As he was about to arrive at the Asker estate, Augustine Walton observed that Isabel's face seemed to be somewhat solemn. Thinking that it was the knight who was killed in a duel that had some negative effect on Isabel's spirit, he said mildly: "Child, do you still think that Edward Cotton is a very regrettable way to leave this world?" ”

In fact, Isabel was thinking about how to write a ransom letter in a way that was more in line with the characteristics of this era. Because in the time she lived, she had almost never seen anyone around her use paper-based letters to communicate with each other. Even if someone has ever received a paper letter from a government department, a bank or a real estate company, it has been printed out on a typewriter or printer.

Looking at his father with a blank look in his eyes, he quickly replied, "Oh, uh, sir, what would you do if I were killed by Edward Cotton in a duel?" ”

Augustine sighed and said, "A duel is an act of violence and risk at the same time. Not only does it have a murderous effect, but it is also similar to the ferocity of fighting on the battlefield. If there were no judicial duels, there would naturally be no so-called elegant and noble way of honor duels. ”

"Of course, reputation, fame, or knightly honor is often more important than human life."

"I believe that there will come a time when people will no longer settle all kinds of disputes through the violent and bloody way of dueling."

"Sir, I believe in what you believe."

Isabel didn't get it through. This was because duels were an act of defending one's honor and frustrating one's opponents until the 18th century, before they gradually died out in England.

Is it necessary to tell people living in this era what happened centuries later? Instead of resolutely resisting, it is better to look down on life and death and cater to this kind of behavior, so that you can better integrate into this era.

At this time, Euphemia Walton stood in front of the knight's manor-style house in the company of her valet, looking from time to time at the other end of the gravel driveway. The maid Alan stood on the side behind her and whispered, "Miss, I think you can wait for your lord and Miss Isabel in the living room." ”

Euphemia glanced back at the maid and said, "Alan, you won't understand. ”

In an anxious wait, Euphemia finally saw her father and Isabel in the driveway. Isabelle, who was on her horse, also saw Euphemia in the distance, and said to Augustine with a smile, "Sir, look, Effie is desperate to get her gift." ”

Augustine nodded and said, "Not only that, but I think this gift is more important in Effie's mind than the Christmas gift." ”

"Perhaps, she thinks I gave her a pair of wings to fly freely."

"Wings that fly freely? Well, not bad. ”

"Sir, can I bring this joy to Effie?"

"Of course, you are all my daughters. Go ahead and let Effie laugh to her heart's content. ”

Then, Isabel gently touched Onix's abdomen with the spur on the heel of her riding boots, and Onyx immediately sped away like an arrow in the direction of Effie.

As she rode and led the Arabian horse to the young master and servant, Euphemia was surprisingly calm.

When Isabel jumped off Onyx's back and smiled at Euphemia as she walked back, she said, "Effie, look, I've brought you something." ”

It wasn't until Isabel handed the reins of the Arabian horse into the other party's hands that Yufemia, whose chest continued to rise and fall, said excitedly: "Isabel, this... This is... Are you sure? ”

"It's true, you're not dreaming."

"Thank you, Isabel. I... I... Finally got a horse of his own, and it was such a beautiful Arabian horse. ”

"Since you like it so much, you have to feed and take care of it yourself in the future, is that okay?"

"No problem at all, I'll treat it like my best friend."

The two stood in front of the Arabian horse, and Isabel put her arm around Yuphimia's shoulders and admired the horse in front of her, and said, "Effie, what do you want to name it?" ”

Euphemia tilted her little head and said, "No." Oh no, I mean, I haven't figured out what to call it yet. ”

"So, do you want it to be a beautiful riding horse, or a brave and fearless war horse?"

"Isabel, you know that the Arabian horse has always been known for its beauty, intelligence, bravery, perseverance and romance since it was tamed by humans. So, in every sense of the word, any beautiful thing or name from ancient Greek mythology applies to it. ”

"Well, you can think of telling me later."

———————————

Three days later, a letter with a bright red seal wax and rolled into a paper tube quietly appeared in front of a sergeant guarding the gates of Darlington Castle. The wax that covers the seal of the letter is almost equivalent to a symbol of nobility or wealthy landowner status for a sergeant of civilian origin. After all, seal wax emerged and was used among the aristocracy from the early 16th century.

When the suspicious sergeant took the letter from the hands of a man dressed very ordinarily, he asked vigilantly, "Who told you to send this letter to Darlington Castle?" ”

The man said respectfully and cautiously, "My lord, as soon as I opened the door this morning, I found this letter lying on the ground at the door. As I picked up the letter, a voice came from the darkness saying that if I hadn't delivered it to Lord Darlington at sunrise, my family and I would have lost all our livestock at sunrise. ”

Soon, the letter was delivered to the sergeant to the hands of a parlor servant. When Lamberton took the letter from the servant, Caroline, who was sitting on the side, looked at the letter curiously and said, "Dad, who sent this letter?" Which family's seal is on the seal wax? ”

Lamberton said as he opened the letter, "There are no seals on the sealing wax. ”

Just as Viscount Darlington was unfolding the rectangular letter, Francis, who was standing far away on the left side of the living room, looked at the letter with his arms folded and said calmly, "I guess it's a letter from that gang of thieves." ”

Caroline looked back at her brother, who had been forced to stay in the castle for three days, nodded at him and whispered, "Francis, you can come and sit next to me." ”

Francis snorted lightly, "Dear Lady Swift, I don't think I'm qualified to sit next to you." ”

By this time, Lambberton, who was sitting in the main seat of the living room, had finished reading the contents of the letter. Raising his head, he looked at the second son coldly and said, "That's right, this is indeed sent by the group that captured Joseph." ”

Caroline quickly stood up, looked at her father and said nervously, "Dad, what is written in the letter?" ”

"You can take it and see it." Lamberton handed the letter to the valet standing behind him on the left.