Chapter 203 The Visit of the Hero and the Demon King
The winter morning light passed through the heavy curtains, passed through the wave curtains and tassels dotted with lace, and illuminated a face as bright as moonlight.
The delicate facial features are like sculptures, and the pretty nose perfectly divides the picture in front of the mirror into two worlds of light and dark.
Standing behind the white oak stool, the young maid carefully held a strand of golden hair and carefully braided it into a refreshing braid.
The look of holding one's breath and concentration is like treating a piece of art, as if he is afraid of leaving undue ink spots on a perfect oil painting.
Although I understand that my subordinates are thinking about themselves, the braid has been braided for so long that Eileen Campbell, who is usually very tense, can no longer sit still.
"Her Royal Highness, please hold on for a little longer, you will be fine soon." Seeing Her Royal Highness's fidgeting, the maid standing behind the chair comforted her softly.
"I think it's almost enough..." Irene couldn't help but glance at the pocket watch on the table, and she protested awkwardly in a low voice.
However, the maid standing behind her was unmoved and said seriously.
"Almost? How is that possible! You have personally told us to take this trip seriously, and for such an important date, don't you want to leave a perfect impression on Mr. Colin?"
"Yes, Your Highness, please hold on for a little longer, you will be fine soon." The maid standing next to her also said helpfully.
"Dating? No, I shouldn't have said that..." A blush spread on her fair cheeks, and Irene's voice was as light as a mosquito. She wanted to explain but faced the smile in the mirror, and finally gave up the increasingly darker excuse.
I don’t know who started spreading the news, but now everyone in the manor thinks something happened between her and Mr. Colin.
But Irene did not blame the servants.
In fact, she knew in her heart that if she was completely indifferent to or disliked someone, those servants who were good at observing people would never mention that person's name in front of her.
Perhaps deep down in my heart, I am actually not that resistant, and I even feel a little bit happy, hoping that the other party will also be aware of those rumors.
If he is the same as himself, he actually doesn’t hate it deep down, and even has the same secret joy...
Irene feels a little hot on her back, as if what is behind her is not the back of the chair, but the flames of the fireplace.
Time always flies by when you are thinking wildly.
By the time she came to her senses, her golden braid had been elegantly coiled into a circle on the back of her head, as holy as a crown adorned with silver ornaments.
Everyone loves beauty, and Erin Campbell is no exception.
Looking at herself shining in the mirror, the corners of her mouth unconsciously raised, and she suddenly felt that the long wait was worth it...
In the front hall of the main building of the manor, Teresa, wearing light armor, sat upright and waited until a sound of brisk footsteps came from the corridor not far away.
When she heard the sound, she immediately stood up and looked towards the door, only to see Her Royal Highness Irene Campbell dressed in fine clothes walking towards her surrounded by maids.
Even though she had seen Her Royal Highness Eileen Campbell dressed up in many costumes, Teresa was still stunned for a second by the beauty of Her Royal Highness the Princess.
She was wearing a dark green close-fitting riding suit with exquisite gold embroidery, a narrow leather belt hanging around her waist, and her fur gray trouser legs were tucked into brown horse leather boots, making her look heroic yet elegant.
Teresa also noticed that she deliberately wore the pocket watch that Mr. Colin gave her, and hung it in a place where it could be seen at a glance without being too showy.
Seeing Teresa looking straight at her, Irene couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed, glanced down nervously and said.
"Would it seem unceremonious?"
“We are going on a tour of the countryside, not to attend a banquet, Your Highness.” Looking at the shy Princess, Teresa smiled, paused for a moment and said, “Moreover, this dress suits you very well. I believe Mr. Colin will be surprised after seeing you. Can't take my eyes away. "
"Really? Thank you for your compliment. Although I didn't choose this outfit just for him, it's just because everyone thinks this is the most suitable one." The corners of Irene's mouth raised slightly, unable to hide the joy in her heart.
In fact, her dress matches the white silk that has recently become popular in the Campbell court. It may even remind Mr. Colin of his hometown. But unfortunately, she heard that in the distant empire, it was the clothing of male nobles, so she gave up after a moment of hesitation.
"Where is Mr. Colin? Has he arrived already?"
Teresa nodded slightly.
"He is waiting in the annex, and Mr. Andes is currently entertaining him."
"He's already here?!" Irene hurriedly glanced at her pocket watch and muttered, "I hope I didn't keep him waiting too long."
Looking at Her Royal Highness the Princess, who was worried about gains and losses, Teresa smiled and said.
"I believe he would not mind if it were you."
Moreover, he and Mr. Andes seemed to be having a pleasant conversation.
Although she didn't know what they were talking about.
Irene was very satisfied with the expression on his face, and it was worth it that she had stayed in the same position on the chair for so long, letting the maids play with it.
Especially the first hour, it was really more uncomfortable for her than the physical training after practicing swordsmanship.
"We meet again, Mr. Colin, I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long." She winked playfully, reminding him of his gaffe in an elegant and decent manner.
Suppressing the fleeting "gaffe", Luo Yan stood up from the sofa and nodded slightly, with a just right smile on his face.
"It's my honor to be able to wait for you. Especially now...I feel even more so,"
Even if he faces Professor Lilith, he can remain calm. Of course, he cannot be captured by this level of "charm". It is just polite for him to act surprised and appreciative.
Although he admitted that Erin Campbell was indeed beautiful, he was a devil.
"It seems it's time for me to exit," Andes stood up from the sofa opposite, bowed slightly to the two of them, with a gentleman's smile on his face, "I wish you both a pleasant journey and be careful on the road... I heard that there have been traces of monster activity in Silver Pine Forest recently. "
"Solving the problems of the villagers is one of the purposes of my trip," Irene said with a calm smile on her face, "If I really encounter a monster, I will definitely not disgrace the mission given to me by the late king."
"I believe it, but please consider it carefully." Andes nodded slightly, and then followed Her Royal Highness the Princess's guards and sent the two of them into the carriage.
At Irene's invitation, Luo Yan got into the same carriage with her, while Punk drove along with her in the convoy.
Looking at the royal guard of honor, although Punk appeared calm on the surface, his heart was beating fiercely, and his hands holding the reins were sweating. He was nervous and excited.
However, compared with a month ago, his performance was still much better, at least he didn't get weak in the knees when he saw the Campbell family emblem.
The motorcade slowly drove out of the manor and drove along the clean and tidy streets toward the city gate. People along the way paid attention to them, looked at them with reverence, and even stopped to take off their hats.
In Thunder City, the prestige of the Campbell family is only lower than that of Saint Sith himself, which neither Colin's name nor the Andes family can match.
The guards at the city gate made way for the carriage, and the convoy quickly entered the suburbs outside the north gate of Thunder City.
Looking at the newly renovated refugee camp, Irene's smile was a little more gratified, and she spoke in a gentle voice.
"I still remember that when I first passed through here, people didn't even have a decent tent. Now they finally have a home that can protect them from the wind and rain."
Luo Yan: "This is a good start."
"Yes," Irene blinked, looked at Mr. Colin sitting opposite, and continued, "Our work is not over yet. Next, I plan to convene a meeting with powerful industrial and commercial players in the city to discuss building an industrial park near the refugee camp." Not only can it boost the economy of Thunder City, but it can also provide stable jobs for people who have lost their homes, and participate in the reconstruction of the Twilight Province by the Kingdom of Lane, which needs the things I am talking about... I'm sorry, do you feel bored when I say this? "
"How could it be?" Looking at the somewhat uneasy Erin, Luo Yan smiled gently and said, "It's amazing that you can think of this. I always thought that was something that only businessmen would consider."
Irene smiled shyly, with a hint of pride in the slightly raised corners of her mouth.
"My thoughts and my brother's actually have many similarities. We cannot always indulge in the glory of the past. Although we do not know how to open a factory, fortunately there are many talented people in the Principality of Campbell. As the owner of this land We should at least provide them with an environment where they can do something, and these jobs are exactly what the refugees need... I think this is the obligation that Saint Sith gave us to the Campbell family." She paused and continued.
"So far, we have only spent less than 10,000 gold coins, and we can do a lot of things with the remaining money."
There was a bit of excitement in her voice, like a child who got good grades but pretended to be calm, wanting to be praised by someone who cared about her but pretending not to care.
Honestly speaking, what she wants is not much compared to the sweat she has put in, and she does deserve a compliment.
The only flaw is probably that it is not sinister enough.
As we all know, human beings are duplicitous animals. Although most people long to be friends with pure and kind people, their bodies and souls are always more honest with the scheming person, and then choose the more scheming person to be their master.
"This is an amazing undertaking, Your Highness." Luo Yan obediently gave her the compliment she was looking forward to, and then reminded her kindly, "However, such important things are not suitable to be disclosed to others in advance."
Irene said with a smile.
"Will you betray me?"
"Of course not, but...I thought you would say that I am not someone else." Luo Yan had a melancholy expression on his face.
Not someone else?
What does this mean?
Irene's cheeks quickly turned red, but when she saw Colin's "deeply shocked" look, she immediately panicked and couldn't care less about questioning her for a moment.
「I didn’t mean that, I...」
Luo Yan looked into her eyes.
ˆ "Aren't we friends?"
ˆ Friends...
ˆ The heart that had just jumped to the throat fell back to the atrium.
Thinking that everything was her misunderstanding, and the misunderstanding was so far-reaching, she felt ashamed and wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl in, but then she saw the cunning in those eyes again.
This guy did it on purpose!
Hand so on——
So he actually knows?
The restless heartbeat was ups and downs, causing the crimson clouds to cross the white neck.
But she is the respected Princess Campbell after all, and has received a good education in court etiquette. Even the Demon King who graduated from the Demon King Academy cannot always "play with" her emotions.
Irene coughed slightly, and her elegant and dignified smile returned to her face.
"Mr. Colin, is it fun to tease a lady?"
That is a precursor to anger.
"I'm sorry, it's just that His Highness looked too cute and couldn't hold it back the next moment... Please forgive me for being rude." Luo Yan, who had just accepted the request, sincerely apologized. He really didn't have any ill intentions, he just wanted to create some ripples in the calm waves and bring the distance between them closer.
Please...you...collect 6...9...books...!
Looking at Mr. Colin who seemed to be introspecting, Irene loosened her tense eyebrows and softened the lines of her face again.
Of course she wasn't really angry.
It would be better to say that he is just using anger to cover up his inner panic.
"I accept your apology. To be honest, I told you those things not just to get your praise, but also to get your advice and help."
"I am happy to serve you, Your Highness," Luo Yan said respectfully, "I have no objection to your plan. It is a good idea to use work for relief at any time, especially since Thunder City has such a foundation. If the royal family is willing to mobilize the industrial and commercial owners of Thunder City, I believe this will be It will be of great benefit to the economy and prestige of the Principality of Campbell. I am willing to do my best to help you, even if I spend all my money, but I still have to remind you that it is better to discuss such an important matter with Archduke Edward, otherwise even if you have good intentions, you may do bad things."
Perhaps it was because he also had a younger sister, but he couldn't help but touch his conscience.
Irene hesitated slightly, but still smiled and said softly.
"I will discuss it with my brother. In fact, I have always done this. In addition, thank you for helping me when I need the most help. I believe that not only me, but the people here must also be grateful to you. When everything is over, I plan to build a park for the residents here to commemorate what happened here. There will be a statue of you in it."
Luo Yan looked at Irene in surprise and nodded with a smile.
"Thank you."
Him Of course he will not refuse this kind of thing. The statue can help him gather his faith without having to be there in person.
What's more, this is a statue built for himself by the Chosen One of Saint Sith.
If Saint Sith himself knew about it, I wonder if he would go crazy.
Of course.
Luo Yan definitely doesn’t think that this alone is enough to shake the foundation of Saint Sith.
That guy should be more stable than Youyou, and to attract its attention, I'm afraid he would have to make at least more noise than Lint Isaac...
...
Not long after Irene Campbell's carriage left Thunder City, a group of carriages, surrounded by palace guards, arrived at the outskirts of Thunder City.
The shining golden badges and the neat guard of honor attracted the attention of countless people. The refugees who were working on the construction site stopped what they were doing and gathered on both sides of the road.
Their faces were filled with awe and heartfelt gratitude, because it was the sun-like warmth of the Campbell family that dispelled the frost and cold in their lives.
"May the Holy Light protect the Campbell family!"
"Long live His Majesty the Grand Duke!"
"Praise our King!"
Looking at the crowded crowd, Edward, who was sitting in the carriage, accepted people's praises calmly, but a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth inadvertently.
Although he does not think the love of a group of sheep is very important, this does not prevent him from enjoying people's applause and crowding.
This is one of the few values they have besides working hard.
His crown needs these embellishments.
The city gate not far away opened, and Governor Wilson and Mayor Lucius of Thunder City quickly came forward, including Jan Andes and others.
Although Andes had already known that Edward planned to meet with the mysterious imperial noble, he did not expect that His Majesty would actually come to Thunder City in person.
This is probably the first time he has left Fort Campbell since he took the throne.
Hurrying to the side of the carriage, Governor Wilson bowed his back and said respectfully like a servant.
"Your Majesty? Why are you here."
"Of course it is to see my dear people, you have suffered this winter." Sitting in the carriage, Edward had a humble smile on his face, showing his people-friendly side to everyone, as this winter was about to pass.
Governor Wilson and others had moved expressions on their faces, and they all thanked Archduke Edward for his consideration. And those passers-by who mistakenly misunderstood themselves as subjects also showed moved expressions on their faces, and responded to the benevolent Archduke with grateful cheers and applause.
"Everyone is very excited. I didn't expect you to come here." Looking at the welcoming people in the aisles, Governor Wilson showed a smile on his face and said to Edward who was sitting in the carriage to take credit.
Edward smiled warmly, but did not ignore the enthusiasm of the people. He waved to the crowd and signaled a devout Saint Sith believer to come to his carriage.
The middle-aged man was flattered and carefully squeezed through the crowd to the side of the carriage, knelt down on one knee and saluted.
"Dear His Majesty the Grand Duke, thank you for everything you have done for us!"
"Please get up," Edward looked at him and said in a gentle tone, "Then tell me, how is your life recently? Has it improved?"
"Of course, compared to the Twilight Province, this place is like heaven..." The middle-aged man had an excited expression on his face, and talked about what happened during this time.
Listening to the real experiences he told, many people around him who had just ended their wandering life were touched by the tenderness in their hearts, and some were even moved to tears.
Edward enjoyed listening to it at first, until the name of Irene Campbell occupied more and more space in this mud-legged man's mouth.
"...If it weren't for your sister, my child would have starved to death in the cold wind. Thanks to the respected Lord Saint Sith, he must have personally sent down the oracle and sent this angel to our side."
This sentence was probably the last straw that broke the camel's back, and the guy who said this didn't realize what he was saying.
Having just become a subject of the Principality of Campbell, he may not even know about the Light of Praise, and the oracle's statement is undoubtedly the most desperate interpretation.
Seeing that this guy who didn't understand what was happening was still talking smartly, the sharp-eyed Mayor Lucius quickly took the initiative to play the role of the villain and pulled this guy aside.
"That's enough. Do you want His Majesty to stay with you in the cold wind until night? You don't know how to be grateful! Get out of the way!"
Looking at Mayor Lucius who roughly pulled the servant away, Edward smiled in his heart, but still said with a straight face.
"Please don't blame him, Mr. Lucius, he has no ill intentions. I don't mind if he talks about my sister for a while."
"Yes, I have no ill intentions! I just want to show His Majesty that we all respect him... Why do you want to stop me from doing this?"
There were also boos all around, pointing their fingers at Mayor Lucius, as if they were looking at a clown.
This idiot!
I have the nerve to ask why!
Listening to the boos and jeers around him, Lucius cursed in his heart, but still had a smiling expression on his face.
At least His Majesty understands his kindness, otherwise he would not call him by his last name.
Governor Wilson wiped the sweat from his head and signaled to the guards around him, telling them not to stand there stupidly and to quickly clear the road in front of the carriage.
The brighter the smile on His Majesty's face, the more frightened he became. Fortunately, Lucius gave His Majesty a chance to keep a straight face.
Although the Governor's Palace, which represents the royal power, and the City Hall, which represents the citizens, have not dealt with him, he must say that this guy did the right thing.
Not wanting to continue on this topic, Edward looked at his favorite servant, Jan Andes, who had been silent.
"Where is Mr. Roxey Colin? I have wanted to talk to him for a long time. Where is he now?"
The story about the Colin family has spread to the duchy next door. At least half of his purpose of coming to Thunder City this time is to meet the mysterious imperial noble.
Hhearing His Majesty's question, Andes hesitated for a few seconds, and finally answered truthfully.
"He was invited by your sister to go to the Silver Pine Forest area..."
Although he knew that His Majesty did not want to continue to hear that person's name at this moment, he did not want to be misunderstood that he was protecting Irene Campbell. This was not good for anyone.
Neither one or the other is present.
Edward was annoyed, but in the end he didn't say anything.
He could never let go of the majesty of the Grand Duke and catch up.
Pretending not to care, Edward looked away.
"Yes, let's wait until they come back."
(End of this chapter)