[Dear Annan Reeves,

I said goodbye last time, I haven't seen you for a long time, and I miss it very much. There has been nothing to do lately, the manor is empty, and there is an agreement, can the king of the north come and talk about it?

- Maria, looking forward to your arrival]

The name Maria was familiar with it, and Annan remembered for a moment that it was the scent that the Countess had exhaled when she was close to her at the banquet.

Annan solemnly swept the letter again, walked upstairs with the letter and envelope, passed by Abby, who was curious, and pushed open the door of the study.

He took the dictionary from the bookshelf and flipped through it word by word at his desk.

After a few minutes or so, Annan succeeded in translating the obscure letter into plain language.

Invite yourself to ......

Annan had no reason to refuse. As the count's widow, Lady Maria should have known many of the secrets of the nobility, and she should have been able to detect who was behaving abnormally.

"You're going to Earl's Manor?"

After Annan told Della about this, the elf hesitated and said, "Don't go...... You are no match for her. ”

"It's going to be fine, I can deal with the countess."

The blue dragon should be able to get himself out of the way when he is attacked, and just happened to ask the blue dragon about the attack on the convoy.

Annan was ready to reply to the letter according to etiquette, took out a brand new letter paper and quill, and wrote a reply:

[Dear Countess,

I ......]

The ink on the paper gradually stains away with the contact of the nib.

Never mind.

Annan put the quill back in the inkwell and accepted the fact that he was illiterate.

"Is the messenger still outside?" Annan asked.

Abby, who was waiting outside the door, replied, "I haven't left yet." ”

"Tell her I'll ...... tomorrow," Annan thought at this point, with only two days left until the countdown. He will have plenty of time in that sky.

"No, I'll go now."

……

The Earl's Manor is located in the northern part of Breeze. As an old highland fortress against the north, it became the domain of many old nobles after the completion of Breeze City.

The once cold and hard walls have crumbled, leaving only the high ground overlooking Breeze City to silently speak of the heaviness of the land.

If summoning a meteorite at Winchert Manor could kill some of the rich nobles, in the Northern Highlands, a meteorite could cost many ancient families dearly.

Even street pickers can talk about centuries of aristocratic history.

However, the bloodline and status of the "King of the North" played by Annan will only be higher than theirs.

The carriage bearing the coat of arms of the King of the North drove into the Earl's Manor. The garden was not abandoned by the death of Earl Morgan, but the bright flowers with dewdrops were even more delicate.

The carriage that drove into the manor stopped in the shadow of the mansion, and Annan stepped out of the carriage and looked up at the castle-like structure with its cascading minarets that sheltered the snow-capped mountains.

"Master Annan, Lady Maria is waiting for you in the flower garden."

The young servant led the way, and Annan followed her along the side walls of the castle to the flower garden.

The unimaginably vast expanse and vastness of the wilderness emerges in front of you, and the lush grass and wildflowers seem to stretch from the snow-capped mountains, rippling in the cool breeze from the snow-capped mountains. The meandering river parted the meadow, and the beautiful girl sat on the bank of the river and looked into the distance.

The maid who led the way disappeared at some point, and Annan was so enchanted by the beauty that he didn't want to disturb it.

But the maiden by the river spotted Annan's arrival, and the teeth that were exposed were like the tail of a crescent moon, and in the beauty of the moment, they invited him.

No one can suppress the thought of wanting to enter this beautiful painting, leap over the weeds and flowers, and hold that outstretched hand.

Annan was no exception, he stepped forward and stepped on a field of weeds.

"Sorry......"

Annan carefully skirted the grass and followed the path hidden among the weeds, around the countess who approached the bank of the river.

At first, Lady Maria held her arms up, but as Annan walked around in the grass, she could not get out as if she were trapped in a labyrinth, so she had to hang down her sore arms.

Finally, Annan, having found the right path, came to Lady Maria's side.

Lady Maria looked at Annan like a girl.

"I'm sorry, I think it's like a painting, I don't want to spoil it......"

"Then forgive you."

Maria blinked, looking back at the shimmering stream.

"I always sat here when I was a girl." The Countess sighed lonely: "Time flies, I am no longer young......"

"You're still beautiful."

Annan said seriously.

Today's Lady Mary is not as glamorous and plump as the banquet. She seemed to have no makeup, her cheeks and lips were a little pale, her pale and bright eyes were slightly tired, her fine hair was tied into a thin braid like ears of wheat on her forehead, and her long white skirt hid her beautiful outline. A sapphire necklace rests on her chest, beautiful and green.

The years had left no mark on her, and now the Countess resembled a thin maiden.

"If I were still young, you wouldn't say 'you,' would you?" The Countess smiled and said, "Do you remember the agreement that night?" Privately, you can call me Maria. ”

"Alright, Maria."

At least the countess in front of her won't let Annan call it awkward.

It's like Annan won't be called Irielandze, Mentor Grandma, Grandma, Grandma, Grandma, Grandma.

"Let's sit down and talk."

The Countess tucked her skirt and pressed her full arc into the grass.

Annan sat next to him, shoulder to shoulder.

"What kind of girl do you like?"

Even the problems have become girlish.

"I haven't thought about this yet......"

"You should think about it. The Reeves family needs an heir, and this one is an example. The Countess's hair fluttered in the breeze, tickling Annan's cheeks, "If something happens to you, there will be only eleven kings left in the Twelve Kings of the North." ”

Annan was still thinking of an excuse, and the countess tilted her head to look at Annan: "Maybe Miss Maria can help you think of a way?" ”

"I don't know...... Maybe the nezumi is good, or has a tail......," Annan said casually, not noticing the Countess's smile stiffening.

"Isn't the court painter there?"

Annan wanted to avoid the topic.

It just so happened that the Countess thought so too.

"She'll be right away."

Not long after, a female painter dressed in a cumbersome costume like a bard broke into the meadow and set up a drawing board.

Annan stood aside, admiring the countess looking at the snow-capped mountains in the distance, and watching the weak and young girl on the drawing board gradually take shape.

The oil painting almost reproduces the beauty of this scene, which is not comparable to pure photographs.

Then, after the painting was finished, the countess pulled Annan to sit on the warm grass, ran to the painter's side, and instructed her to paint another painting for Annan.

Dozens of minutes later, Annan saw an impasto oil painting full of the artistic conception of snow-capped mountains and fields. The subject of the painting is not oneself, and the feeling of being one with nature is just right.

He loved the painting.

(End of chapter)