Frank raised his hand to signal everyone to stop, put away his smile, and said to Roland with a solemn face: "John just went too far with his joke, and I am willing to apologize to you on his behalf if you are offended." ”

Roland sighed to himself. If he was in John Lauer's position, seeing Frank's attitude, how could he not be deeply moved, and would not hesitate to go to the soup for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?

"Your Highness is too worried, I don't care about Mr. Raul's jokes, but what I said just now is really out of good intentions, I hope you can consider it carefully."

Frank's smile was a little disapproving, and he waved his hand heroically: "Brother Roland, you don't know enough about the situation in our country, we can completely build a large state-owned farm, what does it matter if we don't have the assistance of the Druid Order?" We have the Holy See of Light, there are thousands of priests who provide divine magic, and if that is not enough, we also have the world's largest magical bank in Vares, the 'Pero Foundation', which can solve agricultural technology problems by purchasing druid's spell casting services, and other links copy your practice in the Far East, priests and magistrates are stationed in the township to govern, and trivial matters such as collecting land rent taxes are entrusted to tax contractors, isn't this all solved, what's so difficult? Here, let's have a toast! ”

Roland raised his glass and drank it all, knowing that he was not pleasing but also said the truth: "But I still think that you are thinking too simple about the problem, and forcibly copying the policy of the Far East in this way may lead to the opposite consequences." ”

Frank's face changed slightly, and he held the wine glass and groaned.

"Mr. Roland, allow me to remind you not to get too deep into the play, it is your right to make suggestions, but you have no right to force His Highness Frank to carry out your orders, after all, no one is your marionette, and this is not the Far East, please control your desire for control a little, okay?"

This vitriolic ridicule, of course, came from the mouth of John Lauer.

The atmosphere in the banquet hall suddenly cooled to near freezing. People looked at each other with a premonition that conflict was imminent. How will Roland respond to the alleged insult to "red-haired" John? Will a duel be a booze after-party?

Palatine quietly reached out from under the tablecloth and tugged at the corner of Roland's coat to catch his attention. The moment they looked at each other, Roland saw an almost pleading look in Her Royal Highness the princess's sapphire eyes, clearly suggesting that he should take care of the overall situation and not be provoked by John Lauer.

Roland's reaction made him secretly relieved, and he responded to John Raul's attack with a gun and a stick, and replied lightly: "Mr. Raul, you should stuff the napkin from His Royal Highness Frank into your mouth, it will help you to say a few drunken words." ”

Such a counterattack was certainly reasonable, but it lacked a bit of manly blood, and the guests reciprocated with a perfunctory smile, changing their impression of the Far Eastern visitor.

Roland didn't care about the contempt in the eyes of John Lauer and his party, turned to face Frank, raised his glass and said: "Your Highness, I am a newcomer, and I really don't know enough about the situation of the empire. "Raise your glass and drink it all.

Palatine secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but did not let go of the hand that grasped the corner of Roland's coat. She had no intention of enjoying the food and wine, propped up the table on her elbows and supported her cheeks with one hand, and looked sideways at the handsome and calm young man beside her, and the mystery in her heart was accumulating like a snowball.

Roland's approach to the crown prince was humble and courteous, his choice of words was impeccable, and his advice sounded reasonable, but Palatina could not believe that this "rebel leader" would really help the prince of the enemy country.

Doesn't Roland understand that if the Imperial authorities adopt his advice and recover quickly, the only reward he will receive is for the eastward march of the Imperial army, which will bring him and his family and compatriots to an end?

A sane person should not do stupid things that harm others and benefit himself, let alone the prince of the Far East, who is known for his foresight. According to this criterion, Palatine has reason to suspect that Roland's advice is "poison in honey" and that it is a deliberate scheme to lure Frank astray.

Unfortunately, she racked her brains and couldn't figure out where Roland was hiding his "poison". The more she couldn't guess the man's true intentions, the more fascinated Palatina became with his inner world.

Roland resolved the turmoil with forbearance, and John Lauer was also interested in it, and no longer intended to target him. Both the host and the guest were no longer obsessed with discussing politics and economy, and turned to more relaxed topics, and the atmosphere of the banquet became lively again.

By the end of the feast, the night was dark, and the towering towers in the moonlight outside the window were ringing midnight bells. A new day has arrived, and the nightlife in the palace has just begun, with waiters removing utensils, bands playing dance music, and guests getting up and walking to the dance floor.

Roland was the guest of honour tonight, and the ladies present wanted to dance with the tall and handsome prince of the Far East. Palatina, as Roland's female companion, didn't want to give up her privileges, and gave a tacit look before the group of women who were about to move.

How could Roland not understand the intention of Her Royal Highness the Princess, and got up with a smile and bowed to her: "Dear Palatina, can I have the honor of inviting you to the first dance of the night?" ”

"Aren't you afraid of being stepped on by me?" Palatine looked at him playfully.

"I thought it was a special kind of 'dance move' that was popular in the Holy City." Roland recalls what happened to him at the Krasbourg Ball, when the swollen instep of Palatina seemed to ache after three months.

"Lucky for you, that kind of 'dance move' is not in vogue now." Palatine took Roland's hand and danced with him to romantic music. The two were so close that they could clearly feel each other's breathing and heartbeat, and Palatina looked up and looked at Roland, suddenly realizing that as soon as the other leaned over slightly or put her toe on her toes, her lips would make contact.

She didn't know why this ridiculous fantasy suddenly appeared in her mind, and she quickly lowered her eyes, her cheeks slightly hot. At this moment, there was a sudden loud "bang" behind him, the door of the hall was slammed open, and a tall and burly young man broke in.

The band was so frightened by this sudden that they all stopped playing. The music stopped abruptly, and the men and women on the dance floor woke up from a dream, complaining and stopping their dances, and turning their heads to look in the direction of the commotion.

Roland and Palatina also followed the flow of people to the hall door, watching what was happening, and what appeared in their field of vision was a heavily armed knight, dressed in heavy pure gold armor, with sharp armor more than a foot long inlaid at the joints of the shoulders, elbows and knees, which shimmered in the light with a terrifying light, and the whole person looked like a bull breaking into a china shop, and the contrast with the men and women in gorgeous dresses on the scene was particularly abrupt.