Across a long table, Carros, the chief of the general staff, and Lucy, the chief of the court, still stood facing each other. His Excellency the General Staff's gaze kept wandering among the snacks and fruits on the table, but the other seemed to be no big deal about the situation, and still arranged some trivial things at the ball in an orderly manner. Occasionally, the eyes of others swept over this corner, and they just thought that the officer was picking up snacks, and they didn't know that His Excellency the Staff Officer was beating a drum in his heart at this moment.

In fact, Lieutenant General Carlos didn't have any other thoughts in his heart, but in the incident of Cohen's departure last time, his expression in front of Lucy could be called "bad", although it had been a long time, but he still felt ashamed in his heart. However, from his standpoint, this apology is not easy to say, so he is conflicted.

Every time Lucy finished giving orders to her men and turned her head, Carlos would retract her gaze back to the wine glass and fruit bowl on the table. Last time I was staring at a plate of strawberries, last time I was pretending to pay attention to a plate of cookies, last time I was admiring a crystal glass full of red wine, and this time I was a hand holding a wine glass...... Wait, where did this hand come from?

The staff officer hurriedly moved his gaze upward, but saw the smiling face of the emperor, the smile of His Majesty...... Teasing, definitely the kind of very bad teasing.

"Your Majesty, when did you come out?" the staff officer coughed dryly: "Have you finished reading the beauties inside?"

"It's been a while, and this is my second drink. His Majesty gently shook the wine glass in his hand and teased Carlos: "I thought that the beauty was more beautiful, but I didn't expect your behavior just now to be more interesting." ”

Listened to Cohen. Carlos knew that he had just looked at what he had just done. I couldn't help but let out a sad cry in my heart. I even have the heart to hit the wall.

"Lucy, is this guy still interesting? What did you say?" It seems that His Majesty the Emperor did not intend to let Carlos go lightly: "In front of the lady, this staff officer's reaction must have been very wooden. ”

"Lieutenant General Carlos is a very talkative person. Lucy smiled faintly, and did not attack with the emperor's majesty, but was very clever to relieve him: "We bet that Your Excellency the Lieutenant General has lost, so you have to pretend to be in a daze—Your Excellency." The time has come and you can return to your normal appearance. ”

"It's time! I didn't pay attention. Carros replied with a dry smile, grateful, "It's a pleasure to talk to Miss Lucy." Are we going somewhere else?"

"Wait, Lucy, you should be wearing a silk scarf on your wrist, right?" Cohen glanced at it and found that the silk scarf on Lucy's wrist indicating that he did not accept other people's pursuit was missing, "Could it be that Lucy, have you found the man you like?"

"Is it so easy to find a man you like?How much can you know about a stranger at a ball?The silk scarf itself doesn't mean anything, right?" Lucy shook her head slightly: "Your Excellency the lieutenant general accidentally pressed on the cake just now, and his hands were full of cream, and he couldn't find anything else for a while. I took the scarf to him and wiped his hands. ”

"Carlos. Before Carlos could come to his senses, Cohen had already pulled him to his side: "You've also received the invitation to tonight's ball." You should know the meaning of this silk scarf, right? You actually accepted it without saying anything?"

"I—I received the invitation, but I didn't look at it carefully. Carlos replied, "What is the special meaning of this scarf?"

"It's not interesting, just take it. Cohen laughed, "Come with me, the ball is only half a day underway, and there's still a lot of work to do! Lucy, tonight's ball is so well prepared." ”

"Thank you, Your Majesty. To Cohen's words, Lucy responded with her usual peacefulness: "Send your majesty." ”

As Cohen walked to the edge of the dance floor, a light waltz had just begun, and the soft, undulating music fluttered in the air with the night breeze. A pair of young men and women walked to the dance floor talking, the men were strong and heroic, the women were smiling like flowers, and for a while, the audience was full of dancing figures.

"I like this music, I like the sound of the piano, it's very soft. Cohen, who was walking on the sidelines, couldn't help but slow down and whispered to the staff officer: "What a good ball, if only it were a simple ball." I'll let the band play this piece later, and you can ask Lucy for a dance! ”

"Your Majesty, this song is called The Merry Widow, wouldn't it be too noticeable to ask Miss Lucy to dance with such a tune?" Carlos looked embarrassed: "Besides, we still have to do things, let's let things like invite people to dance!"

"Dance music is dance music, no matter what it's called, it's what people use to dance. Cohen smiled slightly: "As for doing things, when do we not do things? When will things be done? If any personal matters are put aside, will the emperor's ministers still have to live?"

Walking back to his seat, Cohen gave Princess Philin and Prince Visu a "done" look, so that they would not be worried. When I turned my head and saw the crows strolling around the terrace, I knew that nothing had happened.

When the dance was over, the men and women on the dance floor returned to their seats, and the men rushed to the table to offer their partners a drink. Seeing that the time was almost up, Cohen stood up and made a pause gesture to the conductor, who quickly asked the drummers in the orchestra to beat a dense drum beat to signal to everyone that the emperor had something to say.

"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight's ball is the first royal ball since the restoration of the Empire, and I hope you all have a good time at the ball. Now, let's raise a glass. His Majesty raised his glass to everyone: "I wish the country prosperity!"

"I wish the country prosperity!" Everyone present, regardless of gender, raised their glasses in response to the emperor, and the scene was quite enthusiastic.

"The Sbia Empire has emerged with a new look, and in the days to come, the best people from all walks of life will gather in the Holy Capital. His Majesty put down his glass and announced loudly, "Tonight, my princess will introduce you to a very beautiful young lady." I remind you, especially men, that this lady has more than just beautiful looks. ”

Following the hand of His Majesty the Emperor, the expectant eyes of the audience looked at the seat of the imperial concubine.

"I am honored to introduce such a young lady to everyone. "Diere. Merlin stood up: "I'm sure everyone has noticed a young lady who is with me tonight." She was Miss Forna. A friend of the Al Qaeda family. Also my sisters. ”

Since it was introduced by the imperial concubine, the applause of the welcome was of course warm, and Furna herself was so beautiful.

"Don't look around, she's not here right now. "Diere. Princess Merlin covered her smile and said proudly: "As the Emperor said, Miss Forna is more than just her appearance, and tonight, she will give you a surprise. ”

"Oh! His Majesty the Emperor said to the side, "Don't you want to feel it?"

"Absolutely. "There are too few people who don't understand this kind of thing. The men continued to applaud enthusiastically, while the ladies applauded somewhat reluctantly – who would applaud a person of the same sex who was prettier than himself without reason?

Seeing that the atmosphere had been created, His Majesty raised his hand to calm the applause. In the corner of the dance hall, the music slowly sounded.

"Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let us welcome the 'daughter of the sea', Forna. ”

After the master of ceremonies finished speaking, the lights of the entire dance hall and the rose corridor dimmed, and in the hazy environment, everyone began to whisper to each other, not guessing what kind of mystery the Emperor's banquet was playing—suddenly, a soft, graceful, bright and elegant female voice sounded. Silence other voices throughout the room.

The demure and beautiful figure appeared in the second-floor corridor at the front of the dance hall, passing through the layers of light veil hanging from above. She stepped into the moonlight as gentle as water. The soul-washing song continues, and the beautiful moonlight casts a veil of mystery over her.

"The soft moonlight is slowly falling, and the gorgeous story is about to begin. The blue sea sang a soft song. My dreams, my heart, will rise and fall with the waves......"

As if evoked with good memories, no matter whether it is a lady or a gentleman, they are all indulged in this heavenly singing.

Gradually, countless tiny blue points of light appeared on the venue, which were the light emitted by the water magic, and the soft light of the stars was swimming and floating, decorating the venue like a dream. Yiqiē is so beautiful, so incredible, everyone seems to have entered the underwater world.

With the gradual elevation of the heavenly sounds, Fowles's figure gradually moved on the white jade staircase leading downstairs, and with each light step, the white jade fence around her would emit a soft white light, and the steps under her feet were constantly circulating from weak to strong multicolored bands, like a brilliant galaxy welcoming the arrival of the goddess.

In the midst of countless eager eyes, Fuerna's figure finally appeared clearly in front of everyone's eyes. The evening dress turned aqua blue under the light of magic, which was in harmony with the atmosphere of the whole venue, the long and supple hair made the delicate beauty even more charming, and the elegant and noble figure, accompanied by the soundtrack, was like a goddess coming out of the sea, which was intoxicating.

"Pray to the moonlight and he will come to me and confide in the sea how much I miss him. The moonlight is still there, the sea is silent, only the soft breeze that passes around me, gently wiping away the tears from the corners of my eyes......"

Standing on the platform at the end of the white jade staircase, Fuerna sang the second movement, her footsteps moved gently, her skirt swayed softly, and her rich expressions and natural sounds made everyone in the venue once again indulge in the artistic conception of the song.

"In the depths of my heart, I don't know when it will begin to sound, that magnificent and moving music like the waves of the sea? praying repeatedly to the vast margin, praying for my heart's words, hoping to reach the other side, to the person I am waiting for, to compose the legend of the sea with me......"

As the last paragraph ends, Furna concludes with a hug, as if asking for a hug from an invisible lover. The men present involuntarily walked forward, the noble ladies also felt sad, and more closed their eyes sadly......

After singing the song, the audience was silent, everyone's thoughts were still intoxicated by the atmosphere created by the song, and many people who closed their eyes before the end of the song were reluctant to open their eyes for a long time. Among the rest, there were those who stared at Forna, those who were surprised, and even the maids who were supposed to be shuttling through the ball to serve the guests forgot their duties......

In the silence, Furna was a little nervous, and looked back at Cohen, a little flustered in her eyes.

Cohen didn't speak. Just reach out. Remove gloves. A string of crisp applause.

In the dance field, thunderous applause surged and did not dissipate for a long time. The men and women of all men and women generously offered their most sincere congratulations to Miss Forna, not only the men, but also the ladies looked at Miss Forna with less complicated eyes and more respect and envy. Forna's singing has completely conquered them.

The aristocracy may not accept a person who is not so handsome in appearance. But will definitely accept a person with amazing skills. Miss Forna, who can combine skill and art, is simply a favorite of the aristocracy, especially on occasions such as balls, and the relaxed atmosphere only deepens their love for Furna.

I have to say that His Majesty Cohen's hand arrangement, no matter the time or the occasion, is just right, this gentle blow hit their hearts very rightly...... The beautiful and touching Miss Forna, who will start tonight's watch xiàn and officially become a shining star in the Sbia Empire.

"I mention yì—" After the long applause had subsided, Prince Weisu, who had not yet spoken at the ball, stood up. Holding a glass in his hand: "Cheers to our Miss Folna, to her singing." also for her beauty. ”

"Bless Miss Erna!" Countless crystal wine glasses were raised: "Cheers!"

The atmosphere at the ball was so high that the delighted crowd talked about it and speculated about Furna's origins. There was even a large group of aristocratic youths who were asking each other with eye to eye, ready to come up and ask Forna to dance. The more stable people were still watching the actions of His Majesty the Emperor, and even more wanted to find the answer in the expressions of the imperial concubines - this beautiful young lady would not be the fifth concubine of His Majesty, right?

With a smile, Cohen walked up, gently shook Miss Forna's hand, and walked onto the dance floor. This behavior hit many people present, which is equivalent to loudly announcing: This young lady is my person, don't dream. At the same time, this is the first time that His Majesty the Emperor has invited someone other than family members to dance with him tonight, and the orchestra conductor has raised his baton to his chest and commands: "Quick! Page 10, the Emperor's Waltz." ”

Seeing Cohen's actions, the Tanxi Empire envoy, who had been chatting, sat up straight and said something to his dance partner. The dancer smiled and handed the hand to the prince, and the two walked to the dance floor and joined the dancing crowd.

"You sing so well. On the dance floor, Cohen whispered to Forna as he danced with the flowing steps, "Your singing voice is sweeter and better than last time." ”

"Thank you...... 陛xià. Folna followed Cohen's steps, tilting her head slightly, her gaze kept down, not making eye contact with Cohen's close eyes: "But I'm not very fond of singing songs like this. ”

"I understand that for you, singing is not a means to please others, you are singing for yourself, for the people you like. Cohen twirled with Furna, "I don't want to force you, but I want you to understand that this is not for someone, but for the future of the empire, and you are helping me." The better you sing, the more it will help me. ”

"Can I just sing?" Furna looked up and met Cohen's gaze, her face flushed, "I...... I didn't expect that this would help you, no, it would help you. ”

"Don't be nervous, you don't need to be the emperor at all, that's just a title, it doesn't mean anything. Cohen laughed and said, "You can still think of me as the muddy boy who jumped into the pool despite the advice, and you can still treat me as a friend." ”

As if remembering the first time she met Cohen, a faint smile appeared on the corner of Fuerna's mouth, and the expression on her delicate face was much more natural, and the subtle tension in her eyes disappeared. Every time you turn your head with the swirling footsteps, the gentle curves that outline the beautiful face are revealed, which makes people's hearts move.

The music ended, people parted, and applause erupted.

"Good evening, His Majesty the Emperor. "As if unintentionally, Carl. Prince Ulysses took his partner's hand and walked over and bowed slightly: "This is really a successful ball, I never expected that Sbiya would be able to return to a peaceful life so quickly." I almost forgot to introduce that this beautiful lady is my dance partner, and by generation, she is my niece. ”

"Good evening, good evening Miss Forna. The Prince's niece saluted Cohen: "My name is Daisy." ”

Cohen nodded, and Folna greeted the Prince and Dais.

"Good night, is the Emperor going for a walk?" Prince Ulysses sent out an invitation: "If your majesty wants to jump all the way, you will steal all the scenery, and other young people will be very depressed." ”

"The Prince is right. Cohen turned his head to look around and asked Forna to take his hand: "Since I'm the host, I have to leave enough room for the guests to have fun." Prince, let's take a look in the garden!"

"More than please, Your Majesty. The prince nodded, picked up Daisy, and followed Cohen up to the garden, saying, "Your Majesty, this song is really good." Are you really only going to fight? You didn't lie to us, did you?"

"In the current empire, the only person who can talk to me in this tone is my family and friends, and the only one is you, the prince. His Majesty Cohen smiled: "Your Royal Highness, you are a very funny person, and you almost caught up with me." ”

Listening to Cohen's words, the rest of the three laughed.

"Haha, I can't compare with His Majesty, a little more, the price to pay will be huge. "Carl. Prince Ulysses shook his head: "I don't have the courage of the Emperor, or rather, I don't have the dedication of His Majesty." ”

"Yes, it seems that His Royal Highness is a person who does not like to stir up life very much. Cohen smiled lightly: "At the ball, the envoys from all over the world are chasing happiness, and in the colorful skirts that are frequently circulating, only the prince is chatting with his dance partner. Is it because His Royal Highness is content with his current life?"

"Frankly, I don't reject the opportunity in front of me, and I'm not actually a reclusive aristocrat. The prince glanced at Daisy beside him: "But Your Majesty should be considerate of me, Daisy and my wife have a very good relationship, if she returns to China, I will have to spend a lot of time and energy to make amends." ”

"Is the Prince's wife very powerful?" Cohen looked at Daisy meaningfully.

"It's not awesome, but we grew up together. When I was in the military, she prayed for me day and night, and in a way, she earned my respect. The prince replied, "Not to mention the fact that she worked hard to keep the family and raised several children well." ”

"What a happy family. (To be continued......)