"Have you done anything to him, Atropos. ”

Sven looked at the corpse of Michel VII, his face still without any expression, and his tone was also undulating, as if he was just asking a simple question.

"That's the question I want to ask you," Atropos' voice echoed through the library, "and why did you push him to this point?"

"His rebellion is challenging the order of this society, and my handling of him is not also a maintenance of the existing order?"

"However, rebellion does not necessarily disrupt the order of the world, and it may bring new life to the world. Just like a revolution, you don't have to erase every possibility. ”

"But don't forget, his target is Midnight Castle, and this is the bottom line that must not be compromised. ”

"You were the one who lured him down this path, didn't you? It was I who helped you see his heart. ”

Atropos's voice remained soft, and seemed unreproachful. Their argument seemed so calm that both sides spoke calmly without arguing.

Swain was silent for a moment, something he really couldn't hide from Atropos, because he didn't have the ability to see directly into the hearts of others like Atropos. "Of course I remember. Swain pushed open the stone door, and Sinjid was waiting behind it, "However, you are my prisoner, and you are not qualified to question my decision!"

Swain strode out of the Great Library, and Sinjid took the lantern and followed Swain slowly up the stairs. The stone door slowly closed behind them, and darkness returned to the staircase.

"Do you really think so? Who is the prisoner, you should have a different answer in your heart. ”

——————————

Immediately after the death of Michel VII, Swain asked Baron Denise to send a new telegram to De Weide, informing him of the death of Michel VII on the part of De Weide. Swain's statement in the telegram was that Singid abandoned the darkness and turned his back on Michel VII in time to successfully keep Midnight Castle and Princess Celestia safe, and Michel VII finally resisted fiercely, and Swain killed him as a last resort.

When Princess Celestia returned to the castle, she was surprised to see the Pritown troops around the castle, especially when she saw Singid accompanying Swain out to greet her. She even wondered if Swain and Michel VII were colluding to betray her to the rebels, but the idea was quickly rejected by her, and she couldn't see a reason for doing so, at least for now.

Swain explained to Princess Celestia what had happened, of course, the version he had given to De Weide. For Swain's explanation, the eldest princess only believed half of it, she knew Swain's ability very well, with his strength, there was no need for Singid to rebel, he could easily kill Michel VII. But she didn't say it, and when Sinjid stood behind Swain, Princess Celestia knew that if she turned against Swain now, she would definitely not have her good fruit to eat.

So in the end, the eldest princess still accepted Swain's statement, and also praised Sinjid's knowledge of current affairs, although she still didn't like this sloppy and uncomfortable guy in her heart, but after all, she was the princess of the Jean family, and Caterina was still able to do superficial work.

And Crown Prince Alexander, after receiving Swain's report, immediately ordered Marshal Rudolph to capture Nantley, as soon as Michel VII died, the southern rebels were already leaderless, even if there was sporadic resistance, without leadership, they were not opponents of the empire at all, and the rebellion could be quickly quelled.

At the same time, the crown prince also ordered the thirteen classes to immediately sail south to the Midnight Castle to pick up the eldest princess, and after the death of Michel VII, the southern fleet was completely uncommanded, so Alexander no longer had to worry about sea problems.

After receiving the order of the crown prince, the Earl of Hecate immediately sent Atmiss and Yang to Midnight Fort with the royal guards sent by the crown prince. Originally, Artemis was very reluctant to go, but Count Hecate's physical condition was really unable to make the trip, and Manfred was not suitable for such a responsibility, and Yang's identity was too embarrassing, not to mention that with his holiday with Swain, sending him alone was only afraid that it would cause another conflict.

So in the end, Artemis had no choice but to board the ship bound for Midnight Castle and go to meet the Celestia. And Sophia also begged the princess to ask Crown Prince Alexander to let her go back to Midnight Castle. Considering that Sophia had been away from home for almost a month, the princess granted her request.

After several days at sea, Artemis and his party finally reached Premasa in the Midnight County and traveled overland to Midnight Castle.

When they arrived at Midnight Castle, Swain and Princess Celestia had been waiting for a long time. Princess Celestia was thrilled to learn that she would soon be able to return to Deweide, and that this time her journey to the south had gone through many twists and turns, and that she had been forced to live in Fort Midnight, and that she was finally able to return home, which was a great joy for her.

"Elder brother!"

As soon as she saw her brother, Sophia couldn't care about the lady's reserve, and threw herself directly into Swain's arms, the tears of longing were already unbearable, and the crystal tears wet Swain's clothes.

"I'm sorry, Sophia, for worrying you. Swain didn't blame Sophia for her faux pas, he hugged his sister and stroked her long hair gently, "Okay, so many people are watching, be happy, I'm not fine." ”

Sophia wiped her tears and left Swain's embrace, but she stuck to her brother's side. Although she was very happy to see her brother safe and sound, at the same time she still had some worries in her heart. What Manfred had told her, she still couldn't reassure herself, especially this time when there was Artemis among the people with her, which made her even more uneasy.

"I'm sorry, my sister hasn't been separated from me for too long, so my emotions are a little out of control. Sven bowed his head slightly, apologizing to Princess Celestia.

Caterina took a deep look at Sophia, a perfect royal smile on her face that belied her thoughts. "It's okay, the two of them have a deep relationship, but I am quite touched. The tone of the eldest princess was very kind, and she seemed to be really moved by Sophia's true feelings. But Swain could tell that Princess Celestia was actually mocking him, and in Katarina's impression, Swain was not a person with such tenderness. She used to think Swain was a good person, but now she doesn't believe that anymore. Whether or not it was because of the constraints that Atropos brought to the Jericho family that caused Swain to become like this, in the eyes of Princess Celestia, his crimes were undeniable, and even if his madness had a reason, it still could not undo his sins.

However, Swain didn't mind what Princess Celestia thought of him, what he needed was not Celestia's favor for him, but her use value. "Thank you for your understanding and kindness. Sven bowed slightly, still without any expression on his face, unable to see any gratitude.

Atmis, who was standing on the side, was a little impatient, she didn't like such an occasion in the first place, but she was helpless because of her status as a princess, and she was not easy to interrupt. When Swain finished speaking, she immediately opened her mouth and changed the subject. "Your Highness, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince hopes that you can return to Deweide as soon as possible, the situation in the south has not been completely calmed down at the moment, and it is safer for you to return to the imperial capital. ”

Princess Celestia nodded, and she also hoped to return to her family as soon as possible. Midnight Fort was beautiful, but the pressure on Swain was too great, and she always felt that the air was heavy, and she couldn't breathe all day long.

"I'm ready, when are we leaving?"

Atmis's face showed embarrassment, she bowed slightly to the eldest princess, and said apologetically: "I'm sorry, Your Highness, we didn't know that Premasha was just a small fishing village at first, we thought there was at least a qualified port here. There was not enough fuel to prepare for the departure from Deweide, and now it is necessary to wait a day for the ship to be resupplied and ready for the next voyage. As she spoke, Artemis glanced at Swain as if he was blaming Sven for not making it clear beforehand.

"Is that so...... Princess Celestia frowned slightly, "then let's rest all night at Midnight Castle and set off tomorrow." Although she didn't really want to stay in Midnight Castle, the conditions were good, and she wasn't too willing to go there after she heard that Premasha was just a small fishing village.

"Come with me, then. Swain stepped forward at the right time and extended his hand to Artmis, "I will arrange rooms for a few of you, I have been well received in Govélenburg before, so please let me show a little bit of landlord friendship today." ”

Seeing Swain's outstretched hand, Artemis had a disgusted expression on her face, her anger at Swain still hadn't subsided, and she still hated this guy who had injured her father and brother one after another, and had shamelessly asked for a marriage contract. Atmiss raised his head as if he hadn't seen Swain, and walked straight into the castle, completely ignoring Sven.

There was no response from Artmis, and Swain was unimpressed. He withdrew his hand, glanced at Yang, and said lightly, "Mr. Dares, it's been a long time." ”

"Indeed, long time no see. Yang Leng snorted, a neutral voice between immature and mature with a bit of arrogance and the young man's refusal to admit defeat, "I thought you would die at the hands of Michelle." ”

"Then you look down on yourself too much. Sven shook his head slightly, not angry at Yang's provocation, "Even if it's you, you can easily get out of the ordinary army." ”

Young knew that Swain was showing off his previous victories, which annoyed the young Yang even more. "Ah, yes, but if I do it again, I'm sure it will end differently. He gritted his teeth and glared at Sven, it seemed that after being tortured by Sven, Yang had not lost his courage and still had the confidence to challenge Sven.

"Really?" Swain turned his back, the eldest princess had already walked into the castle, so Sven didn't plan to talk to Yang anymore, "Then I'll look forward to it." However, the Earl of Hecate owes me an explanation, and I look forward to his explanation as well. ”

His hands were clenched tightly into fists, and the momentum that Yang burst out faintly induced the magic power in his body. However, he immediately reined in the escaped magic, this was Midnight Castle, and he had an important mission to attack Swain again.

"Manfred," he blew a voice between his teeth, so light that no one could hear him, "you better not disappoint me, I must see this fellow's death!"

Baron Deniz prepared a sumptuous dinner for everyone, but neither Princess Celestia, nor Artmis, nor Sophia paid attention to the fine food. Swain also lacked enthusiasm as a host, and everyone just filled their stomachs for dinner, and then went about their own business.

After dinner, Sophia dragged her brother back to their room, and she had a lot to say to Swain.

Being dragged by Sophia, Swain didn't find it strange. He knew how much Sophia depended on him, just as he relied on the peace that Sophia brought him. After so many days of separation, he could feel the worry in his sister's heart, and even he himself missed Sophia quite a lot.

Back in the room where she hadn't been back in a long time, Sophia took a deep breath. Although neither Princess Celestia nor Viscount Jericho liked the atmosphere of Midnight Castle, Sophia had a deep affection for Midnight Castle, which was where she grew up, and even though she had seen the prosperity of the imperial capital, she still liked the atmosphere of her hometown.

"It's been a long time since I've been back. Swain sat down at his desk, and although he didn't need to sleep, Sophia's bed was cleaned by a maid every day, and a special perfume was added to the bedding and sheets to keep it fresh.

Sophia sat down on the edge of the bed, gently stroking the pink sheets, knowing that her brother didn't need to sleep, but she still unconsciously imagined the smell of Swain on the bed. "Brother, you ...... Have you been to Govélenburg before?" she turned her face sideways, and from Swain's point of view, even the side of his face was obscured by the supple black hair, so that he couldn't see Sophia's expression clearly.

Thinking of what he had said at the castle gate before, Swain didn't wonder why Sophia knew about it. What made him strange was Sophia's behavior, if she hadn't turned her face to herself like this before, and even Sven felt a faint melancholy and obvious worry from Sophia's tone.

"What's wrong?" Even if he could hear the faint voices coming from people's hearts, he couldn't guess Sophia's thoughts, and besides, Sophia was one of the very few people in his world who could bring him peace, and this purity was what he longed for the most.

"I have heard from the previous Mr. Schneider, who I have visited, that you have asked the Earl of Hecatet to marry Miss Artmis, who has come with you to Midnight Castle to-day. She turned her face, and tears rolled in her crimson eyes, reflected in the red pupils, as red as blood.

"Huh?" Swain was stunned for a moment, he didn't expect Sophia to meet Manfred, and he didn't expect Manfred to tell Sophia about it. This forced him to consider Manfred's intentions, and so far Swain could not know Manfred's clear purpose, although this person had co-opted him, neither Swain nor Manfred was a person who would easily trust others.

Seeing her brother pondering, Sophia's worry became even heavier, tears rolled down her face, and she began to cry silently. "Is this true? Are you really going to marry that Miss Artmis?"

Seeing Sophia's tearful eyes, Sven couldn't help but feel a little apologetic, lately he had been thinking about his own plans and somewhat ignoring his sister's feelings. When it comes to others, he is absolutely rational to the point of being almost ruthless, he can use Princess Celestia regardless of other people's feelings, punish Charlotte, kill everyone on the Vincent, but for Sophia, for his sister who values him the most. His heart finally softened.

Walking up to Sophia, Sven put his arm around his sister's petite shoulders and whispered in her ear, "Of course it's not true, I just made some deals with the Hecate family, and I didn't really want to marry Miss Hecate." ”

Sofitel lifted up, and her misty eyes sparkled again. "Really?"

"Of course it's true. ”

Although the brother's face was still expressionless, and his tone was as undulating as ever, in Sophia's opinion, such a face was the most sincere. "I believe in you!" Sophia leaned against Swain's chest, her brother's breath slowly calmed her heart, "As long as you say it, I believe it, you have never lied to me, only you, only you......"

Swain hugged Sophia and patted her on the back gently, soothing his sister as if he were a child. "I know, I'm not going to lie to you. He picked up Sophia's small and delicate face and gently wiped the tears from the tip of her nose, "Look how you've been crying, go take a shower, go to bed early, and go to Premasa tomorrow." ”

Looking at her brother's face, Sophia's face flushed, her eyes looked away slightly, and her shyness made her afraid to look at her brother. "Can I wash with you? Just like when I was a kid......

Swain was stunned for a moment, because he loved cleanliness when he was a child, Swain was different from the nobles of this era, and he would take a bath every day. Sophia, on the other hand, would run in while he was in the shower and jump into the bathtub to make trouble for him.

Thinking of what happened when he was a child, Swain felt a little warmer in his heart. "Okay. He didn't refuse Sophia's request, or rather, he couldn't refuse his sister.

In the misty bathroom, Sven enjoyed the hot water. Even though the bathtub was already large, he and Sophia were no longer children, and the two of them still made the space seem a little cramped. Sophia sat on Swain's lap, the delicate skin of her back pressed against Swain's chest, and for Sophia, her brother's body temperature made her feel more comfortable and warm than hot water.

"It's been a long time since we've taken a shower together. Sven hugged Sophia, her chin rubbed against Sophia's soft cheeks, and the girlish breath emanated from her sister's face, making Sven a little intoxicated.

"Hmm......" Sophia lowered her head, although she used to like to take a bath with her brother, and she also liked to splash water on her brother in the bathroom, but now she is no longer a child, so she will still feel shy when she is close to her brother.

The warm water vapor drove away the coolness of the night, and after soaking in the hot water for a long time, Sophia's face gradually turned red, and her baby-like skin was also pink.

"However, even when you grow up, you are still so petite. Swain hugged Sophia tighter, and the long-lost bath made his heart beat faster, "When you were a child, you were so small, soft and weak, and when you grew up, you have become a slender young lady, obviously you have never used a corset, and your waist is so thin." Swain put his arms around Sophia's waist, her petite figure without a trace of fat, and the girl's silky skin was soaked in water, even smoother than silk.

"Brother...... "Brother," Sophia muttered, resting her head on her brother's shoulder, her long wet hair pressed against Swain's chest, "I seem to be a little dizzy." ”

"Did you get dizzy after a while?" Sven put his hand on Sophia's forehead, and his little finger covered Sophia's eyes, "Didn't you like to have water fights in the shower before?"

"It was all when I was a kid. Speaking of what happened when she was a child, Sophia couldn't help but be a little shy, "It's so crowded here now, I can't move away." ”

"To me, you haven't changed at all from when you were a child. Sven whispered in Sophia's ear, the breath from the words made the girl feel a little itchy in her earlobes, "You haven't changed, it's the Sophia who likes to jump into the bathtub when I'm in the shower and make trouble for me, my Sophia." ”

"Brother, ......" Swain's rare words of love made Sophia even more shy, she turned her head and looked at Swain's face tenderly, "Yes...... Can you kiss me?"

Swain kissed Sophia lightly on the forehead, and the scent of the girl's body touched his lips.

"Not here. Sophia turned around and hugged her brother as well, she grabbed Swain's shoulders and pressed them tightly against his chest, her pink lips kissing Swain's slightly cold lips.

Arms around Swain's neck, their cheeks pressed together, even in the foggy bathroom, Swain's face was still a little cold, and this coolness spread to Sophia's warm skin, which made her feel comfortable. Sniffing her brother's breath, Sophia felt her body and mind relax, as if the water vapor lifted her body and led her to the fairyland.

"I just want to be like this forever, always be with my brother, as long as I have my brother, I don't want anything but you. ”

"Hmm. Swain's hand ran around his sister's back and stroked her long wet hair, "I promise you, I will." ”

The feeling of being clinging to each other made Sophia's heart beat violently, something she had never felt before. It was not the first time she had been so close to her brother, but she had never been like this when she had bathed together before, and her heart was cheering in its small chest, as if it wanted to pour blood full of excitement and joy into her whole body, so that every part of Sophia's body was filled with this mood.

Swain let go of his sister and turned away. "Help me rub my back, like before. ”

"Hmm. Sophia lowered her head, the steaming water blocking the crimson on her face. She took the towel and gently rubbed it on her brother's back.

"It's good to use some force, it's not comfortable. ”

Sophia obediently increased the force on her fingers, but her strength matched her smaller size, and even with full strength, her movements were still so gentle.

"What's wrong?" Swain turned around and took the towel from Sophia's hand, "You were quite strong when you were a child, but why have your hands dropped now, is it because you haven't taken a shower together for too long?"

"Or, perhaps. Seeing her brother turn around again, Sophia's heart jumped fiercely again, and she replied in a thin voice.

"Then let me serve you. Sven nudged Sophia's shoulders and told her to turn around.

"Brother, brother!" Sophia exclaimed, Swain's fingers stroking the skin of her back, the touch making her body tremble for a moment, and then softened into Swain's arms.

"What's wrong?" Sven asked quietly, picking Sophia up and whispering in her ear.

"Also, don't want to. Sophia gasped slightly, the feeling that made her whole body tingle just now drained her whole body, and she was really a little dizzy at this moment.

"Oh well. Sven picked up Sophia and walked out of the bathtub, "But this bathroom is a little small, after all, it was built when I was a child, let Baron Deniz change the bathtub in the future." ”

"Hmm. Sophia doesn't care too much about changing the bathtub or anything, for her, whether she is rich or poor, as long as she has her brother by her side, she is satisfied.

"Brother...... Sophia looked at Swain, perhaps because the fog in the bathroom was too heavy, and there was a haze in her eyes, "Tonight, can we sleep together......?"

Swain also looked into his sister's hazy eyes, although there were many rooms in Midnight Castle, their siblings had slept together since childhood, and Sophia had been like that since she was a baby.

"Well," Sven kissed his sister on the forehead, "let's go back to when I was a kid today." ”