This is a dark study room, and the space is a little crowded because it is full of sundries. There are two rows of bookshelves over three meters high standing on the wall. There are various books on them, ranging from "The Abbey of the White Mountains" by Victor Hugo.
" to Shakespeare's "Hamlet", from Mettosh's romantic poems to Mindelias's realist masterpieces, everything is available; in front of the lattice square window half-covered by curtains, there is a long walnut desk piled with books.
There were several thick stacks of paper, but there was no word on them; the fireplace beside the wall was still heating the charcoal left last night, and the little bits of fire gradually grew into scorching tongues of fire, gently licking the blackened
The inside of the fireplace filled the whole room with a faint smell of burning.
Next to the lounge chair by the fireplace, the old man was leaning on the back of the chair, with a flannel blanket covering his thighs. He was quietly staring at the scene outside the window. The bright summer sunshine flooded the streets and trees of Chatoli Manor, but they were separated from each other.
He kept a distance from this mansion with a line visible to the naked eye, as if he had signed some kind of mysterious contract, and he had nothing to do with the lonely autumn in the world.
The old man in the recliner seemed to hear the footsteps of the visitor. He slowly turned around. The old and thin face and the withered hair like snowflakes together told the story of how time had passed in this vicissitudes of life.
Such a long time, perhaps only the old butler Weber, who had grown up with him since childhood and accompanied him through his entire youth, youth and adulthood, could count these years one by one, so he was not surprised at all by his old age.
There is only an unexpected sense of relief.
As for other people, even Miss Hino, I am afraid she will lament the impermanence of the human world. The rigid and stern grandfather in her memory turned into a waning old man in the blink of an eye.
But aging does not mean a decline in spirit. Weber knew that the body of the old man he served still contained a strength that was not lost to any young and strong boy.
The only obsession to live in this world despite resistance is the firewood that ignites a body, and it has not yet reached the moment of extinguishing.
At least, he will never fall before witnessing the fate of the Goldstaff family.
"Have you visited today?" The old man turned his attention to his attendants - many years ago, when knights were still galloping on the battlefield, and the spirit of knights was still shining in people's memories, they were the
This kind of relationship is not the current relationship between the head of the house and the butler - and then he asked in a calm tone, his voice was low but rich, like a horse's hooves stepping on the stone slab: "So, how is the situation, Weber?"
Today, Weber was ordered by the head of the family to inspect the many properties of the Goldstaff family in Grindelwald Fields, but he knew that was not his main task. An elderly man no longer had any obsession with money and other external things, so
, what he asked about was not the operating conditions of those industries, but another matter.
"There are no signs of waking up yet." It was clear that there were only two people in the room, but the old housekeeper still lowered his voice subconsciously, so that even the crackling of charcoal in the fireplace was louder than his voice, in this dark and silent room.
, and perhaps even more harsh: "However, farmers living near Bolian Manor all claimed that they heard unusual noises in their sleep, and sometimes minor earthquakes occurred, and cattle, sheep and other livestock became increasingly agitated... I
It is estimated that the time for it to escape from trouble should not be too far away."
In order to monitor that guy, the Goldstaff family left a lot of manpower nearby. The Borian Manor was a wine estate in name, but in fact it was a surveillance base. The employees there were all confidants of the Goldstaff family. They were placed in the kingdom.
The era is the so-called leader of the nobility. There are many surveillance strongholds like the Borian Manor, which are basically disguised as vineyards and wineries. It is precisely because the confidants are arranged in each stronghold, as the ancestral home of Chateau
That's why the manor is so empty, deserted and unpopular.
After listening to Weber's report, the old man didn't say anything. He withdrew his gaze and stared silently at the scene outside the window. The iconic burgundy eyes inherited from the pioneer Baron Vince had accumulated due to years of precipitation.
It was full of turbid shadows, and gradually the enthusiasm and publicity of youth could not be seen, but it became more profound. After a long time, he spoke slowly and said slowly: "That kid Xino... still not mentally prepared?
?”
The old housekeeper lowered his head: "Miss, you may still need some time."
"We are not allowed to have that kind of time," the old man said.
After this sentence was spoken, a strange silence fell in the room, as if both of them were familiar with the true meaning of this sentence, but tacitly agreed not to say it out loud. After thinking about it for a while, the old housekeeper proposed a
Suggestion: "If Miss Xino is still unable to make up her mind, maybe we can choose to jointly seek help from the Order, sir?"
When the old man heard this, his eyes narrowed. He was gaunt and thin, and his five well-jointed fingers gently rubbed the armrests of the recliner. He seemed to be thinking. After a while, he slowly shook his head: "This is a bad idea. The alliance of religious groups
Even if we agree to our request, it will not be without cost."
Because of adhering to the oath with the aliens, the relationship between the Gustave family and the religious order has become very tense in recent years. If they ask for help, I am afraid that the Holy See of Judgment will make demands at the cost of abolishing the oath and expelling the aliens. This is undoubtedly
It is a kind of betrayal. Although the United Order will not let them take action personally, how can the noble and righteous White Thorn Flower easily betray its allies?
What's more.
"This is the mission and destiny of the Gustave family." The old man said calmly: "People in the United Order will not understand that they are outsiders."
Although the United Church of Villiard has existed since the age of steam, the flag of the whitethorn flower has flown on this land earlier than the flag of the church, so the old man is qualified to say this.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Weber can also understand the difference. He said helplessly: "In this case, perhaps things can only turn around when Miss Xino realizes the day.
.”
But the same sentence remains: they are not allowed that kind of time, and the guy's awakening is imminent.
"She is a stubborn child."
At this moment, the old man was also recalling the young girl in his memory. When Leonard, a new father, excitedly held his daughter to show him, the old man could see at first glance that there was a stubborn spirit flowing in her bones.
Blood, especially the ancestors of the Gustave family, and what happened later really proved his view: "Mistian's death, Leonard's death, and Claire's death all made people
She changed drastically, but that was because she decided to change. If she refused to change, no matter what others said, they would not be able to influence her thoughts. "
When the old housekeeper heard this, he stopped talking.
"What's the matter, Weber?" The old man asked without turning around, as if he saw the look on his face: "You seem to have something to say?"
"Because something interesting happened today." The old housekeeper replied: "Miss Xino brought some new friends to the manor as guests. Two of them will participate in this Yamit Cup Championship. At present, they
They are practicing on the manor's court, and the young lady volunteered to be their sparring partner."
"new friend……"
The old man was in a daze when he heard this word, but he quickly realized that they were probably the special group of visitors that his granddaughter mentioned to him at the dinner table yesterday. Unexpectedly, they became good friends in just one day because
Is it because of the wind flower balls? Yes, that child has liked the wind flower balls a long time ago, probably because of the influence of her mother. She once said that she would become the greatest wind flower ball in the world when she grows up.
But her dreams are always shot down by the cruel reality again and again, just like the wind flower ball that flies feebly out of the bottom line...
——You are the heir of the Goldstaff family.
——But I am also my mother’s child!
How can we fail to fulfill our childhood wishes?
The old man slowly closed his eyes and whispered: "Let her be for now."
"I understand." The old housekeeper bowed slightly and added: "In addition, Miss Xino also said that she wanted to invite the guests to dine at the manor. Let me ask the master what you mean."
The old man did not open his eyes and spoke in a calm tone: "Passion and tolerance are the ways of hospitality of the Goldstaff family. It just so happens that I also want to meet those guests, so you can arrange it, Weber."
The old housekeeper nodded in agreement. Then, when he saw the old man's face looking slightly tired, he knew that he had said enough today, so he excused himself and left, gently closing the door to the room, leaving only a long silence.
spread through the crackle of the fire.
The footsteps gradually faded away, and this ancient mansion was once again surrounded by empty loneliness.
…
Before I knew it, it was dusk.
The sunset on the horizon was so bright that it seemed to be on fire. A large group of birds flew in a herringbone formation toward the end of the mountains and fields, gradually being submerged in the shadow of the manor. The bird that fell at the end stopped just before it was about to leave.
He paused, wandering blankly in mid-air for two or three times, and finally changed his direction and flew back. Just like this, flapping his wings, he flew over the wool warehouses and apiaries of ancient times, and over the long hills dyed red by the setting sun.
Dell River, flying over the cypress trees rustling in the evening breeze...until it slowed down above the stadium and landed slowly on an arm stretching to the sky. It retracted its wings and called out softly.
.
"Haha, Xiao Bai, you're back!" The gray-haired girl who had just finished exercising said with glistening beads of sweat on her face, "Bai Ye thought you were lost, so I was extremely worried!"
A voice with hidden annoyance came from my mind: "I'm not worried about this guy!"
The gray-feathered falcon, which had fully recovered, seemed to be able to hear her words. It tilted its head in confusion, not knowing which owner to believe. Gloria quickly moved closer to its head and lowered her voice: "You
Don't believe Bai Ye's words, she is just embarrassed to express it, just like Alice said she is tsundere."
"You think I can't hear you, little idiot Gloria?"
"Hey?"
After being a little cute and confusing the matter, Gloria put Xiaobai on her shoulders and began to clean up the court. Because Alice likes to serve randomly, the ball that hit the baseline fell everywhere.
All of them. If it wasn't blocked by a barbed wire fence, they would probably have flown further into the woods.
Although the others did not participate in the training, they had watched the practice all afternoon, so they were also helping to clean up. Only the instigator, Alice, not only did not come to help, but even held the racket and posed there, making a disgusting laugh or two from time to time.
, he is probably imagining the scene of becoming famous with one goal after he steps on the court.
When Xino went to pick up a wind flower ball under her feet, she pulled her back and asked enthusiastically: "I have practiced all afternoon, do you think my level has improved? Xino, am I qualified enough to participate?"
Is it the main match?”
I really have no idea at all.
Xino smiled awkwardly: "Compared with the main competition, I think Miss Alice, it would be better for you to consider how to participate in the selection competition first."
"What do you mean by that?" Such a statement that destroyed one's own ambition immediately aroused Ai-chan's dissatisfaction: "Do you think I can't even pass a mere trial?"
"That's not what I mean. It's just that you need an amateur certificate to participate in the open selection. Miss Alice, you don't have one yet? Even if you rush to the association in Sumia City to take the exam now and get the certificate as quickly as possible,
That will take a week. Whether I can catch up with the registration deadline for the open selection, I feel very uncertain." After Xino finished speaking, he tilted his head slightly, and the ponytail behind his head swung from side to side: "What, Lin
Didn't Mr. Ge tell you about this?"
She even reminded her specifically.
"No!"
Alice was greatly surprised, but she glared at Ringer fiercely, as if she wanted to bite off a piece of meat from him. But the young man held a basket of balls and walked expressionlessly towards the warehouse where the equipment was placed, ignoring her.
.
This guy must have done it on purpose, he just didn’t want to let himself participate in the competition!
Ai-chan was filled with hatred, but it didn't matter. She was so smart that she quickly thought of a way to break the situation. Not only could she successfully participate in the open trials, but she also had a chance to compete in the main competition. So the dissatisfied expression on her face immediately changed to
A proud smile, feeling smug in his heart: Ringer, Ringer, you are still too naive. How can a little obstacle stop my talented and beautiful girl from winning the championship?
"Okay, everyone."
After cleaning up the court, Xino gently clapped his palms to attract everyone's attention: "That's it for today's practice. Now, it's time for us to have dinner. Grandpa is still waiting for us in the restaurant."
Half an hour ago, the old butler Weber brought back a reply from Grandpa Sino, who said that he was looking forward to having dinner with the guests. So, Ringer and the others decided to stay at Chateaurie Manor and have dinner before leaving. Just now
Xiao Bai went to Yunjing Sky Island to deliver a message to the proprietress. Otherwise, if she had cooked too much food and no one would eat it, Lin Ge and the others would have been nagging her endlessly when they returned.