"Rumble..."
A heavy, gilded four-wheeled carriage, drawn by six tall black horses, swiftly passed through the city gate, steered by a strong and young coachman, heading towards the city center’s City Hall. The rest of the carriages followed closely behind.
In front of the City Hall, Shalin’s managent staff stood ready at the entrance to welco the arrival of the carriages. After all, Shalin is nominally part of the Alliance and should show importance when the Alliance officially sends people to visit.
However, it was no surprise that Lord Richard did not attend the welcoming ceremony. Leading the reception was Moli, who held the actual status of Vice Lord, followed by her subordinates, various departnt heads, and others.
A gentle breeze blew as Moli, dressed in a sky-blue formal gown, stood below the steps in front of the City Hall. She squinted slightly, listening to her subordinate beside her—Witch Su—who was telling her about so aspects of Honored Duke Cyril Sack.
"Princess, according to intelligence, this Cyril Sack has always been kind and gentle during his ti in power, with no political enemies. That’s why he has survived in court for so long and could retire smoothly. Given his age, his personality should be even more docile. Unless sothing unexpected happens, our reception this ti should likely go smoothly. Maybe... Shaya sent him to ease relations with us, Shalin?"
"Let’s hope..." Moli softly parted her lips and said, looking towards the road ahead. Her eyelashes fluttered as she spoke, "Here they co."
Sure enough, in the next mont, the "Rumble" of wheels could be heard, and a large convoy appeared in view.
The lead carriage approached the City Hall slowly, then stopped. The coachman jumped down and placed a silver-patterned wooden stool, and the front carriage door creaked open as Cyril Sack erged.
Cyril Sack was dressed in a gold-embroidered suit with silver trimmings, wearing a monocle polished from crystal. A golden chain slipped out of the pocket on his chest. Anyone knowledgeable would know that the end of that chain was attached to the latest, most precious golden "Golden Needle Pocket Watch" manufactured in Shalin. Even in Shalin, the place of origin, it was extrely expensive, and if sold elsewhere, the price would be at least tripled.
With a full head of white hair and deeply wrinkled face, Cyril Sack’s light blue eyes showed neither signs of aging but rather amiability and wisdom, reminding people of a wise man guiding one’s life, eliciting involuntary goodwill.
Gently resting a hand on the carriage wall, Cyril Sack stepped onto the wooden stool, smiling as he descended from the carriage, looking towards the Shalin managent staff. After scanning everyone, his gaze settled on Moli.
Moli stepped forward, extending her hand proactively, saying, "Duke Sake, I am Moli, Vice Lord of Shalin. Welco to Shalin."
In her opinion, since Cyril Sack was willing to wear a watch produced in Shalin at such an occasion, it indicated so goodwill towards Shalin. He also left the accompanying guard soldiers in the designated camp outside the city as requested by Shalin, which could be evidence. Perhaps Su was right; Shaya intended to ease relations by sending him. Following Richard’s instructions, Shalin genuinely hoped things would progress in this direction and aid to cooperate with the other party, making a warm welco only natural.
Seeing Moli extend a hand of goodwill, Cyril Sack blinked and likewise extended his hand, although his movent was a bit slow. While reaching out, he spoke, "I also appreciate your welco... it’s just that..."
Mid-sentence, Cyril Sack’s tone changed, looking at Moli he said, "It’s just that, logically, it should be Lord Richard welcoming . As for you... Miss Moli, I’ve heard of you; for three years, you’ve indeed been handling the Lord’s duties, but you are not Shalin’s Lord.
You have not been recognized by the Alliance, you hold no title from the Alliance, and you aren’t even an Alliance person, but a Princess of the Sika Kingdom. To speak of it, an Alliance person visiting the territory of an Alliance’s hero and shaking hands with a Sika person feels sowhat inappropriate.
Don’t misunderstand, Miss Moli; I am not discriminating against your identity. Theoretically, your bloodline from the Sika Royal Family can only be rivaled by the Royal Family mbers of the Alliance, but it indeed feels a bit improper. So, this handshake, let’s skip it, allowing a simple thanks for your and others’ welco."
Cyril Sack’s slowly extended hand stopped before touching Moli, then retracted beside him. Though still smiling, in Moli’s eyes, Cyril Sack’s face was far from amiable, full of ugliness.
No matter the amount of intelligence or outward friendliness, the attitude is evident, discernible just from a eting... Moli’s fingers curled slightly, withdrawing her hand, squeezing out an understanding smile, "In that case, let’s proceed according to the Honored Duke’s wishes. May I ask, what would Duke Sake like to do next? I could show you around Atlantis, or take you to places of interest."
"That won’t be necessary," Cyril Sack maintained his smile, "I’m rather curious about what Lord Richard is busy with, why he didn’t co. Is sothing holding him up?"
"I’m sorry, Honored Duke, I’m not sure either. Perhaps when you see Lord Richard, you can ask him directly," Moli replied.
"Today, I’d like to et with Lord Richard to discuss the matters His Majesty entrusted with during this visit to Shalin. Is that possible?" Cyril Sack asked, his tone diplomatic but with a sowhat stern implication, "After all, these are matters His Majesty has instructed on, and I can’t focus on other things until they are resolved."
Moli pursed her lips, looking at Cyril Sack she spoke, "Since the Honored Duke wishes to et Lord Richard, I will certainly inform him. However... the exact situation of Lord Richard is unknown to , so I can’t give you a confident answer imdiately."
"In that case, please take to the reception area, and I’ll wait there until Lord Richard is available to et ," Cyril Sack stated.
"Certainly, I’ll take the Honored Duke to the reception area right away."
"Thank you, Miss Moli," Cyril Sack nodded with a smile, turning to step onto the carriage.
The coachman casually picked up the wooden stool, jumped onto the carriage, holding the reins tightly, looking directly at Moli. The attendants on Cyril Sack’s subsequent carriage also looked over as if Moli really had beco a dedicated guide at that mont.
Moli felt a slight annoyance within, but after poking her palm with her index finger, she refrained from losing her composure, working hard to maintain a smile.
"Alright, please follow ," Moli uttered, walking towards the side.
"Rumble..." The convoy followed.
...
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