Thales narrowed his eyes and looked at Zhan who was trying his best to control himself, but what sounded in his mind were the words of the Duke of West Wasteland:
[Before accepting their kindness, please remember: they are only against your father, but they are by no means sincerely loyal to you.]
"Oh, really?"
Thales said coldly:
"So, six years ago, you lent the Manor to Serena because of an 'accident'?"
"Are you also 'forced by the situation' to ask the Queen of Night to chase me after giving a nice performance?"
Zhan En's face suddenly turned ugly.
"What a coincidence," Thales sat upright and sneered:
"Do you know what lesson Ms. Serena, who came to me because of you, taught me?"
Zhan En's eyes stopped in the void and trembled for a while as he breathed.
"But that's what you said, times have changed."
"We have to look forward."
But Thales shook his head slowly and spoke word by word:
"No, Your Excellency Duke, I reject your proposal - because I don't believe you at all."
The two of them looked at each other in silence, with normal posture and proper etiquette.
But the atmosphere was tense in a way that outsiders couldn't imagine.
Duke Iris struggled with his brows for a while, and it seemed a little difficult for him to enunciate:
"I tried my best to suggest and even beg you in a nice voice, Thales, at least..."
But Thales didn't want to pay attention to the other party's acting skills at all. He interrupted the other party with a smile:
"Quick question and quick answer: Why did I go to Exeter back then?"
Zhan raised his eyes.
"For sightseeing? To expand knowledge? To eat and drink? To find a wife?"
Thales clicked his tongue and shook his head:
"None of that...oh, by the way, I remembered."
Thales' eyes sharpened and his tone became tighter:
"Because, a group of domestic vassals united to attack and kill the Exeter delegation, but they were used by others, attracting the thunderous wrath of King Nun."
"And we need someone to clean up the mess and wipe their butts?"
Zhan said nothing.
"But why did they attack the Exeter mission?"
Thales leaned forward towards the opponent with a gloomy expression:
"Why do you do that?"
"Duke Jenn Kelvindir?"
Zhan En's eyebrows couldn't help but fluctuate.
"You have been a prince for six years, and now you are the Duke of Star Lake - no matter how stupid and stupid the Yankees are, they should have taught you: there are some things that we cannot help ourselves."
Duke Iris's eyes were completely cold, and his tone was no longer polite:
"Things that happened back then should not be extended to the present, nor should they be implicated in others."
One yard owned by a yard?
Thales smiled.
The prince's expression also darkened, his eyes showing coldness:
"Tell me, Zhan, even now, have you ever thought about..."
"Back then, if I hadn't appeared, or I would have simply died at the hands of a vampire or an Exeter."
Thales raised his chin toward the banquet hall:
"Then today, with this title, occupying this manor, sitting in this position, watching the bustling guests below..."
"Is it going to be you?"
Zhan looked up suddenly!
"Tiles, this is the last time, carefully consider your decision," Duke Iris gritted his teeth, implicitly threatening:
"I have made enough concessions and my proposals are sincere enough."
"Don't force me to become your enemy, you won't think of that step."
But Thales responded with a sneer.
"Last time? Concession?"
Thales clicked his tongue and shook his head:
"'If you don't cooperate with me, I will become your enemy.' Do you call this a concession?"
Zhan En stared at him intently. The friendly smiling Duke of Iris had long since disappeared.
"I have never forced you, Zhan. Your so-called 'forced'," Thales said coldly: "It's just that you can't withstand the fluctuations of the outside world, and it's also a choice you made."
"On the contrary, from the past to the present, from beginning to end, you have been forcing me."
Thales said with a warning:
"And everyone must pay the price for their choices."
At this moment, the two looked at each other, and the temperature seemed to have dropped to the extreme.
Zhan snorted angrily.
"When you were young, you were probably carefree and fearless."
"But when you grow up, experience, and have more, maybe you will understand that friends are much more important than enemies."
Zhan whispered:
"It's better to be friends than to die because of enemies."
But Thales smiled.
"Did you know that when I first arrived in Longxiao City, the arrogant Nun VII also threatened me in this way: either I will cooperate or I will die."
Zhan En's eyes moved.
Thales' smile cooled:
"Guess what happened to him that night?"
"Jane Kevin Deal, how much harder is your head than his?"
Zhan said nothing.
But in the next second, the anger on his face melted like ice and snow, turning into a smile.
It was as if the elegant, civilized, gentle and friendly Duke of Iris was back.
But at that moment, Thales felt a chill surge inside him.
"Tell me, Your Highness."
Zhan En's smile did not diminish, and he said every word:
"You went to the north and lived peacefully for six years. Did you really become strong, fearless, tough and strong?"
Thales frowned.
"No, the truth is, you actually know it very well."
"In the past six years, you have been alone in an enemy country, but you have still been able to return safely without fear. What's more, you are able to achieve glory, fame and fortune today because of the strong backing you rely on - because of his supreme crown and power.
Rod."
Thales was shocked.
Zhan's dangerous smile made Thales extremely uneasy:
"And now, when you, as the heir of the kingdom, escape from danger, return to the shadow of the kingdom, the shadow of the throne, and the vision of royal power..."
Duke Iris chuckled and said:
"Guess what, that strong backing will give you unreserved protection and support due to the situation between us and the enemy?"
"And you, you can still, dare to repeat the masterpiece that you are famous for, like rejecting King Nunn, like defeating King Charmaine..."
"Reject him and force him?"
At that moment, there seemed to be some kind of power that tightly bound Thales from the inside out.
It made his chest feel heavy and he couldn't move.
"Second Prince? Duke of Star Lake?? Ha, you know it very well, and you are even more afraid of it."
Thales breathed hard.
As if he smelled Thales' feeling, Zhan's tone began to tighten:
"Believe me, in the Kingdom of Stars, you can be hurt much more than in Exter."
A cold light flashed in his eyes:
"And the people who can hurt you are much more powerful than the archdukes in the North."
Thales stared at him without saying a word.
"How does it feel, Your Highness? When this happens to you?"
Duke Kevin Deere tutted:
"This feeling of having your disguise and cover ripped away, your vitals pressed, unprotected, and threatened?"
Thales tried his best to resist the urge to turn around and get angry.
"Threat?" Thales knew that he could not show weakness, let alone reveal any clues. He said calmly: "No, Your Excellency the Duke."
"You must know that it is not me you are threatening, but the Bright Star Royal Family, and even more so my father."
Zhan chuckled lightly.
"Then go tell him."
The smile in his eyes made Thales very uncomfortable:
"Tell him that the Duke of Nan'an has a bad relationship with you. When everyone loves you, pleases you, and relies on you... he dares to make rude remarks and malicious threats."
"Look at your father, look at our King who loves his people like a son. Is he inclined to stand up for his son in order to fulfill you, love you, and support you?"
"Or would you rather regard me as a good ax in this kingdom that can beat you, threaten you, and suppress you?"
The chill in Thales' heart reached its peak.
It has never diminished slightly.
It was an unbearable bone-chilling cold when the mask, disguise, armor and clothing were completely torn apart.
"As I said, this has nothing to do with our family, so there is no need to involve it," Zhan En shook his head gently:
"But you have to be stubborn and insist on your own way."
Thales looked at him sharply.
"Then what can you do?"
Duke Xinghu bit out the words between his teeth, but he knew that this counterattack was powerless:
"Send another female vampire to kill me? Kill his heir?"
"Let's see, how will my father react?"
Zhan responded with a sneer.
"Didn't we try it once?" Jann Kevin Dill said with his tongue:
"You're injured and he's benefiting - isn't that quite satisfying to him?"
Thales' breathing was stagnant.
"So, is this a declaration of war?" the prince gritted his teeth.
Zhan stood up gently, still friendly and friendly.
"No, of course not."
Zhan En answered with a spring breeze on his face, then turned into a chill:
"That's next time."
"And believe me, I can do much more than that."
Thales clenched his fists.
"Then, I wish you a pleasant night, His Highness the Duke of Xinghu."
The Duke of Iris, Jann Cavendier salutes gracefully and sarcastically says his final farewell:
"I wish you would rather be friends..."
"Don't surrender to your enemies."
Thales looked at Zhan's retreating back and tried his best to return to being the qualified owner of Mindis Hall.
But he found that it wasn't that easy.
Jenn Kevin Deere.
What on earth is this guy crazy about?
During the banquet, as King Kessel left, elderly people such as Prime Minister Cullen also left one after another, but most of the guests were still present, drinking and talking and laughing.
Because of the elder's departure, the banquet hall became even noisier, and the laughter and shouting became more crazy and unbridled.
The man holding the flag was urging Duke Arend to leave, but the latter was hesitant and obviously did not have much spirit to cooperate.
Most of the seven servants of Bright Star still stayed in their original positions, seemingly determined to show their attitude towards the Duke of Star Lake.
The only thing that makes Thales happy is that because the carnival in the banquet hall has reached a new stage, no one comes to disturb His Highness.
Mallos finally had the opportunity to come up and report to him.
"You and Duke Kevin Deere seemed to have a good chat?"
Thales snorted softly and tried his best to suppress his emotions:
"very nice."
"We are old acquaintances and old friends."
He's so old that he explodes when teased.
Mallos looked at Zhan's back, thoughtfully:
"Then, Your Highness, if you have any questions, you may wish to ask your friend, the security officer."
Friend the police officer...
Thales was stunned:
"What?"
"You mean—Cohen?"
Mallos nodded:
"The Karabyan family in Wola has always been the pillar of the South Bank. They have been friends with the Kevin Deere family in Emerald City for generations. I can't know them better."
"Especially," Mallos looked at Thales, who was expressionless, and then looked at Duke Iris in the distance:
"Relieve grudges and make peace in the middle."
"Of course, when I say 'ask for advice', I mean contacting his father through the police officer Cohen Karabiyan, and then asking for advice."
Not that stupid big guy.
Relieve grudges...
Thales was shocked.
He quickly pinched his face to make sure he didn't show any hatred or anger:
"Is it so obvious?"
"No, you did a good job and improved compared to last time," Mallos said calmly, confirming that his senses were still sharp:
"It's just that you know, I'm, um, more sensitive to the emotions and atmosphere around me."
Thales sighed.
"Okay, speaking of this... where's the assassin?"
Mallos was silent for a while.
"We are fully prepared and have been waiting for him to show up."
The watchman was still calm, but Thales, who had been with him for a long time, still felt that Mallos was not happy at the moment.
"But until His Majesty has left..."
Mallos said calmly:
"To be honest, if he doesn't show up again, I will start to wonder if I am too nervous."
"Oh? That's a rare display of self-knowledge on your part, Marius."
The two of them turned back together: Vogel, the deputy guard captain, walked forward with a frown and saluted Thales:
"Your Highness, although His Majesty has left, I have been assigned to stay with some people until the end of the banquet to ensure your safety."
Thales forced a smile:
"thank you."
"No need to thank me," Vogel looked at Mallos dissatisfied:
"I want to thank someone for his selfless advice and hard work."
Mallos' face was expressionless.
Glover and Doyle both returned, but their reward was that everything was still normal.
"Perhaps he gave up after His Majesty left."
Thales pinched his forehead tiredly. From Selma to Zhan, his head was now so full that he didn't want to talk about the assassin at all:
"It doesn't matter, this is a good thing."
"Or he is still waiting, including waiting for His Majesty to leave," Mallos looked around the banquet, seemingly unwilling:
"And now is the time to take action."
Vogel snorted sarcastically from his nose.
Thales could only fake a smile helplessly.
"After His Majesty leaves...so you mean, he should come to kill me?"
"Or, a certain Duke present?"
Mallos did not answer.
Thales sincerely looks forward to:
For example, the guy named Kevin Deere?
On the other side, Duke Zhan returned to his seat and greeted everyone with a smile and kindness.
Amazing as always.
His old butler, Ashford, poured a glass of wine for his master without saying a word.
It was Zhan who spoke first:
"Ashford, when you get back, check the collection of books at home—I mean, banned books, no matter how old they are."
Ashford nodded expressionlessly:
"What do you want to check?"
"A mage," Zhan En said lightly:
"Call Hegel."
Ashford frowned slightly, but said nothing.
mage.
magic.
Zhan En was silently disdainful in his heart.
Damn the shining star royal family.
Really, I dare to teach my children and grandchildren everything.
Zhan En thought so and looked towards Duke Xinghu.
Coincidentally, Thales was also looking at Duke Iris at the same time.
Their eyes met in the air, one was friendly, the other was indifferent.
But equally complex.
Both of them were at a loss in their hearts.
As if there was a tacit understanding, they all smiled at each other and nodded at the same time.