Section 208 Outsiders

These delicate paintings did not happen overnight. Anyone can see that even a professional painter, with good talent and long-term training, can take months to paint such a delicate painting.

Ashrufat's gaze rested on one of the paintings. This is the scene where the protagonist is standing in a room - probably in a bedroom. The painting is familiar...... He remembered seeing it before. was even used as a model by Aunt Mary for a while. But he didn't pay much attention to it at the time. It is clear that after he left Brassian, Aunt Mary never stopped this hobby.

"It's just a hobby. A voice rang out from behind. I don't know when Aunt Mary has come behind them.

"Auntie," Xingke asked. "This is a ...... Who is it?"

"Mikael. "Aunt Mary was able to walk, but she still looked a little sluggish. "My husband. ”

Everyone knows that Aunt Mary has been married many times, has many lovers, and was even a famous slut in Eagle Falcon City for a time. So this topic made several juniors feel embarrassed.

"My first husband. Aunt Mary explained. "Earl of the Border...... Like you, Aerufat, he's also a count. ”

The title of "Frontier ......" Eshurufat was temporarily canonized, and although he had the title of Count, he had no actual territory, or at least not yet been given a territory. But Count Mikael should be a ...... A true lord.

Within the Seven Kingdoms, the nobility could be divided into three categories according to their actual power, with the king or grand duke being the first rank, who themselves were the supreme rulers, at most superficially subordinate to a higher lord, but did not fulfill vassal obligations to anyone. The second level is the lord, although he has his own territory under his rule, but he has to be loyal to the lord of a higher level and fulfill various obligations. The last is a nobleman who only has a title and no territory, but can get a certain amount of money by virtue of his title. Of course, there was originally the last grade, that is, a pure title nobleman who only had a title but nothing else. Such titles of nobility are usually bought with money. However, in recent years, the seven countries have signed relevant treaties and jointly decided not to canonize the last type of honorary nobles, and those that have been canonized are only valid in their own countries, and other countries will not recognize them.

Gruni's situation is a little different, though. This is because the country has been at war with the barbarians of the north for a long time. In order to concentrate manpower and material resources against foreign invaders, it became undesirable to divide the territory into small pieces and distribute them to the nobility as fiefs. However, it was not possible to directly confiscate the land of the small lords, and it was not suitable to transfer the small lords to other regions, so the "trusteeship" system came into being. Minor and medium-sized lords collect a suitable tax from a large lord (even though they do not have a feudal relationship with each other). Therefore, when the word "frontier" is added to the title of nobility, it usually means that the nobleman actually has the power to control the land much more powerful than he appears.

This situation was concentrated in the northern part of the kingdom and was a special case arising from the long-term existence of the barbarian threat. So there is a special kind of aristocracy - although they have an objectively existing territory, they can't actually rule that territory.

"That's right, a border lord. Aunt Mary said.

In fact, Ashrufat was eager to ask Aunt Mary what she had painted these pictures for, especially to free her face for everything, but he could see from Aunt Mary's expression that the old woman would not say anything about it for the time being.

"Ashrufat, why did you come back?"

"Well, someone wants me to hide for a few days. Ashrufat replied. "Steer clear of the rumors out there. ”

"Well, a clever choice. Aunt Mary's expression became stern. "But why are you coming back now?"

"Because I haven't seen you ...... for a long time"

"Ridiculous!" said Aunt Mary. "You are irresponsible to yourself, and you are irresponsible to your fiancées......! Then it is tantamount to adding a crime to oneself that cannot be denied!"

Although Aunt Mary was scolding, Ashrufat was actually mentally prepared, and she was indifferent.

"I'll just stay for a while and leave. Ashrufat said. "I had been looking around before I came in, and no one was watching. ”

"Of course no one is watching. You are now only an enemy of the public, not yet the target of the law. No fool has enough to do and has nothing to do to come here to spy on us. Aunt Mary replied. "Who gave you this advice?"

"Someone. Ashrufat replied reluctantly.

"What's next? It's okay to stay out of the limelight, but it's not going to be delayed for too long. Because others can use the crime of 'abandoning your job and absconding' against you. And there is no sign of this storm of public opinion subsiding in a short period of time. ”

"We have reached an agreement with Tiberius that the two countries will form an alliance against the invading barbarian invasion. Ashrufat said. "General Berel of Tiberius will arrive at the falcon in the near future, and the details of the coalition will be consulted at that time, and then ......"

"You're going to be inside the coalition. Aunt Mary's expression looked relieved. "It's a really good idea. Firmly grasp the short period of time before public opinion turns into an actual attack, and make a fool of yourself...... When the army leaves, public opinion in Eagle Falcon City will have no effect on you. If you want to attack again, you will have to wait until the war is over...... I am afraid that a year and a half have passed since the end of the war...... No matter how powerful the power of public opinion is, it can no longer arouse people's interest after such a long delay...... Really good idea, great. I've been worrying for so many days in vain. ”

"I'm sorry to worry you. ”

"Then you really shouldn't live up to that friend's kindness. Aunt Mary said. "You shouldn't go into the city, but wait a few days on the outskirts of the city. ”

"I just think ......," Ashrufat hesitated, Aunt Mary's attitude had eased significantly, but she did not say what he had expected to say. "I need to let you know. ”

"Now we know it. Aunt Mary's stern look had dissipated, and only a smile remained. "Ashrufat, be careful these days, and we will be able to get through this. ”

"Auntie...... Over here...... I have a few friends who can help a lot. ”

"No need. Aunt Mary replied. "We had a great time here. By the way, do you need a change of clothes? I've got several sets here, all ......" she gestured to the other three people next to her. "They bought it for you. Originally, it was intended to be used at weddings...... Because at that time, we knew that you were doing a good job in Eagle Falcon City, so we thought that we could hold a wedding directly here in the royal city. There are a few gorgeous ones that may not be suitable for your current situation, but there are also a few more ordinary sets that should be good as everyday wear. ”

The old woman looked at Ashrufat and burst out laughing. "Ashrufat, you have such an expression...... It's really interesting. You seem to be waiting for me to ask, 'What for?' I guess if you came all the way back and all the people asked you what you were doing, why were you doing that kind of thing in Fornoros?"

Ashrufat nodded.

"That's the difference between family and outsiders. Because we believe in you, I chose you as my niece-in-law and heir, and several of them chose you as their husband. We are a family, and trust is the most basic thing in a family. If you make a decision, there must be your reasons. So there's no need to ask this kind of question at all. ”

Outside the window, there was a clear sound of horses' hooves. There are not many carriages in Eagle Falcon City, but there are many horses. This time, though, the sound of horses' hooves seemed a little too loud. If I'm not mistaken, the sound is hundreds of horses. It's not unusual for hundreds of horses to shop at such times.

Everyone exchanged glances with each other, and Xingke immediately rushed to the second floor to observe the outside through the upstairs window. A minute later, Starmark ran down.

"It's okay, it should be a foreigner who has entered the city. It feels like a foreigner. ”

Through the window, you can see a sizable team. From the movements of the people and horses, and from the clothing of the riders, it can be seen that this is a team from other places.

"Who are these people?" asked Ashrufat, incessantly.

"Ah, there are a lot of people like this lately. Hoshimi replied. "It's all from other places, even from abroad. ”

"For what?" Ashrufat felt that the momentum of this team did not look like diplomats, and it did not look like a caravan, and he couldn't guess why they had come to Eagle Falcon City for a while.

"It is said that he is planning to propose to our little queen. ”

"Ah......h

"No one had proposed before, because everyone believed that the little queen would marry the son of Byron or Rafa. Hoshimi said. "Then there was a coup d'état and a war, and no one was sure that the little queen was capable of protecting her throne. But now, all doubts have been removed, and Her Majesty our little queen is immediately the target of everyone's coveting. ”

"But...... But...... The war isn't over yet, is it?" Ashrufat remembered the barbarian armies that had invaded the northern part of the kingdom at this time. "Besides, Her Majesty our Queen is only twelve years old. ”

"Thirteen years old. Aunt Mary on the side chimed in. "She's not going to be twelve forever. And your first question is the same, although the war continues, no one doubts the stability of the throne under Her Majesty's majesty. In this case, the one who waits until the dust settles before making a move is a fool. The first strike is the first to be strong, but anyone knows the simple truth of the way. Look at this one," said Aunt Mary, gesturing to the middle of the procession that passed downstairs, where there was a young man in the most splendid and well-dressed manner. "It looks a lot like a prince. ”

"O prince...... Wait, that flag is ......"

Beside the young man, whom Aunt Mary referred to as "Prince", he was accompanied by a flag-bearer, whose pattern was somewhat familiar. Ashrufat felt that he had seen such a banner somewhere, and then remembered that it was in a dream. In those dreams of bloodshed, carnage, and fighting, he had seen this banner before. In the dream, this flag once flew over the opposing camp. And he defeated the army under this banner more than once, and trampled under his feet the blood-stained and tattered banner.

"It'......s the Shem," said Aunt Mary, as if to herself. "Ha, this is the banner of the Shem royal family. This one should be a prince or a young prince. The Shem people are here, so I'm afraid that the royal families of all countries will not be absent from this competition. ”

The royal families of the nations had reason to do so. This is no ordinary marriage, because everyone knows that the Makeremiz family has withered, and the marriage with the little queen can easily lead to a strong inheritance.