Is this... the Obedience Ceremony?
Charlotte, now very familiar with the customs of the Mireya world, quickly caught on.
But confusion followed.
In the Dark Night Ancient Castle, she, who could read minds, knew clearly that Sebastian had no desire to get involved in the Bloodline conflicts.
Even if he regarded her as the Evil God of the Bloodline, he only wanted to play the role of a "temporary servant."
Yet, now, looking at the other’s respectful attitude and fanatical expression, that didn’t look like soone who planned to be a temporary servant at all, it looked more like a fan whipped la by deception!
What on earth had happened without her knowledge?
Charlotte was surprised.
She couldn’t be certain what had changed the other’s mind, but one thing was clear, the other seed to be serious.
If he were not serious, he could have exposed her on the spot.
But Charlotte still remained cautious.
Even though she believed the other was serious, she didn’t think it was a good ti to accept his servitude.
Firstly, there were too many people present and, secondly, Blood Summon was not yet fully charged.
People change for a reason, there’s no love without cause, no hatred without a reason, and likewise no servitude without reason...
Currently, she only had one Blood Favored, and although she was already quite interested in Sebastian, she remained calm.
She decided to wait until Blood Summon was activated again, to ascertain his true thoughts in the Dream realm, and only then would she consider his proposition and decide whether to officially sign the Blood Contract.
Being cautious in an otherworldly realm was always good.
Of course, Charlotte couldn’t outwardly reject his servitude without reason.
At this mont, she needed to use the skills she had enjoyed in her previous life.
Thinking this, Charlotte gently lifted her stemd glass, elegantly sipped her milk, and glanced indifferently over at Sebastian kneeling on one knee:
"Before pledging your loyalty to , don’t you have anything else you wish to say?"
Hearing the girl’s calm yet aningful voice made the sweat on Sebastian’s back seep out.
The lady of the Dark Night is unsatisfied with !
Indeed, his impertinent probing must have displeased Her!
Sebastian was full of regret.
He had been so eager to offer his servitude, hoping the Dark Night lady would overlook his earlier offense, but now it seed... the inevitable was still to co.
Thinking this, Sebastian hurriedly bowed his head and braced himself as he said:
"Distinguished and beautiful lady..."
"I hadn’t realized it was the great You before, so I made such a disrespectful gesture..."
"Please forgive Sebastian’s rashness, no matter what punishnt you bestow upon the foolish Sebastian, he is willing to accept it..."
"Hoping only that you would leave a corner at your feet for Sebastian to serve You..."
This guy really knows how to grovel...
Charlotte couldn’t help but glance at him, feeling her silly hair atop her head twitching.
Outwardly, she continued to maintain a cool deanor:
"Oh? You an to say that if it had been just an ordinary human girl, you would have felt free to probe her mories at a banquet?"
Sebastian’s sweat broke out once again.
He swallowed hard, his expression fraught with terror as he bent even lower:
"No... both are disrespectful..."
"It was Sebastian’s arrogance, it was Sebastian’s rashness..."
Feeling the ti was about right, Charlotte slowly withdrew her gaze and took another sip of milk.
Afterward, she said lightly:
"You are indeed rash. If I were you, I wouldn’t vow allegiance at soone else’s birthday celebration."
Hearing this, Sebastian’s gaze imdiately dimd.
"However..."
The girl’s tone shifted:
"Seeing how proactively you have co forward, I will give you a chance to show whether you have the qualifications and stature to beco a Favored."
Favored... Favored?!
Hearing this, Sebastian’s eyes almost instantly brightened:
"Distinguished lady! Sebastian is willing to undergo any test you set for ! Please command as you will!"
Charlotte laughed softly and responded faintly:
"Your test has been given long ago."
Sebastian was taken aback.
Then, he quickly realised that the Dark Night lady was referring to the search for the cursed pages!
"Of course, that’s not enough; that was just part of our deal. You have offended and made unhappy. As to how to please , that will depend on your actions to co."
As she spoke, the girl drank the rest of the milk in her glass, elegantly setting it aside on a nearby table, then said with a faint smile:
"I allow you to stay by my side temporarily, and you will need to satisfy my every need as much as possible."
"There are so things I won’t say outright, but you need to understand, to think, to act on your own."
"Do not cause any trouble for my identity, I would be very unhappy, after all... I am but an innocent and pure little girl."
She is willing to let stay by her side!
He is willing!
Although it is only temporary, this is my chance!
Sebastian beca instantly excited, completely unaware that his oath of loyalty had turned into an all-out effort to please the other in order to gain her approval.
"Rise, always kneeling like this doesn’t look good to others."
Charlotte suddenly reverted to her innocent young girl deanor, smiling brightly and cheerfully.
She smiled at !
She asked to stand!
There is still room for in her heart; I still have a chance!
Sebastian’s heart raced as he gazed at the girl’s charming smile.
"Yes, noble and beautiful lady!"
"Just call Charlotte."
"Yes, noble and beautiful Lord Charlotte!"
Charlotte: ...
Sebastian stood up, respectfully staying half a step behind the young girl.
At that mont, more fervent noise and cheers ca from the entrance of the hall.
The Bold Duke had arrived.
Escorted by over a dozen court nobles, the master of the duchy, the focus of the banquet, finally made his entrance, followed by a young noble of so notoriety for being a troublemaker, the Tulip Count.
The band’s music grew louder, and all the nobles bowed respectfully to Bold’s lion, including Charlotte.
However, the girl noticed that the duke did not seem too pleased, especially when his gaze swept across the few empty seats reserved for the kingdom’s lords.
Clearly, the lords from outside the duchy had not attended this birthday banquet.
The old duke’s displeasure was fleeting, quickly replaced with a warm smile.
He first gracefully addressed the Great Priest surrounded by priests and then turned to greet the excited nobles, taking a glass of red wine from the deacon, downing it in one go, and then loudly exclaid:
"For Bold!"
"For Bold!"
The nobles erupted into cheers.
The music reached its climax, igniting the atmosphere of the banquet, and the entire hall burst into enthusiastic applause and praises for the duke.
Not until the Bold Duke lightly raised his hand to quell the noise did the hall gradually beco silent again.
He first gave a smiling nod to the guests, his aged voice filled with vigor:
"Honorable Great Priest Linus, distinguished guests, I am very grateful for your presence at this humble birthday banquet."
"On behalf of the Bold family, I express our sincerest thanks to all."
No sooner had he spoken than another round of enthusiastic cheers broke out across the hall, cries of "For Bold" and "Long live Bold" ringing out.
Only when the old duke again raised his hand to settle the crowd did the hall return to tranquility.
He smiled slightly and continued:
"Additionally... before we comnce the banquet, I have an important announcent to make."
After saying this, his gaze swept over the crowd, pausing briefly on Charlotte, giving her a reassuring look.
Then, the old duke gestured to a knight by his side, who nodded slightly and whispered sothing to the plump steward Bruno in the corner.
Bruno’s eyes lit up.
He quickly looked around and soon found Linus, who was standing eagerly beside the knight Kara and forcefully pulled him up to the front platform.
As Linus appeared on stage, looking utterly bewildered, the old duke smiled affectionately.
He drew him close and announced to the crowd:
"Ladies and gentlen, after so many days together, I believe everyone is quite familiar with Linus..."
"He is my only son, born into poverty but possessed of a resilient will and unwavering faith, having beco a Silver Moon Knight at a young age, and is also a devout Holy believer!"
"After consulting with the Holy Royal Court, my family, the Bold family, has decided that today, under the witness of the Holy Light, we will bestow upon my son Linus the honor of nobility, relieve him from the ’Holy Code’ punishnt, grant him a legitimate family na, and restore his right of inheritance!"
"And I also declare that from this day forth, Linus will be the primary successor to the Bold Duchy!"
The hall erupted into turmoil.
So nobles shifted uneasily, so displayed anger, so were thoughtful, and others cheered in excitent.
The Tulip Count, standing behind the old duke, also paused, but he quickly realized what was happening and let out a long sigh of relief.
However, the old duke’s speech was not yet over.
He glanced at Charlotte in the crowd, signaling for silence, and then with a pointed tone, said:
"Furthermore, I have already discussed with the head of the Castel family..."
"The Castel family will continue to be under the protection of Bold as they have been in the past and will be in the future; together we shall share in Bold’s glory."
"Let it be known to all..."
Upon hearing this deliberately ambiguous statent, the hall fell silent.
Countless gazes fell on Charlotte, who suddenly beca the focus of the entire banquet.
Charlotte’s heart sank slightly, and she cursed inwardly:
Such a nuanced implication...
What an old fox!
————
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