken promises and rewards that were written off. For example, after the restoration of the country, the Stormwind Royal Family refused to pay for the reconstruction of Stormwind City paid by the Stonemason Brotherhood because of the conspiracy of a dragon princess.
This directly led to a major tragedy for Vanessa's father, Edwin van Cleve, the Mason Brotherhood, and a lot of people who worked hard but did not get paid.
In her original fate, Vanessa spent her childhood in the depths of the sunless Deadmines in such a dark, terrifying, and painful environment. Her father and the people around her were struggling with anger and despair. Of course, they couldn't teach her anything good about Stormwind City. Even if they didn't tell her anything, it was enough for her to slowly develop an indelible hatred for Stormwind City.
In this life, the appearance of Duque changed everything.
Her father, Edwin, from a lowly stonemason leader, became one of the two great heroes fighting against the orcs in the Western Wilderness. Although not as famous as Duque, that glory was real in Stormwind.
"Ah! You are the daughter of that Edwin van Cleef! "
"You are so skilled, you are indeed the daughter of a hero!"
If she was a boy, she might be like Alexandros Mograine's son, living in her father's shadow. After all, boys inherited the family business.
But she was a girl, and did not have that kind of pressure.
If there was pressure, it was … Her father Edwin could not find a man who could marry his daughter.
In terms of status, because Edwin followed Duque, he jumped from a lowly stonemason to a knight, and was directly promoted to a viscount. He was an important minister of the Marcus family.
In terms of official position, Edwin was the minister of construction under the Minister of Internal Affairs, and almost all the infrastructure projects in Stormwind City were led by him.
Logically speaking, the van Cleve family was already very prominent.
That was where the problem lay.
The nobles could accept a poor lad with no background stepping into the circle of nobles just because he grasped the mysterious power. After all, the inheritance of the magic circuit itself was a priceless treasure. However, the nobles definitely did not like a bumpkin without any special talent becoming a noble in a single step.
Under normal circumstances, only knights who had been knights for at least two generations would be more easily accepted by the noble circle.
The nobles of Stormwind had withered a lot because of Du's betrayal during the Great Retreat, but the old nobles, such as Bolvar's Fordragon Family, and the new nobles promoted by Laing, still did not like Van Cleef.
In the end, the only people who could accept Vanessa were the members of the Marcus Family.
Then, in a duel five years ago, Vanessa used her beautiful dagger to defeat Old Fan's favorite, the Knight Captain Casar, with 12 consecutive hits …
Vanessa, with her fierce reputation, could no longer marry.
Having participated in the Battle of the Dark Portal, Vanessa, who was used to seeing great heroes, naturally had high standards. She did not care whether she married or not, "Father, you're still young. If you want the van Cleef family to continue, you can marry another woman. In the future, give me a younger brother or sister to be the heir. Don't worry about me. "
Edwin finally realized that his precious daughter, who had traveled extensively with Princess Kalia for ten years, was no longer that obedient little girl, but a true powerhouse.
This time, when Edwin heard of Duque's grand return, and the instigation of a queen who had fled to Stormwind City to seek refuge, he immediately sent his daughter.
"A member of the van Cleef family is a member of the Marcus family in life, and a member of the Marcus family in death. Master Duque has just returned, and is in need of help. Since you were Master's maid before, and now have Her Majesty Kalia's permission, you should serve Master. " Edwin spoke righteously on the surface, but in fact, he was overjoyed to send his daughter to the North Stream Coast by boat.
Together with Vanessa were the female High Elf Knight Riadeline and the fourth child of the Windrunner family, Lilas.
They were originally sent by Duque to be Kalia's companions, to accompany the bitter Kalia in enjoying freedom. Strictly speaking, they were all Duque's subordinates. After ten years of living together, they were once again branded with Kalia's mark. Sending them back when Kalia was pushed out by Duque to take power naturally had a different meaning.
Duque did not care. After disappearing for ten years, Illucia was still helping him manage his territory and power, and Duque was already very grateful. Especially Edwin van Cleef. After Illucia secretly pointed out that if not for the Marcus family, Stormwind City would not have been able to pay for the construction of the city, Edwin completely cut off his thoughts of the Stormwind nobility, and became the most fervent supporter of the Marcus family.
In any case, it was more convenient to use his own people.
Since Vanessa wanted to come back and be the head maid, Duque let her be. After all, she was now a single commander, without a single maid.
Lilas stepped into the realm of heroes without a sound, and could be considered to have 70% of Aurelia's combat power back then.
On the other hand, the enemy was an undying. Without a Holy Knight by his side, Duque felt a little weak. Riadeline's arrival was obviously a great help.
The only thing that Duque did not expect was that Vanessa blocked Jaina as soon as she arrived.
Duque rubbed his eyebrows, "Vanessa, in the future, Jaina can enter my tent or room without permission unless there are special circumstances."
When Duque's voice came from the tent, Vanessa reluctantly moved aside.
Even if she was a little unhappy about being blocked, Vanessa's agile movements made Jaina look up to her. However, Vanessa was dressed in a tight-fitting outfit doing the work of a maid. Coupled with that special lithe charm, this made Jaina a little jealous: It seemed that Kalia was not her only competitor!
Jaina lightly pursed her lips, and then entered with a dignified demeanor.
"Duque, this time I'm here …"
Duque saw through Jaina's thoughts at a glance, and waved his hand, "Defeating the Calamity Army is the most important thing. Once the Calamity Army attracts the Burning Legion's commander, Archimonde, the world will be destroyed. At that time, all glory and status will be illusory. Come and help me look over it. Now that bastard Anastrian has given me a difficult problem. "
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