July 24, 363 Gregorian Calendar, Mastar, Shurasa. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

That evening Paul Maldini retrieved his two-handed sword, and Miss Macmillan was indeed a first-rate swordsmith, all the more so when Paul looked at his sword. He thanked Estella and added an additional 5% to the agreed price, but the other party was not polite, and readily accepted it after learning that it was not the wrong customer.

"We don't have a lot of time, gentlemen." Paul said to the two attendants who were still looking around.

"Ah, ah, you're right." Nesta hurriedly responded.

"Hey, Alec, it turns out that you like this type of girl, no wonder you don't like to deal with those delicate and weak aristocratic ladies." Cannavaro put his shoulders on his companion, who was about a head shorter than Nesta.

"Fabio, if you talk a little more, I don't mind tearing up this new dress of yours."

"Alright, alright, don't be angry, Miss Macmillan is a close friend of Her Royal Highness, and I will give you ideas."

"I don't think Miss Macmillan looks down on your set."

"How do you know if you don't try? It seems that you already feel like you already know her well. ”

"Gentlemen, we really don't have much time left." Paul reluctantly reminded again.

"Yes, Lord Maldini." The two attendants quickly straightened up.

On the evening of July 24 there was a court ball, and Sigrani sent out invitations to almost all the important nobles in Shurasa, the reason on the table was, of course, to promote and warm up for the new sword art tournament that began tomorrow. Paul was undoubtedly qualified enough to be invited, and Her Majesty would never forget the representative of the Maldini family.

"On behalf of my family and the entire Western Army, I would like to extend my sincerest respect to you, my supreme." This is how Paul greeted the Empress when he met her.

"Is it just respect?" Sigrani chuckled and said, even at this age, anyone would still think that Empress Mastar's actions were incomparable. However, when this question came out of her lips, the pressure on the people around her increased dramatically, and everyone realized that this was a real emperor in front of her.

"Of course, not only respect, my majesty," replied Paul unhurriedly, "but all the virtues on which my father and my family have long been able to gain the royal trust, and above all our unchanging loyalty. ”

"I hope you will live up to the expectations of the royal family and the Empire, I heard that Cesar's health has been poor recently, can you tell me about the specific situation?"

"My father is only slightly unwell, and my two brothers have been taking good care of him, and I believe he will recover soon."

"That's the best, have fun tonight, do your best tomorrow, go down." Sigrani waved for the audience to end the conversation.

Paul owes himself to the Empress, and as he leaves, he salutes Theodora, who has been standing behind Sigrani.

"He seems to know you?" The Empress asked her daughter.

"Just a photo in Estella's shop." Cyodora replied lightly.

Her mother laughed lightly, and she could clearly feel the changes in her daughter after returning from this trip. Sigrani is now certain that it was a wise decision to send Theodora to Farensi, and that Theodora's temperament is more and more similar to that of Thorgrande's youth. Her Majesty did not reveal to her daughter that she had secretly watched her practice martial arts in the past two days, and when Theodora danced with her sword, Sigrani seemed to see the shadow of the man who had been thinking about her for a long time. Mrs. Hayes, who was with her at the time, saw that her empress had a smile on her face that was rare and the softest from the heart.

When Paul came down from his throne, he was confronted by Grand Duke Reims.

"I thought you wouldn't be able to go back to the royal capital in your life." Michelle said with a smile.

"Oh, don't you have to keep an eye on Miss Hayes today?" Paul tilted his head to look to the side, where the Hayes siblings were staying with their parents, and Bavar and Atalanta were chatting and laughing with the other nobles.

"No, those two stupid dragon knights have paid themselves to Farensi, and now there is one that has not returned, and the remaining one is not to be feared." Michelle replied.

"Are you participating in this conference? I don't know when this is a great opportunity, and I don't know when it will be the next time such a grand event will be held. Paul said.

"Of course I'm going to compete, I looked at the group registrations in the afternoon, and if everything goes right, I'll beat you in the semi-finals." Michelle said.

"You'd better take it easy, I don't want anyone else to run into in the semi-finals."

At the same time, the Redknapps were walking into the hall.

"I said, how can you be so calm, Frank is still being detained in France." Cosette was still complaining.

"Why worry, becoming a prisoner of the Lanfang family is a godsend." Knights Templar caress his wife.

"What's the reasoning?"

"I'm afraid your son knows a lot more in his own heart, that he has been going around a girl with his brother, and that he should be tired of this child's game by this time. If we are lucky enough, we will be able to get married to Marshal Luce in the future, which is something that Her Majesty may not be able to do. ”

While speaking, the Redknapps had already walked in front of the Hayes family. The two sides greeted each other very familiarly.

"Ever since Sogrerd Lius took the title of Juggernaut from this country, I thought I would never see a sword tournament in the Grand Colosseum of Shurasa again in my life." Bavar Hayes said to his old friend with his glass.

"yes, I used to think so, too." Frank Rednap paused, "But our beautiful Empress Majesty has brought the event back, hasn't it?" ”

"It's not just the event that was brought back."

"How?"

"The Falencians have sent us a personal message that he is still alive." Hayes lowered his voice.

"Who's still alive?" Redknapp was surprised, "Do you mean the boy who shouldn't be alive?" ”

"That's right, it's been almost twenty years, who would have thought? According to what Fiore had brought back, he was gathering forces from all sides on the mainland, and even the King of Iberia had already met with him. It was a surprise that the Rossi family had such loyal ministers. ”

"What does Your Majesty mean?"

"There are only two problems that can bother Your Majesty at the moment, and it seems that she wants to merge the two problems into one problem and solve them all at once."

"It's easier said than done."

"That's true. But it's okay, I still haven't settled the account with the loyal ministers of the Rossi family, and I have a grudge. Fifteen years later, Hayes still vividly remembers the morning he received the news of Atalanta's injury, when his heart seemed to be split open in an instant, and his whole body trembled uncontrollably.

While the two were talking, the master of ceremonies had already announced the start of the ball, as the Empress had instructed, and everyone who wanted to dance the first piece began to walk onto the dance floor with their partners.

Mrs. Hayes Atalanta naturally sensed a slight strangeness from her husband, "What's the matter, Bavar, did you lose the three-gold bet to Frank again?" ”

Looking at his wife's smiling face, Bavar Hayes couldn't help but tighten her waist, "Atalanta, it's great to have you by my side all the time. While everyone was getting ready for the dance to begin, Hayes quickly kissed his wife on the lips.

"What are you doing~ How bad it is for others to see." Atalanta sneered embarrassedly, in exchange for her husband's smirk.

"Look at Bavar and Atalanta." Aware of this, Cosette tapped the Templar Commander's left shoulder, his tone full of envy.

"Then how about we go back early and leave Yusuf alone?" Redknapp whispered softly in her ear.

"Hate, you hate it."

The dance party was held in a joyful atmosphere.

July 20, 363 Continental Gregorian Calendar, Farensi, Caiunescu.

On this day, Queen Margaret finally had an official guest on the Navi side, and as on previous occasions, the party was led by Gronshar's eldest son, Rehhagel, Selester's betrothed. After cordially greeting the Navi people, the queen immediately sent Lieutenant General Beta to lead the Navi people to carry out "Operation 101".

To Rehhagel's surprise, Celeste was prepared for his arrival, and did not try to escape as he had done on previous occasions, but obediently said goodbye to the people of the manor and promised to return to Navi with him. This move reassured the Navi, who always felt that their princess must be planning a new way to escape, so they stepped up to guard Celeste. However, in the end, it was confirmed that these fears were unfounded. Five days later, King Romedal met his rebellious daughter in Ssaka.

And after sending off the Navi, Queen Margaret enacted a personnel change. Saugland no longer holds the office of Inspector Chancellor, although he retains the title of Honorary Chancellor, nominally as an arbitrator in any judicial action in France.

There was a discussion among the various strata of the Caiunescu about what kind of position to give to the marshal. For the military department, the troika of the current commander-in-chief, Field Marshal Oiffi Santero, together with the chief of the General Staff, Colonel-General Oskar Singhald, and the chief sergeant, Lieutenant General Karl Heinz Spease, is a very stable combination. Moreover, Sogrend's military exploits have always been regarded as the most outstanding of the current high-ranking generals, and it is obviously impossible for him to be subservient to any of the trio, and it is not a good choice to let the former itinerant justice, who has been out of military service for many years, be above the three.

In comparison, the executive seems to be a better fit for Sogrande. Even if everyone has to admit that the current Prime Minister, Viscount Dustin Rastigne, is an excellent political officer, almost everyone thinks that he is just following the rules. Not only the ordinary people think so, but even most of the subordinates around the prime minister think so. Such an assessment would be unfair to Rastigne. In The Monarchs of the Age of the Gods of War, Jamie Yale wrote: "Rastigne himself was well aware of the situation from the beginning, and when he was still young and vigorous, he was able to boost himself with the enthusiasm of youth, and try to wash away such a reputation with better work." But there are very few real fools in the world, and it is extremely difficult to be 'difficult to be confused' in such things, so when he gradually stepped into middle age, his mentality gradually changed slightly......"

One of the reasons why Queen Margaret is considered a rare monarch is that she is sensitive and flexible in personnel. Just when almost everyone thought that Rastigne would have to relinquish the power of prime minister, the queen gave Sogrand a surprise appointment as the head of the Privy Council. The Privy Council of the Kingdom of Phalensy was originally proposed and created by Thorgrande. In the years that followed, thanks to the efforts of Hoffman, the first chief Ingrid Earl Elder, the Privy Council did not become, as pessimists had predicted, into a grumbling pension club, but an advisory decision-making body on which the king could rely. By 355, the Privy Council had even been given the power to obtain a three-fourths majority of the internal concurrence and publicly sign dissenting opinions on the statutes issued by the executive branch to stop them until the king made a final ruling. While it was not easy to gain the support of 196 out of a total of 261 members in the Privy Council, it was an important reform overall.

"I hope you will continue to be faithful to your duties and bring us many important suggestions and opinions, Your Excellency Leus." Queen Margaret said on the throne with a serious face.

"As you command, my majesty." Sogrend owed himself at the foot of the steps.

When the court meeting with the king was over, Rastigne was one of the last to leave the council chamber, and as soon as he went out he saw Saugrand, who was being dominated in the corridor. Marshal Leus was surrounded by veteran senators of the Privy Council, experienced officers of the military department, and even several ministers of the executive branch.

"The sun is a bit dazzling today." The current prime minister muttered like this, and wanted to leave.

Still, apparently someone noticed him.

"Lord Rastigne, please stay."

Rastigne looked back and saw that the person who had stopped him was none other than the former Acting Privy Councillor, Count Jacques de Resto, a nobleman who disgusted Rastigne. To be precise, the two sides are disgusted, and the reasons why the two hate each other are also different. Some say that it was because Rastigne, when he was in the provinces, had impartially punished a relative of the Count of Resto for his wrongdoing; It is also said that the reason why the Count of Resto hung the title of "acting" for five years after the Marquis of Rügenbert stepped down as Chief Privy Council due to illness was due to the Prime Minister's repeated dissuasion from the Queen; Or both. Of course, as a matter of reality, the Earl of Resto has always been in favor of allowing the Privy Council to divide more power from the Chancellery, and to expand the influence of the Privy Council on the king and administrative matters. Rastigne resolutely resisted this, believing that because his predecessor, the Earl of Ingrid, was from the Privy Council, he had given the Privy Council too much authority that should not have belonged to them. The Privy Council should stick to the duty that Saugrand had set for them, an advisory body to the old-fashioned aristocracy, and nothing more.

"What do you have to say, honorable earl?" Rastigne turned around and responded with humility.

"I can't talk about any advice, but today Marshal Luce has taken up his new position, and I have prepared a thin wine in the palace to celebrate His Excellency the Marshal. Come with you, Master Rastigne, and I think Lord Leuss was also a discerning person who discovered a young talent like Lord Rastigne, so why not take this opportunity to express his gratitude for his kindness? "Count Resto, though he used his words appropriately, was aimed at the shortcomings of the other party.

"The Prime Minister is busy with government affairs, if there is really something important, there is no need to force it." When Sogrend heard this, he walked over and said.

"Hey, Lord Leus and Lord Rastigne haven't met for a long time, so I also took this opportunity to talk about the friendship between teachers and students back then." Count Resto laughed.

Sogrend smiled wryly at this and was about to persuade him, but Rastigne suddenly and cheerfully agreed. So, in a harmonious atmosphere of joy and joy for all the guests, everyone flocked to Sogrande and left.

About afternoon tea, Queen Margaret was in her study enjoying the refreshments that the kitchen had prepared for her. At this time, the female officer informed Lieutenant General Beta of the audience, and the queen asked the head of the Ninth Legion to go straight in.

"Good afternoon, Your Majesty."

"Good afternoon, Lord Beta." Margaret put down her plate, "Are my ministers still having a good time at the noon feast?" ”

"On the surface, it looks like this." Jayne replied.

"Oh? Did they express other emotions in private? ”

"I and others have not heard or seen anything like it, so I cannot assert, Your Majesty. In addition, this is the latest information from the side of Hitarus and Pamis, please take a look. ”

"Well, you're doing a great job, Lord Beta." Margaret lifted the teacup.

"Then I take my leave, Your Majesty."

"Okay, you go down." The queen waved her hand.

Lieutenant General Beta met the Queen's husband, the Grand Duke of Antaras, outside the door, and neither side spoke, Jayne owed, while Antaras nodded slightly. Antaras then pushed the door open and entered the study.

"What's the matter, dear?"

"You forgot? You promised to accompany me to try the new dragon saddle today. ”

"It's already this time, so let's go." Margaret put down the papers in her hand and stepped forward to take her husband's arm. The soft touch from his arm made Antaras blush, which made Margaret smirk.

As the two of them walked to the cloister laughing, Antaras suddenly said, "You have made Lord Leus the chief of the Privy Council, and in the current situation, it is not an easy position." ”

"It's because it's not an easy job that I arranged for him to go." Margaret paused, "Sogre has always been there for me. "As the old saying goes: wars come and go, but my soldiers are always loyal. Behind that were Margaret's unspoken thoughts. Antaras listened and smiled slightly.

At this moment, the crisp dragon roar came out from the dragon's shed in the palace, straight into the sky.