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The bright morning light poured into Red Maple Manor, the crystalline dewdrops gave off a little glow, like pure diamonds, adorning this elegant manor like a fairyland.

After a heavy rain, the air became extraordinarily fresh, filled with the fragrance of flowers and grass everywhere.

Colin took a deep breath, stretching lazily in the rising morning sun.

He felt refreshingly clear-headed.

“Good morning, Prince Topaz!”

“Good morning, Viscount Angler! You seem to be in a good mood today!” Prince Topaz looked at the cheerful Colin somewhat strangely.

Since Vera’s coming-of-age ceremony, while they wouldn’t draw swords at each other’s sight, they definitely would not greet each other warmly either.

“Haha, of course! This is all thanks to your hospitality!” Colin laughed, his face full of sincerity.

“I am honored to please you, Viscount!” Prince Topaz found Colin a bit overly enthusiastic, but didn’t pay too much attention to it.

He felt, as the victor, he should be magnanimous.

The Half-Elf Prince was obviously dressed up in royal ceremonial attire today.

Especially the green circlet of thorns he wore on his head—it drew Colin’s attention.

Noticing Colin staring at his headpiece, Prince Topaz adjusted it, and explained:

“This is a tradition of our Half-Elf Kingdom. The royal children need to wear a circlet of thorns when entering Silver Moon City. It symbolizes responsibility and sacrifice.

“Oh–” Colin held back his amusement, “Indeed very beautiful! Do you know in my hometown, green symbolizes luck.”

“Really? Then thank you for your blessings! I’ll go greet Miss Vera. Please feel free, Sir.” Prince Topaz passed by Colin, but after a few steps reminded him,

“Oh, by the way, please watch out when you are strolling in the garden today.”

“What happened?”

“I’m afraid some beast has gotten in.”

“A beast?”

“Yes, last night a long-tailed kite was found with its throat bitten and blood drained. I’m not sure what beast did it.”

“That’s terrible!” Colin exclaimed in pretense.

Prince Topaz looked furious: “Sigh, that kite was my mother’s cherished pet, she’s going to be heartbroken for a while. That damned beast, once I find it, I swear I will tear it into pieces!”

“Yes, the damned beast!” Colin echoed as if the kite had nothing to do with him. “I’m going to have breakfast in the front hall first. Good luck!”

Bidding farewell to Prince Topaz, Colin blissfully hummed a tune and briskly headed to the restaurant.

There was already someone at the long table in the hall.

“Good morning, Viscount!”

“Good morning, Knight St. Hilde.”

Colin felt that the knight from the St. Hilde family was giving him strange looks, but he still calmly sat down for breakfast.

The breakfast was abundant.

Colin ate indifferently.

Just when he had put some food into his stomach and was about to leave, Prince Topaz came into the hall.

“Miss Vera is feeling a little unwell, so, I’m afraid we won’t be able to depart today.”

Upon hearing Prince Topaz’s words, the way Knight St. Hilde was looking at Colin was even stranger.

However, Colin, as the culprit behind all this, seemed to have no idea and even asked with a worried look, “Miss Vera is alright, isn’t she?”

“I reckon she’s fine. Probably it’s because of the thunderstorm last night disrupting her sleep.” Prince Topaz answered casually, not noticing the strangeness of the knight.

“Don’t worry, I will arrange for a priest to attend Miss Vera.”

“Thank you for your trouble.”

“That’s what I should have done.”

After Prince Topaz left, Knight Terlde turned to Colin with a grin. “Viscount

Angler, the rain was rather heavy last night, wasn’t it?”

Colin nodded cheerfully, pretending not to understand the hidden meaning in his words, “Indeed, I didn’t get a good night’s sleep.”

Before Knight Terlde could say anything more, a certain guilty party hastily set down his cutlery, stood up and took his leave, “Well, I’d better go have a nap.

Please, carry on.”

So, due to Vera’s condition, the marriage envoy stayed an extra day at the Red Maple Manor.

They set off again only on the third day.

The Half-Elf Prince was still dressed in his finest, with a green thorny ring on his head.

“Good morning, Your Highness! Have they caught that damn beast yet?”

“Good morning, Viscount,” replied Prince Topaz, shaking his head. “Not yet. Moreover, another pedigree dog was tragically mauled last night. It’s truly despicable!”

“What?” Colin exclaimed in surprise, “That’s really too much!”

“I’ve fortified security measures in the manor. If that beast dares to come out tonight, it definitely won’t be able to escape!”

“Yes, there is no way it can escape.” Colin thoughtfully nodded, then lightly spurred his horse’s belly, “Let’s set out, Your Highness.”

“Okay.”

By that afternoon, the marriage envoy had arrived at Silver Moon City.

If Ice Rock City could be considered a bustling trade city on the border, and Winterfell City the imposing city of the king, then Silver Moon City was a breathtakingly beautiful Garden City.

This ancient city, weathered by a thousand years, has been the political, economic, and cultural center of the Half-Elf Kingdom since its inception, and can be deemed the holy city of the Half-Elf Clan.

In order to adorn it beautifully, the Half-elves really put a lot of effort.

The exquisitely crafted buildings are a given, but even any open corner on the street has been planted with trees, flowers, and greenery by the Half-Elves.

This garden-like city has left many bards charmed, spreading its beauty and tranquility everywhere, making its fame echo throughout the continent.

However, the consequence of prioritizing beauty is that Silver Moon City has almost no military value.

Take, for example, the city walls enlaced by wisteria, they might be appealing, but during a war, they simply make perfect climbing ladders for the besiegers.

And as for that Crystal City Gate, emitting a rainbow of colors under the sunlight, Colin seriously doubted whether it could withstand a charge from heavily-armored cavalry.

In fact, Colin was quite mistaken.

Although the city walls and gate of Silver Moon City appear fragile, they’ve never been destroyed in war.

That’s because every time enemies lay siege to the city, Silver Moon City promptly surrenders without a fight.

To quote the words of the Half-Elves –

“We cannot bear to let this beautiful city experience the atrocities of war.”

Thus, despite Silver Moon City being as fragile as a pretty vase, it wonderfully preserves the masterpieces of generations of Half-Elf architects, which can be hailed as a miracle in the history of cultural heritage preservation.

The one to receive them at the city gate was the Prime Minister of the Half-Elf Kingdom – Duke Miller.

“Honorable Viscount Angler, welcome to our city. The King and Queen have been waiting for you in the palace for some time.”

“Duke, you’re too courteous.” Colin casually returned Duke Miller’s greetings, naturally conveying a trace of pride.

At this point, he was representing the Empire’s North Territory, and there was absolutely no need to be overly polite to a Duke from a vassal state.

Of course, Duke Miller wouldn’t take offense. As the Prime Minister of a small state, he’d long learned to prostrate himself before the envoys of a powerful country.

After he greeted Prince Topaz, Duke Miller finally turned his eyes to Vera’s carriage with the intention of greeting her in person.

Unfortunately, Vera made no attempt to come out to meet him.

Just when Duke Miller started to feel a little awkward, Colin’s voice echoed from in front:

Your Grace, please lead the way. We can’t keep Their Majesties waiting.”

“Yes, yes! Please, follow me!”