William couldn't figure it out, and even felt very angry for a while. www.biquge.info In any case, he didn't want to see Duke Otto at this moment. He didn't even want to see anyone - although he, as the son of Duke Otto, was a rather important player in this feast of celebration of victory. It's not good to refuse to attend. However, he refused to attend on the unconvincing grounds of "being unwell".

This made Duke Otto feel very uneasy—if it were someone else, he might not know about it, but Duke Otto himself knew it. Although it was not intentional, in fact, he did take away the credit and glory that should have belonged to his son. This made Duke Otto feel very unhappy in his heart.

He wanted to explain to William that he didn't mean to take the credit for it. He never even spoke to anyone about it.

Ten days ago, he led his guards to Krakow and threw the white silk that represented the supreme power of Tartaria to the ground. The whole city was a sensation. The people of Krakow, who had been suppressed for a long time, reveled. And holding Duke Otto high above his head, he didn't have time to say anything. They were carried around the streets. After that, he was dragged away by the other nobles and held a grand celebratory reception.

At the celebration reception, he was equally frank and said that it was not his credit. But people think he's being humble. Immediately afterwards, he said that this was actually his son William's plan, and then the people laughed disapprovingly, thinking that Duke Otto was taking the opportunity to build momentum for his son.

So people laughed and responded, "Yes, that's right, toast to our little heroes." For his merits and glory, and for him a good father like Duke Otto!"

After hearing such words, the others responded violently, half happy, half disapproving.

After that, Duke Otto said it many times in a row, but people only thought that he was embarrassed by the attitude of the people who had just joked. Or do you feel that you can't get over your face...... In short, no one took it seriously, and no one thought that William had done it.

Or rather, no one thought that William would be able to do such a thing. Even Duke Otto himself could not say so.

Or, in a sense, the dukes, the nobles were unwilling to accept this—they could accept such an honor for a forty-year-old man with the title of duke, who had become a hero in the first great frontier war. But they could not admit that a half-grown boy under the age of twenty had done such a great thing.

It will make them appear incompetent and it will embarrass them very much. So they collectively have a bad conscience.

Soon, through various channels, William knew everything he needed to know. It was indeed not Duke Otto's fault. If it is someone else's fault, it is, but his opponent is the entire human world. So......

"Go...... Tell my father that I want to talk to him. So, in the end, William made up his mind.

"William......" After hearing William's words, Charlumi beside him called out very worriedly-during this time, she was the only one who accompanied William-originally Elise also wanted to be here. But William didn't dare—he couldn't let the matter go public anyway.

Yes, in any case, he can't jump out and shout at the public, he is the biggest contributor to this victory. This would plunge the prestige of the Hereford family into an abyss from which it will never be recovered. People would never say that they had misunderstood Duke Otto. One would only think that William was a madman, and an unfilial son who dared to take credit from his father.

In other words, even if people take a step back and believe that what William said is true, they will not think that they are wrong. They will think of Duke Otto as another villain and bastard who is mad and takes the credit for his son.

In any case, the biggest victims of this feud will be the Hereford family itself. It was enough to bring the rise of the Hereford family to an abrupt halt, or even fall from it - those nobles who didn't want to see the rise of the Hereford family would definitely do everything they could to discredit the Hereford family.

Therefore, as a member of the Hereford family, Charlumi can naturally rest assured. But Elise ...... In any case, her surname is Trieste.

When it comes to his private life, William naturally doesn't discriminate. But for a major event like this that can be related to the rise and fall of the family, it is always right to hide a little.

"It's nothing, don't worry. Sensing Charlumi's worry, William smiled reluctantly and replied.

"It's going to be fine, I'll come over to my father, and it's just to talk...... It's just a talk. ”

"Hmm. Hearing William say this, Charlumi nodded and walked out. William was the only one left in the room. I don't know how long it took before there was a knock on the door outside the room.

“...... Come in. William smiled again and then said. After another pause, the door opened. Duke Otto, who didn't seem to be in good spirits, also walked in with a very reluctant smile similar to William's.

"Father. William stood up and bowed to Duke Otto: "I was supposed to go to my father." But...... All in all, I'm very sorry. ”

"No, I'm supposed to say I'm sorry to you. Duke Otto was relieved to see that William had no intention of losing his temper, and then hurriedly said, "I didn't know that things would turn out like this." ”

"Nothing. William shook his head: "Although there are some ...... It's kind of ridiculous. But now that I think about it, it's only natural that something like this would happen. This is not surprising. ”

"......" Duke Otto didn't know what to say. The more William was like this, the more he felt sorry for his son.

"William ......"

"No, I'm telling the truth. In any case, it is our Hereford family who will ultimately reap the benefits. So, whatever it is you, it is me. Even Charlumi. None of them make much difference. William said, "It's me...... Some have gone too far. has not shown up for the past few days, which must have made my father bear a lot of unnecessary rumors. After a while, I'll send someone to report it, and I'll say I'm cured. I'll be there for the next banquets and balls. ”

"This ...... Is it really okay? What if...... You don't have to push yourself. "Duke Otto didn't know what to say.

"It's okay, it's really okay. William continued to smile: "There's really nothing to say. You can't let outsiders see the joke, can you?"

“...... Well. Duke Otto breathed a sigh of relief when he heard him say this. But then, William's words made his heart rise to his throat.

"Also, I'm going to be away for a while. ”

"—Why??, where are you going?" said Duke Otto, nervous again.

William shook his head, ignored the previous "why" question, and answered the second one directly: "First prepare to go to Polotsk, deal with business, and shipping matters." And after that...... I guess I'm going to Shilonsk. It is said that the textile industry there has developed well, and the steam engine technology has been basically popularized. I'd like to visit the interior of the empire if I could. And then, and—"

"-But--" Duke Otto interrupted William, but he didn't know what to say.

Isn't this normal? Young aristocrats go to distant and more developed countries and regions to study and broaden their horizons and increase their experience, so that they can make a difference when they become adults. ”

"William—" Duke Otto's voice raised again, "you're already good, very good." Yes, much more beautiful than me, a father. You don't have to do that kind of thing. ”

"But no one else will recognize me as good, will they?" asked William.

“...... But that's your home. Duke Otto said weakly.

"It's not like I won't come back. William then replied, "I am still a member of House Hereford, and I am still a vassal to you, and you can still keep the office of Mystia for me if you wish." In fact, there are still a lot of things I need to rely on in the future. ”

"If you're not happy with me...... I apologize, William. ”

"No, it's not that I'm not dissatisfied with you. There's just no way. William shook his head and dismissed Duke Otto's claim: "Of course, if you have to let me stay...... I'll be obedient. I will continue to contribute to my family as I have done in the past...... But...... In that case, I will not be happy. ”

William looked directly at his father, "So, father, what is your answer? Will you promise me, or will you fulfill my little wish?"

“...... Let's go!" Duke Otto grabbed William's wrist and pulled him out the door: "Let's go and make it clear to those people." I will give you all the glory that belongs to you—"

William jerked free of Duke Otto's grasp: "-What do you want to do, father?!Don't you know that this will bring shame on the Hereford family?!"

"......" Duke Otto was again speechless.

"What then, the answer?" asked William.

“...... If you insist. Duke Otto was silent for a moment before replying. After saying that, he only felt that all the strength in his body had been drained. Even if he fought with Sarida Khan's army ten more times, he didn't feel so tired.