The music is melodious and the candlelight is romantic.
The banquet entered the next stage, and on the dance floor in the center of the hall, many men and women began to join hands and dance affectionately.
Except Taylor.
"No, madam, your boldness really amazed me, and it even brightened up this banquet."
Sitting on his seat, facing a young, lovely, lively and lovely aristocratic girl in front of him, Thales said dryly (probably only to deceive Ada) polite words:
"It's just that my identity is sensitive, and the matter is so big that I cannot act rashly."
"Especially the first dance after returning home. No matter who you dance with, it's not fair. Others will be resentful."
Thales noticed with his peripheral vision that Mallos ended his communication with several subordinates and walked towards him.
The watchman's eyes held urging and vigilance at the same time, and Thales understood the meaning:
Do it quickly.
"So, for the stability and balance of the kingdom, and for the prosperity and peace of the stars."
Thales cheered up, looked at the girl's crystal eyes kindly, gently held her palms, and held back his contempt for himself:
"I can only endure the great grief and give up the beauty of dancing with you."
"It breaks my heart."
The girl in front of her bit her lower lip, her eyes sad and hurt.
But she raised her skirt and knelt down with slight annoyance, glanced at Thales sadly, then turned and left.
Not sloppy, but graceful and graceful.
It makes people look askance.
Thales breathed a sigh of relief and felt exhausted.
This is the ninth lady who came to invite him to dance tonight, and the forty-fourth (or was it the fifty-fourth? I can't remember) guest who came to visit him.
"So you just got rid of Miss Enosa," Mallos' voice came from behind him:
"Nice job."
"So this is her name, Enosa?" Thales sighed: "Her expression, I feel very guilty."
Mallos flatly denied:
"That's not necessary."
"Miss Enosa is not only bold and outspoken, she also knows how to use her charm to capture trophies, and has made many young talents go through fire and water for her, life or death," the watchman sat down at the side table and said as calmly as water:
"Believe me, you don't want to duel with someone at the first banquet."
"Especially when assassins are around."
Thales felt dizzy for a while.
Oh yes.
According to Mallos, at this moment, there is a damn assassin hiding somewhere in the banquet.
It's probably going to be big news.
The king, his father and countless nobles and uncles were all present, watching with eager eyes.
The prince sent away the next guest who visited him in polite greetings, then put down his perfect smile, put down the wine glass that had touched his lips countless times, and relaxed the muscles in his waist.
"Are you sure? Assassin?"
"Just because of...a look?"
Mallos' voice was still steady:
"I'd rather believe it."
Thales turned his head and glanced at him before turning back.
"All right."
"So, a guy with a high status, who is qualified to attend the royal banquet, is guarding me tightly in front of everyone, regardless of his life and reputation, and wants to assassinate me crazily?"
Mallos raised his glass without changing his expression and drank from a distance with a friend at the next table:
"Or your father."
"Or my father." Thales was good-natured, but still depressed:
"But why? I just returned to Xingchen. What grudge is there? Did I steal his wife or kill his father?"
Mallos looked at the guests with vigilant eyes, but rarely had a cold sense of humor:
"Or both?"
Thales glanced at him unhappily.
"Anyway, don't relax, we haven't found him yet." Mallos said softly and continued to arrange people.
Thales exhaled - in front of him, the tenth lady stepped forward tremblingly and curtsied to him.
But as a prince, he has to remain calm, endure the attention of countless people, consider the impact, and maintain his manners.
He had to brace himself to deal with the guests who greeted him with various purposes.
Including the girl in front of him who came to invite him to dance: she was only eleven or twelve years old, and the nervous look on her face always reminded Thales of the little naughty boy he was when he was a child.
Oh, and Selma.
The girl is caught in the flames of war in the north.
And he was still thinking about how he could help her thousands of miles away at this banquet.
Thinking of the Grand Duchess, Thales felt unhappy again.
And all he can do is...
[Laugh, Thales, on this battlefield, smile is the best armor.]
"When you grow older, my lovely lady, I will definitely be fascinated by you and dance with you - but now, we must be responsible for your father and brother."
Thales forced a smile and sent away the tearful and aggrieved "Miss No. 10".
Before he could rest for a few seconds, the fifty-sixth guest, Levi Trudida from the Northland Reconstruction Tower, squeezed in with a smile on his face, his face full of flattery.
"Um, Polaris?"
"We, we agreed...me and you..."
oh.
Thales covered his eyes and rolled his eyes in his palms.
How do you say that? Say little slick, and the little slick will be there?
"I know, I know," the prince put down his hands, resisted his fatigue, and put on his 'armor' again: "Just do me a favor, little pot lid."
Small pot lid?
Levi was stunned for a moment and subconsciously touched the head of his pot lid.
"Sit down and smile," Thales said with a headache, "You can take whatever you want, including the one on my plate..."
"Do not talk."
Levi was startled again:
"But we..."
But Thales' eyes forced him back.
The guest from the Reconstruction Tower understood it. He sat down and smiled silly at Thales while eating, while secretly paying attention to a certain bureaucrat in the audience.
The prince also smiled at him gently to show his friendliness.
From the perspective of outsiders, it is simply a meeting of close friends and we talk about everything.
They sat facing each other in silence for five minutes.
It's a pity that no assassins showed up.
Fortunately, no one asked him to dance.
"Okay, it's almost time. They must think we are about to have sex."
Thales said listlessly.
He ignored Levi's weird look and enjoyed the rare rest time: "By the way, Levi."
Levi put down his wine glass and listened humbly.
"The Duke of South Triest in Cliffland, he told me," Thales closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead vigorously:
"He discovered your business of purchasing food from the stars and smuggling it from his territory."
Levi's expression changed drastically.
Thales said with great interest:
"It seems that 'One-Eyed Dragon' Coster is very unhappy."
"You mean smuggling?"
To his surprise, the little pot lid changed its expression very quickly and said solemnly:
"What, there are still such lawless people in our territory? Don't worry, Your Highness, I will strictly enforce it after I go back..."
"take it easy."
Thales slapped his hands indifferently, with a bored look on his face, and lied without any burden:
"I convinced him. The one-eyed dragon will turn a blind eye to you to prevent Lombard from becoming powerful."
"You can continue to transport supplies."
Levi's eyes widened.
He tried hard to smile and find the right words:
"Ah, Polaris, you are really, really that..."
Rain fell from the sky? Thales found the words for him.
"But you have to think more about it," but Thales just wanted to end it quickly and interrupted him with a wave of his hand:
"If this route is discovered by the Black Sand Leader in the future, or even the fact that you came to me for help is exposed - then King Charman will only think that you have colluded with Xingchen a long time ago and are hiding different intentions."
"And you know how much he hates me."
The little pot lid's eyes turned around.
"You must hurry up and find internal support to fight against the parricide."
Thales sighed:
"In the final analysis, Exeter's affairs can only be solved internally."
Internal aid, internal.
Thales felt that he had made it clear enough.
There was silence between the two of them for a while.
"Your Highness's golden words." Levi became serious:
"I'll keep it in mind."
Thales shook his head.
"Of course, the one-eyed dragon is not a good product," the young man raised his glass and clinked it with Levi: "If he breaks his promise behind my back, cuts off your cargo route, or wants to blackmail me..."
Thales' eyes turned cold:
"Remember to ventilate with me."
Levi looked heavy and just nodded.
"Finally, your previous promise..." Thales said casually.
Levi was categorical:
"I will do it for Your Highness."
In this way, Polaris sent away the worried little pot lid.
Thales exhaled heavily, feeling tired and unhappy.
It's like even the river of sin has dried up.
But the rest benefit Levi brings is only these five minutes.
Soon, Thales had to put on the "armor" again and greet "Miss No. 11" fully armed.
After seeing her off, he tried to concentrate and looked around.
There's another assassin to worry about.
During this time, his (or Mallos') Star Lake Guards had already begun to move, lightly armed and silent.
Conmuto, the former security officer who had swordsmanship with Thales, Bastia, a strong man with a sinewy face, Franzuk who was as tall as a flagpole, and Ferry, who looked dull—these guards
The men of the wing gathered quietly, or hid in the shadows of the foyer and corridor, or pretended to be servants serving wine, or pretended to be on duty, standing guard not far from Thales, vigilantly scanning the people approaching the prince.
In the vanguard wing, Zoneved, who is accustomed to wielding a left-handed sword, Vladeng, who helps Thales with his shield, Nie Xi, who is young and energetic, Oskarson, who is unattractive, and Supa, who is of foreign origin, have served in the army and fought in the war.
Morgan, several people were scattered in the hall, each occupying different places, guarding the high hall platform, servant passage and entrance and exit, and also paying attention to the people coming and going.
As for Piloga and other people in the logistics wing, at the strong request of the prince, they went to search the fireplace and other hiding places in the Mindis Hall ("There once was a Grand Duke who didn't pay attention to the fireplace, and then he became the king." - Incomparable.
Serious Prince Thales).
The heralds directly under Mallos, Toledo and Tangsin, went back and forth between them inconspicuously like scheduled patrols, but in fact they were delivering orders and communicating information.
They also paid attention to the prince all the time.
Looking at all this, Thales felt even more stressed.
The king, the banquet, the guests, the assassins, the stars, Exeter, Thelma, the Star Lake Guards, and the damn Mindis Hall and the title of Duke...
He only felt that he was chained by countless chains.
The other end of the chain was firmly fixed on every pillar in the hall, making him unable to move and dying.
Thales's smile has long been frozen into ice, like worn out armor.
The prince looked at the shackled and lonely Duke Val from a distance, and felt a sense of envy from the bottom of his heart.
Maybe, he is luckier.
At least, he won't have to endure this anymore after tonight.
At this moment, Doyle, who had gone to inquire among the guests for information, returned.
"Sir, Your Highness."
He was full of energy, radiant, majestic and high-spirited.
The exhausted Thales and the anxious Mallos are in perfect contrast.
Thales and Mallos narrowed their eyes at the same time and leaned forward.
The two of them stared at a suspicious red mark faintly exposed under Doyle's collar - a lip mark?
d.d noticed their gazes and straightened his collar calmly:
"Well, you know, intelligence work...some senior informants charge very high prices..."
Mallos coughed:
"Doyle?"
"Sorry, sir," Doyle looked solemn and returned to the topic:
"If you ask me, almost all unmarried ladies between the ages of nine and thirty-nine, including their male relatives, are looking at His Highness overtly or covertly, glancing upward every ten seconds, and discussing your status and appearance enthusiastically.
, body shape, clothing, emotional life, deeds and resume, character, the importance is in descending order..."
"Many people have asked me about your preferences and habits, and bet on who can win your heart! Hehe, how could they know that what our Highness likes is..."
Thales frowned:
"d.d?"
"Sorry, Your Highness," Doyle saw that the situation was not good and quickly changed the topic:
"With all due respect, those people's enthusiasm for collecting information about His Highness, and the way they looked at His Highness, whether they were men or women, seemed to want to eat him alive. They looked more like assassins than assassins."
Doyle spread his hands helplessly.
Thales was stunned and looked towards the banquet center.
But wherever he looked, every guest was immersed in his own little world, chatting or exchanging glasses of wine.
Refined and civilized, polite and decent.
The young girls were all radiant and beautiful. Some of them were joking enthusiastically with their friends, some were invited to sing and dance, some stayed quietly and elegantly beside their elders, but no one deliberately stared at His Highness the Prince's table.
Even if there were ladies who met Thales' eyes, most of them would bow their heads politely, or nod shyly, or smile in response, or respond gracefully.
He looks natural, dignified, and has a wise character.
He is not at all bothered by his status as a prince.
Just like the lady named Lenosa or Ignasa just now.
It makes people respect you.
Thales scanned around:
"Why didn't I feel it?"
Doyle smiled mysteriously:
"Of course it's because you are inexperienced, and they are experienced and sophisticated, and are used to inquiring about the enemy's situation before launching a general attack..."
Mallos interrupted at this time:
"enough."
"Glover is back."
The three of them turned their heads together: Glover, who had gone to contact his superiors, appeared in the shadows of the corridor.
Behind him was another royal guard with a calm face and outstanding temperament, but whom Thales didn't recognize.
Doyle's expression changed immediately.
"Oh no."
Thales looked at the guard:
"Who is that?"
Doyle stood up, leaned against Thales' ear, and whispered through gritted teeth:
"That's the bad guy, Your Highness, the bad guy from the Guards, the real villain of Fuxing Palace..."
Thales was stunned.
"My Lord, Vogel Tallen," the visitor held up a wine glass, walked to Thales' table, and saluted gracefully, like a guest more than a guard: "Your Highness Thales."
"Second-in-command of the Royal Guards."
"Also Chief Flag Officer."
"I wish you good health and happiness."
Vogel Tallen straightened up and glanced at Glover and Doyle.
The latter two reluctantly bowed and stepped back.
"Second Commander..."
Thales, who had trained his "Armor" to the full level, smiled and raised his glass, just like a normal social etiquette.
"So, you are the deputy captain of the royal guard? Captain Adrian's deputy?"
"And your last name is... Talon of Glacier City?"
The young man used his brain and tried to quickly switch between the customer's title and last name.
"Yes, Your Highness," Vogel answered his doubts:
"My uncle is the Earl of Glacier City."
Thales' eyes glanced at the five-pointed star pattern on his sleeves.
Talon of Glacier City.
A distant relative of the Bright Star royal family, one of the Thirteen Noble Families, and a powerful supporter in the Central Territory, the Talon family uses the five-pointed star as its emblem.
Coincidentally, their ancestor happened to be one of the Dukes of Xinghu in history.
only……
Thales muttered another title of the other party.
Chief Flag Officer?
He suddenly thought of Samir, the former royal guard who joined the Sword of Disaster.
"May you enjoy tonight."
Vogel didn't say much. He bowed, came to the side table, and sat side by side with Mallos, who also clinked glasses with him.
It looks like old friends having a drink in the corner.
"Good night, Lord Taron," Mallos' expression remained unchanged and he said in a business-like tone:
"I believe you brought the captain's orders?"
"Oh, Tormund," Vogel called Mallos' name gently, but Thales noticed that his smile was very polite, as if he had a sandwich on his face: "About the matter you reported..."
"We look forward to your explanation."
"I believe Glover has explained it clearly."
The watchman said calmly: "For safety reasons, we are now..."
"clear?"
Vogel gently shook the wine glass and interrupted Mallos kindly:
"Are you sure that's the assassin?"
Mallos' pupils narrowed.
Thales also frowned.
After a few seconds, Mallos said slowly:
"Probably."
Vogel put down his glass and slowly tightened his tone: "Maybe?"
"Dear Tormund, do you really know what you are talking about?"
Glover and Doyle realized that the atmosphere was tense and looked at each other.
"This is the first official banquet of the royal family in more than ten years after the war. It has been prepared for a long time, and the guests are distinguished. It is of great significance."
The deputy guard captain's words began to become serious:
"Whatever happens here now will spread throughout the kingdom tomorrow and have far-reaching consequences."
He turned and stared at Marius, as if he were staring at a prisoner who had broken the law:
"Whether the banquet was interrupted and the nobles were arranged to leave hastily. Or the Bright Star royal family was afraid of death and nervous, searching for assassins."
Vogel narrowed his eyes:
"Just because...some guy glanced at you?"
"Sounds like a scene in some country tavern, Tormund."
The contempt in his tone was clearly audible.
Thales couldn't help but look at Mallos.
"Because this banquet is so important," the captain of Duke Xinghu's personal guard did not become angry, and his tone was as calm as ever:
"So once the assassination is true, the trouble will only be greater."
Vogel snorted coldly.
He stared intently at Mallos' side face, but the latter just looked ahead silently, as if the eyes pointed at him were not blade-like with suspicion.
After a few seconds, Vogel exhaled.
"We have already taken action."
Vogel turned back and put his attention back into his wine glass: "They will pay close attention to everyone who tries to get close. Your Majesty, His Highness and other important dignitaries will be safe..."
"But a strong shield cannot protect against a sharp spear," Mallos said without looking at him, still paying attention to the situation in the hall:
"The best way is to avoid the accident before it happens. Maybe we can temporarily evacuate part of it..."
But Vogel's gentle tone suddenly hardened, inserting steel into the other person's words, and even changed the title:
"For the sake of the sunset, Mallos."
"Please don't educate me."
He spoke slowly but seriously.
There was a sudden silence between the two of them.
At that moment, both Doyle Glover and Thales felt the tension.
The music died down and the dance time came to an end.
The minstrel came on stage again, singing the tragic song of the Blade King's expedition to Dragon's Kiss, but died in a foreign land on the eve of success.
Thales resisted the desire to interrupt and tried not to look at the two people behind him. He cut the next plate of lettuce vigorously, smiled at the same time, and dismissed the next guest who came to greet him.
After a while, Mallos' voice came again, still calm:
"Don't dare, sir."
Vogel was silent for a while, and returned to normal when he spoke again.
"We can't just drive everyone away just to avoid accidents. This is the Mindis Hall, and its opening signals that the kingdom will welcome back its heir and return to prosperity and stability."
Thales sighed secretly in his heart.
Return to prosperity and stability...
Vogel looked around alertly to make sure he didn't attract too much attention:
"Be vigilant, the banquet will continue as usual."
He stood up to leave.
"But this is also the Mindis Hall of Duke Xinghu."
"Once something happens, His Highness Thales will bear the brunt and cannot escape the blame."
Mallos slowly turned his head and looked directly at Vogel:
"My people are the ones who bear responsibility."
He spoke very slowly.
Vogel stopped moving.
The deputy captain of the guard released his arm from the table and sat down again.
"your people?"
This time, Vogel snorted coldly and his tone was no longer polite.
"Marios, I think you, and your team of young men, need to sort out your positions."
These words made both Glover and Doyle look pale.
Thales also frowned.
Young Master Team...
Mallos listened expressionlessly, while Vogel’s eyes showed no doubt:
"Even if you change locations, you are still the royal guards."
"And I am your - superior."
"It's like Mindis Hall, subordinate to Fuxing Palace."
These words made Thales shudder.
Mindis Hall is subordinate to Fuxing Palace...
Vogel’s words were chilling to the bone:
"Never, never forget this."
"Watchman."
Mallos did not respond.
Just like Taylor didn't either.
Time seemed to stand still for a few seconds.
In this square, Glover and Doyle seemed to be frozen.
Only Mallos took a deep breath, closed his eyes and then opened them again: "Of course, sir."
"Don't dare or forget."
He said respectfully.
Vogel nodded slightly, looking satisfied.
Until Mallos's next words were calm and calm, seemingly without any emotion:
"But if I remember correctly, in a state of emergency..."
"The heritage watchman of the Guard is at the same level as the Deputy Guard Captain?"
"Yes, sir?"
This time, it was Vogel's turn to change his expression.
For a second, Thales thought the temperature dropped sharply and the air stopped flowing.
A few seconds later, the deputy guard captain stared at Mallos coldly, his tone was as playful as a mosquito:
"Yes, according to the top-secret "Watching Order" in the "Covenant of the Guards", in certain 'emergency situations', the watchman can and should make independent decisions."
"And I have no right to interfere."
Thales was stunned.
The top secret "Law of Watch".
In a state of emergency.
Watchmen can and should...
Independent decision-making?
Thales' heart tightened upon hearing this.
Vogel lowered his voice and his words were cold:
"But you know, the last time the Royal Guard invoked the regulations in a state of emergency, activated this secret order, giving the watchmen great power independent of the command wing..."
"When did it happen?"
At that moment, Thales' mind went blank, and he suddenly thought of Sak'el, who was unknown where he was.
The punishment knight.
[The person who really should be charged with collaborating with the enemy, but despicably concealed the truth for eighteen years...that shameful, sad, hypocritical, disgusting, self-righteous, sanctimonious, duplicitous guy...is me.]
Thales was stunned.
Vogel's pupils focused.
He raised his glass, put it close to Mallos' ear, and lowered his voice:
"And you really thought about it..."
"Are you going to forcefully declare a state of emergency here, in front of me?"
"Activate "Law of Watch"?"
Marius confronted him silently.
Glover and Doyle did not hear Vogel's words clearly, but this did not affect their judgment of the tense relationship between their boss and the deputy guard captain at this time.
The two of them didn't dare to say anything out loud.
After an unknown amount of time, Mallos finally smiled:
"certainly……"
For a moment, Vogel's eyes became even colder.
Glover and Doyle looked earth-colored.
Until a few seconds later, the watchman lowered his head gently and chuckled as before: