January 14, 173 A.D., overcast.

A few of the old trees in the courtyard of Fort Midnight had lost their leaves, and a flock of crows were circling around the trees, making an unpleasant noise, and the weather was so cold that one shivered unconsciously. However, for the people in the church, today's funeral made them more sad than the weather.

"As a canonized duke of the Empire, he is the defender of the Empire's land, as the lord of the Earls of Midnight, he is a noble and worthy of respect, and as the head of a family, he is a kind and loving elder. Swain Noe Jericho - Earl of Midnight, who throughout his life was faithful to his duty, loyal to the Empire, kind to his people, kind to his family, he was a role model for society, and the gods were moved by his virtues.

Now that he has been called by the Lord to leave us, we should bless him on his journey to the Lord, exemplify his character, and may his spirit and mind remain in our hearts forever. ”

The god father who gave the eulogy kissed the emblem on his chest.

"Amen. ”

"Amen. ”

The people present also responded.

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In front of Duke Jericho's tomb, people laid white mourning flowers to mourn the deceased duke. Next to the Duke's tombstone is the tombstone of his wife, Sofia No. Jericho, who had died two years ago, and now that the Duke has also died, the only Jericho left in Midnight Fort is the Duke's granddaughter, Apolonia No. Jericho.

As the owner of the Midnight Castle, Apolonia, the new Duchess of Midnight, politely accepted the greetings from the guests who had come to pay their respects to the Duke. Perhaps because of her grandfather's death, there was no smile on her face, and that expressionless face reminded many people who were familiar with the Duke of Swain of what Duke Swain looked like during his lifetime.

When the mourning guests had almost dispersed, the Duke of Alains Nope Pesa stepped forward and silently placed a bouquet of flowers in front of the duke's tomb.

He stood in front of the tombstone for a long time, staring at the name on the tombstone for a long time, but he did not speak.

Apolonia stepped forward and bowed slightly to the Duke of Alans.

"Your Excellency, thank you for coming. ”

Alans turned around, and although his face was wrinkled and his hair had turned gray, he could still vaguely see the handsome appearance of his youth.

"Miss Apolonia, please mourn. Duke Alans lowered his eyebrows, his expression was quite sad, "I have been friends with Duke Swain for many years, I didn't expect him to die so suddenly...... Speaking of which, this is the first time I've met you. ”

"But I've heard your name for a long time. Apolonia replied politely to the Duke of Alans's last sudden turn, "Grandfather told me a lot about you when he died. ”

"Really?" Alans smiled faintly, "Although the number of times I have met him since he left the imperial capital has been very limited, he left a very deep impression on me back then, and even now that I think about it, it is still ......"

Alans said, suddenly sighing, and fell back into sentimentality.

"It's a pity, in the end, I still can't see him return to the imperial capital. ”

Apolonia bowed her head and remained silent.

After a moment of emotion, Alans reined in his emotions. "I'm afraid it's rude to talk too much at the grave of the deceased, so let's talk in a different place. Just like your grandfather back then, because of the special title of Duke Midnight, you need to go to the imperial capital in person to complete the inheritance procedures for the title. ”

"I understand that. As she walked, Apolonia said to Alans, "My grandfather went to inherit the title. ”

"yes-" Speaking of the events of the year, Alans couldn't help but sigh again, "back then...... Yes, if Swain hadn't come to the imperial capital, I'm afraid many of us wouldn't have changed later. Just like me, if it weren't for the influence of your grandfather on me, probably someone like me wouldn't have had the opportunity to serve in the cabinet. ”

"You are too modest, your outstanding talents are evident to all, and the post of Minister of Northern Affairs belongs to you, and my grandfather does not deserve such praise for his help to you. ”

Alans shook his head, disapproving of Apolonia's politeness.

The two of them stopped at the entrance of the cemetery, it was already raining slightly in the sky, winter is the rainy season in the south, especially in the place of Midnight Fort, the continuous cold drizzle in winter is the most uncomfortable.

A maid with short black ear-length hair walked over and held up an umbrella for Apolonia. After Apolonia whispered her thanks to the maid, she continued to say to Alans: "Your Excellency, I heard that His Royal Highness the Prince Regent has been in poor health recently, is that so?"

Alans hesitated for a moment, glanced at the maid behind Apolonia before saying, "I won't tell you anything, it's true. After all, Her Royal Highness Caterina Regent is old, and she has always had too many government burdens, so it is inevitable that there will be some physical problems. However, thanks to the latest medical technology, His Royal Highness the Regent should be able to recover after a period of rest. ”

As he spoke, Alans couldn't help but glance at the maid behind Apolonia a few more times, he always felt as if he had seen each other somewhere.

"I wish His Royal Highness the Regent a speedy recovery. Apolonia nodded, seemingly not noticing the other's gaze, "By the way, can I ask you about Aunt Victoria's grandmother?"

"The Countess of Glamorgan......

Alans was stunned for a moment, since the death of her twin sister, Victoria is reluctant to continue to live in Midnight Castle, after all, she is unable to leave her homeland, she still prefers to return to the place where she was born and raised to spend her old age.

Her words ......"

Alans pondered the words, he was not too familiar with the countess. And the other party did not come to Midnight Castle to attend his brother's funeral this time, which is indeed a bit unexpected.

"To be honest, I really don't have any contact with your aunt and grandmother, maybe because I didn't have good memories in the imperial capital, and although I returned to live in Deweide, he didn't show up much. In the two years since the countess moved to Dwell, I have seen her very few times, and judging from those meetings, it may be that the countess has not been very happy lately. ”

"Yes......" Apolonia sighed, "then I really should visit her, I have been missing my aunt since she left Midnight Castle, but I was always unable to make it because of my grandfather's health problems. It's not a good thing to say, but I'm really happy to be able to take this opportunity to visit her. ”

"Presumably the Countess will be pleased, too. Alans said politely.

A few crows chirped from the cemetery, and a slightly bleak sound evoked some memories for Alans, but when Alans tried to recall some details, he couldn't recall specific memories.

"Your Excellency?"

Apolonia's voice brought the distracted Alans back to his senses.

"Huh?" Alans was stunned for a moment, then regained his composure, "I'm sorry, I'm old, and sometimes I can't get distracted. ”

"I can understand that. Apolonia's smile was still as polite, "Actually, my grandfather was always distracted in his old age, especially after my grandmother died. ”

"Hmm......" Alans lowered his eyes and nodded silently.

"Anyway, why didn't you see your mother?" Alans looked around, perhaps to divert the subject, and his eyes were not on Apolonia and the maid behind her.

"Ah, you forgot. ”

Apolonia smiled, but did not answer the question directly.

Alans blinked, not understanding what Apolonia meant. However, by the time he tried to ask, the two had already walked to the side of the carriage.

"Your Excellency, please go back to the castle and rest. ”

Alans hesitated, then boarded the carriage anyway.

"May I ask......" Alans couldn't help but ask Apolonia before the car door closed, "what do you mean by that?"

"Huh?" Apolonia smiled, but had no intention of answering directly.

"What did I forget?" Seeing that the carriage had already moved, Alansgu raised his voice a little, and his tone became a little more hurried.

"Nothing. ”

Apolonia smiled and watched Alans go away, but she didn't leave Alans with an answer.

In front of Xiao Suo's cemetery, only Apolonia and the maid who followed her were left.

She stretched her arms and stretched.

"Is that duke much different from before, Ramrem?"

The maid behind Apolonia narrowed her eyes, and her tone was the same as it had been forty-five years ago, still as cold as her unchanging countenance.

"Nothing has changed, although time has polished some edges on his face and life, but he is still just a child as before. ”

"Really?" said Apolonia with a pout, "no wonder grandfather doesn't think highly of him. ”

She looked up at the gray sky.

"Speaking of which, did Her Royal Highness Caterina the Lord Regent really have a very special relationship with her grandfather?"

Ramrem did not answer immediately, but lowered his head and remained silent.

Unable to get an answer from the other party, Apolonia turned around and took the initiative to stare into the other party's eyes.

"Otherwise, she wouldn't have crept to Midnight Castle so often, would she?"

"I didn't think you even knew that. Ramrem twisted his face, seemingly unwilling to confront Apolonia directly.

"Because my mother told me. Apolonia smiled widely.

The cold-faced maid finally relaxed the mask on her face and sighed helplessly.

"Madame......" Ramrem shook his head, "Well, please be polite when you meet the Lord Regent this time, you must know that His Highness was very fond of you when you were a child. ”

"Huh, really?" Apolonia was stunned for a moment, showing a rare surprise, "She's seen me?"

"Yes, His Highness also hugged you when you were born!"

Apolonia looked back in surprise and followed the source of the voice to see a woman of her appearance and a little older, standing in the cemetery, looking at the gravestone of Duke Swayn from afar.

She sighed, looking a little sad.

"That was seventeen years ago, but I didn't expect it to be so long. Touching the duke's tombstone, she sighed again, "It's been so long that even my father has died." ”

"Mother!" Apolonia ran over happily, "when did you come back?"

The woman gently touched Apolonia's head, and then her eyes quickly dimmed.

"When I heard the news that my father was critically ill, I rushed back immediately, but I didn't expect it...... I still haven't been able to see him for the last time. ”

She stared at the tombstone, tears welling up in her eyes.

Apolonia also looked at Duke Swain's tombstone, her expression as sad as her mother's.

Ramrem walked over, took out another umbrella out of nowhere, and held it up for the mother and daughter.

"Thank you, Ramrem. ”

"You're welcome, Miss Fran. ”

The three ladies stood silently in front of the tombstone for a long time, and none of them spoke.

The rain fell on Swin and Sophia's tombstones, and the couple's gravestones and siblings were close together, and the rain ran down the gap between their tombstones.

"Hopefully they can get real peace in the world over there. ”

After a long time, Fran sighed and said.

"Yes. Apolonia smiled slightly, erasing some of the sadness from her eyes, "They love each other so much, and they will be happy when they get together again." ”

In the cemetery, only Xiao Suo's wind echoed Apolonia's words.