Riding west from Grlington Village, on a country road that could only accommodate two horses side by side, Isabel pointed to the high ground on the right side of the road and explained: "Behind that high ground is the village of Reese, and further on is the village of Sheila." However, taking the road of Hilla Village can still return to the path we walked. ”

William took the reins and drove the horse forward, looking at her with admiration, "Your Excellency, you are as familiar with the villages in Your Highness's domain as you are with every artifact in your home. ”

Isabel just smiled faintly, "I have to patrol the county three times a week, even if I don't want to remember it." ”

"Three times? Sir, I didn't expect you to work so hard. ”

"My boss pays me such a high annual salary, how can I not work hard?" Isabel looked ahead reservedly, "Your Highness believes in me, that's why I am asked to take on the role of acting as a custodian. ”

William nodded in admiration, "Your Excellency, you just asked me what I wanted to say. Now, I think about it. ”

At this time, the patrol team had reached a hillside area of high ground, and on the left was a narrow negative terrain that was sandwiched by positive terrain on both sides, that is, a valley. Isabel's gaze remained on the contiguous fields of the valley, the small groves in the fields, and the few peasant houses scattered among them.

When she observed for a while and found no suspicious persons or phenomena, she looked back at William again, "Uh-huh, you can say it." ”

William looked up at the clear blue sky and said unhurriedly: "The thief explained that he had run to the high ground to tend to his sheep. Your Excellency, what if the thief still insists on this reason? ”

"Well, judging from the rhetoric alone, the thief's explanation is also very problematic." Isabel held the reins loosely in her right hand and propped her left hand on her thigh, "The thieves are telling me that he is a shepherd or ranch worker near this village. If that's the case, I just need to find a local villager to prove that his words are true or false. ”

William raised his hands and patted them lightly, "Your Excellency, your explanation is too correct. Well, is this what your father told you? ”

Isabel squinted at him, "William, your father is also a magistrate, and you don't understand the duties of your father's job?" ”

"Actually, Northamptonshire, where my father worked, was an ideal place to relax, recuperate and live a traditional country life. Therefore, whether it is a public security case or an ordinary civil case, it rarely happens. ”

"Well, I understand. The counties in the middle of the kingdom are not as chaotic as in the north. ”

At this time, Isabel still decided to throw out the question of William as a shield, and she didn't know if the other party could understand her mood and situation. As the patrol came out of the high ground to a valley, she asked, "William, you are the first noble son to serve as the eldest son of His Highness's guards. ”

"The status of the eldest son, and the position of judge held by your father, I believe it will not be long before the attention of His Highness and the Duchess will be brought to the attention of His Highness and the Duchess."

William stared at her expression and nodded thoughtfully, "Your Excellency, are you saying that my family and social status will bring some benefits to my position in the Duke's Palace?" ”

"Perhaps, when His Highness discovers the merits you possess, he may let you train as a quasi-knight."

"Well, that's exactly what I wanted."

"You know, Your Highness and the Duchess don't care about things the same. Duchess, well, will probably be more interested in knowing about other aspects of you. Isabel didn't know what to say, she didn't want William to think that she would develop a relationship and marriage with him, and she wanted to solve the most important concerns at the moment.

The life and social style of the English, especially the aristocracy, are vividly reflected in her. However, she was not originally English, she was an adventurous and independent citizen of the United States. Seeing a hint of suspicion in the other party's eyes, Isabel shook her head, determined to say everything she wanted to say in one go.

Looking directly into William's eyes, he grinned, "William, I would like to say that the Duchess may be more interested in your marriage problems. You know that Madame is from the Norfolk family, such a prominent and powerful family is bound to have a lot of dealings with other nobles and knights. So, I think the Duchess will definitely pick a noble wife for you in the days to come. ”

Isabel talked for most of the day and still didn't say anything about her problem. William glanced at her, suddenly shook his head and laughed, "Yes, after I swore allegiance to His Highness, His Highness became my lord. And the Duchess, who is also the Lord's Wife, naturally thinks of this question for me. ”

"But, I'm just a little servant now, why should the Duchess ......"

"William, I mean after you've been knighted."

William Parr suddenly realized, looked at the small stone bridge that his mount passed and the water of the Swell River flowing from under the bridge, and explained with a soft smile: "Your Excellency, if I am indeed knighted, I will also accept the Duchess's good wishes. ”

Then, his tone turned to the other side, "After accepting Madame's good intentions, I will still express my thoughts to Madame." ”

Isabel remained unmoved, just calmly riding her horse and letting her horse trot forward, "Well, it's right to have your own thoughts. So, how would you explain it to Madame? ”

"I told my wife the fact that I had fallen in love with a young, beautiful unmarried woman. As the knight's love hymn sings, 'A true lover does not want to hug anyone but his lover.' ’”

"Chivalric love poems?" Isabel deliberately laughed at him, "William, do you intend to make yourself like a medieval knight to pursue a noble, beautiful, polite, and humble noblewoman?" ”

William felt himself blush a little and glanced at her, "I'm just borrowing some chivalric love poems to illustrate my thoughts. ”

As the two men rode their horses with the patrol through the village of Kilton and two unknown hamlets, they came to a fork in the road with beautiful scenery and pristine nature. Follow the straight path to the village of Gunnaside ahead, and a path on the left leads to a somewhat unusual village in the valley.

Baldwin, who was holding a spear with a spear flag on it, reined in his horse and looked back at Isabel, "Your Excellency, which way shall we go now?" ”