A day passed quietly, and under the leadership of Bais, 18 young people went to the four areas of Huangyao City in an orderly manner to collect information from all sides, although the time was a little rushed, but it also collected a lot.

The three of Ayton were studying the production of the magic guide gun in the basement, and the process was inevitably a little boring, and Erin watched quietly, and occasionally a few experiments were relatively novel, and the girl was not bored to spend the day.

Ariel cultivated alone on the second floor, occasionally coming to the basement to take a look.

......

The time was approaching dusk, and Baiss and his party finally returned, and at the same time, they also sorted out the major news that had happened in Huangyao City and even the entire Yaolan Kingdom recently.

The first is that there will be a palace ball tonight, which will be attended by the upper echelons of the entire kingdom, even the diplomats of the Western Marcas Empire.

Then there are the two well-known princes who appear more and more frequently, but mainly in front of the big nobles. Among the four dukes, the eldest prince is particularly close to the Campbell family in the west of the kingdom and the Dupont family in the north, while the second prince is particularly close to the Halle family in the south. The Grand Duke of Shang Jiatud in the east remained neutral.

Among the other eight marquises, three were on the side of the eldest prince, and two were 'said' to be on the side of the second prince under the instructions of the old king, including General Richard, who had quelled the rebellion in the Land of Thorns.

The last three marquis remained neutral, and the third prince, Luo Dirui, did not have the support of a big force, at least on the bright side, and everyone did not see it.

According to Bais's inference, it should be that the current old king is still unwilling to let go of the power in his hands, but the original heir, the great prince Gatru, is huge, and the old king has recently begun to vigorously support the second prince in order to continue his power for a longer time, forming a balance of power, so that his throne can sit longer.

When the rebellion was first quelled, the old king Fürth did not let the military forces controlled by the eldest prince quell the rebellion, but sent Richard, who was most loyal to the royal family, and supported him as the new Marquis of Thorns. Greatly deepen their influence.

This move made Gatrou feel a sense of crisis, so in recent days the activities have become more and more frequent, which naturally reached the ears of the old king, the two sides are tense, intensifying, the second prince also perceived his opportunity, began to continue to encircle other noble forces, but only won over the weaker Halle family and the two marquises.

However, there is also a piece of news that interests Ayton, the second prince and the third prince have recently been very close... Could it be that they have reached an alliance with each other?

The court ball is held in the evening, and the summer sun sets very late, so it officially starts around 7 o'clock.

After Ayton finished sorting out the information, the time was exactly six o'clock, and a late guest suddenly visited.

"What do I want?"

"Why did you come now, didn't you say you came to get it last night?" Ayton looked at Raya who jumped in through the window speechlessly, wondering if this guy would break the glass and come back in if he locked all the windows on the second floor in the future.

"Something happened yesterday, and today I avoided the limelight on the street," Raya pouted indifferently.

Ayton suddenly remembered that one of the pieces of information he had collected was that the South District seemed to be searching for someone today, and it was estimated that she had done something shady again.

"Take it. "Ayton tossed her the dagger, a 'fine' dagger mixed with Nether Iron, about forty centimeters long, slightly longer than her previous one.

Raya held her hand and waved it into the air, and nodded contentedly, "It's not bad, I'll come back to you when I have time." ”

"You'll have to pay for it. ”

As soon as she finished speaking, Ariel's figure appeared at the window, squinting at Raya as she slipped in.

"Hey, you guy snuck in again, don't pester us if it's okay. ”

"It's just a new weapon, why, aren't you happy?" Raya turned to look at Ariel, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.

"I don't think you want to get out alive!" a cold glint flashed in Ariel's eyes as she shot at Raya from the window, and the Nether Dagger was unsheathed. Raya didn't seem to expect her to strike suddenly, and hurriedly raised her dagger to resist.

In this small room, the daggers in their hands were like two cold lights, and they were striking.

Seeing that the two girls did not exude killing intent, Ayton stood aside, and suddenly wondered what level Raya's strength was.

After a while, the fight on the second floor caught the attention of Baiss downstairs, who held his dagger and saw the battle in the room, and Ayton motioned for him not to disturb.

In a few moments, Ariel had the absolute upper hand, constantly pushing Raya into a corner, but each time she was able to escape with the advantage of her small size.

"Damn, don't you just want a weapon!" After another encounter was repulsed, Raya cursed and jumped out the window in search of this opportunity, Ariel tried to chase after her, but Ayton stopped her.

"Don't be crazy, Lan Coco should be here later. ”

"But, brother, did you just let her go?" said Ariel, reluctantly turning her head to look at him.

"Otherwise, do you want to let the two of you keep fighting, and if you have time in the future, you can make an appointment with her. ”

"Okay, just these two nights, brother, you are responsible for tricking her to the mountain, and then see where she runs!"

Hearing the angry words, Ayton laughed bitterly twice in his heart, and suddenly felt that Ariel should be very compatible with Raya in the future. Because since Angel left, she rarely seemed to show such an expression.

After a while, the carriage that Lan Coco and Cecily rode came to the front yard, and the four of them met, and today's Lan Coco was exceptionally beautiful, with an embarrassed but polite smile on the corner of her mouth.

"Ayton. . . Are you going to... Do you wear this dress to the prom..."

......

An hour later, the carriage slowly drove into the ball hall, which is located in the center of the Huangyao City, a corner of the huge palace, hundreds of luxurious carriages have been parked around, the dance venue is huge, almost 80% of the nobles of the Yaolan Kingdom and some of their families.

With only a cursory glance, Ayton estimated that there were no less than a thousand people in this place, excluding the attendants.

"Brother, are you sure I'm going to go there in this outfit later?" Ariel's voice came weakly from the carriage behind.

A strange smile appeared on the corner of Ayton's mouth, and he lifted the curtain and looked at the girl wearing a black princess dress and looking like a picturesque person: "Come out, isn't it just a skirt?"

Lan Coco and Cecily in the carriage in front of them also got out of the carriage, the former was wearing a very exquisite sky blue princess dress at this time, she rarely wore jewelry, and she also wore a series of luxurious jewelry, and her appearance and the ignorant mage image of the first meeting have undergone earth-shaking changes, and she has truly become a princess of a country.

Cecili, who was guarding her, also simply wore a slim-fitting evening dress, but this reddish dress did not match her heroic appearance.

"Ariel, what's wrong with her?" Lan Coco asked kindly.

"It's nothing, it's just shy, she's not used to wearing skirts. Ayton turned back and smiled at the two girls not very kindly, in fact, it was not only her, Cecily also showed resistance to the skirt at first, but in the end, for the sake of the family's face, she still chose a set.

But Ariel, since she was a child, she only wore the skirt once, or she wore it specifically for Ayton, and the time only lasted less than half a day, and it was sealed in the closet, and when she appeared again, it was because of the arrival of Ilully.

And now, the black princess dress and high heels are all the existence of her combat effectiveness, but in this way, it brings out her other beauty. Plus she can wear the black butterfly hairpin and garter belt that Ayton bought for her before, and the combination is perfect.

"Who who.. Who's shy!" Ariel pouted and jumped out of the carriage, then couldn't help but look down at her outfit. Although she had inspected the carriage countless times before, she was still a little awkward when she appeared in front of the public.

"Let's go, the party is about to start, and I heard that there are a lot of delicious pastries in it. Ayton felt that Ariel had a different flavor now, and took her little hand with black silk gloves and walked towards the dance scene.

The court ball was extremely luxuriously arranged, and all kinds of high-ranking officials and nobles or ladies of the Bright Blue Kingdom talked in this style, and the attendants and maids wore neat dresses and walked in the corridors and living rooms.

The two of them followed behind Lan Keke, their eyes habitually looked at the surrounding arrangement, the main venue of the ball should be in the central hall, there is a high platform in front, there should be some big people going up to speak, there are three platforms on each side, and there are attendants guarding the staircase between each floor, and the higher you go, the more prominent your identity is.

This manor is very large, and there seems to be a quiet bamboo forest behind it, and the two of them followed Lan Coco all the way, and on the first floor, he also saw Milic and Joule, who were also aristocratic magic students.

On the second floor, Ayton also found Cleveland, who saw him and quietly turned his head away, this action was not his dissatisfaction with venting, but Ayton's request, to hide their relationship. The latter knew that his life was in Ayton's hands, and he also tried his best to break free from the soul mark in his mind, so he suffered from insomnia for several days.

But once he moved, the soul imprint in his brain began to heat up and swell, and in desperation, he could only accept his fate.

The four of them did not continue to walk up, and stopped on the second floor, but Ayton was invited to the palace ball, but the other two princes were not seen. Only Lan Coco's second brother Luo Dirui walked over with a glass of red wine and a smile.

"Second brother, I haven't seen you for a long time, where have you been hiding lately?" Lan Keke happily stepped forward to say hello.

"I'm sorry, my friend has been asking me for a drink lately, so I'm delayed," Roddiri still said in his magnetic voice.

"Ayton, we're meeting again. Roddiri smiled and gave Ayton behind Blue Coco a noble courtesy. The latter had a sigh in his heart, he forgot to make up for the knowledge of how to return the gift before coming, so he had to nod in response.

Fortunately, the third prince gave Ayton a lot of face, and changed the topic and asked: "I heard that you have dispersed in the Desperate Forest, and it is still early before the dance begins, are you interested in telling me what happened to you in the Desperate Forest?"

There was really nothing to do now, and Ayton had something to ask him, so the two casually talked about what happened to the Desperate Forest, and in the middle of the conversation, Ariel suddenly took him by the arm and said quietly.

"Brother, didn't you say there are delicious pastries here?"

"Pastries are usually served when they're ready, but now they should be soon. Roddiri spoke first.

"If this beautiful young lady wants to taste it, Kerr, you can take her to the back kitchen to get it, I still have something to talk to Ayton about. ”

Ayton immediately understood what he meant, and wanted to break away from Lan Coco next to him, so he also said to Ariel, "Yes, Ariel, you go to the kitchen with Lan Coco first." ”

"No, brother, didn't you say you would come with me? Ariel, who was originally smart, was stupid for some reason, but in the end, Ayton hinted fiercely with his eyes, and the latter left quietly.

When the third girl was out of sight and there were no pedestrians passing by, Luo Dirui lowered his voice and said, "You should know that the situation in Huangyao has not been peaceful recently. ”

"I heard that," Ayton nodded quietly.

"Don't worry about the changes in the content of those two letters, Lan Coco may be in danger lately, I hope you can be by her side at the ball. There was a deep expression in Roddiri's tone: "I can't muster the strength to protect her right now. ”

Ayton raised his eyebrows slightly: "Will she be in danger? Isn't Cecily always guarding her? Could it be that the struggle for imperial power will affect them?"

"If you're friends with Kerr, you can leave this matter alone and just let me do it. Roddiri frowned quietly.

“... Then you can rest assured that I will stay by Lan Coco's side, you must know that those two princes have already contacted me. ”

Roddiri suddenly turned his head to stare into Ayton's eyes, and said in a deep voice, "Neither of them is Ann's good intentions, and besides, Lan Coco told me about what happened between you. ”

"What did she tell you?" Ayton's face changed slightly, wondering if it was Lan Coke who told him who they were...

Luo Dirui was a little strange about his reaction, paused for a while, and said, "Kerr told me about her and you buying the forest elves in Thorn City, and she also said that you infiltrated the rebel camp alone in order to save her, and I can see from this that you will not harm her for that little benefit." ”

“... Ahh

But these are not the point, the point is why the eldest prince and the second prince have found him as a little person!?

"I'm eyeing you because it has something to do with Blue Coco..."

Roddire's reply surprised Ayton, "Is she also involved in the battle for imperial power?"

"That's right, she will be involved in the fate of the future life and death of the Bright Blue Kingdom. ”

Ayton: "!?"

"Brother, give..."

At the critical moment, Ariel walked up to Ayton with a large pile of pastries in her hands. The latter took the pastry she handed me depressedly, and secretly wondered why he suddenly came back at this time.

But at this time, the third prince didn't seem to have the heart to continue chatting, and before leaving, he took a deep look at Ayton, and then said goodbye to Lan Coke and left to the first floor.

"Ayton, what did he talk to you about, second brother? After Roddiri left, Lan Coco asked in a low voice.

"Nothing, just asked about what happened in the Forest of Despair. Ayton didn't tell her anything about it, and instead focused on the central hall.

Classical music sounded, and the nobles on both sides of the platform stopped talking in unison, staring at the high platform ahead.

Fylt Winston slowly walked to the high seat, this was the first time Ayton had seen King Bright Blue, he was nearly sixty years old, but his face did not have the wrinkles of his age,

But Ayton could see from his cloudy eyes that he was already powerless, and his slightly young appearance was only supported by the disguiser, just like the reluctance to give up power in his heart, and he was still unwilling to let go of his delusions, and he was fragile as if he could easily pierce it with one finger.

The old king made a long speech, the content of which was nothing more than wishing the kingdom of Yaolan to be more prosperous, but there was also a particularly interesting point, that is, he expressed his desire to live in friendship with his western neighbor, the most powerful Marcus Empire in the human race.

But the key thing is that the border between the Marcas Empire and the Bright Blue Kingdom is not friendly now, and there are often bloodsheds, but they have been suppressed by the high-level of the kingdom and have not spoken out.

When the speech was over, the old king sat down on the high platform, and then the beautiful melodic music sounded, and the young nobleman began the main ball. At the same time, it is also the best time for the young noble children of the first and second floors to seek a female companion.

"Alright, Ariel, don't always worry about eating" Ayton smiled bitterly and pulled the girl beside her, who had secretly stuffed food into her mouth when the old king had spoken. I have to say that the palace pastry is even more delicious than the food at home. Ariel, who has never eaten any food since she was a child, can't put it down.

"Brother, how about bringing these packs back and letting Basha learn how to do them?" Ariel whispered in Ayton's ear, causing the corners of the latter's eyes to twitch.

Suddenly, a Campbell squire came over and whispered a few words to Cecily, who looked at Lan Coco embarrassedly.

"I'm sorry, Your Royal Highness Princess, my father asked me to go to the third floor, and I'll come down later. ”

"It's okay, you can go, you don't have to follow me all the time during the party," Lan Coco smiled, and then set his eyes on Ariel, who was glued to Ayton's side.

"If you want to eat, you can tell me later, and I will ask the palace master to send someone to send it over. ”

"No, we're going to do it ourselves. Ariel tilted her head to look at her, and Ayton added awkwardly.

"What she means is that she wants to ask you to help the master give us this craft, and then we will do it ourselves. ”

"It's okay..."Lan Coco pondered for a while, "It's just that you may not be able to get these raw materials." ”

"Cut, my brother has money"

Ayton: "......"

"Ariel, for example, the fish cake in your hand is specially transported from the eastern coastal areas, and the eastern market is not sold. ”

Ariel: "......"

After a long time of drinking and eating, Cerseili did not return for a long time, and did not know what had happened, and the surrounding nobles were either talking about some kind of big business or dancing a slow-paced pas de deux in the hall.

One of the women was extra welcome, she wore a black gown, her elegant temperament exuded a seductive charm, and the young and middle-aged nobles present would invite her as a companion in an endless stream, and the latter did not refuse, and soon became the most dazzling scenery below.

Seeing that her eyes were shining, Ariel leaned over to Ayton's side and shouted excitedly, "Brother, it seems to be fun, let's go dance too." ”

"Come on, can you jump?" Ayton gave her a blank look.

"It's so simple, who wouldn't" Ariel pursed her lips, and then looked at Lan Coco next to her: "Eh, by the way, Your Royal Highness Princess, why didn't you see someone inviting you to dance below?"

"Why hasn't the thing gagged you yet?" Ayton touched the girl lightly.

Lan Keke smiled relievedly, a touch of sadness flashed in his eyes like a meteor, "Maybe it's because of the difference in our identities... Except for Cecily, very few people would approach me on their own initiative. ”

"Well, brother, let's go down. Ariel didn't care about that, and shook Ayton's arm to go down, she had memorized the simple pas de deux rhythms as early as the pastry. At this point, I can't wait.

"Ayton, you guys go down, I'll watch you from above" Lan Coco smiled indifferently.

"That.. Okay. Ayton couldn't resist Ariel's coquettishness, thinking that there were so many people here, there should be no accident, so he and Ariel walked downstairs to the bustling central hall, where he also met Claire, who was holding a female companion with great interest, and the two looked at each other and did not communicate much.

His eyes fell on the others, and Ayton raced his brain, quickly remembering the simple ballroom dance.

Staring at Ariel's bright eyes, hugging the slender waist of the girl in front of her, listening to the change in the melody of the music, without words, the two set off at the same time, because their minds were already connected at this time, and they could know the next movement and dance step just by feeling.

The graceful and beautiful dancing and handsome appearance quickly attracted the attention of the surrounding audience, and even the original glamorous and elegant woman was faintly overshadowed by this pair of young boys and girls who appeared out of nowhere.

At the same time, the two of them forgot the troubles they had experienced before, and immersed themselves in this slow-paced dance, talented and beautiful, like the focus of the entire ball.

Lan Keke, who was on the second floor, stared blankly at the scene in the hall, and suddenly there was a trace of sadness in her blue eyes, she slowly walked away from the platform, turned her back, and walked outside.

The cold air of the night fluttered on her delicate and lovely face, and the sound of music in her ears was greatly weakened, as if the silent bamboo forest and the party in the main hall were completely two worlds.

Lan Coco's eyes looked at the brightly lit main hall again, which was brightly lit, but the light music did not bring her joy.

At this time, the little princess suddenly wanted to calm her heart alone.

After a short pause, she slowly walked towards the gloomy back bamboo forest.

......