Cyrian's mansion is located in Maple Lane in Uptown Oak City, and Aiden knows his old friend's personality very well, so he chose a secluded place for him.

Strictly speaking, this is not an extravagant and lavishly decorated residence, but it is one of the oldest houses in the hands of the Kunderbach family, whose owners can even be traced back to the ancestors of the Kunderbach family before they became kings of the Kingdom of Orem. This also let the nobles of the kingdom understand from the side what status and weight the former prime minister has in the king's mind.

As night fell into the city, the lights in the study on the second floor of the Prime Minister's official residence were still on. Sirian crouched at the large desk, reading the unfinished text. To be honest, the work of the former prime minister is not easy to do, and there are always some big and small things in front of Sirian every day.

Of course, as the old people say: for the diligent person, there is always something to be done. For the lazy, there is always endless meat and wine waiting for him to digest. Obviously, our Imperial Prime Minister belongs to the former.

The study room is very quiet, the night breeze of early summer is cool, blowing the white curtains, the heavy solid wood furniture is smudged in the light, and the simplicity of the years has been precipitated. The gray eagle feather pen danced in Carian's hand, and lines of vigorous words flowed from the tip of the pen.

Cyrian's expression was very serious, and he didn't notice in the slightest that the door of the study was gently pushed open, and a woman walked in quietly with a silver tray.

It was a woman in her forties, her demeanor was very elegant, although she could not be called a beauty, but her demure, serene and gentle movements brought people a different kind of kindness and reassurance. The long black hair that is tied together casually, the fair skin, and a dark green long skirt are matched together like this, and the appropriate amount is no more and no less. In fact, she is not glamorous or lively, but she naturally exudes a peaceful and dignified bearing.

The woman walked over to the desk and placed the tray in the corner, her dark green eyes revealing concern. "Take a break, you've been sitting here for a long time. She whispered.

Sirian was stunned for a moment, but immediately knew the identity of the comer. He stopped his pen and smiled softly. "Okay, all right, my lady, I'll stop. He put down his pen and stretched, his joints that had not moved for a long time crackled.

This woman was Silion's wife, the Duchess of the River Province, Catherine Swinston.

The Swinston family has guarded the western province on the border of the kingdom for generations, and in Catherine's generation, the old duke of the western border has raised three daughters, the eldest daughter Catherine married the Duke of Junhe Cyrian, the second daughter Evere married the current king Aiden, the only pity is that she died of illness a few years after she gave birth to the crown prince Sovereign, and the third daughter Eudora married a vassal of the Swindton family and inherited the title of Duke of the West.

These three women from House Swinston are also known to the nobles of the Olem Kingdom as the Three Nightingale Sisters, which is one of the reasons why Sirian and Aiden have such a good personal relationship.

Catherine came to Junhe Province for more than 20 years, not only won the love of her vassals and people with her approachable personality, but also raised two sons for Cyrian, and the relationship between their husband and wife has always been very good, and even passed down as a good story among the nobles. Of course, it is also to blame that the private lives of other aristocratic lords are too chaotic, and scandals such as lovers and illegitimate children emerge one after another. In such an environment, it is not surprising that they are praised by everyone.

Catherine came to Cillian's side and stroked her husband's already silver hair with some distress. "The trial celebration is about to be held, and it is rare that the Imperial Council will be suspended for a while, and for the sake of the Lord God, you should also have a good rest. She silently persuaded.

With a reassuring expression, Sirian put her hand on her lips and kissed it gently. "It won't be long, Casey......" he looked up at her, "I'll be back in River City soon, won't I?"

Catherine sighed and kissed Cyrian on the forehead, remembering the supper she had brought. "Come and try it, your favorite meat floss cake that has just been made. As she spoke, she pressed the tray in anticipation of her unfinished writing, and sat down beside Sirian, like a teacher urging her students to complete their homework.

Sirian shook his head with a wry smile, he picked up a small piece of cake and put it in his mouth, and the familiar sweet taste immediately spread through his taste buds. "Madame, even if all my old teeth are gone, the cake you make will make me hungry. Sirian said happily. His voice was even a little slurred because of the cake stuffed in his mouth. I'm afraid no one would have thought that the Imperial Prime Minister, who usually keeps his face tight, would have such a witty side.

"Eat slowly, be careful to choke," Catherine smiled as she handed Cyrian a cup of hot milk tea, there was nothing more pleasant than having her lover compliment, "Drink some milk tea, don't burn it." She instructed patiently, her eyes overflowing with tenderness that could not be dissolved.

Sirian exhaled contentedly, then looked at his wife, stroking Catherine's face with his hand. "It's been hard work all these years. He whispered.

Sirian knows very well what kind of energy and burden his wife has silently paid for the family during his years as the former prime minister, and what kind of burden he has shouldered.

Catherine pressed her cheek against Cyrian's palm, shook her head slightly, and didn't say anything more.

Sirian puts the teacup back on the tray. "Are you packed?" he asked.

"Well, you've packed up......," Catherine asked after a pause, thoughtful, "that's not for me to ask, but, Sirian, are you really going to resign as Prime Minister?"

Sirian nodded. "Yes, I will resign as Prime Minister after the trial celebrations," he explained, "but before that, the tax increase in Sardinia must be completed." ”

Although Catherine very much wanted her husband to return to River City and stay by her side all the time. However, she knew better what Cillian had to face as a vassal, and even as a friend.

"Aiden probably won't let you quit," she said, "and he needs you so much." If you leave, I'm afraid there won't really be anyone in the Imperial Council who really sides with him. "Catherine, who grew up in a top aristocratic family, was by no means short of political acumen.

"Sometimes, it takes something to do," Cillian said to himself, "and if it brings stability and prosperity to the kingdom, I'd be glad to do it." ”

"Whatever choice you make...... "Catherine said," "and the children and I will always be behind you." ”

"Thank you......," said Sirian with a smile, "my lady, you know, I have always been a warrior, not a politician. In this boring capital, I seem to be aging faster!" he said, gesturing to the corner of his eye, and then pulling his hair away, as if looking for the white hair that came out of his head.

"Giggle...... "Cackling," Catherine smiled, two blush creeping up her fair face, "Come back, it's good to be back to Junhe." Looks like you haven't seen little Ronnie in almost a year, right?"

"Oh, indeed, it's been a year," asked Sirian, thinking of his youngest son, with a look of anticipation, "and the little one is about to enter the Knight Academy, right?"

"Well, probably this time next year. Catherine nodded.

"By the way, look at my stinking memory of being a father......" Cyrian suddenly patted his head, as if remembering something, and then took out a wooden box from the drawer, "Take this short sword back to the little one, it's a small gift from Tandra to Ronnie, I almost forgot about it in the study." ”

Catherine's eyes lit up, although she was already a mother and the Duchess of Junhe Province, her swordsmanship back then was also outstanding among sisters of the same age. If it weren't for the fact that women were forbidden to participate in the trial of order and become knights of order, otherwise with her skills, there would be no problem in successfully passing the level.

In addition, when it comes to swordsmanship, it is common for female nobles in the Olem Kingdom to practice swordsmanship before getting married. In the words of the aristocratic lords, they are to defend themselves before getting married, and to teach their husbands who are involved in flowers and grass after they get married. I have to say that not every nobleman is as good as Cillian, so from time to time there will be jokes about the husband of which family is chased and cut by his wife......

Catherine got up and opened the wooden box, where a short sword wrapped in black leather was wrapped in a scabbard, and the frosted steel hilt was wrapped around strands of leather rope. She took out her short sword, and with a little force, a flowing cold light burst out from the opening and closing of the scabbard, and a line of small words was engraved on the slender sword - "truth".

Anyone with some discerning eye will marvel at the preciousness of this dagger, let alone an expert like Catherine. "Lord God is above, and this is truly a precious gift. She closed the dagger and put it back in the box, "Thank you for Tandra's generosity for me. ”

"I will, don't worry," Cyrian gently hugged Catherine from behind, bowed his head and kissed her hair, "Be careful on the road tomorrow, Casey, and write to me when you get to River City." It won't be long before I'll be back with you. ”

Catherine turned and pressed her cheek against Cyrian's chest, where she felt safe and warm. "With Carl the butler and your guards with you, what is there to worry about?" she paused, looked up at Sirian, and instructed, "but you, be careful of those imperial ministers, and never underestimate the ambitions of these politicians." ”

Sirian nodded silently and did not speak.

"By the way, Karl has just received word that the children have arrived in the capital," said Catherine, "and they should be camping outside the city, and will be able to come soon." ”

"Oh, that's great, I can't wait to see them!" Cyrian laughed, and then advised, "Rest early, you have to go tomorrow, don't wait for me." After talking to the children, I'm afraid it will be too late for me to finish the rest of the text. ”

"Well, you have to take care of yourself after I'm gone. Catherine said solemnly.

"Yes, yes......" Sirian replied with a smile at once, "don't worry." ”

"I'll be waiting for you in River City......" Catherine whispered, kissing Cilian lightly on the lips, then picked up the wooden box and looked at her husband with some reluctance, and left the study.