(Author's note: I changed to a new job this month, and I can only go home on weekends, so the update is slowing down, and as for the year-end summary, I should be able to get it done before the Lantern Festival...... Farsight)

"Floris, what are you doing?"

"Ah, ah, I'm sorry, Your Highness," Florise quickly bowed her head humbly, "but don't you think that one just now looks very special?" ”

"I don't think," Nastasy chuckled, "only the best of you think a strange man is special." Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ”

"Your Highness, you're making fun of me again." Floris said with a red face.

"Alright, alright," the black swan of Reynolds glanced at the back hall, "as you say, a very special person. ”

Lan Feng followed Fiona through two doors to a large room, which was slightly dim, but much warmer than the outside. Lan Feng saw a number of half-finished swords, charcoal and iron ingots neatly placed in a corner far from the stove, and a few rags hanging by the buckets full of water.

Fiona shouted a few more times, and soon a figure stepped out of the side hut. Lan Feng could of course easily see the other party's appearance by the light of the fire in the stove. It was a tall young woman with curly brownish-red hair draped over her shoulders. Her eyebrows are not as soft as those of ordinary women, her lines are firmer, and her gray-green eyes are noticeably angry. Probably because of the heat and dryness of her work, she wore only a single coat, her strong arms exposed, and her bronzed skin glistened with sweat in the firelight.

"Fiona, how many times have I said it, don't yell in my shop."

"You're always striking iron here, I'm afraid you won't hear me if I don't make a loud noise."

"Come today, what's the matter?"

"Introduce you to a good client." Fiona said, pushing Lan Feng out.

"I want to buy a suitable dagger and use it as a tool." Lan Feng explained the intention.

Estella nodded, turned and rummaged through the pile of iron, picking out a dagger. "Do you think this is appropriate?" She played the dagger in her hand a few times, and then handed it to Lan Feng.

Lan Feng took it, looked at it carefully, and gently touched the blade. "Perfect fit, how much does it cost?"

"Since it's a guest brought by Fiona, I won't take any money, and it's not a particularly good thing anyway." Estella shrugged her shoulders and walked out with the sword she had intended to hand over to the guests waiting outside.

"I think the workmanship of this thing is already good, this young lady seems to be a very strict person." Lan Feng said to Fiona.

"Her grandfather was such a temper, he was perfect in everything, and Estella always said that she had not been able to inherit all her grandfather's skills."

By the time Lan Feng and Fiona had visited the back for a while, and then came to the front store, the two master and servant who had been waiting there had already left. After sending Fiona home, Lan Feng returned to the hotel to rest.

The next morning.

"Your Highness, you're looking at the sword you bought yesterday again." Florise walked into the room with a breakfast plate.

When Nastasya saw her enter, she put her sword away and prepared for breakfast. The princess of Reynolds had quietly arrived in the capital of Mastar yesterday, and Empress Sigrani should have known of her arrival by this time. By nature, Nastasya had tasted the hardships of the world as a child, and with the initial education given by Sogrande, she did not like to pursue any extravagant pomp. This is exactly what the people of Renosque are talking about, and they like this princess with a strong civilian atmosphere. Legend has it that the Tsar's eldest daughter's favorite pastime was to go out of the palace in a small costume to attend an open-air ball at a village fair, where she would dance with the people in a modest dress.

"Your Highness, why did you go to that store to buy a sword?" Floris set the breakfast.

"Well, that's where the teacher bought it, and I want to see what kind of store it is. However, after so many years, things have long been different. Although I bought the same type of sword, it was a pity that it was far from the Tooth Moon. ”

"That's because the craftsman who forged the sword for Lord Luce has died."

"It's not just that, it's not comparable in terms of materials, but I don't regret it." Nastasya picked up a slice of toast and put it between her lips and took a bite, "Let's take a walk in the garden of this hotel later, I don't want to go out today." ”

"Yes, Your Highness."

After breakfast, the master and servant went for a walk in the garden. Unlike Reynoldske, spring is already shining in Shurasa in April, and this is even more evident in the well-tended gardens. Not long after the two left, they found that they were not the only ones who got up early, and there were other guests in the hotel.

"Your Highness, it seems that the person I met in the weapons shop yesterday."

"Really? I forgot, Floris, you remember it so well. Nastasy chuckled.

"Your Highness—"

"Alright, alright, let's see what he's up to."

"Is this boxing? Why do you still use your legs? Floris asked.

"I don't know, it could be a fighting skill."

Just when the master and servant were confused, the subject of observation put away his fists and feet, and turned his gaze to their side. Apparently, he had found them.

"Are we getting in your way?" Seeing this, Nastasya stepped forward generously and asked.

"Ah, no." Lan Feng disturbed his head.

"We met yesterday, but we don't know each other yet."

"That's true."

"If no one else introduces us, then it would be better to inform each other of our names, what do you say?" Nastasya didn't wait for the other party to think before she said bluntly, "I am Nastasya Romanovna, the princess of the Reynosk Empire, and this is my squire Floweravis. ”

Lan Feng still learned a lot of knowledge about etiquette on this continent from Fiona, after all, his motherland is a country of etiquette, and he has a mission, so he will definitely not be negligent in this regard. Now that the other party has introduced himself, of course he can't avoid talking about his identity. However, it can be said that it is a bold move for a lady to declare herself to her home without being introduced, no matter where she is placed.

"Down there is Lan Feng, and below is Lan Feng, who came to this continent as an envoy from the distant Eastern Continent."

"Oh, is that Zigner?"

"Farther than there."

"How far is it?"

"It's not clear below, but we were at sea for at least five months before we reached the waters near Mastar."

"Isn't it possible for you to take a detour?"

"No, the direction indicated by Sinan must be correct, we have been sailing westward."

"Sinan, is that a tool to indicate the direction? Is it magnetite? ”

"I don't know much about that, but it's always been able to point the South."

Nastasya sensed that the young man in front of her might have many unsolved mysteries, which made her even more interested.

"What were you doing?" She shifted the conversation to what she had just seen.

"It's just some exercises, exercises to keep your body flexible enough." Of course, Lan Feng couldn't explain it clearly for a while, so he could only be vague.

"I see." Nastaxia circled around Lan Feng a few times, carefully examining the other party. Obviously, Lan Feng was not tall, a little shorter than most adult men in Articut. It was also impossible to see if he had strong muscles. However, Nastasya could sense that the other party should be a good fighter.

"By the way, since you're here as an envoy, you'll also be attending the dance on the 12th?"

"Prom?!"

"Of course, it was Princess Theodora's birthday ball, how could you not attend such an important ball as an envoy?"

"You really should, but not everyone has to dance at the ball, right?" Lan Feng was a little worried about this problem, because he had heard that the situation of this continental banquet was completely different from his hometown.

"Since it's a prom, you're always going to have to dance with someone else unless no one invites you." Nastasya replied, "That said, it would be rude to reject someone because they couldn't jump. And as a man, not inviting a lady to dance at a ball is a faux pas in itself. ”

"Uh...... Looks like I'm going to have to ask someone how to dance. Lan Feng muttered in a low voice.

"You're not good at dancing, are you?" Nastasya asked knowingly.

"I'll tell you the truth, not at all." Since he was pierced by the other party, because he grew up in the temple all year round, Lan Feng would not lie.

"If you don't dislike it, then I can teach you a few of the easiest dance moves." Nastasya originally thought that she would have to make a lot of detours to have a chance to say this, but she didn't expect the other party to admit it happily.

"This ...... Then please don't hesitate to give me advice. ”

Thus, such an abrupt teaching began. First of all, of course, it is necessary to teach Lan Feng to properly exercise various basic etiquette at the ball, such as how to invite others and how to accept invitations. Lan Feng was a good student, and he learned quickly in this part, but Nastasya clearly sensed that the young man was very nervous when he shook her hand.

"Relax a little bit, it's just practice." Nastasya reminded.

"But...... In the etiquette of the lower hometown, the skin-to-skin intimacy between men and women is a very indistinguishable act. Lan Feng said.

When the princess heard this, she covered her mouth and chuckled, "Hehe, if the woman is reluctant in our place, it is also a non-dividing move. However, isn't it very rigid and impersonal to stipulate certain rituals to die in disregard of the ideas of the parties? ”

"You have a point......

"Well, if that doesn't work, then you can't dance. Not to mention that it's just a group dance holding hands, if you dance alone with others, don't you even go to support the woman's waist? ”

"Supporting the woman's waist ......" Lan Feng's face suddenly turned red, "Well, let's start with the group dance you said first." ”

Seeing the other party's expression, Nastaxia couldn't help but giggle again, the smile was so bright and charming that Lan Feng didn't dare to raise his head to face his temporary teacher.

"Well, the most important thing in group dancing is not to make mistakes when changing partners, and the rest of the movements are very simple." Saying that, Nastaxia demonstrated some of the movements that should be done in the group dance to Lan Feng, which was not difficult for Lan Feng.

"Floris, come here, let's practice the most crucial part." The princess summoned her attendant, "You will be Mr. Lan Feng's dance partner first, and I will be the dance partner he will exchange for next." ”

After the two people who were temporarily partnered said to each other, "I'm sorry for your trouble", Lan Feng took Faravis's hand and walked according to the steps he had learned before. Floris felt that it was a soft and gentle palm, not as hard and cold as her father and brother, and what reached her palm was a reassuring warm current. She went from being nervous at the beginning to relaxing, so much so that she got carried away and didn't let go of the other person's hand at the right time.

"Did you miss the beat?" Lan Feng frowned when she saw Nastaxia.

"It's okay, it's better to do it again, it's inevitable to make mistakes in the first practice." The princess clapped her hands, and then instructed her attendant, "Floris, you are not a beginner, be careful this time!" ”

"Yes, Your Highness." Florise bowed her head.

After the rest of the practice, Lan Feng learned several ways to dance in a group, but he still politely rejected the other party's offer to teach him how to dance alone with others.

Lan Feng felt that the people on this continent were very active and enthusiastic, which was completely different from the subtle and cautious etiquette of his hometown. Especially the two young ladies he met today, Lan Feng is still very grateful to them for taking their time to teach him these Western social etiquette. To his surprise, Fiona had said she would come to see him today, but she didn't show up in the end. Maybe she has her own things to do, after all, I've been troublesome to her for a long time, and I can't rely on my life-saving benefactor, but I should find a way to repay her. Lan Feng said to himself.

However, Fiona didn't forget to visit Lan Feng because of her pre-dance rush. She had arrived at the hotel at an inopportune time, so Miss Hayes was sulking and going home alone. Just as she was walking with her head down and kicking the stones on the side of the road, a carriage suddenly stopped beside her.

"Excuse me, are you Miss Earl Hays?" A middle-aged man who knew at a glance that he was a noble butler got out of the carriage and asked.

"May I ask who your master is?" Fiona asked, a little confused.

"My master is the Viscount of Bertrand."

"Your Excellency Cizer Bertrand?"

"Exactly." The man in the carriage spoke, "It is not convenient for me to come down and invite you personally, but if you wish to enjoy it, I can give you a ride." ”

Fiona had heard of Cizer Bertrand even though he had been outcast from the social circle of the Mastar nobility.

No one can doubt that Miss Hayes has a strong curiosity, on the contrary, Fiona has a mind that matches curiosity, and is able to deal with most of the troubles caused by curiosity herself. For these reasons, Fiona did not refuse the invitation of the nobleman, who was tantamount to exile.

When she stepped into the carriage with the butler's support, the first sight of the situation forced her to cover her mouth and exhale softly. Yes, what she saw were two empty trouser tubes scurrying on the seat.

Cizer instructed the butler to sit down beside the coachman, and he wanted to speak alone with the young lady. The butler respectfully retired and closed the door for them.

Fiona became cautious, and she slowly sat down across from the nobleman.

"Fiona Hayes?" Cizer confirmed again.

"Yes, sir."

"Don't be nervous, in my current situation, even if I want to do anything to you, I'm afraid I'm powerless." Cizer laughed. Fiona looked at the man closely, and she had to admit that this smile was very lethal to many women if she looked at the face alone.

"Do you have any advice for me?" Fiona asked.

"No, nothing special, just to see the children of the deceased. I've seen you as a kid, and of course your brother, and the two Redknapp kids. Time flies so fast, and in the blink of an eye, you have all grown up. You've become such a beautiful girl. Cizer sighed.

"I've heard something about you......" Fiona replied cautiously.

"That's a rarity, but I can roughly guess what the evaluation is." Cizer smiled, "A daring rebel, or a reckless saboteur, or perhaps this one sounds better - the clumsy dragon knight who was crippled by Henry 'Seaspout'. ”

"Not exactly, sir." Fiona replied with a wink.

"Oh? In any case, your words can be regarded as some relief to me. I know that no matter how bad the world is, there are always some fair and objective people, not to mention that under the rule of Her Majesty the Empress, Mastar is now in a good time. ”

"I heard from the Count of Reims that the responsibility for the defeat on the Iberian Sea is not on you."

"Yes, I wasn't to blame that time, but what about before? I'm exchanging my previous debts for debts, with interest. This is a one-time reckoning of the general ledger to which all are owed, to the Rossi family; to the Count of Reims; to the Leone and Fields families; And the ...... for her I'm not complaining about anything, at least I'm alive now, dragging this crippled body to survive in order to make the people who want to take revenge on me more satisfied, aren't I? Cezel's smile never disappeared from her face, which made Fiona shiver.

"Have a nice day at Your Highness Theodora's birthday ball, kind young lady."

Fiona was finally safely transported back to the door, and she felt a hint of sadness as she looked at the departing carriage. Fiona couldn't say for sure how Cezel's life was perceived by him, but she knew that if Cezel was sorry for the people who had been victimized by him, it would be mostly for "her" who was not named.

Soon it will be the day of the prom.