NOVPUBThe carriage of the Lord’s Mansion traversed through the undulating city-state roads.
From afar, the bell from the church’s spire pierced the tranquility of the afternoon, the tall hour hand on the clock tower moved slowly, ringing intermittently, reminding the city dwellers of the passage of time.
Looking distantly, mountains outside the city-state reached the sky, enormous ice-sculpted peaks were dyed a faint gold by the afternoon sun, resembling the guardian of the city-state, silently watching over the land.
After less than half an hour’s journey, they were nearing the Lord’s Mansion.
The steward said that, as friends of the young master Shaar, the Lord’s Mansion would also provide guest rooms for them, so they didn’t have to find an inn in Chinston City.
Now, there’s an addition of a little black cat in the carriage playing hide and seek on Lanci’s shoulder and back.
Despite the Cat boss scurrying about nonstop, Lanci still looked out the window, lost in thought.
The beginning of this northern journey was quite smooth.
The main goal was to investigate what was going on with the Demon King’s Special Slaughter Troops in the North Border Province.
Only by uncovering some significant information could he possibly halt the countdown on Duchess Cloris’s head.
This was a request from Cloris, and an agreement that as long as they keep her safe, the Duke Family would become long-term support for Lanci. It was crucial for Lanci’s rise to the upper echelon of the Empire.
Although being the acting principal of the Protoss Royal Magic Academy was already an accomplishment, it was far from enough to shock Hyperion.
The position of principal had no benefit to her Empire journey, nor could it make her play more happily and comfortably.
He must strive, he must stand in the most conspicuous place waiting for her return.
So a clue has now appeared. There was another investigation team that had gone north earlier than him and Cloris in the imperial capital. Even he and Cloris did not know what this investigation team was going to investigate.
This intelligence was currently only known by a few lords of the Xue Yuan Province. Due to its importance, they probably would not disclose it unless it was someone extraordinarily intimate.
Although Lanci had several lords to choose from, and he could somehow squeeze information out of each, the closest one right now was Viscount Levin Chinston.
Accompanying Lanci’s thoughts, the carriage slowly passed through the center of the city-state, traversed the intricate cobblestone lanes, and finally arrived at the outskirts of the Lord’s Mansion.
A huge iron gate, on both sides adorned with bronze eagle head carvings. Persistent evergreen vines climbed up the high walls in the snow. Even in the cold winter, they showcased the tenacity of life.
When the carriage stopped, and the three of them got off, the steward was already waiting at the entrance.
He nodded to the three of them, bent slightly, signalling them to come inside.
Crossing through the garden, they caught sight of an impressive mansion. The dark grey stone walls contrasted starkly with the white snow, the large floor-to-ceiling windows were crafted from heavy wood. Through the glass, one could vaguely see the deep brown décor of the house.
The butler first opened a carved double door, followed by a spacious hall with meticulously laid mosaic tiles. Several landscape and portrait oil paintings adorned the walls. Light shone through the massive crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, spilling onto the carpet woven in a classical style.
Under the steward’s guidance, the three of them sat down on a sofa, waiting for the arrival of the Lord.
Deep red curtains nearly touched the floor all around. A golden chandelier was positioned at regular intervals, emitting a faint glow from the flickering candlelight. In the center, a large fireplace was ablaze creating warmth and light that rendered the hall quite comfortable.
"Please wait a moment. The Lord and the miss will come soon."
The steward motioned for the attendant to serve them, bowed to them once again, and then excused himself.
Silence pervaded the hall for a while.
The large sofa they sat on was adorned with gold edges, the cushions embroidered with the emblem of the Chinston Lord Family, a golden shield inlaid with emeralds and rubies, beneath were the family motto. Fine porcelain and silverware were placed on a few tea tables made of brown wood.
After they sat down, both Lanci and Shaar remained silent, while Sikder leisurely started tasting the tea.
"After all, who is the honorable guest? You are the future son-in-law of Viscount Levin Chinston and also an Earl’s son, no matter how you look at it."
She spoke. 𝒏𝙤𝙫𝒑𝙪𝙗.𝙘𝒐𝙢
"Whether Miss Lilith will agree to this marriage proposal is still uncertain."
Shaar quickly replied.
It was said that Viscount Levin Chinston remained faithful to his deceased wife and refused to remarry all these years. Miss Lilith was his only child. Naturally, Shaar was a suitor that the Viscount favored for his daughter. However, he would not insist if Lilith did not favor Shaar.
"Secrets hidden within the cycle of life can be unveiled with a single red string. As long as the destined ones are present, they will not miss each other," Lanci gently said as he caressed the back of the Cat boss.
The Cat boss shivered in response.
Such touching words would move anyone; if anyone else said them.
Only when Lanci said them, it dared not move.
A few minutes passed.
A smattering of footsteps echoed from above the grand hall’s lobby, accompanied by the sound of conversation. Several figures descended from the spiral staircase suspended in the air.
Five figures in total. Three older men walked in front, with a young man and woman walking silently behind.
"I apologise, Black. I have guests to receive today," the master of the house, Viscount Levin Chinston, looked troubled as if he wished to send away the other noble middle-aged man at his side as quickly as possible.
The guest of the day was actually Viscount Black Bonn, the lord of their neighboring city-state, Bonn City.
"A descendant of the Candis family, it’s only right that I meet them," the noble middle-aged man beside Viscount Levin Chinston, Viscount Black Bonn, was slightly smiling as he stroked the ring on his little finger.
At their side was a man in a dark suit who appeared to be in his thirties. Despite his silence, he exuded an aura of nobility and authority.
As for the young lady, who was gradually appearing behind Viscount Levin Chinston, she was wearing a light-colored dress. She descended slowly, like an ice sculpture, immediately attracting the gaze of Shaar, who was sitting quietly on the first floor of the hall.
Her orange hair and blue eyes were exactly as described by Shaar and Lanci Sikder.
However, Miss Lilith only briefly glanced at Shaar before turning her gaze away, as if she did not recognize him, or maybe she had already forgotten their fleeting encounter in the imperial city of Herram when they were children.
"..."
Viscount Levin Chinston obviously noticed Shaar and his daughter Lilith’s attitude. He could not help but cast an apologetic glance at Shaar, then resumed his conversation with the people beside him.
"Under Professor Mei Qi’s guidance, my son has made rapid progress. If we could have Miss Lilith join us in Bonn City to receive Professor Mei Qi’s guidance together, it would be of decisive benefit for competing in the Protoss Royal Magic Academy in the future," said Viscount Black Bonn, the noble middle-aged man stroking his ring, with a smile.
"This..."
Viscount Levin Chinston looked troubled.
He did not want to deepen his relationship with Viscount Black Bonn in this regard.
The latter has expressed on multiple occasions his intention of marrying Miss Lilith into his family, which Viscount Levin Chinston has always brushed off.
However, this time, it was clear that the latter came prepared, and Viscount Chinston did not want to offend the man in the dark suit, known as Professor Mei Qi.
"The Protoss Royal Academy has a cruel elimination system. Excellent students can rise above the rules. However, I believe you also know, even the top ten students still give respect to a few of the most senior professors in the school. This Professor Mei Qi, who happens to be visiting our Xue Yuan Province for inspection, is one of the top figures in the academy. Don’t you trust him?"
Seeing Viscount Levin Chinston’s hesitation, Viscount Black Bonn added another sentence with a smile.
From a distance, they gradually understood the content of their conversation.
Sikder and Lanci, who were sitting on the sofa, were taken aback.
Sikder gave Lanci a somewhat scornful look.
He was the head, so who was Lanci?
