Located in the heart of the Teresia Peninsula, Valdraz Fort is bordered by jungled mountains to the north and the sea to the south.

Therefore, before humans mastered fast flight, taking a boat was the ideal way to get to this place.

The Carlos sisters were undoubtedly the best choice.

"Wow——! Sister, look, it's a windmill!" Before the ship had even landed, her sister Ana Carlos was dancing on deck.

"It's not like you haven't seen it." Bella Carlos said indifferently.

"But sister, do you know what, it's used to generate electricity! It's wind power!"

"Oh."

"I really want to climb up and have a look!"

"You're going to fall."

"I'm holding it tight!"

"You're going to get electrocuted."

"I can bring rubber gloves!"

"I'll be scolded by my dad when I go back."

"I'm not afraid!"

"You'll be locked up in a small black room."

"No problem!"

"Then every afternoon, ask Miss Theresa to add another half hour of reading practice."

"Woo......

Anna looked pitifully at the lightly whirling oars in front of her, remembered Miss Theresa's cold ring ruler, and finally bit her lip and dismissed the idea of dancing with the windmills.

Soon, however, after the ship was moved to shore, Anna returned to her usual form and ran down the deck in a bouncing motion.

The frustration just now has long been thrown away, as if it had never happened.

Bella is not as lively as her sister.

Perhaps because she is the eldest daughter, although she is also taught by Miss Theresa, her sister's behavior and speech are more like that of other ladies.

She cautiously stepped off the deck with grace and dignity.

As soon as she stepped onto the blue-gray stone pavement on the shore, Bella felt a little strange.

I couldn't tell what was wrong for a while, but I always felt a strange sense of incongruity.

Looking around, the grassy fields are full of activity, and several four-oared windmills are arranged in a very elegant manner.

From time to time, white spray crashes across the beach, lapping against a few reefs on the shore.

The winding and flat stone path underfoot leads visitors to the quaint and elegant Valdraz Castle.

Against the backdrop of the beautiful mountain scenery in the distance, the ancient castle that has tasted the baptism of time adds a sense of mysterious vicissitudes.

Everything was so leisurely and there was no sign of danger for the time being.

"Maybe I'm overthinking." Bella breathed a sigh of relief.

Anna had already run a dozen steps, and from time to time she spread her arms and ran back and forth, touching the flowers and plants on the side of the road.

Running and running, Anna suddenly stopped, crouched on the side of the stone path, and stared at a white dandelion.

Bella walked unhurriedly, but as Anna stopped, she quickly caught up with her sister.

"What's wrong?" Bella raised her lace-gloved right hand and stroked Anna's head through her wide-brimmed hood.

"Danger," Anna muttered to herself, "don't go."

Bella hesitated for a moment.

She knew that her sister had the ability to read the language of flowers.

If this is the meaning that the dandelion flower spirit wants to convey, then the previous sense of incongruity may not be Bella's illusion, and the trip may not go smoothly.

However, even when she knew that there was danger, she had to face it.

Just as Bella was about to fall into deep thought, Anna muttered softly again—

"Help...... Poor child......"

Just then, another passenger ship docked.

Before the comers landed, there was a quiet smell of fragrance in the wind.

Out of the hatch was a richly dressed—or, I say, youth—noblewoman. At least in terms of appearance, the age is not very large, but it exudes a temperament unique to mature women from the inside out.

However, compared to the "noble lady", the "young woman" sounds a little more astringent.

As the other person gets closer, the level of the fragrance changes.

"First meeting, Elena de' Medici." The lady lifted the hem of her skirt lightly and bowed very formally.

"Good afternoon, Bella Carlos." My sister returned the salute, and at the same time dragged her sister who was squatting next to her with her left hand, "Sister Anna."

"Good afternoon." Anna reluctantly stood up and saluted decently.

"It turned out to be the Ice and Snow Sisters of the Carlos family, and I've heard of it for a long time!" Elena smiled and looked very happy, "I didn't expect to meet here."

"It's a great honor to meet you." Bella is still relatively humble.

The Carlos family lives in the north all the year round, does not often interact with the mainland, and usually acts in a relatively low-key manner, so except for a few families in the industry, not many people in the outside world know about it.

Speaking of which, the Medici family's power is mainly in the southern part of the continent in the area of Florence. The family specializes in fire magic, so the alchemy is quite profound, so it is no wonder that they can have such a unique perfume.

From the time Elena landed just now, at least seven different flavors have changed.

"Could it be the legendary 'Angel's Sevenfold Bondage'?" Bella asked.

Each layer of fragrance is like a chain, and the seven layers of chains firmly bind the man's heart, and even the angels will indulge in it and cannot extricate themselves.

— hence the name.

"Oh, it's a little bit of a thing, it's not worth mentioning. If the girl doesn't dislike it, I'll send you a few bottles." Elena is also not stingy.

Before going out, my father told me to make some powerful friends. Be generous in your gift-giving, and be sure to show the Medici family's bearing.

The two talked happily and walked together.

Anna had to reluctantly say goodbye to the dandelion and obediently follow behind her sister.

The three of them walked along the stone path to the main entrance of the castle.

A young butler in a straight suit and a white shirt was respectfully greeting.

After checking the name card, the two maids next to him took the luggage of the three of them.

The butler leads the way.

When you pass through the antique gate, you will see the main hall full of the atmosphere of the times.

Sumptuous Persian carpets are quaint and elegant, golden hanging lamps glitter, and fine porcelain from the Orient is elegant......

All furnishings are showing the owner's vision and taste.

There were already quite a few people in the hall.

The dinner hasn't started yet, and everyone is waiting here.

After the introduction of the housekeeper, Bella got a general understanding of the situation of the participants.

The young man leaning against the handrail of the staircase on the right is Prince Holder Lorraine Habsburg from the Austrian royal family. He was alone holding a glass of red wine, leisurely surveying his surroundings.

The two in the middle chatted hotly, one of whom looked like a priest, Paul Leonard from the Holy See; Another teacher, dressed and wiping gold-rimmed glasses with a handkerchief from time to time, was Anthony Filina, a professor at the Sorbonne.

On the left is an old woman with white hair in a wheelchair, Isabel Segovia from Iberia. Although the passage of time has left a clear and visible mark on the forehead, it has not taken away the graceful and luxurious temperament. The expressionless eyes on the other side seemed to see the sinister hearts of the people in the world. Behind her stands a young beauty, who is said to be her adopted daughter, Angela.

There was also a bearded uncle, Duke James Franz Stuart from England. He was already sitting alone on the chair in front of the dinner table, his eyes closed with a serious expression.

With the exception of two theological enthusiasts who were leisurely discussing God, the others had no intention of having much contact with each other.

In this way, the four major families of the south, east, west, and northwest have all arrived, plus the Roman Church and the seminary in Paris, and counting Britain, almost the seven most influential forces on the European continent have sent their own representatives.

Bella: They were the last to arrive.

"Hey, I say, when will the castle lord show up?" The Duke was already starting to get impatient, "It's already very rude to keep a decent person waiting for so long."

"That's right, now that everyone has arrived, it's time for the banquet to begin." The professor pushed his gold-rimmed glasses with his hand, "I've been hungry for a long time, when will we eat?"

"Hungry? I think you can't wait, can you?" The Duke glanced at the Professor, "Can't wait to find the secret."

"This ...... I'm really hungry......" The professor awkwardly wiped his forehead with a handkerchief.

"There is no need to disguise it," interjected the prince, "and may I ask if any of you here are not here for a secret?"

"Okay, okay, everyone, don't be impatient." The pastor rounded, "Even if you're looking for a secret, you have to eat first, right?" To be honest, I'm a little hungry too."

"That's it, let's eat first." The professor turned his face to look at the butler who had just returned, "When will the Venerable Master come out?"

"Mr. Hui," replied the butler with a bow, very politely, "the master may not come."