When Brando first met Gwendolyn in the Silver Valley, the Jorgendy Ridge army's offensive did not stop for even a moment. After losing contact with Vargas, Nefiel and Taris were declared lost one after another. It was then that Cruz finally figured out who their enemy was — the King of the Lizards, 'Grey Eyes' Moksha. Moksha commanded his army to march northward and swept through the Merlin area to the north of the Bear Lake. Wherever they passed, the remaining resistance forces in Anzloa's area collapsed one after another. At this time, Jorgendy Ridge's intentions were as clear as day.
It was obvious that their target was Asaph.
Once Asaph was lost, the Empire would face the danger of losing the Evergreen Corridor and thus being isolated from the Wilderness of the Four Territories. It was only at this moment that the people of the Empire who had been beaten senseless reacted. The lords and local legions quickly mobilized, waiting for Her Majesty's order to provide support. The White Legion advanced southward to the vicinity of the Evergreen Corridor, ready to reinforce the most important lifeline of the Empire at any time.
But it was easier said than done to turn the situation around.
In the previous few attacks, some people had even observed the existence of dragons, and the news from Rokezi had confirmed this. At least two of the five Underground Kings had participated in this battle, and this news had shaken the entire Empire.
It was as if the Empire had never faced such a dangerous situation since the last war. From the politicians and soldiers to the commoners, almost everyone was inquiring about this sudden war from various sources. The nobles were concerned about what kind of harm this war would bring to their interests, while the commoners were worried about whether the flames of war would spread uncontrollably and drag them into the quagmire of war.
At this moment, Anzloa's battle had plunged the southern part of the empire into a confusing fog. From the Violet Valley to the Metz region in the north of the Sublime Inland Sea, from Cloak Bay to Banker, countless eyes were focused on this place through various means. Everyone was waiting anxiously for news from Asgard.
But there were always people who thought further.
… …
"What will happen if Asaph is lost?"
The one who asked the question was a little girl with big, sparkling blue eyes and shoulder-length blonde hair. She was wearing a princess dress and sitting on a chair with her hands folded on top of her dress. She was obviously a well-educated noble lady. The little girl was looking up at Madame Merrier, their history and nobility teacher. Not far away, Vahina was sitting on a high chair, looking out of the window absent-mindedly. It was a floor-to-ceiling arched window. Outside the window was the scenery of Fort Rovoff in winter. The forest still had a touch of dark green color, but above the canopy was set against the snow-capped peaks.
Mehotofen was a basin surrounded by plains and hills in the south of the snow-capped mountains of Ludwig. The melting snow converged into a river to form a fertile land. When winter passed and spring came, the land would be covered with flowers. The country bumpkins from the Arrakesh area in the east called it the Land of Flowers in Spring. The cold wind from the Eastern Glaciers made Gretius stay in the snow all year round. In comparison, the fertile land in the south was warmer.
That was how it got its name, the Land of Flowers and Leaves. That was the name of the land.
Before the Year of the Flower, his master was the noble Brook, who died of typhoid fever in the Year of the Ear of Wheat. After that, Duke Helix, who is now known as the Gloomy Duke, inherited the title of Duke and became the actual owner of this land. The Duke was not an ascetic, but he had few children. He only had two sons, the eldest of whom died in the last war. After his two sons, he only had a pair of granddaughters.
Vahina glanced enviously at her carefree sister. In her heart, she had already mercilessly despised the other party's stupid question. However, this kind of disdain stemmed from the doting heart of an elder sister towards her younger sister, so she didn't show it on her face.
The two sisters had always been on good terms with each other.
Elise was known as the most obedient little angel in the Flower Leaf Territory, while Faena's temper was something that Brendel had personally experienced. She had always been lawless outside the Circle of Trade Winds and committed crimes together with her friends in the Imperial Capital. It was only after she returned from the Loop of Trade Winds that she became a little more ladylike, and Duke Helix had to thank the heavens for that.
However, what she did during this period of time was to compile her adventures into a book after she returned to the territory. She wanted to bring it to Rushta in the future to show off. Of course, before that, her only sister was already familiar with these stories. The little girl, who was still in an ignorant period, didn't feel bored at all. Instead, she was full of admiration for her sister. So much so that the latter was also full of longing for the outside world. However, she wasn't as daring as her sister.
After Elise asked that question, the hall was silent for a moment. Madame Merrier seemed to be thinking about the question as well — not in a practical sense, but purely from an academic point of view. Therefore, she was not affected by the current situation of the Empire. She adjusted her glasses and thought for a moment before answering, "From a purely military point of view, the Empire is likely to lose the Evergreen Aisle. However, this blow to the Empire is far more symbolic than practical. Even if the Empire loses the Evergreen Aisle, they can still support the battlefield in the Wilderness of Four Territories from Flower Leaf Domain. This is a rare opportunity for the Grand Duke. If not for the enmity with Farnezain back then, with Flower Leaf Domain's geographical location, it is not inferior to the Evergreen Aisle at all …"
This lady's interests were closely related to the Flower Leaf Territory. She was still brooding over the fact that the Flower Leaf Territory's commerce had declined due to the last Holy War. As soon as she talked about this matter, she immediately began to talk non-stop.
Elise listened with great interest, while Vahina was already bored to death. She had listened to the same thing a few hundred times already, and her ears were getting calluses from listening to it.
More importantly, she was not in the mood to listen to these things at all. The reason for all of this was the letter her father's butler handed to her the night before.
The letter came from the Imperial Capital of Rushta. Like many other major families in the Empire, the House of Kirk had many informants and connections in the center of the Empire's power. Be it during critical times or on normal days, there would be many letters between these families and their informants and connections. These letters were no longer a secret in the Empire, but the one in Vahina's hands was different.
There were some secret markings on the letter of the ancient family, and these markings could only indicate that the letter came from an important member of the family.
For example, Duke Helix and Vahina's father, Count Effie, who was currently in the Imperial Capital.
The content of the letter was simple. It only said that there were some troubles in the Imperial Capital and that they would only be able to return to their territory a little later.
However, it was this letter that aroused Vahina's suspicions.
Currently, there were no male members in the family. Based on her grandfather's and father's personalities, it was impossible for them to send such a formal letter to inform her. This was something that had never happened before, so she was alarmed. For the past week, she had been trying to get information from the capital through her butler, Elliot. However, something strange happened. The family's informants in Rusta seemed to have vanished into thin air. She couldn't get in touch with any of them.
The news about her grandfather and father were also half-truths. Some said that Duke Helix was still living in the Tulip Mansion in the Imperial Capital, but the informants Elliot sent out said that the news was false. The duke and the count had left two weeks ago.
The conflicting news hung over Vahina like a dark cloud. She was starting to regret that she did not listen to her grandfather's instructions and seriously participate in the daily affairs of the fief. Now that she had to start all over again without anyone to rely on, she felt like she was in the dark.
"The last batch of people should be back soon," Vahina thought to herself. The young lady felt as if she was sitting on pins and needles as she thought to herself. The incessant Madam Merrier couldn't help but become even more hateful in her eyes. "This hateful old maid!"
Vahina cursed under her breath. But it was a pity that Madam Merrier's status in the fief was high. In the past, her grandfather, Duke Helix, would never do anything to her just because of her slanderous words. Most of the time, she would be punished by confinement, which was a common occurrence for Vahina. But now, Vahina could be said to be the one in charge of the House of Flowers, but she did not have the mood to retaliate.
Just as she was about to fall asleep, a long-awaited knock came from outside the hall. Madam Merrier stopped and glared at Vahina sternly. Vahina hurriedly gestured apologetically, jumped off the chair, and ran out of the door. She did not tell anyone about what happened in the past week and a half, not even Elise. At least the noble lady knew what it meant.
The butler of the castle had been waiting outside for a long time. Vahina saw her father's trusted aide and hurriedly asked, "How is it, Mister Elliot? Is there any news about my grandfather and my father?"
She was halfway through her question when she suddenly shut her mouth.
That was because she saw the terrible expression on her father's face. It was the first time she saw such an expression on his poker face.
Without any warning, the princess of the House of Flowers had a bad feeling. She hesitated for a moment before asking, "Butler Elliot, did something happen to my grandfather?"
Elliot nodded stiffly. "Milady, something happened in the Imperial Capital. I think you should be prepared."
"What the hell happened?!" Vahina's face turned pale as if she had been struck by a rod. She could not help but ask with some fear, "Did my father and grandfather …"
"You're overthinking it, milady," Elliot quickly explained, realizing that the young mistress had misunderstood, "The duke and the count should be safe for now, but a few days ago, Her Majesty the Queen issued an order to put them under house arrest."
"Put them under house arrest?" Vahina was slightly stunned. She seemed to be relieved, but at the same time she asked in confusion, "Why?"
She knew that ever since Her Majesty the Queen ascended to the throne, her relationship with the House of Kirk had never been good. However, it was not so bad that she would put a duke under house arrest. What did this mean? It meant that the Imperial Family had publicly broken ties with a powerful family. She believed that no matter if it was the queen or the entire empire, this was something that they didn't want to see.
"Her Majesty the Queen believes that the duke and the count have betrayed the Empire." Elliot stammered.
"Betrayed the Empire?!" Vahina almost jumped out of her seat, "What kind of joke is that woman playing? How is that possible?!"
Elliot did not dare to answer because it was too disgraceful. Fortunately, there were no outsiders here. He carefully looked around before reminding his young mistress, "Please be careful with your words, milady. The duke and the count have been put under house arrest in the Imperial Capital. Her Majesty the Queen will definitely make a move on us before this news spreads. You have to make a decision."
Vahina was stunned.
She had to make a decision, but what decision could she make? The only person she could rely on right now was her teacher, Veronica. However, the problem was that Veronica had been put under house arrest because of her previous trip to Erouine. Vahina couldn't help but feel isolated and helpless after hearing Elliot's words. Her mind was in a mess, and she couldn't help but speak to her father's butler, "I understand, Elliot. Let me be alone for a while. I'll tell you what to do later."
The old butler seemed to have seen through his young mistress's predicament, but he didn't expose her. He only nodded and replied, "Call me if you need anything." Then, he turned around and left.
Vahina was left standing by the door in a mess.
Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that her grandfather and father's ordinary trip to the Imperial Capital would turn out like this. She didn't know if it was her or Her Majesty the Queen who had gone mad. Under normal circumstances, even if her grandfather and father had really betrayed the Empire, the Imperial Family wouldn't have dealt with them so carelessly. After all, the impact of this matter was too great. No matter how she looked at it, there was another reason for Her Majesty's actions. But the key was that she couldn't figure out what the problem was.
"If only that guy was here. He must know what happened. It seems like there's nothing we can hide from him." Vahina couldn't help but mutter to herself.
She stood by the door for a moment and was about to turn around and inform Elise about this matter. Now that things had come to this, she knew that she couldn't hide it any longer. If she wasn't careful, the House of Kirk would be doomed eternally. Of course, it was the same for Her Majesty the Queen. That was what Vahina couldn't understand. She couldn't understand why the Queen of the Empire seemed to have gone mad all of a sudden. It was at this moment that a guard ran in from outside.
The guard was slightly startled when he saw Vahina. He probably didn't expect her to stand by the door in a daze. "Milady, there's a group of Knights outside."
"A group of Knights?"
"No, to be precise, it's a group of Knights and another person." The guard quickly explained.
"What group of Knights and another person?" Vahina snapped. "I'll give you a chance to explain yourself. Otherwise, I'll throw you into the dungeon!"
That guard was startled. Obviously, he had not expected that he would be enraged by the princess of Flower Leaf Territory. He hurriedly explained cautiously, "There are two groups of people outside the door. One group seems to be the knights of the town, while the other group only has one person, who seems to be a messenger."
"Knight?" Vahina's heart skipped a beat. The so-called Knight in town was actually the Knight of the Inner Court. It was an open secret that these Knights were stationed in the private territories of the nobles. In more remote places, the local lords might only know that there were such people in their own territories, but not necessarily know who they were. But in a territory like Flower Leaf, the royal family had no choice but to care about the attitude of the various dukes. Therefore, the Knight stationed here was mostly semi-public.
And as the watchers, the relationship between the watchers and the watchers would naturally not be harmonious. Most likely, they wouldn't come for anything good.
Vahina immediately connected the dots with Elliot's words. She frowned and was about to refuse when she stopped and asked, "Is the messenger with them?"
"Yes." The guard replied honestly. He couldn't help but rejoice that this little she-devil princess was kind enough to not throw him into the pitch-black dungeon below the castle. This was no laughing matter. Last time, there was a maidservant who was slightly displeased by this young lady and was thrown into the dungeon for several days. The maidservant was so scared that she was still a little neurotic to this day.
"Is he our messenger?" Vahina asked again.
The guard shook his head. "I don't think so. He said he's from Anzlova. I think he's a liar. That place has long been sealed."
"Shut up," Vahina coldly cut him off. "I didn't ask you that. You said he's from Anzlova?"
The guard nodded.
… …
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