Chapter 112: Misunderstandings and Miscommunications

  The morning sunlight sprinkles on the distant mountains, and the mountains seem to be shrouded in a faint mist.

  Adeline Cullen, our poor little princess stood on the massive balcony, wearing only a pale blue loose sleep gown, barefoot. Her snow-white feet trod on the icy marble floor, her hands grasped the railing of the balcony, gazing quietly into the distance.

  This is a circular manor, with a large garden underfoot like a square, rows of evergreen shrubs trimmed into the shape of city walls. Servants wearing gray linen robes have started their busy morning, sweeping away last night's fallen leaves blown by the cold wind, and gardeners, wearing hats and holding large scissors, carefully trimming the evergreens.

  The balcony was filled with fresh flowers, which shouldn't have been in bloom at this time of year. They had been transported from the distant south and only the owner of this estate had the wealth to indulge in such luxury. These flowers were sustained by magic, but even so, they could only be kept alive for three days before wilting.

  Poor Edlin's face had a somewhat melancholy look, in fact, since she had been living here for many days, her face had never bloomed with a smile again. At this moment, under the cold wind of the clear morning, her complexion was blown pale, and her soft golden hair stuck to her cheek, making her whole person look rather weak.

  A sound of opening the door came from behind, Adeline turned her head and saw a middle-aged woman with a serious face, who was her personal lady-in-waiting. As a personal lady-in-waiting, this middle-aged woman had a serious expression that never changed, she pushed open the door and entered, followed by two young maids, one holding a tray with breakfast on it, the other holding the lord's outer garment.

  "Your Highness, you'll catch a chill like that." The female official's voice was as stiff and unyielding as ever. She walked over, her movements light but her attitude firm, and pulled Adeline back into the room before closing the door and window.

  "Now you must have breakfast and get dressed - you only have an hour, the Crown Prince will be here in the morning and he will wait for you downstairs."

  Adeline's face was slightly gaunt, making her chin look sharp and delicate, but it set off her eyes to be exceptionally large. She looked at this female official she didn't particularly like and let out a sigh.

  Breakfast was fresh honey tea accompanied by golden-brown toast, topped with sweet honey jam. But Adeline had no appetite, she just ate two mouthfuls randomly and threw down the food, sitting there in a daze.

  The lady-in-waiting was already accustomed to the prince's habit of liking to stay, and upon seeing this scene, she immediately waved her hand, and two female attendants came forward with clothes to help the prince change. Adeline was like a puppet, allowing herself to be manipulated by others.

  The delicate waistband was tied too tightly, the court-style long skirt lifted her chest high, but made breathing a bit difficult. This beautiful dress that looked so good only truly felt how uncomfortable it was when worn. A maid skillfully coiled Adeline's hair into an elegant bun, and then several maids quickly walked in, carrying out more than 20 different styles of necklaces and ornaments, including pearls, gemstones, gold, agate, cat's eye...

  If he saw these things here, his eyes would pop out of their sockets.

  Suddenly, she thought of that guy's big laugh, and Adeline's expression became a little silly, with a dazed smile on her face.

  (I wonder if that bumpkin is still in Wildfire Town... Has he bought a house yet? Is he still carrying that old and ugly fire fork to go hunting? Hmm, maybe he's become a mercenary now?)

  Several maids nervously put on different styles of decorations for the princess, while the female official next to her vetoed each one with a picky and serious expression. Finally, a bright green emerald necklace was approved by her, and the female official nodded slightly.

  When Adeline was dressed up, she looked like a doll: her golden hair was put up in an elegant coiffure, with two curls falling down on either side, which set off the shape of her face to perfection; the green and gold brocade court dress, which nipped her waist in so tightly that it made her look like a wasp - a sight most men would delight in, but only poor Adeline herself knew what torture it was.

  That emerald necklace was hung around her chest. The gem's soft glow, set off by the towering white bosom, was somewhat dazzling and alluring.

  The lady-in-waiting smiled slightly, seemingly satisfied. Then, continuing with a straight face, she said: "Your Highness, please remember your manners."

  The poor worm sighed in her heart, she stood up, her face silent, and there was no light in her eyes: "I will"

  As the sole heir to the imperial throne, Garcia Krumma was currently sitting in the grand hall sipping a cup of red tea, which was also a tribute from the Lantis Empire. Although he didn't particularly like drinking tea, at least in terms of appearance, there wasn't a single flaw that could be picked out on this crown prince.

  His golden hair was combed extremely clean and tidy, his handsome face pale and solemn, the tailored suit was extremely fitting, even the cuffs and collar were impeccable. With one hand holding a teacup, his face was full of concentration, as if at this moment, tasting tea was the only thing in the world that needed attention.

  Not even the sound of footsteps going up and down the stairs could make this noble lift his head. Instead, with an impeccable posture, he finished drinking his tea, then pulled out a snow-white silk handkerchief to wipe his already very clean mouth corner, before standing up calmly.

  "My dear sister, you're looking quite well today." The prince's face wore the most standard of smiles.

  Anyone unfamiliar with this princess would think she was a perfect member of the royal family, her etiquette, demeanor and behavior were all impeccable. Even her palace etiquette teacher couldn't find any fault in her actions.

  When facing others, he always wore a proud smile on his face, a smile that was elegant and refined. His clothes were always immaculate, even when he went hunting or rode horses at full gallop, there would never be a speck of mud on his boots.

  As the heir to the throne, Garcia was always a strict person, even in his demeanor. He knew that he didn't have to appear in this world at all; the only thing he had to do was wait.

  Waiting for that majestic and brutal father to pass away, then handing over this vast empire into his own hands. And before that, he only needs to maintain a perfect posture, quietly waiting.

  That's enough.

  If you only heard of the reputation and legend of this crown prince, just hearing about his legendary story with the man he loved, most people would think that he was a dissolute and shameless playboy, indulging in luxurious and decadent life every day...

  But actually, it's just the opposite!

  As for this imperial student of mine, the evaluation by Kavysil, the wisest and most trusted advisor to the Emperor, is quite interesting: "If it weren't for his peculiar sexual orientation, then this student of mine would be the most meticulous and fastidious person I have ever taught."

  Of course, being overly cautious and meticulous at times can be a sign of: weakness.

  The young crown prince never dared to disobey any of his father's orders throughout his life: the root cause of his weak personality was Emperor Taizong's overindulgence and favoritism towards him.

  But there are exceptions to such things, and this prince, who has always been mediocre and even a bit weak, has done only two things that went against the will of the great emperor: firstly, his strange sexual orientation.

  And the second thing is about his sister: Adeline

  So, although Bin didn't like this student. However, Kavi's evaluation of him was: "Actually, our Crown Prince is a very kind and amiable person."

  But though Kavihril didn't say it, everyone would also think of another layer of meaning... A good person with a kind heart is often not a good emperor.

  Garcia walked slowly to Adeline's front, each step he took out, the amplitude of his stride, even the distance between each step seemed to be measured with a ruler, then gently raised Adeline's hand and gave her a standard kiss on the hand.

  Adeline sighed inwardly and bowed her head in return.

  "I hope I didn't disturb your rest by coming so early." Garcia's voice was melodious and soft, which also gave people the impression of being "weak".

  "I'm fine." Adeline said listlessly.

  "But I heard from the lady officer that you haven't been sleeping well. If it's because you don't like this place, I can change it for you..."

  "No, it's fine here." Adeline seemed to smile wryly, her smile tinged with helplessness: "Actually, anywhere is the same, isn't it? No matter how beautiful the scenery or how magnificent the estate, they're all just a prison to me."

  The crown prince fell silent for a moment. When faced with an awkward and unanswerable topic, he usually remained silent and evasive, which was also a weak point in his personality. Then he smiled slightly, still gentle and calm: "I know you'll be lonely by yourself, so I came to accompany you today, take you horseback riding together."

  "Actually... you don't have to do this." Adeline smiled wryly: "Garcia, I know you're busy, and I'm also touched that you always take out precious time to accompany me. It's just... I'm worried, your actions will provoke His Majesty..."

  The crown prince remained silent for a while. He changed the subject again: "I heard that you have been less active recently, I think this is not good for your body, so..."

  "Brother" Adeline finally couldn't bear it anymore. She raised her voice, her tone a bit sharp, but soon she saw Garcia's eyebrows slightly furrowed, and Adeline finally let out a sigh, saying in a low voice: "Your Highness! I just don't like being cooped up in this big house all day, only able to go out for some fresh air when you come to see me occasionally..."

  The crown prince blinked, finally looking around to his left and right, lightly raising his hand, the female attendants and officials beside him hurriedly bowed their heads and retreated.

  When only the two siblings were left here, Garcia turned around and sat down slowly, saying in his pleasant voice: "You should understand that this is for your protection."

  "If living means losing freedom, I'd rather die"

  Adeline's face turned pale and she shook her head vigorously.

  Garcia furrowed his brow, looking at this sister - after she ran back this time, it seemed as if she had become somewhat unfamiliar, her courage also seemed to have increased a bit, and her thoughts...also made herself puzzled.

  "It's only temporary" Garcia said with a hint of melancholy "I've spoken to the Emperor once. I asked him to forgive you, and he agreed, as long as you're willing to stay here quietly and not go around taking pictures everywhere..."

  "Forgiveness!" Adeline suddenly shrieked, her face surging with anger and hatred: "Forgiveness?! He actually used this word?! And I'm supposed to stay here quietly and not run around everywhere... Ha! Is he afraid that I'll expose his ugly and despicable deeds?!!"

  The crown prince's face changed, he suddenly stood up and walked in front of Adeline: "Shut up!"

  Garcia raised his hand, but looking at Edelin in front of him with a stubbornly raised head and staring at himself, the prince's hand stiffened there for a while, and finally did not fall. But slowly put it back.

  Garcia's face was filled with helplessness, and his gaze at Edlin was even more painful. Edlin's heart softened, and she couldn't help but feel a little guilty. She said in a low voice: "I'm sorry, brother, I know you've disobeyed him to save me... I know you've done so much for me..."

  "I have no brothers, only one younger sister. I don't want to be in the future... without a single relative by my side who can speak with me." The crown prince shook his head, her eyes softened slightly, but this hint of softness was quickly suppressed, restoring the polite demeanor from before.

  "You really shouldn't be like that" Adeline shook her head, her tone was very sad: "You should know what kind of person she is, Your Majesty. Garcia, my brother... this man has never been one to show mercy, he can even imprison our grandmother in the palace for five years and not visit her once until she died! He can even do such cruel things to our mother, his own sister..."

  "Don't say any more," Garcia's voice was cold. The chill in his tone and the hidden anger made Adeline's heart skip a beat!

  "You're my cousin, I don't have any siblings of my own, and you're the only peer family member I have. No matter what, I'll keep you safe." Garcia's tone was calm: "So please, from now on, let's not say anything about 'death' in front of me, okay?"

  Adeline nodded and finally sighed: "Yes, I understand."

  "Alright." Garcia said calmly: "It seems your mood isn't good, today is not suitable for horse riding, I'll come visit you another day then."

  As he spoke, the crown prince nodded slightly, took Adeline's hand again and gave a slight hint with his mouth, then turned around and left with perfect courtesy. It was only when he reached the door that his footsteps slowed down slightly.

  "Be patient, Adeline, I heard his body is not good, so be patient!"

  When Garcia left, the doors of the hall were heavily closed, and the thick door panels blocked out the bright sunlight outside. Adeline looked at the magnificent but lifeless hall, and suddenly felt a sense of dizziness. She plopped down on the floor with a thud, sitting awkwardly on the cold steps.

  Adeline was stunned, she sat there with her head hung low for a long time.

  At last, after half an hour had passed, the stern female official came walking slowly and silently like a ghost, her footsteps making no sound on the marble floor. The official stood in front of Adeline for some time, sizing up this sorrowful young noblewoman, and even in her normally severe and austere face, a glimmer of compassion flashed through her eyes.

  "Your Highness... just now when the Crown Prince left, he instructed that as long as you don't leave this house, any request can be..."

  "Any requirements?" Adeline sat there, suddenly lifting her head up.

  "Yes, whatever you need." The female officer nodded.

  "Good!" Adeline suddenly jumped up, she forcefully tore off the belt she was about to put on, untied the strings of her corset, and then wildly tore off that magnificent court dress. She stood there wearing only a thin undergarment, clearly shivering with cold, but with a hint of pride and annoyance on her face - this was unmistakably a sulky expression.

  "I want an axe... the largest and heaviest battle-axe! And a warrior's giant shield too! I want a wolf-fur cloak, made from the pelt of a magical wolf, and also..." The poor wretch thought for a moment, rubbing his chin.

  "I need a dentist!" The poor insect loudly proclaimed: "Give me the best dentist! I want to have teeth implanted! Golden teeth!!"

  The woman officer didn't react at all to his previous demand - it was as if he were a child throwing a tantrum and demanding some weird toy, but...

  Gold, gold teeth?!!

  Just as the poor insect was about to go crazy, the tortoise was laughing loudly with a big smile on its face, and then it grabbed handfuls of gold coins, silver coins, and copper coins from in front of it. This was at a roadside inn's dining table.

  A group of travelers on the road, walking together with these traveling merchants, Xia Ya seemed to be having a great time. During their breaks, they would drink and chat, and naturally, they would also look for some fun...

  Because Xia Ya's standards for women are very strange, the turtle who already had some doubts in his heart would not explode his shortcomings. As a result, a gambler's proposal got everyone's support.

  People who travel all over the place, whether they are carters, mercenaries or merchants... gambling is a form of entertainment that men enjoy.

  Now, on the table, several Lantis people looked at their last few copper coins being taken away with gloomy faces, and couldn't help but feel extremely stifled.

  No matter whether it's guessing copper coins, gambling with dice, or betting on odd and even numbers, this Byzantine old man always has a miraculous winning streak!

  Moreover, it is obvious that he absolutely did not cheat, because the copper coins were taken out by the Lantis people, the dice were carved from wood by the Lantis people, and the wooden sticks used for guessing odd or even numbers were also brought by the Lantis people.

  Xia Ya happily won all of their opponent's money. In three days, almost every Lantian had emptied their pockets.

  But Xia Ya's happiness wasn't just about winning money... more importantly, he was experimenting with a small magic trick.

  The mother dragon named Dora hidden in the pendant finally began to teach her own dragon tribe's magic - it gave Xia Ya a very weak dragon soul mark. Can only use the simplest and weakest spells... but magic is magic after all!

  Dora teaches Shaya's first magic: clairvoyance.

  This spell actually has no great effect in actual combat, but for a male Toad who is already eager to move with a virgin's heart, he is still very satisfied. At least, this spell can be used on girls...

  With that faint dragon soul mark, the current extent of his ability to concentrate his mind is that within a short period of five heartbeats, he can see through obstacles about as wide as a finger, and the denser the material of the obstacle, the more difficult it is to penetrate. He has tried it out, and for now, he still can't penetrate walls or iron plates, but wood or clothing are no problem. Although each time he uses his X-ray vision is only for a short period of five heartbeats, it's already enough to make him invincible at the gambling table.

  However, it's still a bit difficult for women because when casting this spell, not only do you need to concentrate your attention and gaze at the target, but you must also remain motionless.

  He can't deliberately find a girl to sit in front of him and not let himself look, right?

  Of course, he can spend money to call a few prostitutes to sit in front of him... but if that's the case, what's the point of secretly peeking?!

  In a few days' time, Xia Ya had won all the last coppers from the Lantis warriors, and even that fat fellow Guro lost several gold coins to Xia Ya.

  After a few days, Gu Luo and Tu Bie's relationship had become quite close - at least it seemed that way to him, he was very careful.

  The details of Xia Ya's background have been more or less figured out, but in fact, there is nothing much to figure out about him. His life story is simple and straightforward, born into a humble family. He made great contributions during the war and was promoted - these facts are already clearly written in the military's public reports and commendations.

  However, the more Xia Ya was like this, the more Gu Luo became convinced that this guy was not ordinary!

  One of the important reasons is... it's really ridiculous when you think about it...

  That night when he was resting, Gu Luo walked into the room in the dead of night. The young man with a clear face was still waiting inside.

  "Is there any progress today?" The young man sighed.

  "Adult." Gu Luo hesitated for a moment, his face very serious: "I think that this Xia Ya must have an extraordinary background! I even suspect that he is from a military aristocratic family of the Byzantine Empire! He deliberately concealed his identity and took advantage of this war... I believe that behind this guy there must be a powerful force hidden."

  "Oh, why?"

  "One of his attendants!" Kuro said confidently, "I've been carefully observing his attendants. That thin guy, he doesn't look like a warrior at all! It's puzzling that someone like him could become an attendant to a knight. Earlier today, I secretly hid a magic testing crystal in my clothes and the result... it actually showed a magical reflection!!"

  Gu Luo lowered his voice and said: "It's just that the reaction of magic is extremely weak, probably only at a low level! But it's enough to prove that he, that follower, is a magician!!"

  "Oh?" The young man's eyes lit up.

  "Yes! Magician! I guess, this magician must have some hidden magical tools on him that hide his magic power, so we didn't notice it usually! He must be a powerful magician with exceptional abilities! Hmph, if Shaya can exchange blows with Kurotsu, his strength is naturally not simple! Such a formidable guy... the person following him, how could he just be a low-level magician? So...... that magician's strength must have been intentionally hidden!!"

  Moreover... being able to use a magician as an escort, this Shaya's background is absolutely not simple! It's just that we still can't determine now whether he is a person from the Imperial Court or a pawn cultivated by the royal family...

  (Dodo Luo, who was feeding horses in the stable, let out a sneeze, rubbed his nose, and muttered under his breath: "Again, I'm made to feed horses... I, Dodo Luo, am a noble magician...)

  The young man got up, pondered for a moment, and walked two circles in the room: "If there is really a force behind this Xia Ya, then his achievement of merit and promotion will be absolutely not simple! This time he returned to Osgilia, he will definitely be reused and become an important figure in the Byzantine imperial house..."

  Young people's identification of a wave of the hand: "Buy him! Think of ways to buy him! No matter what he wants! Money! Women! Buy him! When necessary, provide some help! Give him some benefits! What does he want? Try to probe, satisfy as much as possible! Don't make any demands or requests from him for now, satisfy his greed as much as possible! Make friends with him as much as possible!! Any big shot who wants to gain long-term benefits from him must invest in him before he really takes off! So... buy him!!

  Gu Luo, who had received the order, continued to get close to Xia Ya on the second day.

  "Lord Xia Ya, with your achievements, you will surely be reused when you return to the Imperial Capital this time?" Gu Luo could flatter: "Life is like that, it's really prosperous and limitless. In the future, wealth and power will come rolling in, won't they?"

  Xia Ya suddenly sighed and said with a calm face: "Wealth and power... Hmph, what's the big deal?"

  He rubbed his nose, sat on the horse, and the cold wind made him sniffle: "Money, as long as it's enough, that's all. As for food and clothing, just filling your stomach is enough. No matter how big the house is, it's still just one bed after all. Delicacies from mountains and seas are delicious, but eating them every day will also get boring..."

  He doesn't love money, so he must be fond of women then.

  "With a mind made up, Gu Luo spoke out: 'Someone as young and promising as you, sir, must surely have some lovely lady by your side, don't you?'"

  As soon as this was mentioned, it hit the sore spot of the turtle!!! The turtle's face suddenly changed...

  Women... thinking of that child rushing into Sophia's aunt's niece's arms in the Wildfire Needle tavern, calling out "mom".

  What a tragedy...

  As soon as Xia Ya's face changed color, Gu Luo became excited. He was convinced that he had found a breakthrough! This guy seemed to have a weakness when it came to women!!

  So, Gu Luo carefully asked around, with a mind to find out what type of woman this country bumpkin liked.

  It's not that I'm afraid you have hobbies, but rather that you don't have any!

  No matter what kind of woman you want, beautiful, charming, cold and elegant, pure, or mature and lovely... as long as you speak up, relying on our skills, we can get her for you!!

  As a result, after being nagged for half a day, Xia Ya, who had some unspoken grievances in her heart, was no longer willing to easily say out loud the standards of women that the old man had instilled in her. She had a faint feeling that she might have been fooled by that wicked old man...

  (The old fellow... still, once again, smiling all the way to the ninth spring...)

  However, Gu Luo wasn't completely without gain. After being led on for half a day, he finally managed to get one valuable sentence out of Xia Ya's mouth.

  "The kind of woman I like... probably... yeah, it should be someone like Aunt Sofia... yeah, that's right." Shaya's tone was no longer as confident as before.

  Yes, having obtained this sentence, Gu Luo was overjoyed and returned to his room that night to discuss with the young man.

  That night, this mysterious young man gave a decisive order.

  "Search!! Activate all intelligence networks! Search for me! Investigate thoroughly, all the intelligence on this woman named Sofia!!!!! I want to know everything about this woman!!!!!"

  Soon, all of the Landis dense intelligence organizations in the northern part of the Byzantine Empire received an urgent emergency order!

  Mobilize all forces and thoroughly investigate a woman named Sophia living in Wildfire Town!

  At one time, people and horses overturned, wind rose and clouds surged.

  Innumerable spies and intelligence personnel who had been lurking in the Byzantine Empire for many years, carefully cultivated by the Randis Empire, flocked to that small town on Wildfire Prairie...

  Many years later, when Guro, who had become the Director of Intelligence and Surveillance of the Kingdom of Lantis, recalled this incident, he was still filled with indignation and considered it the greatest blemish in his life - that he had actually mobilized one-third of the forces lurking in the northern enemy country to investigate a vegetable-purchasing aunt in a small town. This incident also became the biggest joke in Guro's career.

  "Damn it! I was cheated by that bastard back then! That bastard doesn't have any background! He's just a thorough and utter country bumpkin! A stupid little virgin who's never seen a beauty!!!"