The east of the city of Renstadt was known as the Land of Thousand Lakes. The lakes large and small were as smooth as mirrors, like green agates that complemented the verdant woods.
Naturally, such a beautiful place was occupied by the royal family and the great nobles. James, Duke of Paphos' private manor was right next to such a gentle lake that seemed to have no waves at all. It was peaceful and tranquil.
A four-wheeled carriage pulled by a dragon scale horse slowly stopped in front of the gate of the manor. Arthur, the fat man, quickly opened the door and jumped off before Lucien. Then he reached out to help Lucien get off the carriage.
Lucien shook his head with a smile and stepped forward, appearing behind Arthur. He seemed to be talking to himself, "What's the point of doing that? As long as I run the Holm Mining Union Bank and the Mineral and Harvest Company well, it will be the best performance in front of Her Majesty. "
The shares that Prince Patrick 'invested' in were undoubtedly inherited by Natasha. Therefore, Lucien often teased her. He had worked hard to invent magic items and saved a fortune. Also, he did not have to worry about the exchange of magic materials before he advanced into legendary anymore. He should have been proud of himself. However, Natasha's wealth far exceeded his own just by inheriting the inheritance. It was truly enviable.
Arthur turned around and followed behind Lucien. He smiled without blushing, "I respect you from the bottom of my heart, Lucien. The alchemical substances and magic items that you invented have made me unimaginably wealthy. Also, I successfully squeezed into the core circle of Duke James. So, what I did just now was sincere. There was no other purpose. You said that Her Majesty was satisfied with the promotion and development of the Mineral and Harvest Company. What about the Holm Mining Union Bank? Did she say anything? "
"Her Majesty is from Orvarit and does not know much about the banking industry that only exists in the countries around the Storm Strait. So, she did not have any comments. You can find an opportunity to write a report on the bank's introduction and future development and submit it to her. " Lucien knew that if he wanted to promote magic items and influence the people in Holm, Brianne, and other countries, there were three aspects that he had to focus on. The first one was to simplify the production of magic items, and the second one was to use banks as the core financial support. The third one was to control public opinion.
Of course, everything was based on the strength of the Congress of Magic.
"Alright." Said Arthur in delight. His face that was so fat that it seemed to be puffy was piled together, and his eyes were narrowed into a line.
At the gate of the manor were two rows of soldiers in red uniforms, indicating that Natasha had arrived.
Passing them, led by a servant, Lucien and Arthur to the most eye-catching garden of the manor.
This garden was the pride of Duke James, second only to the Thousand Lakes Villa of the royal family. It was spacious, and the flowers were in full bloom.
At the center of the garden was a relatively spacious place for a banquet. The lake and the mountains could be seen in the front, and the back was surrounded by flowers and exotic trees.
The moment Lucien stepped into the banquet hall, he noticed Natasha. She was wearing a black suit that was more like a hunting suit. Her long purple hair was tied up, and her silver-purple eyes were deep. She looked more calm than usual, as if she had finally changed from a Violet Countess to a real queen after so many days of adaptation.
Looking at Natasha with appreciation and affection, Lucien was in a better mood, as if the restlessness in his heart had been pacified. He would be satisfied even if he did nothing but look at her in silence.
As if she sensed Lucien's gaze, Natasha slightly turned her head and raised her eyes, meeting Lucien's.
Her silver eyes seemed to be glittering, and her lips curled. It seemed that she did not know that Duke James and the rest of them had invited Lucien, either.
However, Natasha quickly calmed herself down and continued her conversation with the nobles around her.
She was wearing a pair of black silk gloves that matched her clothes. She did not take them off when she accepted the nobles' kiss.
Lucien had changed back to his double-breasted suit today. Now that they had made up their minds, he did not need to worry that the girl would regard him as a friend because of the same style.
After a while, Natasha looked at Lucien who was approaching and said with a polite smile, "It's been a long time, my Knight."
At this moment, the other nobles who were not as strong finally noticed Lucien's arrival. Their conversation came to an abrupt halt. Including Duke James, Duke Russell, Arthur and the rest of them, they glanced at the two of them with curiosity and expectation, trying to find any clues.
Were they really good friends, musical partners, or Knight whom they had pledged loyalty to? Or did they have a more intimate relationship?
Lucien took off his top hat and pressed it on his chest. On one of his knees, he picked up Natasha's right hand with his left hand and kissed the back of her hand softly through the silk gloves as a Knight should. "Your Majesty, your Knight has never left."
Her right hand shivered as if she remembered something. Lucien also recalled the moonlight scene that he described earlier and put on a smile.
After Lucien released her hand and stood up, Natasha finally smiled. "I've seen a lot of interesting things in Holm. They have filled the kingdom with vigor and vitality. It's all thanks to you, Lucien."
Looking at their courteous attitude and listening to their normal conversation, Arthur was a little disappointed. They really seemed to be just friends. They did not cross the line at all, and there were no small details that indicated a closer relationship. He had thought that Lucien would eventually become the queen's husband and Prince of the Nekso, and he would have found the strongest supporter. However, things did not seem to be as good as he imagined.
Duke James and the rest of them were rather disappointed, but they also felt somewhat lucky. They feared that Her Majesty would really fall in love with Lucien Evans and marry him despite the Church's obstruction, which would lead to civil strife in the kingdom. That would be out of their original purpose.
What they hoped was that Her Majesty and Lucien Evans could have a close relationship, but not to the point that they were head over heels in love with each other. Through Lucien Evans, they could get a child to stabilize the royal power. Then, they could have a virtual husband in name, so that the balance between the Church and the Congress could be maintained.
As for whether or not they would maintain a private relationship, it was not something that they needed to consider.
Trying to hold back his feelings, Lucien really talked to Natasha next to her like a good friend and a Knight of the queen. Now and then, he was interrupted by her conversations with other nobles. The whole scene was no different from a regular banquet.
After twenty minutes, seeing that nothing was found, Duke James chuckled. "Just now, Her Majesty mentioned the novelties in the kingdom. I happen to have some of them here. Why don't I show them to Your Majesty? Mr. Lucien Evans, the inventor, will introduce them in person?"
"Okay." Natasha replied quickly, knowing that Duke James wanted to talk to her about something.
Therefore, the four core liberals, Lucien, Camille and another young man who had silver eyes followed Natasha to the main house of the manor.
"This is Count David, a ferocious Knight of the royal family." Duke James introduced him to Lucien.
Lucien nodded his head. "I heard Mr. Morris mention your father before. He was an excellent sorcerer."
David had the obvious appearance of the Hoffenberg family. He was handsome and chiseled, but his silver eyes made him look cold and indifferent. Hearing Lucien's words, he smiled and said, "Mr. Evans, I'm glad that you approve of my father."
His attitude was neither cold nor warm, as if he were thinking of his dead father.
Very soon, they entered the main house of the manor and stepped on the stairs that were covered in red carpets. As the queen's Knight, Lucien naturally walked at the end and "protected" Natasha together with Camille.
The moment Duke James and the rest of them passed the corner of the stairs, Lucien suddenly felt something cold and soft in his left hand.
"Natasha's hand?" Lucien turned around and looked at her in surprise, only to see her eyes that were filled with delight.
Natasha's right hand had taken off the silk glove at some point. The warmth in her palm was a striking contrast to the politeness a moment ago.
Lucien understood what she meant. His left hand could not help but clench even tighter. Although there was no entanglement of lust, the clasping of their hands secretly gave Lucien an indescribable satisfaction. The warmth seemed to have a faint meaning, as if his heart had become peaceful and tranquil.
While they held each other's hands, Natasha looked forward, but she couldn't hide her smile at all.
After they passed the corner of the stairs, the two of them released their hands at the same time and followed Duke James to the end of the stairs as if nothing had happened.
Inside the secret chamber, there were trays with glasses of wine, red wine, champagne and "Sky Blue" on them.
After everybody examined them, they each picked up a drink and looked at Duke James, waiting for him to speak.
"As a matter of fact, I just want to ask Your Majesty about your attitude toward the alchemical workshops and the promotion of magic items. To be honest, a lot of our wealth has been invested in them. "Duke James felt that he had grasped Natasha's inclination, so he got straight to the point.
Natasha maintained her majesty as a queen. "I only have one attitude. All the magic items that are beneficial to the development of the kingdom and the people will be encouraged to be promoted, and all the evil and depraved things will be forbidden."
"Your Majesty, you are truly not like those conservative people." Duke Russell said with a smile, "I want to invest in something right now, but I can't find a profitable place. Mr. Evans, do you have any suggestions?"
"What kind of investment?" Lucien suddenly had the feeling that he was in a business conference.
Russell sipped his champagne and said with a smile, "A radio station, like 'Arcana Voice' and 'News of the World', not just a few news programs and music appreciation."
He keenly sensed the value in it, but it was hard for him to figure out how to make money.
Natasha looked at Lucien curiously. He seemed to have talked about it before in private.
Lucien said with a smile, "The most important thing is that magic radios are still very expensive. Although they have been simplified, only the civilians above the middle level can have them. Their popularity means that the profits of the radio stations are not high."
"Do you have any suggestions for further simplification?" Henson Count was quite interested in that, too.
Lucien looked at them and said thoughtfully, "I suggest that the radio stations run newspapers at the same time. Whoever subscribes to newspapers for a year will be given a magic radio. That way, the popularity of the radio stations will rise very soon."
"That will lead to heavy losses!" As the Minister of Finance, Henson Count was very sensitive about losses. A magic radio was much more expensive than a year of newspapers.
Lucien looked at Natasha and said, "It's true that there will be losses here, but that's the necessary price for promotion, and the income comes from advertisements. I'll ask the Telephone and Telegraph Company, the Minerals and Harvest Company, to give the radio stations enormous advertising fees. "
"Then, won't you lose money?" Natasha was somewhat confused.
Lucien said with a smile, "Advertisements are investments in the first place, and the effects won't be seen until the magic radios are popularized. We can afford to wait for this cycle."
Even if there were losses, it would be worthwhile to control the public opinion of the radio stations in the Kingdom of Holm through advertisements.
Duke James was about to speak, when his face suddenly turned dark and he crushed the cup in his hands. "It's poisoned!"
It was not until the moment he said that that Lucien sensed the corrosive, terrifying toxins erupting inside his body, only to be eliminated by the Congus Ring. However, a very weird curse power was hidden below the toxins, which made him unable to concentrate his spiritual power as if he were drunk!
Was there something wrong with the wine in the secret chamber?
He didn't detect it at all!
In his anxiety, Lucien looked at Natasha. His heart immediately became heavy, because her face was dark and her hands were shivering too.
Duke James roared, "Who poisoned it?"
His voice was so loud that it almost shattered the glass and attracted the attention of the nobles outside.
He was very clear that, as long as it was not an expert above legendary, anyone who approached the gold Knight and poisoned him within his self-awareness would definitely raise his wariness.
Unless there was a traitor!
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