The party was bustling with activity, with wine and food rarely enjoyed by the neighboring aristocracy. Pen? Interesting? Pavilion wWw. ｂiquge。 InfoWilliam as the host is generous, and if the guests want to, it is no problem to take it after eating. As mentioned earlier, a whole herd of goats is used to greet these guests. In addition, fish and other meats are also in abundance, and the ladies can take their favorite seasonal fruits.

The feast began at 4 p.m., and when the sun had set, Count Osasuna continued the feast with a large number of candlesticks in the hall and three bonfires in the courtyard. Music is naturally an essential item, and guests are always willing to dance the night away after a full meal.

The bride-to-be and bride-to-be danced a few tunes together after receiving the blessings of the crowd. Anyone can see that they are a natural pair, and they have a tacit understanding with each other.

"Miss Duke, won't you find a dance partner to dance for a while?" Casillas asked, standing behind Juana.

"How many times have you said it, you are my friend, please call me 'Juana'." Juana said coquettishly.

"Uh," Casillas said, bothering his head, "Miss Juana, don't you really want to dance?" ”

"No one invited me, how can I dance?" Juana replied angrily.

As soon as Juana had said this, the two sons of the Count of Gomez came to her, owed her, and asked the Duchess if she could enjoy the light and dance with them. Of course, Iker Casillas could not see Juana's expression from the place where he stood, but the two Gentlemen Gomez looked up slightly to see her gritted teeth, and wondered how they had offended the noble lady by not being rude.

When both parties were embarrassed, the host of the banquet came over to play a round.

"I'm sorry, gentlemen, can you give me the priority of this piece as the host?" William walked over with a smile on his face.

The two Mr. Gomez were worried that they couldn't get out, so they hurriedly agreed and obediently retreated.

"Miss Duke, can you enjoy the light?" William held out his hand.

"Then I'll excuse you." Juana, of course, knew that she could not refuse her master's courtesy, otherwise it would be rude.

"Don't worry Miss, I've already figured out a way for you to get someone in to dance with you." William saw Juana reluctantly leaving Casillas, and comforted him softly.

"Lord Casillas, you can't do this kind of banquet without dancing, I guess you won't dismiss my face." Casillas looked back, and Miss Isabella, the heroine of the banquet, was looking at him with a smile.

"But......" Casillas turned to look for Juana, but could no longer be found, "and that would be a trouble for you to take the time to take care of me." ”

The next piece is a group dance, and you will have to change dance partners in the middle, so it's easy to make a mistake if you're absent-minded. However, Juana was clearly absent-minded, as Count Grant had prompted her to help, so she had been searching for Casillas. Just when she wasn't looking, it was time to swap dance partners.

Suddenly, she seemed to hear Isabella's voice, "Juana, I can hand over the person to you accurately." As soon as she turned her head, she saw Casillas' slightly surprised face.

"Miss Juana, watch the beat!" Casillas had to warn the somewhat sluggish Juana, and seeing that she was still unresponsive, he had to hold her slender waist and drag her over to prevent the people behind from hitting her.

"Why are you here, aren't I jumping with Earl Grant?" Juana asked.

"I was dragged in by my future mistress, and I just found out that I was going to exchange dance partners." Casillas shrugged.

"What about Earl Grant and Isabella?"

"I'm afraid they've already jumped together."

"Does Mistress Casillas hate dancing with me?" Juana bowed her head.

"How could it be, just...... Forget it, if you want to dance a few songs tonight, I'm willing to accompany you. ”

"Really? I am very happy to be here for Earl Grant's engagement banquet. ”

At this time, Count Gomez saw the hero and heroine of the banquet holding hands and walking towards a corner. He was skeptical, to be precise, he had always been suspicious of this sudden engagement banquet. Therefore, Count Gomez unconsciously followed him, wanting to find out.

However, he didn't take a few steps before a tall figure stood in front of him.

"Lord Gomez, where are you going?"

Count Gomez looked up and recognized it as Francesco Colli, Count of Lazarammaker, and he replied: "I saw Count Grant walking in that direction, and I want to know what he was doing." ”

"Oh, I saw it too." Count Lazaramek glanced in that direction, "It seems that the housekeeper is also with him, I said, Lord Gomez, do you also want to explore the private space between lovers?" What a surprise, I had no idea that such a noble nobleman would have such a fetish. ”

"What nonsense are you talking about!" Count Gomez's beard twitched, "How could I have such a voyeuristic lewdness, I'm just curious, curious." ”

"It's curious, it's okay, I'll just come to satisfy your momentary curiosity, come and come, follow me to see what is going on." Count Lazarammaker grabbed his hand and was about to leave.

"Hey, let go, what kind of system is this!" Count Gomez was obviously not as strong as the dragon knight, and he couldn't break free of the opponent's hand for a while.

"We're all adults, I can understand your thoughts."

"Don't mess around, I think you've drunk too much!" Count Gomez shook off his opponent's hand and walked away in a huff.

Looking at the departing figure of Count Gomez, Francisco couldn't help but hide his mouth and laugh. Later, Kenissales and Joaquín commented: "I always thought that Count Lazaramec was a very decent man, but I did not think that he was actually very talented as a mischief." Is it the so-called 'the more normal and serious a person is on the surface, the more perverted he is on the inside'? Of course, after this word reached Francescoli's ears, the two of them did not get a sip of Wyvern Valley wine for three months.

By the time Count Gomez had been driven away, William and Isabella had already arrived in a light carriage to the side of the road 1 thousand miles from the castle where the banquet was to be held. In fact, many people saw the two of them leave, but most people understood that the prospective couple needed to avoid everyone to make love, so they didn't care. Not to mention that this banquet is so interesting and sumptuous that who cares what such a generous host has done with his guests.

Subisareta and fifty knights had been waiting there, and when they saw their lord coming, they immediately brought him horses.

"Alright, dear Isa, I have to go." William picked up his fiancée's face and kissed her.

"Have a nice trip." Isabella was a little reluctant.

"If you're lucky, I'll send someone to pick you up and take you to Valencia soon." William reassured.

William sat down on his horse, took off his coat and handed it to one of his chosen men, who resembled himself. The subordinate put on William's clothes and sat down next to Isabella.

"Protect Miss Lazaralamaek, and stay outside until dawn before you go back." Subisareta instructed the false Count Grant, who nodded in agreement.

"Lord Grant, everything is ready." Subisareta looked back and said.

"Then let's go, our destination is Valencia. Drive! ”

"Keep up with Lord Grant!" Subisareta ordered.

Isabele stood in the carriage and watched her fiancé disappear into the night.

22 July, Almeria.

Lady Lucia, widow of Viscount Andrew, the Duke of Valencia's successor, has temporarily moved back to her maiden home in Almeria since losing her husband. The duke meant that he wanted her to avoid seeing things and thinking about people, which would aggravate her grief. Madame Lucia's maiden family is a local nobleman in Almeria, and the reason why she was able to marry the Carreras family is not only because of Lucia's own appearance, but more importantly, her grandmother is the aunt of the current Count of La Seria. It is for this reason that the Duke of Carreras has no intention of restoring her maiden name.

Early that morning, the surviving person planned to take advantage of the coolness of the morning to take a walk in the nearby fields, a habit she had recently developed. Two male and female servants followed behind her, so that the mistress could command anything at any time.

Lucia still thinks of her ex-husband from time to time, when they met in the countryside of Almeria. Andrew, the son of Carreras, who had long admired her beauty, brought a few companions to meet Lucia when he heard that a nobleman from Almeria was going to hold a ball for his married daughter. Lucia still vividly remembered the timid and shy look of the handsome young man, and she liked Andrew's shy look in front of her, and she danced four tunes with him that night. Her father then accepted the Carreras family's proposal, and they were married in the temple of Juno in Valencia.

The good times are gone, and when Andrew's coffin is brought back, Lucia is almost grief-stricken. Even if others praise the courage of the deceased, this does not soothe the pain of the surviving in the slightest. Lucia was an insightful woman, and she did not keep her grief on her face, and after the funeral was over, no one saw her tears, which made everyone even more worried.

Lucia tugged at her cashmere shawl, not because she was cold, of course. She seemed to hear the sound of horses' hooves, so she stopped and looked back. A young wrangler rode towards her.

"Ma'am," said the Wrangler, gasping as he got off his horse, "from Valencia, who said he would take you back. ”

"Did someone say something was wrong?" Lucia asked quietly.

"The lord didn't tell me in detail."

"I see, let's go back now."

Baron Mendez brought five mubens to Lucia's maiden home, Baron Domingo's manor, to explain his intentions. Lucia's brother is now the head of the family, and he immediately sends his own wrangler to fetch his sister back. The visit of Baron Mendes pleased the host, who hospitably entertained Baron Mendes and his men. Ever since his sister came back from the house, he had been worried that her sister would one day lose her Carreras family name. On several occasions, he secretly complained to his sister to his wife, saying why she didn't seize the opportunity to give birth to a boy and a half girl for the duke's family to consolidate her position. Now, the visit of the Duke's confidant, Baron Mendes, has completely dispelled his previous fears.

Baron Mendez did not explain much after meeting Lucia, but only conveyed that Duke Carreras hoped that she would be able to rush back to him as soon as possible. Lucia didn't ask much, she knew her father-in-law's physical condition, and she was ready to return to take care of him at all times. After packing up her simple belongings, Lucia boarded the duke's carriage.

It would take about half a day to return to Valencia City, and this time in the carriage was enough for Lucia to understand the current situation.

"Is there anything important that my father asked me to go back this time?" Lucia asked tentatively.

Baron Mendes did not answer her immediately, and only after a few beats of his left leg did he speak: "The Duke has invited a guest to Valencia, and he is a very important person, and if there is no hostess to greet the guests for the Duke, it will be unseemly and rude." ”

"An important guest?" Lucia lowered her neck suspiciously, trying to meet the other's eyes.

"Yes, very important guest." Baron Mendes looked away at first, then suddenly turned his head, "There's nothing to worry about, it's a very personable and prestigious guest." ”

"Albert, you should understand that I still have the surname Carreras, which means that I have the corresponding responsibilities and obligations of this family. I know that very well, and I knew it from the moment I accepted Andrew's proposal. So, as a long-standing loyal friend of the family, you don't need to worry about whether or not I will be able to accept something and thus hide anything from me. ”

"Alright, well," Baron Mendez was a little irritated, unsure if he was right to state the facts, "Listen, Lucia, the Duke has invited William Grant as a guest this time. ”

"That William Grant? Count Osasuna? ”

"Yes, it's William Grant."

"What did you ask him for? And why should I go back and be responsible for entertaining him? ”

"It's something political, you don't understand. To put it simply, the Duke is now old and sick, as you and I know very well. He didn't want to involve the people of Valencia and Almeria in the feud between the king and the Marquis de Sánchez, so he needed a helper. ”

"You suggested it to him?"

"Yes, that's what I suggested."

"I don't understand, it's not that the Carreras family is devoid of young people, why invite an outsider to ......"

"If you can marry the earl, he will no longer be an outsider. The Duke sees you like his own daughter, do you understand? The Earl had lost his wife for many years, but he was still in the prime of life. He, how can he say it, he is talented, cultivated, and very kind to his people. Baron Mendes had good things to say for William, and he felt a bit like a crappy matchmaker.

"What if I don't want to?" Lucia asked faintly.

"I don't know." Baron Mendez bit his glove and leaned back. "Still, I think you should meet him before you decide. Lucia, Andrew was also a good friend of mine, and he regarded me as his brother when I was a few years older than him. And I see him not only as my future lord, but also as my own brother. Listen to me, he is not the kind of person who is petty and selfish, he loves you so much, and he doesn't want you to suffer all your life because of him. ”

"I understand, Albert." Lucia smiled softly, "Forgot what I said before?" I am willing to assume the responsibilities that come with the surname Carreras, unless my father deprives me of these rights and the surname. ”

"You're going to like his ......," the baron's words were choked back by a sudden brake.

"What's going on?!" The baron asked aloud.

"My lord, we have been attacked!"

"Who is it?!"

"I don't know, it could be bandits and thieves!"

As soon as Wu Ben's voice outside fell, he heard a scream, and then an arrow slammed in from the side of the carriage.

"Diego has been shot!"

"Drag him under the car, quick!"

From the sound of it, there was already chaos outside. The two men in the carriage were also frightened by the arrow that had just pierced in, and their faces turned pale. Baron Mendez was not known for his martial arts, and although he had taken some lessons such as equestrianism and fencing, it was only for the sake of window dressing and improving his cultivation.

The baron asked Lucia to lie down, turned to her side, and gently lifted the curtain to see what was going on. He saw a crowd of dishevelled men lunging down on the guards, their attackers with weapons ranging from swords to dung forks. But they were so numerous that it was impossible to drive them away with just a few guards brought by the baron.

"What's going on?"

"We must have been attacked by rogue bandits, there are a lot of them."

"How could this happen?"

"I don't know, they shouldn't be from Valencia or Almería, I personally supervise the lending of food to poor families without interest, and even if there is a mistake, there should not be so many people who come to do such things because they are starving."

"What will happen to us?"

"It's really not good, I'll leave them as hostages, you go back and inform the Duke, and let my family raise money to ransom me." Baron Mendez said, "If their purpose is more than money, I will only defend the reputation of the Carreras family like a knight." As he spoke, the baron drew a rapier from under his seat, opened the door, and jumped out.

"Alright, guys, please stop!" The baron shouted.

The attackers paused for a moment, causing the remaining four Takeben to quickly retreat to the baron's side.

"Well, I said that all you want is money and food, I am Baron Mendes, a nobleman, I can take you hostage, and then you will exchange me for ransom. There is nothing of value on this carriage, and it is better to accept my offer than to increase casualties. "Baron Mendes has considerable eloquence.

"Let's not believe these nobles, brothers, haven't we been deceived enough by these bitches? They tricked our loved ones into going to war and burned the Pharisens alive. They also lied to us that if we went to war with them, we wouldn't have to pay taxes. When we returned, it wasn't the sword that forced us to give them the last grain of wheat! One of the leading attackers shouted.

Although he didn't know which lord did the good thing, Baron Mendes knew that he was probably telling the truth.

"Let's go!" One of the attackers shouted.

"You find a way to protect Madame and go out, leave me alone!" The baron whispered to a few of the Takebens.