Angelica looked at her father Holard almost incredulously - the other party has been planning for more than ten years, so that Eren can be trained as a knight, and hide his true identity, isn't it just waiting for the day when Fort Hague can become part of the territory of the Minest family, and completely control the southern entrance to the sea in the Kingdom of Turin?

"I don't seem to be able to understand your thoughts at all, maybe you can explain a little bit, what is all this for?" Lady Angelica resisted the incomprehension and humiliated resentment in her heart: "What did I marry Otto Kwyn and plot to kill Serra?!"

"If you really want to hear it, I can explain it slowly, but ...... I didn't force you to marry Otto, and I didn't kill Saila, so I have to say that these two things must be said first. Marquis Holard replied unhurriedly, slowly raised his head, and looked at Angelica kindly: "What do you think?"

"Of course, how could the tolerant and generous Marquis of Minest do such a thing?" said Lady Angelica with a sarcastic sneer, "I am your daughter, and of course I believe in you unconditionally. ”

"Then let me tell my dearest good daughter some 'facts'. First of all, you have to make it clear that it was me thirty years ago who wanted to get Fort Hague, not me now - when the Minest family fought all their strength to win Dominica for the kingdom, and half of the fleet that had been accumulated for decades was sunk, of course I would ask for some reasonable compensation. ”

But instead of agreeing, His Majesty gave the fief to Otto Kwyn, a knight who had become famous by the war. Lady Angelica shook her head: "That's why you want to plot against him?"

"No, in fact it is much more complicated, and I have a lot of respect for Otto - I didn't see the essence of the war back then, but fortunately I was compensated - the Minest family became the commanders of the kingdom's fleet, nominally to defend against Dominica in the south, so the Knights of the Sacred Tree were cut in funds, and the center of gravity of the kingdom shifted from east to south, and then it dawned on me. ”

"Because His Majesty the King at that time, the father of Horace I, wanted to create an adversary for the Order. Of course, Lady Angelica knew this: "But if that is the case, why did His Majesty give Otto the Hague Castle?"

"Your Majesty wants to make the Knights feel threatened - it's normal to think about it, even today their reputation in the East is unmatched, but Your Majesty doesn't want to create a Menest family who threatens him. Obtaining the Hague Fort will allow Minester to exert influence over the entire southern part of the kingdom, which is equivalent to a new Order of the Sacred Tree. ”

"So no matter what the outcome is, the Minesters are not going to get Fort Hague, and I don't need Fort Hague - the only characteristic of this castle is that it can be used as an outpost to attack Dominica, and it can be calmly arranged as long as it is still in our hands, and it does not mean anything to me. ”

"You've always thought you're smart, dear Angelica. Holard Minest sighed and looked away from Angelica: "But obviously not as smart as you think, at least this time Lusen is doing better than you, he may not know much better, but he also understands the core wisdom of the family." ”

"What do you mean?"

"Long-term planning is necessary, but whether you can adapt to the situation and change your strategy, abandon the original unrealistic goals and pursue more meaningful things, this is the spirit of the Minest family, you know how to forbear, know how to bear and be able to give silently, these are all excellent qualities, but ...... But I don't know what improvisation is. ”

"At least even Russon could have thought of getting Greene Turn's side - he had failed, but there was nothing wrong with that. Do you think that His Majesty Horace has nothing to do with our family by making that Nafario Chancellor of the Exchequer?" Holard asked, "We need someone who can absolutely believe in joining us, and this coming-of-age ceremony is a great opportunity to choose." ”

"So, Alan, she's just a tool for you to tether down to those who are really useful to you. Mrs. Angelica's tone became very agitated: "This is the future you have arranged for your granddaughter?!"

"Is there any difference between us in this regard to the useful men of the family--or have you forgotten why you married Otto Kwyn? Anyone who has the blood of Minester in his veins is obliged to sacrifice himself for the sake of the revival of this ancient name, in whatever way, willing or unwilling. ”

"So you're finally willing to admit the real reason why I was asked to marry Otto Kwyn?" Angelica smiled instead of being angry, "My good father, let your daughter marry an old man who is good enough to be her father." ”

"You are not the first, and you will not be the last. But if you want your daughter to have a good home, learn from your nephew Lusen and try to find the right possibility in the limited conditions. Holard slowly put the old book back on the shelf, very carefully: "After all, we always have no choice. ”

........................ Crossing the deserted Maple Leaf Avenue and turning left at the familiar alleyway, Edward has been running back and forth like this for the past few days since he became Anson's attendant military attaché, and even sometimes produces some special familiarity, as if he had had a similar experience - such a comfortable and busy life, two points and one line.

But today it seems to be a little different...... Edward, squinting and smiling, crossed his shoulders and looked at some poor silver-haired wizard crouching on his doorstep, if he was putting a tattered wooden crate, there was a bit of a resemblance to a puppy begging for adoption on the street.

As for why...... Edward subconsciously glanced behind the wall, the expressionless "little maid" Angela was standing behind the iron fence gate, staring viciously at Marco Tasker who was squatting there, as if ready to turn the other party into a pile of ashes at any moment - the little maid was very resolute in carrying out her mission and did not let any of the "bad guys" enter the house.

Naturally, in Angela's thinking, the "big liar" Marco is naturally included in the category of "bad guys". Edward nodded approvingly to the little maid, consciously or unconsciously avoiding someone's sad gaze, and prepared to enter the house as if he had seen nothing.

"Hey, that's how you treat your friends who come to your door in person, risking their lives?!" The grief-stricken Marco finally couldn't help it and shouted to Edward: "Shouldn't you be a little considerate of me?"

"Finally willing to speak?" Edward stood there with some amusement, tilting his head sideways and staring at the pitiful-looking Marco, "but in my understanding, if you dare to come, you don't worry about these things at all." ”

"You really trust me. Marco spat dissatisfiedly and stood up from the ground lazily: "But I really didn't expect that just one afternoon later, you actually abandoned me to find a 'new love', should I complain a little?"

"Really, I just met up with a friend I've been away from for a long time, and your little mice are going to report to you?" Edward sneered, "Besides, if 'some' can't get what I want, why can't I find someone else to do it?"

"Of course, it's up to you. The "grievance" on Marco's face disappeared without a trace: "I have to say that this is a good move, Sir Lawrence is Miss Allen's guard, and it is impossible for anyone to stop him from doing anything at the Minest house, of course, his every move is being watched." ”

But on the other hand, as long as there is no counterintuitive behavior, he is the best eyeliner, and he will not be suspected. Marco smiled appreciatively, "I'd love to know if this was something you came up with or was it premeditated?"

"This one doesn't matter, the other ......" Edward raised the corners of his mouth, "You just said Allen...... Miss?"

"If you don't even get this kind of information as soon as possible, I won't have the face to serve you. Marco humbly bent down to stroke his chest, although the lazy smile still made people want to punch him: "I think you must be looking forward to the upcoming Miss Alan Kwyn coming-of-age banquet now, I don't know if you got the invitation?"

"There will be a chance, not in a hurry. Edward shook his head, "But you're right, I'm really looking forward to that banquet right now, and I can't even wait for it." ”

"Then you need to be more prepared, because you are not the only 'competitor' with this beautiful young lady, so don't panic when the time comes. ”

"Is there anything you can 'warn' me about?"

"I'm not in a position to remind you of anything like me, but I can only give you a little advice: this banquet will not only be a battle for Miss Allen, but will also be the beginning of the division of the entire Turin camp, you are from the Knights of the Sacred Tree, but now loyal to His Majesty Marcherus, so please be as flexible as possible and not stick to your original position. ”

Marco Tasker smiled: "Because the day this battle ends, one side will definitely be doomed!"

"Then I'll have to prepare. Edward nodded knowingly, "I want to know how many names are on the invitation to this banquet, the family from which they are born, and who they represent - can it be done?"

"We're here to help. The silver-haired wizard smiled respectfully.