"Bettina, you're back."
As soon as the maidservant with a lovely round face entered the room, she was surrounded by several other maidservants who chattered and greeted her. Bettina patted her apron and raised her eyebrows to look at the mistress of the house. She then made a gesture to the other maidservants to keep quiet and asked in a low voice, "Shh, let me ask you, after I left, did the Countess have a good rest?"
Hearing this question, the sisters immediately became gloomy. Since Scarlet had been placed under house arrest by Her Majesty the Queen, she had been very depressed all day, and sometimes she would talk to her spear, which they did not know where it came from. This made them very suspicious, and they wondered if there was something wrong with the Countess's head. Every day, they had to report Scarlet's daily routine to Her Majesty the Queen. Her Majesty obviously still cared about Scarlet very much. At least, she never let outsiders handle this matter. Every time, she would personally take time out of her busy schedule to listen to Bettina's report. However, regarding the Countess's strange behavior, Her Majesty did not say anything, so naturally, they did not dare to speculate.
Scarlet was always depressed. She did not eat much and slept very little. It was a headache for them.
Seeing the expression on the maidservants' faces, Bettina understood something. She sighed and said, "Sigh, let the Countess have a good rest. Don't make a fuss anymore. She must be homesick, but Her Majesty the Queen does not allow her to go back."
"Yes, yes," the maidservants replied in unison, "We children from the mountains are always nostalgic for our homeland. I often remember the maple trees in my hometown."
Another maidservant looked at Bettina's face and asked in a low voice, "Bettina, you don't look very good. Is Her Majesty the Queen in a bad mood again?"
"Shh," Bettina glared at the maidservant, "Don't talk nonsense, but Her Majesty's mood is quite bad today."
"What's wrong?" This question seemed to have aroused the maidservants' curiosity. They hurriedly lowered their voices and asked.
"Isn't it because of the Countess?" Bettina sighed. She did not know how many times she had sighed. It was as if Her Majesty's bad mood had affected her.
"Is it that count from the countryside again?"
"Lower your voice, idiot," Betessa replied: "That Countess came from Erouine. Do you know Erouine? It's a small kingdom in the south of the Empire. That's right, our Countess also came from there. Don't let her hear you talk about her hometown like that. What countess from the countryside, how unpleasant it sounds."
The maids were startled, and their faces showed lingering fear. Some of them even looked into the room with a guilty conscience.
But when they realized that Scarlet didn't seem to be listening to them, they heaved a sigh of relief and hurriedly turned back to ask, "Bettina, quickly tell us, what happened to the Count?"
Since Scarlet was under house arrest in the courtyard of the castle, the maidservants naturally couldn't leave, except for Bettina who had to go to the Rose Garden to see Her Majesty every once in a while. Girls of their age were full of vitality and curiosity, so they were even more attracted to the outside world, even if it was a small thing. Bettina was a little older, so when she saw the pitiful eyes of her companions, she could only reply: "The Count arrested the local nobles in Seruf. When I went there, I saw Duke Palut complaining to Her Majesty in the Rose Garden." She suddenly showed a clever smile and said disrespectfully to the Duke: "You didn't see the Duke's flustered and exasperated look, I've never seen him like this before."
"Bettina, did you say that the Count went to Seruf?" The maidservants seemed to be used to such news, and they didn't seem surprised at all. It seemed that since half a month ago, the southern nobles were beaten to a pulp, and it had become a common occurrence in the whole King's City. But they noticed something else and asked curiously: "So, in less than a month, we will be able to see the Count?"
"Before he completely infuriates Her Majesty," Betessa pouted. When Duke Palut and Her Majesty were talking, she only dared to stand aside and listen with her head lowered. However, this did not prevent her from hearing how bad Her Majesty's mood was. Besides, she had secretly seen Her Majesty's expression later on. Her face was always cold, but today it was even colder than usual. It was enough to make people's teeth chatter. Bettina thought for a moment and added with a lingering fear: "If Her Majesty doesn't hang the Count, maybe we will have a chance to see him."
"What are you talking about, Bettina?" At this time, a slightly low voice sounded.
All the maidservants were startled. They were talking so intensely that they didn't even notice when Scarlett came in. The mountain maiden stood by the door of her room and looked at them, and the maidservants were like a flock of startled sparrows. They all shut their mouths, and the room suddenly quieted down.
Bettina glared at her disloyal companions and whispered to Scarlett: "My Lady."
"You are talking about Erouine?" Scarlett didn't care about the matter, but stared at Bettina and asked in a somewhat anxious tone.
'Oh no, the Count must have heard us,' Bettina thought. But she didn't dare to lie, so she answered honestly: "Yes, my Lady."
"Tell me the truth," Scarlett said with a pale face. In fact, she often couldn't sleep these days. Every time she closed her eyes, she would think of the Count, and it would disturb her.
"We are talking about a Count from Erouine."
"A Count from Erouine?" As soon as Scarlett heard this, she immediately rushed to Bettina's side and grabbed the round-faced maidservant's arm like a ghost and asked loudly.
"Ah!" Bettina had never seen Scarlett like this and couldn't help but jump in fright.
"Where did that Count come from?"
"My Lady, I don't know. Her Majesty and the nobles didn't mention it, so I didn't dare to ask." Bettina quickly replied.
Scarlett pursed her lips and didn't say anything. The young girl's sharp premonition made her realize something, but she couldn't think of a good way to ask at the moment.
Betessa trembled as she looked at the count. When she saw the look of confidence and desire in the count's eyes, she seemed to have understood what was going on. She trembled as she asked, "Count, do you want to hear about his deeds?"
Scarlett nodded seriously.
"Alright, it's like this …" Bettina took a deep breath and slowly opened her mouth.
… …
After Duke Paruth left, Constance's expression became slightly better. At this time, the Imperial Chancellor, Fjodna Nidevan, who was known as' Junior Nidevan ', hurried into the Queen's private study in the Rose Garden. The supreme ruler of the Empire looked at him and asked: "What's wrong, Chancellor? Did the Count cause some trouble again?"
Junior Nidevan looked at the Queen in surprise. Before he came, he heard from the chamberlain that the Queen was furious, but now it seemed that was far from the truth. Not only was the Queen not angry, but she also seemed to be in a good mood. Even so, Junior Nidevan didn't dare to relax. He quickly bowed respectfully and answered with a little embarrassment: "Your Majesty, you are very accurate. Indeed, after the Count detained the nobles of Thuruff, a group of young people wanted to take revenge on him, but unfortunately, they were all taken hostage. I heard that the nobles of the South were no longer angry with the Count and were discussing ransom for the hostages, but the old Duke didn't seem to be willing to do so."
The old Duke he mentioned was naturally the previous head of the House of Paruth. The House of Paruth was the representative of the new nobles of the Cruz Empire. It was no secret that they had a close relationship with the nobles of the South. In fact, it was because of this that the Queen supported them to become an important force in the Imperial Court.
"Which families' children were taken from?" Constance asked casually.
"It was mainly the House of Alcorn and the House of Jean. Your Majesty, the Duchess is from the House of Jean," Fjodna Nidevan reminded.
"I don't need you to remind me. Of course I know," Her Majesty replied: "These self-righteous fellows dare to look down on the guests I invited. It's good to let them suffer a little."
Junior Nidevan seemed to have understood the ins and outs of the matter. He quickly replied: "Your Majesty is right, but the Count is really too much. He doesn't give the Empire any face. The nobles of the Empire can't stand him fighting his way here."
"Hmph," the Silver Queen snorted softly: "It's normal for young people to be impetuous, but it's true that his grandfather was much calmer than him back then. It doesn't matter. A capable person can be forgiven for being arrogant and unruly. The Empire isn't so intolerant. But don't let him make a big deal out of it. He just wants to get our attention, but if every envoy group comes, the Empire won't be able to stand it. Let the local legions at the border be more vigilant. Even a mere Erouine can step on their faces. Count Alcorn and Count Jean don't mind losing face. "
The Prime Minister of the Empire couldn't help but smile bitterly: "This Count is really … I don't know how to describe him. He actually did such a thing. Even I almost thought that he was crazy."
"He's not crazy," Constance replied: "This Count knows the Empire very well. He knows that we won't do anything to him. Moreover, this little guy knows his limits. Outsiders might not be able to tell, but I don't believe that you can't, Prime Minister."
A thin layer of cold sweat immediately appeared on Junior Nidevan's forehead. He knew in his heart that although the Empire's supreme ruler was conversing with him casually, the Nidevan Family's position in the Queen's heart was deteriorating day by day. On the contrary, because of the series of things that Brando had caused, he had met the Queen more often, and the relationship between them had eased up a little. However, the Queen's words immediately put him on edge. He hurriedly replied carefully: "Your Majesty's eyes are like torches. That Count is, after all, that person's grandson."
"Indeed." The Queen nodded as if she agreed.
"Your Majesty, before I came, I heard that you were angry again." Junior Nidevan suddenly asked carefully.
"What?"
"Your Majesty, your health."
"My health is very good. You don't have to worry about me, Prime Minister." Constance knew that this must be a message from Prime Minister Nidevan. Junior Nidevan's intelligence was not inferior to his father's, but he was much less courageous. "I'm angry because of those useless nobles of the Empire. Their faces have been trampled on. Instead of thinking about how to reclaim their glory, they want to tie their gains and losses to the Empire. Cruz's people have not fallen to that extent."
"It's natural for them to want to take revenge on that Count. I don't think Duke Palut will let this go, Your Majesty." Junior Nidevan shook his head and replied.
"I hope he doesn't cause too much trouble for me." Constance shook her head.
"Count Alcons and Count Jean know their limits." Junior Nidevan's answer did not match his heart.
Constance looked at him and corrected him: "I'm talking about him."
The Prime Minister of the Empire was slightly startled and then smiled bitterly.
Junior Nidevan stayed in the Rose Garden for half an hour and took time to report the situation in the West and East to the supreme of the Empire. The Lion Beastmen were still attacking the White Heart and Orcas Fortresses. Compared to their decisiveness in assembling the army, the progress was slow. On the other hand, the Wind Elves persisted in their attacks in the Wilderness of the Four Realms. The Red Army was one of the four main armies of the Empire, and their reputation was not undeserved. The mobilization within the Empire was nearing its end, and the atmosphere of war could be felt even in remote areas.
After he said goodbye, Constance watched the Prime Minister of the Empire leave. When the study was empty, she gently tapped on the armrest of the chair and muttered to herself thoughtfully.
"Does he really know how to use the Heaven's Armor? Did Jocelyn secretly go to Erouine …?"
"No, he's not that shallow, Lady Gwendolyn. I have a feeling that he's sending us a signal. What is he trying to say? Or is this the attitude of the people of Erouine?"
Her cold voice echoed faintly in the empty study, but no one answered her question.
…
"Not only that."
The story in the room had obviously been going on for some time, but it did not look like it was going to end anytime soon. Bettina continued, "Everyone thinks that the Count is crazy. He actually attacked one of the Empire's fortresses because he didn't receive the proper treatment. God, before this, I always thought that we, the mountain people, were the most rebellious people of the Empire. I didn't expect that compared to the Count, we are nothing."
"I've long heard that the people of Erouine have a great king. When he founded the country, he swore that the people of Erouine would independently protect their own people. I didn't expect it to be true." As she said that, the round-faced handmaiden could not help but sneak a glance at her liege. But she was disappointed to find that Scarlet was unmoved. She only asked blankly, "And then?"
She sighed disappointedly and continued, "And then, of course, the nobles of the Empire would not let it go. They gathered an army and wanted to teach this ignorant outsider a lesson. Of course, the result was not what they wanted. As for what happened after that, I've already told you, Count. That Count naturally captured all of them. Not only that, he also took them as hostages and demanded a large sum of ransom from their families. He even named it 'compensation for damage to reputation' or 'compensation for mental damage' or something like that. "
Scarlet shuddered as if she had been electrocuted. She looked up at her handmaiden and asked in disbelief, "You said 'compensation for mental damage'? You didn't mention this to me before, Bettina! "
"But that's not the point, Count."
Bettina was baffled. But she did not notice that the Count in front of her was gritting his teeth.
Once upon a time, she was the one who had been with the Count for the longest time. She had long gotten used to those strange terms. She used to think that it was the Count's only bad habit.
But at this moment, those words that he once couldn't understand sounded so familiar to him.
Bettina was still rambling on. "In my opinion, the Count did not have to offend the nobles of the Empire. After all, he is an outsider. If he flaunts his power now, he will have to suffer in the future. Her Majesty the Queen has been angry a few times because of this, and a few dukes hate him so much that they want to grind their teeth. The only praiseworthy thing is that the Count is in the limelight. Now, in the vicinity of Rusta, I'm afraid that there are very few people who do not know him. I really don't understand what he is trying to do. "
Halfway through her words, she suddenly froze. She suddenly saw the Count in front of her crying. She hurriedly called out, "Count, you, what happened to you?"
Scarlet shook her head hard.
Because she understood.
Everything he had done was just to tell her one thing.
I am already here, Scarlet.
Like a promise.
… …
(PS: I wrote so late today. The Sword Spirit did not play much. Sob sob sob. I brought Scarlet along to beg for monthly votes. Also, regarding the Ether Dragon that someone asked about yesterday, the cost of mana is actually a card's Esper Ability. The cost of the Ether Dragon itself is 25 water. However, I also looked at the card's description, and there is actually a problem. I think it should be written as a barrier.)
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
