Song Xingzhi lived during the reign of Emperor Huizong - Chapter 54
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“Dear Father, I have come at your summons.” The young man standing on the first step of the marble staircase was dressed in a dark black trailing robe symbolizing his title of Earl Candidate. His right hand, covered by a white silk glove, was placed in a gesture of respect to his left chest. He bowed his head and curtsied gracefully.
The boy, his back to the setting sun, was tall and slender with short, straight, jet-black hair. His face was indistinct due to the backlight. He bowed his head to his father, who was a few steps above him, his tone respectful, yet his voice carried a sense of nonchalance.
"Nass, tomorrow is your wedding day. I have arranged the banquet and invitations, and I have also chosen a dance partner for the opening dance for you."
The middle-aged man who spoke had an arrogant expression, his body covered in flabby flesh, showing no trace of the fierce battles he had fought on the battlefield more than a decade ago. His eyes were slightly furrowed, his gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny and the pride of a father looking at his beloved son.
“Young Master Nash, Miss Christine, the Duke’s second daughter, is about your age. I conveyed your admiration and love to her yesterday. Miss Christine, upon seeing the sonnet filled with sincerity and adoration, responded to your request with humility.”
"Uncle Flakka, have you started writing sonnets again?" The boy looked up at the man behind his father, took the embroidered handkerchief from his hand, and saw that the woman's cursive script on the handkerchief was beautiful and intricate.
Your Excellency Earl Candidate of Calando, it is my honor to dance with you.
—That's all. Christian Rodia
“Solving problems for my master is my duty,” Fraka said respectfully, withdrawing the handkerchief he had offered and stepping back behind the Duke. But to address himself as “I” in front of the Duke, and to be called “uncle” by the Duke’s son, clearly indicated he was no ordinary servant.
Fraka is fit and handsome. In comparison, his demeanor and appearance are very similar to the Duke from ten years ago.
Decades ago, some suspected that Fraca was the Duke's illegitimate son. Fearing to tarnish his noble and innocent reputation, he only revealed this secret to his heir before his death. Otherwise, there's no way to explain the Duke's favoritism towards this servant, Fraca's striking resemblance to the Duke, or why the Duke ordered his children to call Fraca "uncle."
Of course, these were only discussed in private. When facing the Duke, who commanded the Empire's elite troops, possessed noble blood, and was deeply trusted by His Majesty, everyone simply praised Fracana's smooth handling of the situation, his comforting and warm verses, and his complete loyalty and protection of the Duke.
The servant stood behind the Duke, the setting sun casting its glow on his face, making him appear so pure and hopeful.
Nass withdrew his gaze and asked, "Father, how should I treat this Miss Christine? Is she the wife you have chosen for me?"
The Duke frowned and said, "No need to rush. The Verodia family has undergone a change of power in the last two years. Let's see how the new marquis is made first. If he is worth getting to know, then we can talk about marriage later."
He paused, then continued, "You are the heir to the Carlando family and will be studying under Master Vilip after the New Year. I'm afraid the matter of your marriage will still require His Majesty's approval."
“Young master, there’s no need to worry. You will have a noble and virtuous wife. His Majesty seems to be considering marrying the Seventh Princess to the Calando family,” Fraca said. “Moreover, if Lord Velip were to speak and wish you to marry a young lady from a certain family, even His Majesty, as noble and dignified as he is, would not be able to refuse.”
Princess? What else can a royal daughter do besides being pretentious? As long as she doesn't cause trouble for him, that's enough. Nas smiled at Fraka, then lowered his eyes to hide the mockery in them. "Father, I heard that the envoy sent by the Duchy of Fran is having a very comfortable time in the capital these past two days."
They gambled heavily at the Floyd Casino, winning a fortune, and then used their winnings to bid against Duke Cadis at the Yingliuxiang Garden for several priceless magic wands. The usually arrogant Duke Cadis, however, dared not retaliate because the envoys were guests, much to Duke Cadis's chagrin. Less than half a month after arriving in the capital, the delegation leader had already successfully taken the virginity of several noblewomen, and one of his members had even defeated the arena's ace fighter, shocking the entire capital.
Even though the king, as the ruler of a country, couldn't hold such a shameful act against them, he would never object to his subjects doing something to let the barbarians know what proper etiquette for guests should be followed.
“Young Master, the news you heard is from before, isn’t it?” Fraka replied on behalf of the Duke. “The situation you just received seems to be that the delegation member was defeated by some unknown guard. The head of the delegation, for some reason, accidentally offended Lady Shakshiva and was taken back to the manor by the guards. It is said that he was only released after paying a huge fine. Ten minutes ago, that person was still publicly apologizing to Lady Shakshiva in Lev Square.”
Mrs. Shakshiva...
Even someone as calm and composed as Nas couldn't help but change his expression slightly upon hearing this name.
Lady Keshiva, the legendary tigress of the capital. As a woman from Ludochi, she received news of her husband's death in battle within three months of their marriage, without having consummated their marriage.
She was the beloved daughter of Marquis Rovisa, and possessed both beauty and talent. When King Mumpa received a petition from nobles in the capital who admired Miss Shakshiva, and seeing Rovisa's tearful face, he immediately granted her a free marriage decree. However, Shakshiva refused. She supported her husband's younger brother and reorganized the Ludochi family, which had been fragmented and fighting amongst itself after the death of its patriarch.
For a woman to control a family, it's not enough to just have ability and status; she also needs unparalleled resilience and perseverance, to be unafraid of rumors, slander, and insults, and to abandon all the gentle traits associated with women. And, of course, she needs an ambition stronger than anyone else's!
She did it. Three years later, even the most philandering Earl Land in the capital would not regard her as a woman, even though she possessed one of the most beautiful women in the capital.
With her resilient character and ruthless methods, the poor mission leader must be encountering a woman like this for the first time, Nas thought with schadenfreude.
"Although I don't know who did it this time, the effect was quite good," the Duke said with a smile, his loose, fleshy cheeks jiggling slightly. "Go see your mother; she's waiting for you in her room."
The Duke and Fraka walked out along the granite avenue one after the other. Nas turned and bowed, only rising when his father was out of sight. He dusted off his trailing coat and strolled slowly into the house, climbing the spiral wooden staircase. Along the way, he threw a few smiles at the maids who were arranging the room, earning a few flirtatious glances and a few shy blushes in return.
"Most esteemed lady, please accept my admiration." Nasto took his mother's right hand and gave it a light kiss on the back.
“My child, you are the most perfect nobleman in the capital,” the Duchess replied with a smile.
“Nobles are the most shameless and hypocritical race in the world, Mother. Please don’t categorize me with them.” He sat down on the wisteria chair at the table, and said while pulling off his white gloves, “Mother, I am just the most simple, loving, kind, and devoted child in this capital city. That’s all.”
The Duchess listened to her son's praise without showing any emotion, and personally poured him a cup of Ceylon tea. But then she heard him say, "Mother, as the most perfect woman, could you grant your most loyal admirer a small request?"
"You are such a distinguished lady, may I have a glass of chilled tea?"
“My child, God’s people should not be picky about food. They should have reverence and love for what satisfies our needs.” The Duchess handed over the freshly poured, steaming cup of black tea and said slowly, “My child, you are too greedy.”
Nass, with a pained expression, picked up the cup of black tea. It was an oriental teacup with a lid and a saucer, its emerald glaze smooth and glossy, adorned with a painted orchid. Steam was rising from it.
He placed the teacup on the table and waved his hands haphazardly around the rim of the cup, seemingly trying to cool the hot tea down.
"Really, you're acting like a little kid," the Duchess said coquettishly. "My child is almost an adult."
“Mother, you come from the Sisowo family. Do you remember Master Velip?” Nas smiled, his eyebrows curving, as if speaking casually.
“Velip? Back then, I just thought of him as a kind older brother,” the Duchess said. “Now, he’s the most powerful person in the Sissovo family, and he’s about to become your teacher, Nas. It’s truly unpredictable.”
Friendly? That doesn't match the outside world's perception, Nass thought.
The great magician Velip was recognized in the circle as serious, stern, upright, and solemn.
A maid drew back the floor-to-ceiling curtains, and the evening glow filled the room with a warm ambiance. Nas followed the light into the room and looked at the huge portrait behind him.
A portrait of the founder, Futu. The young man in the portrait has a gorgeous and beautiful face, and his eyes convey a compassionate and merciful look.
This is the god of the continent of Vilan.
The god in Genesis has an ageless appearance, a compassionate heart, a merciful nature, and a gentle spirit.
O God, your sword can cut down all evil.
God, your whispers can sanctify the earth.