"Thank you, I'm fine, it's okay, I just have to... Damn, this chair was just ordered not long ago..."
Thales held Miranda's hand and used his strength to struggle up from the broken chair.
Miranda quietly looked at the boy in front of her, who was probably a teenager now. She looked at him with a rich expression and he was pulling the fallen chair in embarrassment.
This reminded her of the Haoyue Temple seven years ago, the little boy standing on the wooden box covered in dirt, but still waving his immature fists and roaring "Are you coming?"
Miranda unconsciously raised the corners of her mouth.
"Okay, I give up. I'll have to ask them to find another carpenter next time..." After a moment of confusion, Thales could only raise his hands helplessly and declare the end of the chair's life.
The moment the young Duke raised his head, Miranda's smile disappeared:
"Now, Your Highness, can we get back to the topic?"
Main topic.
"What? Oh, yes, that's right, so what we just talked about is..."
【Do you want to marry me?】
Thinking of this, Thales looked solemn and his voice became lowered:
"Are you kidding me, Ms. Miranda Allender?"
Marry Miranda?
It feels like...the bargaining chip he once used to threaten others, um, has come true?
The next second, he seemed to see Raphael Lindbergh appearing in front of him, his eyes glowing red and a malicious sneer.
This made Thales look tense.
Facing the tense-looking Duke, Miranda looked as calm as ever:
"No, this is not a joke. Even if it is, it's not funny."
It seems you know it too.
At that moment, Thales had countless thoughts running through his mind (including "She is teaming up with that desolate boy to take revenge on me"). He took a deep breath and straightened his back.
"Well, if this is not a joke, then my suggestion is: I will go to Sister Valencia and Mallos first, and maybe also Stork from the logistics wing. We have to have a meeting to study the livelihood issues around Xinghu Castle, especially
It is the quality supervision of traditional handicraft products, and by the way, we will deal with this chair or the remaining parts of it."
Miranda said nothing.
"As for you, Ms. Allende, who is visiting from the Standing Army Camp of Broken Dragon Fortress, as a typical example of promoting the family life of soldiers and civilians and the heart-to-heart connection in the Central North, went to the kitchen to ask for a cup of mate tea, and then..."
Thales waved his hand and pointed decisively at the door:
"Come to me again when you sober up."
Just kidding, this Duke is in an important position, with heavy responsibilities on his shoulders, and many things to deal with every day. He also has far-reaching issues like the end of the world and tailbone pain to deal with...
But Miranda didn't leave.
Instead, she looked at Thales carefully from head to toe, as if inspecting goods.
"But you haven't answered me yet."
The female swordsman's words were cold and her eyes were compelling:
"You, Thales Bright Star, do you want to be my husband?"
fuck me
No, no, no.
Thales took a deep breath and kept reminding himself that he was now the Duke of Star Lake. He should maintain due courtesy and grace and pay attention to the rhythm of his speech:
"I'll be your fucking sister."
Miranda was stunned for a moment and didn't know why.
But the next second, Thales grabbed the female swordsman's arm and pulled her aside.
"Are you crazy?"
Thales lowered his voice and looked at the door warily:
"I'm going to marry you? Do you know that just saying these words will cause an uproar? The relationship between Canxing and Yalunde, Fuxing Palace and the North..."
"Do you know what will happen if what you say here spreads outside? And do you know who is responsible for collecting and processing this information and public opinion in the Kingdom Secret Service?"
Miranda looked at him, her expression unchanged, but she slowly released the hilt of the sword.
"You are just like before, Your Highness," the female swordsman snorted in response. "You are especially talkative when you are nervous, and you always talk nonsense that others cannot understand."
Am I nervous? Am I talkative?
That's because you haven't seen "Prince's butt" before.
Thales originally looked cold, but when he looked at Miranda, he recalled the scene of them living and dying together, especially her life experience and her father's misfortune, and he couldn't help but sigh.
"All right."
Thales pulled her to the window, as far away from the door as possible, and then breathed out impatiently:
"Tell me, what happened? Is it the anniversary of the breakup or a revenge cheating? Are you so anxious to find a new love?"
Miranda stared at him carefully and frowned.
"Hey! Don't let Mr. Raphael Lindbergh secretly go to Red Square Street to flirt."
Thales clapped his hands and said sarcastically with a feeling of comfort: "As a result, records and witnesses were left behind. You found out and want to break up?"
Seeing Thales going back and forth and deliberately using another name to change the topic, Miranda snorted coldly.
"This has nothing to do with him."
Thales shrugged:
"Of course, I'm sorry. It's my fault. I forgot that you are an independent girl, so no matter what happens, you will not punish yourself for the faults of others, especially your ex-boyfriend, and you will not trouble others."
But Miranda's expression turned cold. She took out a letter and a portrait from her bag and thrust them into Thales's arms:
"It has something to do with you."
Thales was stunned.
He lowered his head and unfolded the letter in his arms:
"This is……"
"A letter of greetings from you 'personally'."
Miranda said disdainfully:
"Not only did he describe in detail the seven-hundred-year-old friendship between the Canxing and Alende families, which included many well-matched and admirable marriages, but he also complimented my family, reputation, appearance, and achievements, and also kindly asked questions.
It has affected my physical health, mental mood, and finally quoted an ancient love poem to express your longing for me, lamenting your loneliness for many years of being single. By the way, I also asked for a recent portrait of me."
At that moment, Thales was petrified on the spot.
His previous endless majesty and coldness suddenly turned into full of embarrassment and embarrassment.
"This, maybe it's just daily..."
Miranda ignored him and continued speaking:
"Maester Alpassoni said that according to the tradition of the kingdom, this is the de facto 'marriage notice'."
Thales swallowed unnaturally:
"Actually, no, then..."
"Of course, Lord Bustamante eliminated all polite words and rhetoric and summed it up for me in one sentence," Miranda glanced at him sideways:
"Are you ready for breeding?"
It's really my problem.
Thales put down the letter expressionlessly, and the room became completely quiet.
Kessel Brightstar, I am your sworn enemy.
"Well, dear Miss Allender."
Thales tried his best to ignore the furious God of War Thales who was destroying the world with magic power exploding in his mind. He suppressed the urge to break into the Renaissance Palace again, smiled gently and kindly:
"If I said that this was all my father's intention, and I didn't know anything about this thing in advance, it painted me really well, would you believe it?"
"What does your father mean?"
Miranda stared at him, her sharp eyes seeming to see through more things.
After a while, she took off her sword, held it up with one hand, and sat on the window sill.
"I believe."
Thales breathed a sigh of relief, finally letting the red-eyed Raphael dissipate in his heart.
"Ah, well, now that the misunderstanding has been resolved...in fact, I am preparing for a trip, why don't we talk about it later..."
"So, Thales Bright Star," Miranda spoke again, this time, she was extremely serious, "Do you want me to be your queen?"
Thales paused again.
Damn it.
Thales sighed. He no longer looked as majestic as before, and could only show a helpless smile: "You have asked this question before."
"I don't," Miranda said coldly, "They are different problems."
Thales' smile disappeared.
It seems that at this moment, everything is different.
"What part is different?"
Thales leaned back and sat on the desk: "Is it 'mine' or 'queen'?"
Miranda looked at him for a while, then shook her head lightly.
"It's a pity. If your marriage is true, it can solve many problems, from jurisdiction to inheritance."
Thales was silent after hearing this.
Can solve many problems...
The key is, what is the problem?
"You don't want to sit there."
Thales looked at Miranda who was leaning on the window sill and said dullly:
"When the sun is at its most intense, several cats are used to going outside my study window to enjoy the cool air. The food and water in those bowls are prepared to feed them, lest they take advantage of it and enter the house."
cat?
Miranda frowned, and sure enough she saw several bowls placed by the window.
Thales crossed his arms and sighed: "If they find that the old place is occupied, they, especially the cunning old black cat, will be unhappy, and then they will start to give me a headache."
Miranda was silent for a while.
"It doesn't matter, that's why I carry a sword."
Thales frowned and said:
"Sword? Well, isn't this a bit too cruel?"
"Will it be more cruel than the difficulties you encountered at the royal banquet?"
"Forehead……"
"What's wrong?"
Thales took a deep breath and said seriously:
"Well, Ms. Allender, what I just said was not a political metaphor, but a literal statement that cats really should come here!"
Miranda was immediately stunned.
After this episode, the two people, each with their own concerns, fell into silence again.
Until Miranda spoke again:
"By the way, I went to Sunset Temple a while ago and met Aunt Li Xiya."
"Li Xi who?"
Miranda ignored Thales:
"There are also priests Megan present. For your sake, they have some things that are inconvenient to say to the prince directly, so they asked me to bring them over."
Megan Priest…
Something to say to the prince...
Thales was shocked.
"I'm writing, I'm really writing!"
The prince subconsciously pointed to the theology course copybook on the table: "Tell her she can hand it in tomorrow!"
"Not that!" Miranda gave him a look of disdain.
She said seriously:
"Priest Megan said that the inventory period inside the temple is coming soon. If you can be considerate to Sister Nia and don't want her to rummage through the cabinet every day, please return the three books stolen from the restricted book area quickly."
Um?
Restricted book area, stolen, stolen...
Thales, who was originally relieved, had a smile on his face.
"One is "Gonghai City Enlightenment Collection", and "Hidden Exorcism Record", and the last one is..."
Miranda took out a note:
""Top Secret Notes of the Grand Priest Petruzzelli", wait a minute, Petruzzelli, is he the Grand Priest of the Sunset during the era of King Ascendant? The one who presided over the killing of sons to worship gods."
"Thank you!"
Thales snatched the note and forced a smile:
"I know now!"
Miranda pouted.
"Aunt Li Xiya also said that if you want to borrow some books next time, you don't have to be a thief. You can just say so. Don't worry, she won't tell your father."
Thales felt as if his face was burning.
The atmosphere became a little awkward.
Until Miranda spoke to break the silence.
"I heard from Huaiya that you are going to the south for inspection?"
"Which Huaiya? You mean that Huaiya?" Thales nodded and sighed slightly, "Yes, it's obvious that everyone is busy working on this."
"Since even someone like me, who is known to be 'not suitable for living and not suitable for home', has received it... I guess that many lords in the south have also received your 'Not suitable for breeding'?"
Many lords in the south...
Thales looked like he had eaten a fly.
"About this, it's hard to disobey your father's orders." He said sarcastically.
"And your fate cannot be changed." Miranda's voice was cold, which made Thales's heart tremble.
What on earth did she want to say?
Thales said seriously:
"Look, Miranda, I'm sorry, it's Ms. Arend. I'm grateful that you came to see me, and I'm sorry that my affairs have caused you any inconvenience, but if nothing else..."
"That's enough, I don't want to talk in circles with you anymore."
Miranda interrupted him bluntly, and her next words stunned Thales:
"I'm here to help you."
"Help, help me? Please forgive me, I don't understand very well."
Miranda glanced at him, and with just one glance, she seemed to understand everything.
But it made Thales uneasy.
"Stop pretending, you are definitely not going to the south for a blind date," the female swordsman said firmly, "According to your habits, wherever you go, there will be no peace in the royal capital, fortress, Longxiao City, or in the Western Wilderness."
ah?
Thales was stunned for a moment, then reluctantly picked up his chair: "Star Lake Castle is very peaceful."
Only a few mice died.
At most two more chairs can be added.
But Miranda ignored him:
"And no matter what you want to do that is not easy to say, you need trustworthy and capable people, preferably acquaintances who have worked together before, or even experienced life and death together."
"So, I will go with you on this journey."
An inconvenient thing to talk about...
Damn it, what does she know?
At that moment, Thales and Miranda's eyes met.
"Since you don't like to talk in circles, Miss Arend," Thales said doubtfully, "I know that our experience in Longxiao City was unforgettable, but it seems that our friendship is not good enough to help each other thousands of miles away?"
Miranda did not answer immediately, but stared at him closely. Her eyes were different from others, calm, cold, sharp, and with a hint of alienation.
By the way, the Duke suddenly remembered that although the girl in front of him belonged to the stars, Arund was from the North. Many times, Thales couldn't help but forget this, and regarded her more as a typical "imperial guy".
Finally, Miranda spoke softly:
"If you have to give me a reason, Cohen told me that the prince was in a difficult situation and needed help, but unfortunately he didn't have enough people around him or, to quote his words, 'were all idiots.'"
"Cohen?"
Thales was stunned when he heard this.
Did he ask Miranda to come?
He subconsciously asked what was on his mind: "He, how is he doing lately?"
"It's pretty good," Miranda said solemnly, "First I was transferred from the Road Maintenance Section to the Archives Management Office, and my daily work changed from sweeping the floor to drinking tea..."
Yes, thanks to my gift.
Thales felt a little guilty.
Maybe, maybe we should make some connections and transfer him to Xinghu Castle as compensation?
"...until he worked tirelessly to sort through the files and uncovered a large number of old case files full of doubts, involving a large number of retired police officers and magistrates who were enjoying their old age, and even many former high-ranking officials. His boss had no choice but to
He transferred to the Security Officer School under the Knights Academy to train reserve security officers."
After a second of careful consideration, Thales decided to bear the pain and let Cohen continue to gain more experience in the police hall.
"I see."
Thales had a strange feeling in his heart.
"I have to say that I am very grateful and honored, but you are Commander Sonia's right-hand man and general. If I abduct you, she will not..."
"She will," Miranda interrupted, "Sir, she will understand."
She understands better than anyone.
Miranda stared out the window.
Thales paused for a second.
"Are you serious?"
"You want to come...serve me?"
"I have no habit of lying."
"So you're not good at lying either, at least not as good as you think."
At that second, Miranda's eyes sharpened!
Duke Xinghu took a deep breath and felt that the color in the room was getting darker.
"You are not here because of Cohen's request."
Thales straightened his posture and looked at her seriously:
"It's not because he doesn't want to help me, but even if I give that stupid guy twenty more brains, he won't be able to think of it, let alone say, 'The prince is in a difficult situation and urgently needs help.'"
Miranda's brows furrowed even more.
"Seven years ago in Longxiao City, you couldn't deceive Chail Wulard with this 'Eagle Soaring'," Duke Xinghu looked at her coldly, "Seven years later, you can't deceive me either.
"
"Therefore, I have to ask again, and for the last time."
There was a chill in Thales' words:
"Ms. Allender, why do you come here to 'help me'?"
Miranda leaned against the window and said nothing.
Like plum blossoms facing the wind and snow.
But Thales is also very patient.
Finally, the female swordsman spoke expressionlessly:
"Because I'm tired of it."
"Tired of what?"
Miranda suddenly looked up!
"Waiting," she said coldly, "I'm tired of waiting, tired of waiting for opportunities, tired of following the crowd, tired of being a happy, pitiful, innocent, pathetic woman who is content with the status quo and has no consciousness."
Just like the past twenty years.
Miranda did not shy away and met the prince's eyes head on.
Happy, pitiful, innocent, content with the status quo, these words...
Thales frowned slowly.
"what are you saying?"
Miranda sneered:
"everything."
She turned her head and looked at the Star Lake under the sun.
"Seven years ago, my father was imprisoned for murdering a foreign dignitary, that is, the unfortunate Prince Exeter."
"But everyone in the circle knows very well that the crimes of Val Arend, the Iron Eagle, go far beyond that: he colluded with foreign enemies with ulterior motives, committed appalling treason, and almost brought destruction to the lives of the people in the north. He made the kingdom irreversible.
The debt is heavy and the crime cannot be punished."
Thales thought of the Hall of Stars seven years ago, and the scene where the war was imminent and all the ministers forced the palace, and he said nothing.
Miranda's words became more and more depressing:
"Suffering this blow, the Arlend family lost their majesty and reputation. They have suffered countless ridicules in the past seven years. The powerful families who were once friends with each other are even scrambling to distance themselves from Cold Castle and draw a clear line."
She said in despair:
"The fact is that our family name is gradually dimming, and in the north, we no longer look up to the white eagle on the peak of Dead Winter."
Thales spoke in a low voice, but felt uneasy in his heart: "I'm sorry."
"It's not necessary," Miranda categorically denied. "Since we have done it, we should suffer the consequences. This is what we deserve."
The way Thales looked at her, he thought of the Grand Dukes of Exeter who were fighting in the Palace of Heroes in another country.
"So that's why you came to me and even wanted to serve me."
"Do you want to take advantage of Duke Xinghu's power to regain the glory of the White Eagle?"
Miranda nodded, then shook her head.
"more than."
Her eyes flashed:
"You know, you know what else he did."
he?
he.
For some reason, Thales understood: she was not talking about Duke Val.
I saw Miranda leaving the window sill and walking slowly towards Thales.
tread.
Her voice was calm, but her words were heartbreaking:
"He imprisoned my father for a full seven years even though he had brought it upon himself. He neither took his life nor deprived him of his title and status. At the same time, he demonstrated the kindness of the king and the cruelty of the Fuxing Palace."
tread.
"He never explicitly stated the legal legitimacy of me as the first female heir, and he also did not recognize the power of other Arund branch bloodlines to replace me. He allowed us to have disputes and create rifts in the family."
tread.
The steps of the female swordsman of the Arend family seemed to have a certain rhythm. Every step she took was deepening her momentum, which complemented her words:
"He never mentioned or approved my marriage, and even rejected the proposals of thoughtful people, making me gradually become the fruit of power in the North that became more attractive and tempting to pick the longer I delayed it."
tread.
"He also provoked Zemuto and Forris and gave them small favors to fuel their ambitions, making these two northern families second only to Arlend think that they could replace Hanbao's position in the Renaissance Palace."
tread.
Thales only felt that the Sin of Hell River was about to take action, and he had a strong premonition that made him take a deep breath and interrupt the other party:
"The northern territory is geographically critical and the people's customs are fierce. Fuxing Palace naturally needs to be cautious when handling related matters..."
"That's right!"
Miranda spoke sharply, interrupting him.
"The Northern Territory has a special status, and many traditions are different from those in the interior of the kingdom. One of them is that the lords of the Northern Territory do not have to follow the primogeniture system of the Elamite Law. They can even follow the legacy of the Northern Territory and choose their successors. This is quite special."
"Or as the inlanders would say, barbaric and backward."
Northland legacy.
Thales suddenly remembered the Black Sand Territory and how Charmaine Lombard obtained the position of Grand Duke.
"But I know what he's planning," Miranda changed the subject in a sharp and threatening tone, "You know it too."
"He took advantage of the differences and disputes in the inheritance legal system, and also used my gender to hang on to me, the Arlend family, and the entire northern border."
"In order to continue the story of the Blade Leader, in the name of the royal family, he will implement his laws in the north, spread his authority, convey his will, and appoint officials close to the royal family, until the rebellious Cold Castle does what he wants, and in
After Broken Dragon Fortress, it became the second northern camp of Fuxing Palace."
Miranda finally stopped and stopped directly in front of Thales.
She said quietly:
"Until the proud white eagle on the peak of the dead winter becomes a mocking parrot in a pet bird cage."
Thales couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
"So now, I, Miranda Arend, daughter of a Duke, am a sacrifice to the kingdom, an outcast of history, an obstacle to the north. My status is neither high nor low, my rights hang in the balance, and my future is unclear.
.”
Miranda snorted coldly:
"As expected of a father and son, he, like you, knows how to take advantage of women, especially those who are in a vulnerable position, right?"
Thales' eyes moved.
she……
He resisted the urge to retort, but he couldn't stop his depression.
So, Miranda, you came here for...
At this moment, Thales only felt a deep sadness.
"And I'm just... tired of it." Miranda said expressionlessly.
Thales sighed:
"So you just asked me if I wanted you to be my queen. You were looking for...a way out."
Miranda's face darkened, and she nodded:
"Yes, this is indeed the fastest and most labor-saving way to solve the problem."
But then her eyes sharpened:
"But I believe you are not so stupid and short-sighted that you only see my value as a wife and mother."
Listening to her words, Thales thought of his brief encounter with the shackled Duke of the North "Iron Eagle" Val Arend at the royal banquet:
【Please do me one more favor: don’t marry her.】
【If you have to marry, don't leave seeds in her belly.】
Duke Val, you foresaw this scene, you knew this would happen, right?
You know your daughter, you know she's an Arend.
It is the white eagle of the north.
Under the extreme cold, she may retreat temporarily, but she will not be mute for a long time, nor will she bow her head forever.
"So, what do you want?" Thales asked softly.
"Hmph, what do I want?"
Miranda repeated these words, she slowly leaned down and met Thales' eyes.
"It's very simple."
"I am a descendant of White Eagle Arend, and what flows in my veins is the cruel blood of Nolanur Arend, the first marshal under the Restoration Throne seven hundred years ago."
She said in a deep voice:
"I went back and forth between Cold Castle and Broken Dragon Fortress, fighting with the Yankees for nine years. Every general, captain, soldier, messenger, cook and porter in the fortress, and even the prostitutes in the villages outside the fortress
They all know me."
Miranda's expression became more determined:
"I am more of a subordinate and comrade-in-arms of the Flower of the Fortress. Regardless of my reputation, skills, identity, experience, or familiarity with the North, I am always after her, as the kingdom's northern barrier, the best and strongest substitute and
Successor."
At this second, Miranda's eyes were as sharp as knives.
"Looking across the kingdom, no one deserves the title of Duke of the North more than me."
Her voice was as cold as frost.
"No one is more qualified to rule that ancient land than me."
Her words are as thick as mountains.
"No one can use any reason to stop me from defending or even taking back what belongs to me."
Thales said nothing.
At that moment, he was in a trance, as if he were back in the small Ballard Room.
[In order to defeat them, Your Majesty, you must change your strategy... You need them to jump out, stand up, show up.]
Now, they jumped out.
Thales trembled inwardly.
He slowly raised his head and met Miranda's determined expression.
This day came so quickly.
At this moment, "Gortaksa" was in his front pocket, as light as nothing.
[And I will give you unexpected and huge help to help you see through them, disintegrate them, and ultimately destroy them.]
That night, when he reached an agreement with King Kessel, Thales knew the price of doing so.
In other words, he thought he knew.
He thought.
"Now, what do you think?"
While thinking about it, the daughter of the Allende family stared at him: