"Then I'll go back now, Mr. Kent."
"Go ahead. Be careful on the road. It's not safe out there."
Old Kent shook his head and watched Seti's figure disappear into the dusk outside the inn. He then closed the door and prepared to close the shop. He was already old, and his hands and feet had become less and less nimble over the years. He slowly turned around, only to find that there was another person standing behind him. He couldn't help but shiver in fright. Then, he found that the other person was the woman in the group of guests. He didn't know her name, but she stayed here with her companions three days ago. Her beauty naturally left a deep impression on people, not to mention that there were some regrettable faint scars on her almost perfect face, which left a deep impression on people.
Old Kent did not know if it was his imagination, but he felt that the scars on the woman's face had faded a little after a day of not seeing her. He thought to himself, "How is that possible? Maybe I'm seeing things."
"Miss, how can I help you?" Old Kent humbly replied. Over the past few days, he could vaguely sense a hint of bossiness in her tone and habits. He had seen it many times in the noble ladies and lords in the city, but he did not want to think too much about why a noble lady would come to stay in his inn in such a remote place. "Is everyone hungry? Would you like some supper or something? There are still some ingredients in the kitchen …"
"Is her name Seti? That girl." Delfien smirked. She looked through the maple window on the other side. A few sycamore leaves hung down from the window. They were dyed red by the sunset and swayed slightly in the wind. She stared at the direction where Seti's figure disappeared into the dusk, her purple eyes quietly reflecting the sunset.
"Yes, she's a poor girl. I heard that her brother went to the battlefield and Old Chris was in poor health. She had to take care of her siblings and the chores at home." Old Kent could not help but sigh and shake his head. "Old Chris had a good daughter, but she was too unlucky. Lady Luck never shows mercy to the unluckiest."
"Doesn't she stay here?"
"No, she has to go back every day. I gave her special permission."
"Her brother went to the battlefield. Is he in the east?"
"I'm not too sure about that, Miss. It's probably in the south."
"In the south." Delfien narrowed her eyes slightly. "Who was the person who picked her up?"
"The person who picked her up?"
Old Kent was stunned.
"Maybe." Delfien smiled and said, "Maybe I was wrong."
"What?"
"It's nothing. I'm just saying that you don't have to bother with supper. If you really need it, I'll ask Ms. Seti for help when she's here."
"Martha above, thank you for your kindness."
Old Kent couldn't help but look at the lady gratefully. Such a kind and beautiful noble lady was rare in Rushta. 'I hope Jin Yan can stay by her side and take care of this kind lady.' He couldn't help but think. And Delphine just smiled quietly at this.
…
Outside the inn, a young man in a short-sleeved shirt grabbed Seti's hand and dragged her towards the Saint Mercury Bridge until they were out of Cat and Beard's sight. "What's wrong, Al?" Seti asked in confusion. "Someone's watching you," the young man replied in a low voice.
"Watching? Me? How? " Seti couldn't help but look back at the inn. It was now just a small spot on the road. "Uncle Kent would never do that."
"Then it's someone else."
"You mean those guests?"
"Maybe. Anyway, be careful, Seti." The young man turned around and looked at her with a serious expression.
Seti couldn't help but cover her mouth and smile. "You worry too much, Al. I don't belong to the same world as them. But thank you anyway." She blushed and couldn't help but tighten her grip on the young man's hand. She could feel the warmth from his hand spreading to her heart. "What do you want from me, Al?"
"Don't forget about the prayer meeting tonight."
"Of course not. What's so important about it? Why did you suddenly mention it?"
"The deacons said that tonight is the most important day."
Seti paused for a second, then a bright light flashed in his eyes. He held his breath and asked, "Is … is it going to start?"
The young man nodded with a gloomy face. "After today, I'll make that old witch pay. Sooner or later, I'll avenge Peber with my own hands!"
"Thank you, Al." Seti replied softly, but she still felt a little uneasy. "But can we really do it?"
"Of course. Have you forgotten what that old witch did? I heard that this damned country lost a war recently. Losing a war means that they need more soldiers. Seti, Uncle Chris can't go to the battlefield anymore —" The young man didn't know much about the war, but that didn't stop him from using the deacons' words. Even though he didn't like those deacons, he had to admit that what they said made sense. Those deacons couldn't see so far ahead and had always suffered in silence. Seti's words lit a fire in his heart. He pursed his lips, and the fire of revenge burned in his eyes.
Seti fell silent when she thought of her old father. She still had two younger brothers and a younger sister. No matter what, she had to stand up and protect her family.
"By the way, Deacon Mariam specifically mentioned you," the young man suddenly remembered something and changed his tone. "He asked me to tell you that you must attend the meeting tonight."
Seti was a little surprised. She didn't understand why she suddenly became so important. But when she thought of the strict rules of the church, she knew that she could only obey. "I understand."
The two of them fell into silence. They walked quietly on the path of the Sacred Mercury Bridge and watched the sunset leave a golden glow on the river. After a while, the young man spoke again. "Seti." His voice was soft and full of emotion.
"Yes?"
"I have a feeling that those people are not good people. Let's leave after this is over."
"But I still have brothers and sisters. My father —"
"Let me take care of them," the young man interrupted her. "Let's take them, take everyone, and leave this place as far as we can."
The last ray of light was swallowed by the river, leaving only the clouds in the sky.
Seti's heart was filled with sweetness. She held the young man's hand and nodded gently.
…
The innkeeper respectfully bid farewell to Delfien and hobbled away. The Prime Minister's daughter stood by the window and glanced at the magnificent twilight on the main road. She smiled enigmatically and then turned to go upstairs.
In the room on the second floor, Brando was analyzing the information he received from Antoburo's envoy group, the Nazer people, and the nobles in the city that Vahina and Delfien contacted. Finally, he had a rough idea of what was happening in the city.
Metisha sat on a high back chair with a serious expression. She carefully recorded the information on a piece of parchment with a quill pen. Vahina softly dictated from her side. After she finished writing a piece of parchment, she picked it up and put it aside. Brando then stacked the parchment on the table. The last ray of sunlight was leaving the table reluctantly, and the sky outside the window was already hazy.
He turned around and saw the side of the Silver Elf Princess' face. The last rays of sunlight fell between her forehead and chin, and under the crisscrossing light, the outline of the girl's face was covered with a layer of thin, almost imperceptible fluff, which made her look especially cute.
"My Lord, it seems that the Silver Queen is not strict with the nobles imprisoned in the Tessburg. At least, from this letter, we can see that …"
"My Lord?"
Metisha turned around and saw what he was looking at. She could not help but blush. "My Lord …"
Vahina stopped her narration and looked over. She could not help but frown. Faced with their gazes, Brando finally came back to his senses. He coughed awkwardly and said, "That … I'm sorry, I got there."
"The letter …"
Brando then remembered the letter that Metisha mentioned.
The owner of the letter was no stranger to him. It was the former commander of the Azure Army, Vahina's mentor, Lady Veronica. He had met her twice in the Loop of Trade Winds and Abies. The letter was sent by someone after she learned that Vahina had used her connections in the city to investigate her and the Duke of Flower Leaf.
Since Veronica did not know that he was near the Imperial Capital, the letter only described her and the Duke of Flower Leaf's recent situation in the Tessburg. They were treated fairly well in the Tessburg. Other than having their freedom restricted, they were not punished as harshly as the rumors said. However, from between the lines, one could see that the commander was anxious.
In the letter, she mentioned several times that she was worried and uneasy about the Silver Queen's recent actions. It was obvious that she was not bent on opposing the Silver Queen. She and the other nobles in Ludwig were siding with the eldest son of the Emperor because she was not optimistic about the Silver Queen's choice. She did not want the Silver Queen's crazy actions to lead the Empire into an abyss of no return.
Compared to the naked conflict of interests between the northern nobles, the emotions contained in the letter were more acceptable to Brando. It was not something that an egoist could understand. It was a long-term vision, a hope that the country could be stable, and those who lived at the bottom of the society could also enjoy the benefits brought by prosperity. It was a noble feeling, not blind, but just looking at the future.
Although they belonged to different countries, Brando could empathize with this wish. The difference was that he had personally experienced this period of history, but Lady Veronica could see the future with her own eyes.
It was a pity that the Empire was now in the abyss of war, and the commander was in a difficult situation. She could not even protect herself.
He thought for a moment and replied, "This means that the Silver Queen has not made up her mind. Some of these nobles can be roped in, but she just can't find the time to do it."
"If we lost at Fattan Harbour …" Metisha could not help but mention.
"Then it's already decided who's going to die and who's going to live. Fortunately, we won. Her Majesty has to find another opportunity to display her power and intimidate the people." Brendel continued.
Vahina was a little absent-minded. She should have been worried. Although the news from the Moss Castle was the best news she had heard in a while, it did not mean that she could sit back and relax. Her Majesty did not make a move because she was not completely confident. When the situation in Ludwig was settled, the Mehotofen family would be like meat on the chopping board, waiting to be slaughtered.
She would never imagine that her family was part of the nobles that the temperamental queen could rope in. Even if the Duke of Flower and Leaf did not have the intention to rebel, they were inextricably linked to the northern nobles.
Brando's words undoubtedly proved this point.
But at this moment, the young lady of Flower and Leaf was a little absent-minded. She looked at Brando, and then at Metisha, her face was a little worried.
Brando did not notice the young lady's abnormality and continued to ask, "Did the Zeers contact you?"
Metisha shook her head and put a piece of parchment in front of Brando. "This is a message from Princess Magadal. It mentioned a place."
"Where is it?"
"It's not a confirmed location, but it mentioned that the Silver Queen and Constance had been there twice in the past week … It's the Tulip District."
The Eastern Front had just been defeated, and at this time of the year, the Silver Queen obviously would not be in the mood to participate in garden activities or visit insignificant characters. If she still took the time to go there at this time, it must not be that simple. Although it could be a smokescreen, Brando could not help but take it seriously.
Just as he was about to look at the map, Faena finally could not help but speak.
"I know that place, Bu — Brando. That's the old Prince's Mansion, the former residence of the late King's younger brother, Prince Siris."
Hearing the name, Brando finally remembered the place. "Is it the Prince who died in the Holy War?"
"And his two sons," Vahina added.
She stared at Brando and bit her lower lip.
Metisha looked at the young lady of Flower and Leaf strangely, and then looked at her lord. Her silver eyes suddenly flashed with a hint of understanding, and the corner of her small mouth lifted slightly. She could not help but feel a little amused. But she did not show it on her face, and continued to speak seriously: "There's a place near this old mansion that is heavily guarded. Even if Antoinette's envoy passes by that place every day, they will be strictly interrogated —"
"What is that place?" Brando frowned. Why is it getting more and more complicated? Could it be that Her Majesty set up forbidden areas everywhere in the imperial capital?
"Colddew Manor."
… …
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