"Is Mr. Angelo Alfonso Tocco here? I am Pedro of Constantinople...... You can speak to Mr. Toko, and I should be counted as a servant of His Highness Sophia. ”

Although it is said that it is a declining aristocracy, the Toco family's manor is somewhat luxurious compared to Pedro's impression. The teenage boy at the door stared timidly at Pedro, the strange visitor, and only nodded when he heard him speak, and then trotted back to the manor.

The Tocó family's estate is located on the outskirts of Constantinople, on the shores of Lake Weeping Moon. It's already spring, and the spectacle on the Lake is enough to make anyone want to linger. The rich shade of trees hugs the small surface of the lake, where fireflies and beeflies hover or glide on the lake. The rippling of the sun, wrinkled by the breeze, pierced through the gaps between the new leaves, and finally kissed the Toco home. Compared to the Slou Gardens in the middle of the city, this place is more like a wonderland.

From the woods where Tocco Manor is located, there are only a few gravel and deciduous paths that lead to Constantinople. However, looking at the traces on this road, it should be a while since an outsider visited Toco Manor.

"Mr. Angelo just woke up...... But this ...... Well, Mr. Pedro, you can wait a little bit inside. ”

It looks like Constantine XI was talking about scraping off the last layer of grease from the vampires in the Empire. Now it seems that it has definitely left a lot of affection for the old aristocracy. Exploiting so many rights, but still maintaining such a manor, at least proves that the royal family still gives the obedient old aristocracy room to survive.

The structure of Tocó Manor is somewhat like a courtyard house, with three themed buildings and the manor gate surrounding the orchard in the middle of the manor. And the entire Weeping Moon Lake is the back garden of the manor, and Pedro has seen a lot of aristocratic residences, but Toco Manor does make him a little envious.

However, the interior decoration of the manor still shows a hint of decline. There are no expensive ornaments, and there are no fine sculptures. Most of them are made of vintage wood and marble.

That is, after sitting in the living room for five or six minutes, Angelo, who had been well organized, came to Pedro.

"Mr. Angelo, we should be meeting for the first time."

Pedro seemed to be writhing with his fingers, and his eyes seemed to be focused on his fingers, but Angelo's every move, at this time, had already been looked at by him. Pedro has seen all sorts of aristocrats, and Angelo Toco is arguably the most indisputable of them all.

It stands to reason that the Toko family once relied on a woman to revival, and the background is by no means as deep as the real old aristocracy, and his heirs should also be the most unruly kind. But on the contrary, Angelo looks quite precipitated. Maybe His Majesty the Co-Emperor had already gotten angry with Angelo when he met John, but Pedro could still see that Angelo at least had the temperament to be a commander.

"You are an envoy of Her Highness Sophia...... Welcome to Tocco Estate. Her Royal Highness the Princess has sent you to the outskirts of the city, do you have any instructions? Angelo smiled heartily. The boy said that Angelo had just woken up, but Angelo still exuded a deep aristocratic atmosphere from the inside out. Pedro may be ashamed of this.

With a smile, Pedro pulled out a dossier. Here is a rough list of other contenders for the post of commander that Sofiato Agrippa has put together. Although Agrippa kept saying that he was not involved in this matter, Sophia's "appeasement" methods still made Agrippa change his mind.

"Mr. Angelo, in order to save each other's time, I'll cut straight to the point. What do you yourself think about the position of the commander of the Holy See? ”

Angelo did not answer immediately, but turned around and motioned to the waiter, who had been standing nearby, to prepare some refreshments.

Pedro's eyes narrowed slightly, waiting for Angelo's next step. This guy's calmness was far beyond his expectations. If the Tocco family insists on competing for this position, with the support of the royal family, it is time for Angelo to give a grateful speech and then swear allegiance to Sophia and John.

"Mr. Pedro. Before answering this question...... I wonder what Her Royal Highness thinks about this position. Angelo ignored Pedro's expression, just picked up the teacup and took a shallow peck, "Don't get me wrong, Mr. Pedro, I don't mean anything disrespectful to the princess." It's just that if I say something that shouldn't be said now, I think not only me, but the entire Toco family will probably be chained. The position of the commander of the Holy See...... The Tocco family does not covet it, nor does it shirk it. ”

"There are so many nobles in the empire, and there are many families who are suitable for this position. This attitude you show seems to be trying to give up the great opportunity to be in the position now? ”

"Hahahaha, Mr. Pedro, I should need to maintain the most basic etiquette in the presence of His Majesty John or His Highness Sophia. The position of Commander of the Holy See, whether I represent the Tocco family or not, I will accept it. He is a temptation that no one can refuse. It's just ......," Angelo pulled up his sleeve and showed Pedro the wound on his arm, "you know, for someone like me, it's more glorious to die on the way to the charge than to die in the maelstrom of court struggle." ”

"What do you mean?"

"I think the purpose of Her Royal Highness Sofia sending you here today should also be to test my attitude towards this position and the entire Valleologous royal family...... Mr. Pedro, I can tell you right now that the Tocco family has always been able to give everything for Valleologo, but only within the Tocó family's power. We will do as much authority as we have, and we will never encroach on it. ”

Angelo spoke rather cryptically, and in reality, the Tocco family did not represent any class. Publius would recommend Angelo, first of all because of the Tocco family's non-confrontational attitude. Angelo would never get carried away by the so-called profit or glory. This kind of spirit is commendable, but it also means that Angelo is difficult to be truly controlled by the royal family.

For an ordinary monarch, the best courtier is the one who has the ability and is willing to become a puppet of the royal family.

Toko, apparently, will not meet this condition.

"Do you want Your Majesty to personally bring you to the throne of the Holy Guard, and you don't have to do anything?"

Angelo took a sip of tea, smiled slightly, and stopped talking.