The bell rings for the countdown to the New Year.

Ernest No. Jericho looked at the bell tower that rang the Chinese New Year bell, his face a little confused.

His father, Count Midnight Winston No. Jericht, had died in the warm winter of the end of the year, and now the burden of the Earl of Midnight had fallen on him, and Ernest, as the head of the Jericho family, had to steer the family and protect his wife, son, and two daughters in an age that galloped like a loose horse.

However, this burden is too heavy for him.

Ernest let out a white breath, took his pocket watch out of his pocket, and glanced at the time.

At 23:55, the time they had agreed upon had passed.

Ernest frowned, looking up in the crowd for the figure of the person waiting.

As he frowned, a pair of thick white gloves blindfolded him from behind.

"Ah, today is the New Year, so don't be so sad. ”

Hearing this, Ernest's tense heart stretched slightly.

He removed his hands and turned to look at his wife.

"Okay, Jane, but there are so many people on the street right now that I don't want the kids to stay out of my sight for too long. ”

"It's New Year, after all. Mrs. Jane was not as worried as Ernest, "And Swain and they have all grown up, you don't have to worry so much about everything, everything is in charge of the children, how can they grow up?"

Ernest shook his head, he knew his wife's character, but he couldn't agree with it.

"That's how my father was strict with me. He said to his wife.

"But you're not your father. Lady Jane blinked her beautiful eyes and stared at Ernest as she said.

Ernest was speechless for a moment, but he didn't know how to answer his wife.

"Mom!"

Victoria's voice drew the couple's attention, and they turned their eyes to see Victoria running towards them with a king-size reindeer doll.

"Look, today's special sale on Kinness River Street, cute, right?"

"Ah, that's good!" Lady Jane saw the doll in Victoria's hand, and happily took it and caressed it in her arms, "It just fits in your and Sophia's room, by the way, what about Sophia?"

Victoria pouted, pointed behind her and said, "There she and her brother are." ”

Mrs. Jane looked in the direction Victoria pointed, and Swin and Sophia, wrapped in heavy winter coats, were slowly approaching. Swin and Sophia were not particularly conspicuous in the bustling crowd on Kinness River Street, but Mrs. Jane, as Sophia's biological mother and Swain's stepmother, still found her two children from the crowd at a glance.

"Swain, Sophia, we're over here!" Lady Jane shouted waving at the two children.

"Mother. Sophia walked over shyly, and despite the fact that it was a warm winter, she and her sister Victoria were still wrapped in thick white coats.

Swain also walked over, his gaze fixed on his sister, his eyes full of love.

"Father. He nodded at Ernest and said hello briefly.

Ernest frowned, and he stepped forward and reached out to grab Swain's collar.

"Your collar is messed up. ”

Ernest helped Swain straighten his collar.

"Especially in public, always remember that you are a member of the Jericho family, and you must not lose your manners. ”

Sven was stunned, then lowered his head and whispered.

That's what my grandfather used to say.

Swain thought to himself.

After helping his son fix his collar, Ernest turned his head, pointed at Victoria and said, "You bought it for her?"

"Hmm. Swain nodded, "Victoria said she liked it, so I bought it for her." ”

"It's okay to care about my sister, but it's better not to spoil her too much. Ernest's brow furrowed tightly, as if the cheerful atmosphere of the New Year could not relieve his worries, "Victoria's personality is too lively, as an older brother, you should discipline her more." ”

Swain looked at Victoria, a slightly bitter smile on his lips.

"I know that, but ......"

Looking at Victoria's small fist waving at him, Sven shook his head helplessly.

Ernest also saw his daughter's small movements, he frowned, looked at Sophia again, and sighed in his heart, why his two daughters, obviously twins, have such different personalities.

"Forget it. In the end, Ernest gave up the idea of preaching to his daughter, "Let's hurry up and go to the Glory of Justice Square, His Majesty's New Year's speech will soon begin." ”

Victoria looked a little disappointed, while Swain and Sophia nodded obediently, and followed Ernest into the carriage, ready to go to the Glory of Justice Square to listen to Nicholas I's New Year's speech.

With the advent of the new year, the imperial capital is also more lively, many people from other places come to the imperial capital at this special moment, to see the prosperity of the imperial capital, but also to see the atmosphere of the new era.

His Majesty Nikolai Joy Ivan Alexander No. Godunov I, the emperor who was over sixty years old, was the sign of a new era. Under his leadership, the Cyrul Empire reached its peak, and the world's great powers had to identify with her status and restrain their pride in the face of the majesty of the empire.

When Nicholas I walked up to the gates of Tiamat Palace and looked at the dense crowd in the square of the glory of justice, the originally noisy square suddenly fell silent, and all the subjects of the empire looked at Nicholas I with eager eyes.

"Today—"

When the old emperor spoke, his powerful voice was heard throughout the square through the latest broadcasting technology.

"Today is the best time ever. ”

"We have witnessed the rapid development of technology and the obedience of the world to us. We have tamed the waves of the sea and made the troll of the ocean our docile pet, and we have transformed the mountains and rivers of the earth so that the giant of the land bows down to us. This era has shown the world that human power is the basis for dominating the world, and the world exists for us!"

This is the mission that society has given us, that we have been given to human beings, and that we have been entrusted to the people of Siliul! This world is dominated by human beings, and human society should be dominated by our Siliul Empire, and it should be so. Only a good ruler can ensure the safe development of all mankind and the world, if other civilizations in the world are allowed to live in ignorance, then our society will not progress, so someone needs to lead those ignorant people out of backwardness, and someone needs to make rules to guide the world. ”

"For the sake of the Empire, for the sake of Siliur, the people, continue to move forward! The door of the new era has been opened before us, and the road ahead will be a broad road, keep moving forward, to touch the supreme glory of civilization!"

Under the gesture of Nicholas I, the audience in the square of the glory of justice chanted the slogan "For the Empire, for Siliul", and the tidal whistling almost made people forget that it was midnight and early morning, and the entire square, and even the entire imperial capital, were immersed in an incomparably warm atmosphere.

The Ernest family was in a specific area reserved for the nobles, and after listening to His Majesty's speech, the crowd applauded, led by the Prime Minister, Earl William Noe Pitt.

"Isn't it a lively New Year?" said Ernest's father-in-law, Marquis Wood-Noll, Justice of the Imperial Court, as he leaned over and said to Ernest, "I am glad that you have come to Germany." ”

"I'm here because you nominated me, and I have to thank you for giving me this opportunity. Ernest nodded politely to Wood, "However, if I directly serve as the commander of the imperial capital's garrison, I'm afraid I'm embarrassed." ”

"You don't have to worry, I, and several members of the cabinet, are very confident in your abilities. Wood patted Ernest on the shoulder and encouraged, "What's more, you're also a midnight earl now, and there's nothing wrong with serving as the commander of the Imperial Capital's garrison." ”

Ernest was silent, without retorting or nodding.

Wood had a good understanding of his son-in-law's character, so he simply turned his face to look at his daughter.

An illegitimate daughter, to be exact.

Looking apologetically at Mrs. Jane, Wood's tone was much lower.

"Jane, if you have time to go back to Dewei, and go see your mother when you have time. Other than that...... If you'd like, go see Ellen, who's not your birth mother, but she's the one who raised you in the first place. ”

"I know that Mrs. Ellen was very kind to me back then, and I have never forgotten it. "Lady Jane didn't think as much as Wood thought, she smiled purely, and her smile was as innocent as her character.

"How about coming to our house during this time?" Wood looked at Mrs. Jane eagerly, "it will take some time for your mansion to be renovated, and if you do, it will be a good time for the children to get acquainted with their uncle." ”

"Thank you very much for the invitation, but ......," Ernest interjected, "Crown Prince Alexander has already arranged a residence for us before, after all, it is the kindness of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and it is really difficult to refuse. ”

"That's right......" Wood was a little disappointed, but he also understood that this was Alexander's way to win over Ernest, "Since it was arranged by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, then I don't have anything to do." But my invitation will never change, you know what I mean, right?"

"I understand. Ernest nodded.

"It's the same with you. Wood looked at Victoria and Sophia again, and nodded to Swain behind the sisters, "I'm always welcome to come to Phil's house, your grandmother has wanted to see you for a long time." ”

Sophia bowed her head slightly, and Victoria didn't pay attention to those things in terms of manners, and asked directly, "Then what's fun in your house?"

"Uh......" Wood scratched his head, he had always been strict with himself as a judge, and he couldn't think of a moment of how to answer Victoria's question.

After all, he had also been to Midnight Castle and knew that the Phil family's manor was really nothing more fun than Midnight Castle.

"Victoria. Swain patted his sister's head gently, "That's rude." ”

Victoria held her head and pouted and looked at her brother dissatisfied.

"It's true that our house may not have the same beautiful view as Fort Midnight. Wood smiled bitterly, "However, the prosperity of De Wei is definitely better than that of Midnight Castle." ”

Wood looked at the huge doll in the hand of the Jericho family servant, and added, "Besides, I think you've seen this bustling scene too, you can have fun here, but be safe." ”

"Hmm!" Victoria nodded vigorously, her eyes still shining, and it was clear that she really liked this bustling city.

Wood looked at his granddaughter with a smile on his face, and he liked the energetic Victoria from the bottom of his heart.

"Well, then, I won't bother you. Wood said to Ernest that he was going to take his leave, "Happy New Year to you." ”

"Happy New Year to you as well. Ernest and Jane said in unison.

Wood soon left, and as a judge of the Imperial Court, his relationships were far more complicated than those of the Jericho family who stayed at Midnight Fort all year round, and there was a lot of socializing on New Year's Day.

"Let's go back too. Ernest said to his wife and children as he watched the crowd disperse.

Mrs. Jane and the others also nodded, although it was lively here, but except for Wood, no one seemed to have any intention of talking to them, rather than staying alone in this crowded place, maybe it would be better to return to their own place.

Before leaving, Swain deliberately glanced back at Nicholas I at the gate of Tiamat Palace, with a thoughtful look in his eyes.

——————————————————

"Actually lent us the castle of Karin to live ......" After arriving at their destination in the carriage specially sent by Crown Prince Alexander to Jericho's family, Ernest and his family were surprised to find that the residence promised to them by Crown Prince Alexander was actually Karin Castle, the imperial palace of the Guion family in the western suburbs of Germany.

He frowned thoughtfully, pondering the reason why Alexander had been so gracious.

"What a beautiful castle. Madame Jane didn't think as much as her husband did, and when she saw this magnificent castle, she couldn't help but admire, "By the way, I remember that the Astrad I School is near Karin Castle, so it will be much easier for the children to go to school in the future, right?"

"Perhaps. Ernest shrugged, "Okay, it's getting late today, you and the kids go and rest first." ”

"What about you?" asked Madame Jane.

"I think His Royal Highness the Crown Prince should have something to tell me to do. Ernest raised his head and looked at the magnificent architecture of Karin Castle with a frown, "Otherwise, we wouldn't have been treated so favorably." ”

"Then you should rest early, too. Madame Jane nodded, she had never understood the men's thoughts, so she never asked.

Watching his wife walk into the castle with the children, Ernest sighed softly.

"You don't look happy. A man walked over, and in the early hours of the night, Ernest couldn't see his appearance clearly, "His Royal Highness the crown prince's gift makes you feel worried?"

"Are you?" asked Ernest, turning sideways to the man.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't introduce myself just now. "The man came out of the shadows, and the lights of the castle illuminated his countenance," said Ralph No. Guderian, lieutenant colonel officer of the Royal Guard. ”

"Guderian, I remember you were Marshal Rudolph's ......"

"I am his son, and the current Minister of War, Reinhard No. Guderian, is my own uncle. ”

"So, Lieutenant Colonel Guderian, why are you here, a Guderian, why are you at Karin Castle?"

"Naturally, it is for the orders of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Ralph stepped forward, his tone implying respect for Alexander, but Ernest could hear something else in it, "Because of the recommendation of Justice Fair, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince proposed to His Majesty that you should be the commander of the garrison of the Imperial Capital, and you must have heard before that His Highness Beria strongly opposed this matter, and his preferred candidate is Thresy Dakosda of the Third Section of the Ministry of the Interior. ”

"I've heard a little about this. Ernest replied quietly, hearing this, he roughly understood Ralph's intentions and intentions.

"Your Royal Highness is very pleased that you have been awarded this position now. Seeing that Ernest didn't say anything on his face, Ralph didn't care at all, and his tone was still so warm, "After hearing that the Jericho family does not have a suitable place to live in the imperial capital, he also specially asked His Majesty to lend Karin Castle to you temporarily, so that you can settle your family." ”

"I'm very grateful for that. Ernest's answer was very brief, and he didn't reveal anything more.

And Ralph also understands that Ernest is by no means a foolish person, and it is useless to tempt the other party with favor and benefit.

"I'm sorry I just said something that didn't interest you. Ralph smiled apologetically, "If you don't mind, can you ask you about your plans for the future?"

"What's next?" Ernest asked rhetorically.

"Yes. The Jerichot family seems to have been accustomed to living in their own domain for generations, and few have left it to serve in the imperial capital, and my father had a relationship with your father, the Earl Winston, and he greatly appreciated the Count Winston, and regretted that he did not serve in the capital. So, you've broken the Jericho family's stereotypes by accepting this position, so I'm curious why you made this decision. ”

"Why ......" Ernest muttered Ralph's words, looking up blankly at the sky.

Why, why? I just did what my father told me to do, but I never thought about why, in my heart, what did I want?

Seeing Ernest show such an expression, Ralph was slightly stunned, and then quickly put on a smiling face. He felt that he now understood Ernest a little bit as a person.

"Sorry for the abrupt question. Ralph apologized again, "It's not too early, although it's the New Year, it's rude to continue to disturb your rest, please allow me to say goodbye first." ”

Ernest nodded, didn't speak, just watched Ralph leave.

However, he himself stood still and did not move for a long time.

He's still wondering why.

What do I want?

There were dots of snowflakes floating in the sky, and Ernest reached out and tried to grab the snowflakes, but as soon as the snowflakes approached his palms, they quickly melted due to the body's body temperature.

Ernest had only a drop of water left behind by the melting of a snowflake on the palm of his hand.

"Maybe that's me. ”

Ernest sighed.

"I can't think about it, I can't understand it, I just have to do what others want me to do. Neither my father nor His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, they understood what I wanted. ”

"What is the meaning of such a life?"

"Maybe thinking about the meaning of life is a very stupid thing in itself. ”

He shook his head and walked inside the castle.