"Is this another joke of yours?"

For a long time, among the shocked courtiers, Earl Curtson was the first to speak with compassion: "Joker?"

Ian turned around, and he smiled happily at the female archduke as he endured the unkind gaze in the hall.

"Answer cautiously," Curtson's tone was full of anger and malice, and without waiting for an answer, he said, "because it could kill you." ”

The silent Tails noticed that although most of the vassals looked surprised, there were a few who were more special.

The regent of Lisbane, who knew the most inside information, frowned, and the senile Nazaire had misty eyes, and Kierkegaard, who had always been silent, stared at the archduchess this time, still motionless.

Tails' mind moved: beside the Grand Duchess, a grim-faced Nicolai stared unabashedly at the Prince of the Stars in the corner.

The murderous look in his eyes seemed to say: You.

I know it's you, little prince.

What are you going to do?

Faced with the vigilance and hostility that the Meteorite had never let down, Tails had to smile with a friendly and weak smile.

"This is my sincerest heart," Ian's words interrupted his thoughts, "I came here to ......"

Ian's arrogant words were not finished.

"How dare you?"

This time it was the golden-bearded Earl Hearst, who was clearly no more calm than his colleagues in his thirties, and saw him leaning forward, clenching his knees, gritting his teeth, and his gaze constantly going back and forth between the bewildered Grand Duchess and the smug Ian:

"In Longxiao City, in front of us vassals, to insult our lord like this?"

"I don't see where the insult is," Ian rolled his eyes at the ceiling, helplessly and casually spreading his hands, "More than six hundred years ago, the 'Seeker' Curikun was the most powerful and trusted knight under the command of King Nekajou, and was sent to conquer the most remote and untamed West, and their blood descendants, the Ronnie family, married the Walton family, is it strange?"

Many of the nobles snorted with disdain and hatred, and Tails even heard the clatter of his fist joints.

Tails glanced at the vassals in the hall and came to a conclusion:

Ian was probably in the thick of the crowd.

Count Nazaire, who had led the conversation before, coughed heavily, and the courtiers fell silent.

"I believe that Archduke Ronnie has not given us any relevant reminder," said the old earl slowly:

"So, it's just your personal whim?"

Facing Nazaire, Ian rarely restrained his disrespectful look and nodded gently:

"Oh, about my father...... I don't think he'll object. ”

Count Nazaire's eyes moved, and he glanced at the Grand Duchess, intentionally or unintentionally.

Thelma just stared at the conversation on the field in a daze, as if she couldn't figure it out.

"Ma'am, I think that's the end of today," the voice of the regent of Longxiao City came steadily: "This visitor from Qiyuan City has asked for too much. ”

Lisban stood with the vassals in a rare place, he looked at Ian with a relaxed face coldly, and his words were unceremoniously: "The negotiation between Qiyuan City and Longxiao City may need to change an envoy." ”

As soon as these words came out, the envoys in Qiyuan City were as anxious as ants in a hot pot.

But Ian just laughed.

"Ask?" His Excellency the Viscount of Qiyuan City seemed to hear the most boring joke: "Don't you all see that I proposed to the Grand Duchess with my victory over the Freedom Alliance—this is a win-win act for both of us?"

Immediately, some vassals snorted disdainfully, and some even cursed.

"Win-win, good deeds, and losses, you can name it. Count Linna, who had always been expressionless, continued to point out the crux of the problem: "Longxiao City doesn't need your charity, and it doesn't have the kindness to let people take advantage of it to satisfy Qiyuan City's dirty thoughts. ”

"Dirty thoughts?" Ian snorted disdainfully through his nostrils, "Who was the one who just forced the Grand Duchess to marry on the condition of sending troops? Who is more filthy......? You can tell. ”

He narrowed his eyes and shook his head: "All the adults of Longxiao City. ”

Count Linna looked at him silently and did not speak.

Instead, Earl Curtson's face gradually distorted.

A few seconds later, Earl Curtson's voice filled with hatred and anger rang out clearly:

"Listen up, shameless clown. ”

Kirtson stared at Ian fiercely: "You go back, just tell your father like this: Longxiao City is not Qiyuan City, and it is not popular for us to marry the lowly Xitao bitter people here - even if it is only half of the bloodline." ”

As soon as these words came out, the vassals of Longxiao City let out a low laugh.

Ian's eyes darkened, and his shoulders trembled slightly.

Tails narrowed his eyes: Wait, the Ronnie family is obviously a famous family in the Northlands, but Kirterson said so......

Marriage with the lowly Xitao bitter people......

Half of the bloodline......

Tails glanced at Ian, who had an ugly expression, and remembered that he had talked about his mother being a "native" of Qiyuan City, and suddenly thought for a moment.

Lisbane coughed.

"Lord Ian, we know your purpose. But you know, we're not just talking about marriage proposals, it's not just about war," the Regent of Lisbane stood in the middle of the hall and said to Ian while warning everyone with his eyes: "This is politics. ”

Ian took a breath, put away the unnatural expression he had just had, and chuckled, "I'm talking about politics — the politics of marriage and war. ”

The Count of Lisbane did not speak.

The Politics of Marriage and War.

I see.

Are you ......

Lisbane glanced at Tails in surprise.

The prince chuckled in his heart.

This old guy seems to know what they're up to.

"Forgive me, Count of Lisbane, but ......" Ian shrugged his shoulders before speaking slowly:

"Why are you all in such a hurry to speak for the Grand Duchess?"

In the hall, including Lisbane, the expressions of the vassals changed again.

Many eyes shifted back to Thelma, but the latter just kept a strained face and didn't say a word.

The heir of Qiyuan City had a clear look in his eyes, as if he had replied to the cold Viscount Ian from the cynical nobleman:

"Aren't you the ones who claimed to want to show her the 'cruel side' of this world?"

Ian raised his head and looked seriously at the archduchess on the stage:

"Selma, I'm speaking to you as the heir of Qiyuan City. ”

"I only accept answers from you. ”

The voice was cold.

Neat.

Thelma subconsciously bit her lower lip.

The Earl of Curtson, who was furious again, was about to speak, but Risban and Nazaire tacitly raised their hands at the same time to stop him.

Kirtson read their eyes:

It's not their turn.

Lisban and Nazaire looked up at Selma in the same tacit agreement, waiting for her response.

The air in the hall seemed to freeze and no longer flow.

On the steps, Selma, pale, breathing faster, glanced around the halls.

Until he bumped into Tails' gaze.

Tails read her eyes.

The one he had once known, with a flustered and apprehensive look.

The Star Prince smiled slightly, he raised his fist and clenched it lightly at the mouth of his heart.

You can, Selma.

You can do it.

The vassals were still staring at her closely, their eyes full of scrutiny and scrutiny of strangers.

In the midst of the chaos, Selma's eyes with Tails were instantly separated.

Tails lowered his head and sighed in his heart: Of course, Selma, if you can't......

He looked at his right palm, which contained two scars from his dagger as a child.

He took a deep breath: It's okay, I'm still here.

And me.

After a few seconds, the eldest duke released her lower lip, the corners of her mouth curled slightly, and she nodded slightly.

Her tense face finally loosened a little.

"My vassals, their meaning is already clear...... "Selma exhaled and said with a straight face, "Your Excellency the Viscount." ”

She spoke slowly, word by word: "The marriage between us is impossible. ”

Ian's expression moved.

As if someone had opened the window, the frozen air in the Hall of Heroes finally flowed again.

Tails could feel that many of the vassals were quietly relieved.

Among them, the six counts were particularly special: Nazaire glanced at Lisbane across from him again, but the Lord Regent simply avoided his gaze.

This made Nazaire think deeply.

Thelma lowered her head and took a deep breath: "I appreciate your appreciation and pursuit, but after all, you are the heir of Qiyuan City, and I am the Archduchess of Longxiao City, even if it is shallow, I know that this is a precedent that has never been seen before." ”

In the much friendlier gazes of the vassals, the archduchess cleared her throat, took out the spirit of answering the question in Hisser's class, and said slowly:

"Our abrupt marriage will have unintended consequences: Exeter may have an archduke in the future, who will inherit two realms and titles at the same time, which will make the kingdom unbalanced and cause unnecessary trouble......"

But she was interrupted by Ian's eating and chuckling.

"And you're just leaving your vassals at your disposal to decide for you?"

Tails saw: the Counts of Nazaire and the Counts of Lisbane frowned again.

Ian shook his head, and his voice rose with it.

"Oh no, no, dear Selma," His Excellency Viscount raised his index finger and sighed, "Don't think about your worries and worries first, think about the consequences you are about to face - if you are shaky in your current position, then there is no point in worrying about the 'imbalance of the kingdom'. ”

Selma was stunned, and the faces of the vassals only became more and more ugly.

Ian's eyes swept over the six counts, and he chuckled, "Your Excellency, you know very well what the dilemma you are facing: going to the Freedom Alliance is a mission that you must complete, and if you are unable to send troops, it will damage far more than your reputation, and not only your family's reputation. ”

Ian's smile became a little mad, and his words became sharper: "Your situation is already difficult, but if you still let this matter pass like this today, in the face of the family's mission, you can only stand by and be powerless, and in the face of the recklessness of the vassals, you can do nothing......"

"From this moment on, the entire Longxiao City, and even the entire kingdom, will know that you are nothing more than a ruler who speaks without weight, and even your vassals do not take you seriously, even though they don't think much of you in the first place. ”

"Selma, avoid becoming a female archduke who has no opinions, is at the mercy of men, and is surrounded by wolves," the heir of Qiyuan City said in a loud voice, "Isn't this the purpose of your summoning of the vassals to attend the political hearing today?"

The Grand Duchess did not speak.

Tails saw that the faces of the six counts had changed one after another.

"And then, good girl," said Ian, lightly.

"Then think about my proposal, and think about what you can gain: as long as this war is fought for you by us, by Qiyuan City, then the indifference of the Grand Duchess of Longxiao City will become romantic and shy reserve, and you will be freed from the accusation of weakness of 'insulting the family', and Walton's reputation will not be damaged in the slightest. ”

Ian smiled slightly: "And after my victory, this will be the whole of Exeter's beautiful talk - from a heavy allusion to the rebellion of a prince and a courtier, to a romantic story of a war for love." ”

There was a moment of silence in the hall.

The Grand Duchess was still staring at Ian with complicated eyes, as if she was thinking about his proposal.

Earl Linna and Earl Curtson looked at each other, feeling that something was wrong with each other.

It seemed like a century had passed before Thelma slowly raised her head, and her tone was a little lonely: "Yes, at that time, I may have to marry you—the most sincere suitor who has upheld the honor of my father and ancestors for me, right?"

At that moment, the vassals of the entire hall breathed in unison.

"Ma'am!" the young and vigorous Earl Hearst couldn't stand it anymore, his golden beard trembling inch by inch: "I swear, as long as the Hearst family is still around, no one can force you!"

Thelma gave him a forced smile.

"Then you can count on these people?" Ian looked up sharply:

"If you can use marriage to save the family's reputation, then compared to them, why is Qiyuan City not a better choice?"

"Even, because of the support of Qiyuan City," Xiao Ronnie, who seemed to have a chance of victory, chuckled and shook his head: "In the future, whoever wants to underestimate your authority in Longxiao City must first consider the price of doing so." ”

As soon as the words fell, the atmosphere in the hall changed again.

The whispers of the vassals on either side were quieter, but they were also shorter.

However, the Regent of Lisbane and the Count of Nazaire were both silent.

Tails took a deep breath and withdrew his observing gaze, kicking unnecessary thoughts out of his brain.

So far, so good.

As long as there are no accidents......

No, can't be too optimistic.

He gritted his teeth.

Think about where the unexpected might happen.

For example, the relationship between Lisbane and the vassals is worse than we can imagine.

Another example: the Northland people's view of women is deep-rooted, far beyond their loyalty to their mission, their importance to honor, and their obligations to Longxiao City and the Grand Duke.

Another example is what worries him the most......

Thinking of this, Tails squinted at Ian.

For example, the halfway change of the viscount of Qiyuan City.

Perhaps, it is more profitable to win the marriage of Longxiao City than to directly let Longxiao City come to the rescue?

Tails pondered every possibility.

I hope it doesn't get to that point, I hope it ......

Don't be surprised.

Otherwise......

Tails glanced back at the door, and Rolf noticed his gaze and gave him a questioning look:

[Now?]

Tails shook his head and gestured:

[No, it's fine. 】

It's okay for the time being.

"Besides," Ian sighed and shook his head gracefully at Selma, "I hope you understand that I don't mean to persecute me, at least compared to your vassals." ”

"All we need is a sign that Longxiao City is standing with Qiyuan City, and a sign that the Ronnie family is fighting for Walton. ”

He nodded kindly: "If the marriage is too hasty, we can also skip this step first." At this point, I'll get your permission to bring the Dragonlance banner that belongs to Walton, and I'm in no hurry—I'll send that romantic request when I'm back from the battle. ”

Thelma, who looked extremely dignified, couldn't help but be slightly stunned when she heard this.

She hesitated to speak: "Your Excellency, you are ...... Very confident. ”

Ian laughed, "Because I believe that no suitor is more qualified to stand by your side than someone who has personally upheld the honor of the family for you." ”

He looked around the audience and laughed in the vigilant gaze of the vassals of Longxiao City:

"And what more suitor than the one who, in times of crisis, does not hesitate to stand before you, to defend you against all harm, and to fight for your safety and glory......"

"More trusting?"

In times of crisis......

Come out boldly......

Resist Damage......

Fight endlessly......

Thelma was distracted for a moment, and she subconsciously raised her head and looked in Ian's direction.

Ian frowned.

No.

His Excellency the Viscount squinted at the Grand Duke's gaze: she wasn't looking at me.

Instead, he looked at the ...... next to me

Ian thought thoughtfully.

Tails lowered his head, uncomfortably avoiding someone's subconscious glances.

He cracked his clenched fists, trying his best to shake off all superfluous thoughts, to hold back the unnatural feeling.

But when he looked down, he saw Ian's boots again: not the same as the Northlanders' usual noble boots.

But at this moment, Tails only thought that the pair of boots was ugly.

Wearing such ugly boots...... Propose?

Damn it.

I really want to ......

I really want to step on it.

"It was an easy choice. Ian straightened his collar as if he were in a fit of detail.

In the hall, the vassals saw the female archduke looking at the visitors from Qiyuan City with complicated eyes, and their colors changed.

The disgust in Earl Curtson's eyes had escalated to hatred, and Earl Hearst gritted his teeth even more, desperately suppressing his anger.

"No, ma'am," Earl Hearst's gasp grew louder and louder, "please take the test carefully......"

"Earl, I'm sorry. But the Grand Duchess simply stretched out her hand and shook her head to interrupt Hearst.

I saw her put away her thoughtful expression, clear her throat, and turn back to Ian.

Selma said, "So, you fight this battle in the name of proposing to me, protect my reputation and authority, and then we get married?"

Ian's eyes lit up and he nodded.

"Exactly, for this reason, I will bring the Dragonlance Banner in the Clouds to Fort Liberty. You don't need a single soldier to spread your prestige in Exeter and restore your family's reputation," Ian continued, slowly:

"You can even get the most powerful reinforcements: the vast and magnificent territory of Qiyuan City will be your backing, and you don't need to be subject to ...... anymore If you know what I mean. ”

He shrugged.

At that moment, the entire hall was like eternal oil flowing in the ice and snow, and at the moment of ignition, the flame of anger and the chill of abomination rose at the same time.

The expressions of the vassals of Longxiao City dropped to freezing point, and Tails could even hear some people's fists clucking.

The envoys of Qiyuan City were led into a fog by this young master who did not play cards according to common sense from the beginning of the journey, but this time they all fell into deep thought.

Tails frowned, he suddenly knew why Ian deliberately sat near him - Lord Justin had arranged enough manpower in this corner to protect the safety of the Star Prince, separating most of the vassals, otherwise, Exeter would probably have reported the tragedy of 'the nobles of the Ronnie family dying in Longxiao City' tomorrow.

Tails exhaled: At this moment, the Prince of Stars is probably no longer the most unpopular person in Longxiao City.

But......

Will they succeed?

Nazaire, who had not spoken for a long time, glanced meaningfully at the Grand Duchess, and then turned to Ian.

"Curikun Ronnie has such a son as you," the old earl coughed, "and he really earned money by marrying a local wife." ”

Ian's face froze, but he smiled reluctantly.

"Enough!" said Count Linna on the side:

"If it is for the purpose of marriage and to prove the position of Longxiao City and Qiyuan City, I believe that we can find a candidate of the right age in the side bloodline of the Walton family. ”

"But the Grand Duchess is in charge of Longxiao City, and it is impossible for her to marry you. ”

Ian snorted.

"Here you go again, you're talking to the Grand Duchess again, as if you were her father or husband," His Excellency the Viscount shook his hand and looked sharply, "But can you really protect her?"

Boom!

Earl Hearst slammed his fist on the seat, his face was ruthless, and his golden beard trembled slightly:

"Why are we still wasting time here?"

Earl Curtson snorted approvingly, "Guards!

But the Grand Duke's guards just stared at him sternly, not moving.

Ian smiled nonchalantly.

Right now.

"Everyone!"

The crisp voice of the Grand Duchess interrupted the conflict that was about to erupt in the field: "As the master, maintain our demeanor. ”

Tails looked up, and with the vassals, turned his gaze to Thelma.

Here it comes.

The final blow.

Let's hope there are no surprises.

"Your Excellency, Viscount. ”

"I have to say, you made me a very interesting offer. Thelma sighed.

"Even quite tempting. ”

The faces of the vassals suddenly became ugly.

"Without a single soldier, I can settle the matter of the Freedom Alliance, restore my prestige, my family's dignity, and even gain support from Qiyuan City from now on," Selma squeezed out a smile with difficulty, her voice full of exhaustion, "It only takes a so-called romantic story." ”

Ian bowed respectfully, "Exactly. ”

Thelma looked at him quietly and nodded.

The vassals could no longer sit still.

Hearst couldn't hold back and exclaimed, "Ma'am!"

Count Linna narrowed his eyes and looked at Lord Regent: "Lisban, as the leader...... As a regent, you have an obligation to stop the lady's blind behavior. ”

But the Count of Lisbane just ignored it and continued to look at Selma, a strangeness in his eyes.

"," Kirtson furiously said, "Lisban, we all know that the lady listens to you, don't play dead, say something!"

Nazaire frowned, too, but his eyes were on Lisbane.

Only Kierkegaard, who had always been silent, remained silent and quietly watched the situation in the field.

The rest of the vassals, large and small, reacted in different ways, either worried, eager, or gritting their teeth.

Tails looked at the expressions of the vassals and clenched his fists.

Thelma smiled, still staring at Ian.

"So, dear Thelma," Ian raised his hand in glee, "have we come to an agreement?"

"Walton's great alliance with Ronnie?"

Thelma's smile brightened brightly, and there was even a hint of relief.

Tails closed his eyes.

Under the gaze of the entire Hall of Heroes, the Grand Duke of Longxiao City gently leaned on the back of her seat and looked at the dragon spear stone carving in the clouds above her head.

"Your Excellency," I heard the voice of the Grand Duchess, as if coming from the sky:

"Nope. ”

At that moment, the entire hall was filled with the sound of inconsistent breathing, and then immediately fell silent.

Ian was stunned: "Thelma, what?"

In the next second, Selma straightened up from her seat and sat upright, serious again.

The Count of Nazaire narrowed his eyes, and the Count of Lisbane frowned.

"I said, Your Excellency: 'No'. ”

"As the Female Grand Duke of Longxiao City," the Female Grand Duke looked coldly at the heir of Qiyuan City, and said word by word: "I refuse your proposal, and I don't have to Qiyuan City to stand up for us." ”

"I won't marry you. ”

Ian frowned.

"Also, please call me 'Grand Duke' or 'Ma'am,'" Thelma said indifferently:

"We didn't know each other by name. ”

(End of chapter)