In his study at Tiamat Palace, Alexander sat behind his desk, listening to Prime Minister Pitt's report as he tapped his fingers on the table. This scene reminded the old prime minister of the unangry and arrogant appearance of the old emperor when Nicholas I was alive.

"So," Alexander rubbed his chin, deliberately making himself appear more majestic, "Jericho and his son almost got into a fight last night? What are they for, if it's a knighthood, now that Ernest has it, Swain shouldn't have to worry about the other party posing a threat to his midnight county, why does the young earl still come to the door like this, is it just to relieve the hatred in his heart?"

Prime Minister Pitt sighed, remembering the scene last night, his head hurt terribly.

"The contradiction between Jerica and his son has a long history, not only Ernest and Swain, but also the previous generation of Winston, who also has a deep contradiction with Ernest, and this contradiction is difficult for us outsiders to understand. ”

Alexander glanced at the Prime Minister with some suspicion in his eyes. "But I've heard that Wood is deeply involved in the contradictions of the Jericho family, isn't it?"

Prime Minister Pitt couldn't help but hesitate a little, there are some things, Alexander does not know very well because of his age, but he is the emperor after all, as the ruler of the general power, the last thing he wants to see is that there is something outside his control. So Prime Minister Pitt has to be careful to answer this, and he has recently felt more and more that the crown prince, whom he has supported to sit on the throne, has become more suspicious and more difficult to trust.

"Wood has a deep relationship with the Jericho family, and you know that the old Winston left a deep impression on the generation of the imperial capital, but this generation, and now there is probably only Wood left. ”

"Winston No. Jericht......" Alexander said the name, his eyes darkened, "what kind of man is he, who can impress the generation of the imperial capital, so that you will still read his name forty years later." ”

"Old Winston—" Prime Minister Pitt had a look of remembrance on his face, "to be honest, my impression of the earl is relatively shallow, and I was only a half-old little ghost at that time, although I was brought into the social arena by my father, but after all, I was just a character who did not enter the stream." ”

"I don't remember much about old Winston, as most people say, he was a fairly gentle gentleman, who could deal well with scholars and chatter freely, and was a rather incredible figure, so to speak, and he was so proficient in how to get along with people, and it is hard to imagine that he would spend forty years at Midnight Castle, and after his stunning appearance in the imperial capital, he would have been silent in the small village in the south. ”

"Sounds like a perfect character. Alexander Yaqi raised his eyebrows, and didn't seem to believe Prime Minister Pitt's words, "Not only can he handle relations with everyone, but he is also indifferent to fame and fortune, and he has left a great reputation in the academic world, this kind of character I thought was only in stories, and it sounds like a reclusive sage." ”

"Please don't underestimate the heritage of the Jericho family. Prime Minister Pitt sighed, "Although they have stayed in that small place in the south for generations, the Jericho family has always produced many talents, even the two fathers and sons who are now in the imperial capital are very stiff, if you are fair, they can actually be regarded as rare talents." ”

Alexander was silent for a moment, and he had nothing to refute with the last words of Prime Minister Pitt.

"But that's what makes people feel weird. Alexander said, "If the Earl of Winston can get along well with anyone, why should he be so stiff with his own son, and even leave this contradiction to the third generation—this is not at all the same as the image you have just said, not like the enlightened and wise sage, but just an ordinary stubborn old man." ”

Prime Minister Pitt was slightly stunned, it was the first time he had heard someone comment on Winston like this, but perhaps it was because Alexander had never met Winston and did not have any preconceived impression of the earl, so he would have a relatively objective opinion.

"If you wish to get to know the earl better, I'd better ask Wood. Prime Minister Pitt thought for a moment, and finally kicked the trouble to Wood, "He has a deep friendship with Earl Winston, and is one of the few people who has been to Midnight Castle, and knows better about the Earl's deeds, and the problems of the Jerichault family. ”

"In that case, isn't it back to square one?" Alexander frowned, not optimistic about Prime Minister Pitt's suggestion, "it is because only Wood knows Count Winston best that I want to know him from other sources, and if I can only know from Wood, then why should I ask you?"

Prime Minister Pitt couldn't help but "chuckle" in his heart, and he heard it from Alexander's words, as if the suspicious Supreme had not trusted Wood so much.

As soon as the old prime minister wanted to speak, ready to defend Wood, Alexander waved his hand, covered his forehead, and said with a slightly tired look: "This matter is put aside for the time being, the most important thing at the moment is to rebuild the damaged city of the imperial capital." ”

The words were forced back again, and Prime Minister Pitt saw that Alexander probably knew that he would speak for Wood, so he deliberately used these words to block his words first. Although he knew what Alexander was thinking, the prime minister could only sigh in his heart, and then humorously did not mention the topic.

For the next few hours, the two men discussed the topic of reconstruction, and it was not until noon that Prime Minister Pitt retired to the emperor with a strong heart.

The prime minister, who walked out of the emperor's study, felt that his head was in a trance, and from Alexander's body, he seemed to see a little shadow of Nicholas I, and the new emperor was trying to imitate his father in order to rule his subjects. But Prime Minister Pitt knew very well that Alexander was not his great father after all, and his imitation was really clumsy, and he only cared about putting on that majestic appearance, but he did not notice that no matter how Nicholas I beat and scolded his subordinates, he always trusted his subordinates, even Beria, he never doubted it, and it was this trust that allowed the cabinet to unite closely around Nicholas I and create an era of prosperity for the empire.

"Alas—" Prime Minister Pitt couldn't help but let out a long sigh as he stared at the newly placed portrait of Nicholas I in the corridor, "is my father's old affair from thirty years ago going to happen to me again?"

"Your Excellency the Prime Minister?"

Suddenly, a somewhat hesitant voice sounded in Prime Minister Pitt's ears, and he quickly turned around and looked at the girl standing behind him.

"Are you...... Miss Atmiss of the Hecate family?" Prime Minister Pitt looked at Atmis, and couldn't help but be a little surprised, at this time, Atmiss appeared here, always giving him a bad feeling, "What, is there anything important about Lesson 13?"

"It is the call of His Majesty. Attmis lowered his head and replied cautiously, "I'm sorry, Your Excellency, Your Majesty urged, I have to go to the audience as soon as possible." ”

Before Prime Minister Pitt could say a word of farewell, Artemis hurried away, as if deliberately avoiding the old Prime Minister, no, it should be said, deliberately avoiding everyone.

"Alas—what a clever little girl. The old man, who had experienced a lot of wind and rain, couldn't help but sigh again, as if he had an inexhaustible depression in his chest to vent, "It's not just the Jericho family that repeats the old things, but the Pitt family will also experience the story of thirty years ago." ”

On the other side, Atmis, who had left Prime Minister Pitt in a hurry, hurried to the emperor's study, the last time she came to this room, it was when Nicholas I was alive, remembering the scene at that time, Atmis's heart was still a little nervous.

Taking a deep breath, Attmis pushed open the door of the study, and the middle-aged man's insincere smile appeared in Attmis's eyes.

"Miss Hecate," Alexander beckoned to Artmis, "come and sit down." ”

Flattered, Artemis hurriedly bent down and saluted, with trepidation in her voice. "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, but I, as a small employee of the Thirteenth Lesson, am not qualified to sit with the King. ”

"Don't say that, Baroness Haverford. Alexander smiled and waved his hand, but, after getting used to doubt, Alexander didn't even smile really anymore, "Your father sacrificed his life for the empire and for the Giang family, this is something I keep in mind, although I can't give the late Count Hecatet more favors, and give the Hecate family such a punishment, but I am really grateful to the Hecate family for everything they have done for me, and I hope you can understand." ”

"Please don't say that, Your Majesty. Artmis's voice became even more frightened, and his head hung lower, "The Hecate family has been serving the Gene family since His Majesty Astrad I, and it is our natural obligation to fight for you and even give our lives, whether it is past, present, or future, the loyalty of the Hecate family will never waver, and it will always be used for you." ”

"What a pleasing word!" Alexander smiled and nodded, looking satisfied with Artmis's answer, "Please rest assured that I will take this loyalty of the Hecate family to heart." At the moment, you are really not suitable to continue to serve as the head of the Thirteenth Section, so I have to let Count Jericho temporarily take charge of the Thirteenth Section, after all, he has also made great achievements, which should be understandable. ”

"I obey your orders completely and without any complaints. Artemis bent over and still didn't mean to lift up.

"Okay, don't be so restrained, it's not appropriate for a girl to bend over all the time. Alexander laughed and gestured to the seat in front of him, "Come and sit down, how about you talk to you as an elder?"

Artemis hesitated, but finally straightened up, walked over to Alexander, and sat down.

"Is Lesson Thirteen running well now, because I can't think of a more suitable person for a while, so I can only send Count Jericho, after all, he is also on your list. However, although this earl is amazingly brave, he is still a little younger, and he always likes to do impulsive things, and yesterday he had a conflict with his father, hoping that he would not make a mess of the thirteenth lesson. ”

Artemis listened silently, and she heard something different in Alexander's words.

"Of course, after all, Count Jericho also has his own obligations and duties, and when the time is right, I will transfer the thirteen lessons to you, and let Count Jericho take on other obligations, anyway, the thirteen lessons are the organs of the Hecate family on behalf of the family, and they are controlled by you, which always reassures me. ”

"Thank you for your kindness. Artemis bowed his head again and thanked him.

Alexander took a deep look at Artemis with his head bowed, and there was a different kind of look in his eyes. "Of course, before that, I still hope that you can assist Count Jericho well and manage the thirteen lessons well, if something goes wrong, then you and Jericho, there must be someone to take responsibility. ”

Attmis's heart trembled slightly, and sure enough, as she expected, this summoning was definitely not as simple as it seemed, Alexander, the new emperor of the empire, desperately wanted to show his presence, no matter what field it was.

"I see what you mean. Artemis kept his head down, avoiding Alexander's eyes.

"Your Majesty. ”