Herbert Frederick, who didn't seem to have any scheming, turned his head to focus on the facial expression of his colleague Conrad Brooke, and suddenly said very seriously: "Conrad, even if you give me all your property, I will not give you a chance to pursue Miss Euphemia." ”

"Herbert, I do not believe that Miss Euphemia will only accept your pursuit and affection for her. If there is a real knight, you will only be a young fool who does not know what true love is. Conrad pursed his lips and said this deliberately.

"Conrad, who do you say is a silly boy, are you saying that you are a real knight?"

"Are you a true knight?"

Originally, Conrad just wanted to play a joke with Herbert. Unexpectedly, the innocent Herbert took his joke seriously, and his attitude towards him began to tilt involuntarily towards the bad side.

Herbert Frederick, who was beginning to become unsmiling, immediately grabbed the reins of his horse and said to his colleagues, who continued to ride forward: "Conrad Brooke, stop!" ”

Isabel also reined in Herbert's words and was about to let Herbert go on when she noticed that his face was wrong. Conrad, who was beside her, glanced at her and said, "Your Excellency, it seems that Herbert wants to duel me. ”

"Duel? Idiot! Isabel whispered a curse and turned her horse's head to put herself and Herbert face to face. While examining the young would-be knight, he said calmly, "Herbert Frederick, are you planning to duel with Conrad?" ”

Herbert kept an eye on Conrad beside her, and said to her, "Your Excellency, it was he who insulted me first, and I must fight resolutely for my honor. Conrad? Brooke, draw your sword and duel! ”

Seeing a joking conversation turn into a life-and-death duel, Isabel is forced to stop the duel between her own people. Considering the principle and special significance of the duel, there is also the fact that the party accepting the duel request cannot easily refuse the duel and the serious consequences of refusing the duel. Isabel has made another very risky decision.

Seeing her feet lightly snooping the horse's belly, the war horse Onix took two steps forward obediently on her back, stared at the would-be knight and said, "Herbert, if you are determined to duel with Conrad, let me duel with you first." Until you kill me, then you will have a duel with him. ”

Conrad suspected that he had misheard, and after carefully recalling the words of the Privy Counsellor, he hurriedly said loudly: "Your Excellency, you... You can't do that, you can't duel Herbert for me. ”

Isabel looked directly at Herbert and said to him, "Conrad, I'm doing this so that you can both survive. ”

Herbert, who was standing across from the two on horseback, was even more surprised by Isabel's words. The request for a duel with Conrad has become a reality, and if he repents, he will lose all face. However, when Isabel Walton, who is a woman, asks him for a duel, he can refuse. If Isabel had proposed a duel to him in her capacity as a privy counsellor, Herbert would have had to fight a duel with him.

In this way, while rejecting Isabel's request for a duel, he also indirectly refused a duel with Conrad. Herbert seemed to think of this, looked at the advisor and said, "Your Excellency, I refuse to duel with you while you are a woman. ”

His words were exactly what Isabel wanted, and she smiled lightly, "Good. Herbert. Since you refused my request to duel with you, then your duel with Conrad can end early, right? ”

When Herbert replied with silence, Isabel turned the horse's head and resumed her previous riding direction, and rebuked Conrad beside her in a low voice: "Apologies to Herbert." Or, you must accept a duel that the Privy Counsellor proposes to you. ”

After the three returned to Henry's castle, Isabel gave her opinion to the two of them: "Listen to the two of you, I don't say whether you are real knights or not, but I can provide you with such an opportunity. None of you can talk about duels until you become true knights, understand? ”

Herbert glanced at Conrad and nodded to her, "Yes, Your Excellency. ”

Isabel looked at Conrad again, and after he agreed, she said to the two of them, "However, for the sake of fairness in the pursuit of love, both of you have the right to pursue Euphemia." If you agree, I will not stop any future duels. ”

After the two glanced at each other, they heartily promised Isabel, "We understand, Your Excellency." ”

Guided by a parlor servant who specializes in parlor services, Isabel arrives outside the parlor. At this time, the Duke of Richmond was discussing with several retainers about the reduction in tax revenues due to last year's crop failure. After the parlor servant entered the room, he saluted and announced: "Your Highness, Your Excellency the Privy Counsellor is here. ”

"Let her in." Henry's voice made Isabel outside the door hear clearly. After arranging her costume and saber, she solemnly walked into the incomparably large living room. After saluting Henry from where the servant of the parlor had stood, Henry asked her to sit in the nearest vacant seat.

Isabel nodded at the very well-dressed gentleman as she sat down: "Good day, gentleman." ”

Henry then said, "Gentlemen, Yoman, you must settle the famine before I go south. Either way, I don't want this to be an excuse for the Grace Parade to pass through my territory. ”

After all the retainers agreed, Henry looked at Isabelle, who had just returned: "Your Excellency, does the magistrate of the county have any opinion on the safety and security of the county?" ”

Isabel wanted to tell Baron Haswell what he really thought in front of all his retainers. But when the nobility of the county agreed to support the soon-to-be-formed group of petitioners to the south, the gentlemen and the jomans present would inevitably fall to the side of Baron Haswell.

After a brain teaser, he nodded and said to Henry, "Yes, Your Highness." His Excellency the Magistrate has promised me that he will fully discharge his duties as security and guard of the county when His Highness goes to the south. ”

At this time, Herbert's father, William, looked at Henry and said, "Your Highness, if the harvest of this half of this year were converted into pounds to make up for last year's poor harvest, then this year's agricultural harvest would be reduced by nearly half." ”

Henry stroked his forehead in confusion and thought quietly. However, this kind of thing seems normal to Isabel, because she used to live her life in this way.