Marquis Horton's mansion wasn't as big as Kieran imagined, nor was it decorated with gold and jade, but it had a sense of age.
Kieran didn't know how to appreciate antiques, let alone antiques from dungeon worlds, but his powerful Spirit and Intuition allowed him to sharply sense the presence of age.
Just like the stone statue in front of him.
It was a full-sized shield bearer.
"This is my favorite statue."
It's the symbol of our family and one of our treasures. Rumor has it that Aïtantin I ordered it to be carved during his reign and Aïtantin II bestowed it to our family. "
Kurt Horton's face was filled with pride when he introduced the statue in the courtyard to Kieran.
"It's not bad."
Kieran nodded.
It wasn't a compliment.
Most of the time, Kieran wasn't a person who liked to compliment others, unless it was necessary.
But now?
It wasn't necessary.
Kieran was simply talking about the sculpting skills and the meaning behind it.
The sculpting skills didn't need to be mentioned. For a layman like Kieran to be able to make it look so real, it must be the work of a master.
As for the meaning behind it?
Marquis Horton's actions were the answer.
While most of the nobles objected, the marquis stood up and stood in front of Aïtantin VI. Wasn't he just like the shield bearer before him, the king's most loyal guard?
Besides, Kieran was sure that Kurt Horton would inherit his father's will.
Although they hadn't known each other for long, Kieran was quite confident in his judgment of people.
Kurt Horton was a simple and loyal Knight.
Just like now.
After hearing Kieran's compliment, Kurt Horton who treated Kieran as a friend smiled right away.
"I knew you would like it."
After the banquet, I'll show you the rest of my collection.
"Although I really want to bring you into my family's treasury, I can't make the decision now."
The young noble said as he gestured for Kieran to walk towards the hall at the back of the courtyard.
Collect?
Treasure vault?
Kieran was stunned.
Then, he turned his head and looked seriously at the young noble who was still blabbering on and on. Unable to hold back his excitement, our 'treasure hunter' began to get a little excited.
However, he restrained himself immediately.
There are things that can be done.
Some things shouldn't be done.
Kieran knew this very well.
He did not want to become a prisoner of desire.
He preferred to control his desires.
Appetite …
It should be fine to indulge a little.
After all, he had restrained himself, so there should be some reward, right?
Life is so bitter, only you taste strawberry.
Somehow, Kieran started to miss Starbeck again.
On the way from the courtyard to the hall, Kieran didn't hear what Kurt Wharton said at all. He just nodded mechanically.
"Colin, wait for me for a moment."
"I need to change my clothes."
I'll be right back. "
Kurt Wharton said after he walked into the hall. He then waved at the servant behind him.
The servant stood beside Kieran right away, ready to receive any orders from Kieran.
"Em."
Kieran nodded.
Kurt Wharton then turned around and left.
Kieran unconsciously walked towards the corner of the hall.
The people who arrived early in the hall had their eyes following Kieran's movements.
Although the banquet hadn't started yet, out of etiquette, the nobles who received the invitation had arrived at Marquis Wharton's mansion early and waited patiently.
The nobles were well aware of the reason for this banquet.
So, when they saw Kieran walking side by side with Kurt Wharton, their eyes shone.
Especially those young noble ladies, when they saw Kieran and Kurt Wharton chatting and laughing, the shine in their eyes almost materialized.
A young man who saved the life of the heir of Wharton family, even if he wasn't a noble, he was worth investing in.
Besides, following the introduction of the new order, who knew what would happen?
The nobles who were invited to the banquet were naturally on Marquis Wharton's side.
At least, that was how it looked on the surface.
Whatever tricks were hidden in the dark, they wouldn't put it on the table.
Therefore, Kieran clearly felt the longing gazes from the nobles.
He slightly frowned.
Kieran glanced over them and turned his head to the window.
Out of sight, out of mind.
However, Kieran had obviously underestimated the girls from noble families.
They knew how to be reserved and reserved.
But …
They knew what kind of opportunity it was.
Four to five seconds later, three young ladies who were proud of their looks stood up from their seats. They noticed each other and immediately showed polite smiles on their faces.
Then …
At the same time, they walked towards the corner where Kieran was.
One of them even lifted the hem of her dress and jogged in order to get there faster.
The other two were a step slower, when they wanted to run over, it was already too late.
The lady was already standing in front of Kieran.
"Good evening.
Are you Sir Corin? "
The young lady who relied on her wits to get to Kieran first showed a smile. The dimples on her cheeks were very beautiful, plus her soft voice, it made her even more likable and hard to hate.
"No.
It really is you, I heard before … "
The young noble lady spoke almost immediately after Kieran answered.
She only reacted after the words escaped her mouth.
She widened her eyes and looked at Kieran in disbelief.
Then, her cheeks blushed and her eyes misted up, looking like she was about to cry.
Kieran looked at her coldly.
The coldness in his eyes was as sharp as a knife.
The young noble lady was scared to the point that she stepped back.
Her little face turned pale, the fake tears even forgot to continue flowing down her face.
At that moment, the two noble ladies behind her seized the chance and walked over. Unfortunately, before the two of them could speak, Kieran's cold gaze swept over them.
The two noble ladies were even worse than the first one, they were so scared that they fell to the ground.
Kurt Horton's attendant who was standing behind Kieran looked at Kieran blankly.
The attendant had thought of every possible scenario and was prepared to deal with it.
But he never thought it would turn out like this.
A direct rejection.
There was even a hint of deterrence in it.
This doesn't seem to be … according to noble etiquette right?
The attendant thought in his heart.
Then, he remembered that Kieran wasn't a noble but a Demon Hunter.
It seemed like …
It also matched his identity?
The attendant couldn't tell more but it didn't stop him from signalling the servant beside him with his eyes and walking up to ease the awkward atmosphere.
The servant who got the signal and witnessed everything ran to the back of the hall as if he was flying.
He needed to report to his young master.
'Your friend is really unexpected, we can't handle him!'
…
Behind the hall, Kurt Horton's private mansion.
Even though the mansion wasn't big, it was only compared to the nobles and commoners, it was still beyond imagination.
At least as the heir of the Horton family, Kurt Horton had his own mansion.
It was in the marquis' mansion but it was independent.
Likewise, the attendants and servants were his direct subordinates.
"Young master."
A female attendant welcomed Kurt Horton.
"I need that white dress."
And bring me the table in the study room … "
"Forget it, I'll go get it myself, just prepare the dress."
Kurt Horton thought of something and changed his order.
He then strode into the study room and went straight to his desk.
He went around the desk and went straight to the second drawer from the bottom on the right side.
Under the cover of a book, he took out the iron box with the Elk Pastry Shop's secret pastries — it was his custom-made pastries that couldn't be found in the market.
The taste was unique.
But it was expensive.
Even as the heir of the marquis, he didn't eat it often.
Touching the metal box, Kuer Horton looked reluctant to part with it.
But it was quickly replaced by a smile.
Good things should naturally be shared with friends.
"Corin will surely be surprised by this."
Kurt Horton turned around and went to the changing room.
There, his personal maid was already waiting with a white gown in hand.
Without waiting for the maid, Kurt Horton started to take off his clothes.
Kurt Horton quickly put on the white dress and was eager to receive his friend with the pastries. However, when he entered the study room, he saw his father sitting there.
"Father."
Kurt Horton put away his smile and greeted his father respectfully.
"Em."
The old marquis nodded, his face was very serious and it made the sharpness in his eyes even more pressuring.
Under his father's gaze, Kurt Horton unconsciously straightened his body.
It was a habit he had since he was young.
Even after he became an adult, Kurt Horton's habit didn't change.
"I know you have some special hobbies.
"Everyone is like that."
But you shouldn't expose it in front of a stranger. "
The old marquis said slowly.
"Corin is a friend."
Kurt Horton said directly.
However, his straightforwardness made the old marquis frown hard.
"I told you!
As the heir of the Horton family, you can't have a friend!
All you have is an ally! "
The old marquis raised his voice a notch.
Kurt Horton didn't say anything but his stubborn look told the old marquis what his son was thinking.
Or …
As a father, he knew what Kuer Horton was thinking right now.
He was too young.
He would never know how much damage his so-called friend would cause him.
Similar to how he didn't know what would happen to him once his secret was exposed.
"Kurt, you are different.
"From the moment you decided to become the heir of the Wharton family, you became different."
So … "
"Bear with it for a while."
The old marquis took a deep breath and continued.
When he uttered the last word, the old marquis' face was filled with helplessness, sadness, and pain.
It was the shadow of pain and pain.
Kurt Horton shivered when he saw his father's expression.
He bit his lips, his eyes showing struggle.
"Can't I even have a friend?"
Kurt Horton made his last struggle.
The old marquis looked at his son, he really wanted to nod but the moment he was about to nod, he saw his son's gaze and his heart softened.
He already owed his son too much.
But deep in his heart, he knew what was best for the family.
Maybe …
The old marquis asked softly when he thought of something.
"You trust your friend a lot?"
"Mm."
Kuer Horton nodded when he recalled Kieran's serious and unpretentious look.
"Okay.
"Then tell him your secret."
I'll send someone to test him.
If he can keep your secret, I'll acknowledge him as your only friend. If not … I hope Kurt can keep the last bit of naivety in your heart. "
"How about it?"
The old marquis asked.
"Sure!"
Kurt Horton nodded without a second thought. Although he knew his father's methods and schemes were very powerful, he believed in Kieran.
It was the trust of a friend!
No hesitation!
"It's a deal then!"
The old marquis smiled when he saw how determined his son was.
Fine.
It's good to let my son see the dark side of the world.
As for 'persuading' that Colin?
He was very confident.
Just when the father and son finished their deal, hurried footsteps sounded outside. Kurt Horton's valet ran in. When he saw the old marquis in the study room, the valet bowed and then looked at Kurt Horton with a hesitant gaze.
The old marquis wasn't displeased at all.
Quite the opposite, he looked at his son with praise.
Being able to do this meant that his son was very outstanding.
In a noble family, strength was part of the equation, leading subordinates was another, and socializing was the last.
Strict discipline and the use of both carrot and stick was the key.
As for loyalty?
It was the result.
A result that required constant vigilance.
"I'll wait for you outside."
The old marquis then walked out of the study room.
After the old marquis left, the valet quickly and clearly told the old marquis what happened in the living room.
"Hahahaha.
"As expected of my friend."
He must have seen through the true nature of those bastards. "
Kurt Horton laughed heartily, sweeping away the depression between him and his father.
Then, he strode out of the study room.
"Are you happy?"
The old marquis asked as he walked side by side with his son.
"Mm.
Just now … "
When Kurt Horton told the old marquis what happened in the living room, the old marquis was stunned at first before he curled his lips into a smile and shook his head.
"He is too reckless.
"He will only make enemies for no reason."
And … "
Instinctively, the old marquis wanted to analyze the situation for his son.
However, Kurt Horton didn't want to hear it.
So he hastened his steps.
However, when he returned to the hall, he saw a scene that left him dumbfounded.
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