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Ding ding ding…

The muffled tolling of the funeral bell emanates from the church at the heart of Floral City.

Inside the church, the coffin of Duke St. Hilde is opened once again for the members of the Morrison family to offer their respects.

Not until after the ceremony finishes do people depart from the church, their hearts heavy with sorrow.

The departed have passed on, but the living must continue forward.

Colin and Vera compose themselves and, under the guidance of Count Morrison, they visit the Phoenix Butterfly Fort.

This castle, owned by the Morrison family, is situated in the southeastern corner of Floral City. It spans over 800 acres, primarily comprised of solid granite, while the outer walls are a precious white glazed rock. From a distance, it looks like a castle made of white jade.

Inside the castle are various lavish courtyard and a plethora of buildings. Of course, it also features the Morrison family’s signature— tulips.

From the most common of white, red, and yellow to the rare and precious black tulips, all can be found here.

The multicolored tulips make Phoenix Butterfly Fort appear vibrant and lively, its scenery full of life.

Colin couldn’t help but take a deep breath, instantly filling his nostrils with the fresh and refined scents of the flowers…huh?

Why was there also a hint of a bloody smell?

Colin furrowed his brow, and turned to look at Vera.

But she seemed to notice nothing abnormal, still lost in the sea of flowers.

Knight Logh, who was behind him, didn’t react either, and Count Morrison was still enthusiastically introducing information about the various tulips.

Colin took another careful sniff, discovering that it wasn’t a misperception. This castle was indeed filled with a faint bloody smell.

Perhaps such a scent could deceive others, but it couldn’t escape the nose of a member of the Blood Clan.

What’s going on?

Just like the Blood Rose, did tulips also need fresh blood to grow?

Colin kept his doubts to himself for the time, and followed Count Morrison into the courtyard of the castle.

After settling down the guards and servants, Colin and Vera first enjoyed a relaxing hot bath.

By the time they had dressed neatly, Butler Monton of the Morrison family had already been waiting outside their door for quite some time.

“Lord Viscount, the banquet is ready.”

“Alright, please lead the way.”

Following Butler Monton, Colin led Vera through a lengthy corridor to reach the banquet hall.

Hundreds of fragrant candles lit up the elegant and gorgeous hall brightly. However, the atmosphere of the banquet wasn’t exactly jubilant, as everyone had just mourned for Duke St. Hilde.

The Morrison family didn’t even arrange for any band. Tonight’s banquet was destined to be somewhat solemn and quiet.

When Vera, arm entwined with Colin’s, entered the room, everyone’s eyes were drawn to this Viscountship couple.

Colin, wearing a burgundy Viscount’s ceremonial dress and a black tulip, a gift from a Morrison family servant, pinned to his chest, was well-matched with Vera whose long, black, off-the-shoulder gown corresponded perfectly to his attire.

Vera wasn’t overly formal tonight. There were no excessive accessories on her, her golden hair loosely draped over her shoulders, her white and delicate feet dressed in a pair of silver stiletto sandals, looking relaxed yet also proper.

Count Morrison hurriedly greeted them, warmly welcoming Colin and Vera, and introduced them to several important members of the Morrison family.

Indeed, the Morrison family seemed to have an almost fanatical fondness for the daughters of the St. Hilde family. Colin had already greeted several ladies from the St. Hilde family.

However, those ladies were mostly from the side branches of the St. Hilde family. Although their lineage was higher than Vera’s, in terms of status, they were certainly far inferior to Vera, a true-blooded daughter.

The only exception was the wife of the old count, Lady Grace St. Hilde.

Lady Grace was the aunt of Duke St. Hilde, thus Vera had to address her as ‘aunt

Last year during the uprising among the lords of the North Territory, the old count was stabbed to death in public by Cain Sudor for refusing to betray Duke St. Hilde. When the news reached Phoenix Butterfly Fort, Lady Grace, against her family’s advice, insisted on going to Winterfell City to seek justice from Duke St. Hilde for her husband’s death.

As a result, Duke St. Hilde personally came to Floral City, attended the old count’s funeral, and even served as one of the pallbearers.

Many people thought this was due to Duke St. Hilde’s guilt towards the old count.

But some thought that Duke St. Hilde showed such humility entirely because of Lady Grace.

In conclusion, if there were any family least likely to betray the St. Hilde family under the current turmoil, it would certainly be the Morrison family.

This family is deeply intertwined with the St. Hilde family; it wouldn’t be exaggerating to say they are a branch of the St. Hilde family in Floral City.

Therefore, matrimonial alliances do work, but suffice it to say, only if there are enough of them.

As long as you manage to marry all the important female members of the other family into yours, such a bond would inevitably transcend the limitations of interests.

This is why Colin dared to enter Floral City at the invitation of Count Morrison. Everyone could potentially be lured by the St. Sean family, except the Morrison Family.

“Since time was tight, I didn’t make it to your wedding and don’t have a decent gift to give; I suppose I can only give you this bracelet that has accompanied me for most of my life.”

Lady Grace was cheerful as she took Vera’s hand, placing a golden spikelet bracelet on her wrist.

“Thank you aunt!” Vera blushed.

In the Empire, the spikelet symbolizes ‘many sons’, which is quite appropriate as a wedding gift for newlyweds.

Moreover, according to custom, a bride usually needs something passed down from a mother or matrilineal elder on her wedding day, but the Duchess has been deceased for many years, and the identity of Vera’s biological mother has always been a mystery, so Lady Grace’s gift perfectly fulfilled this absence.

Lady Grace smiled and patted Vera’s hand to indicate she needn’t be so polite. Her face then turned serious:

“Regarding the death of your father, I am filled with regret. But I want to know, how exactly did he die?”

Vera then recounted the events at her wedding and her speculation about the death of the Duke.

“A forbidden spell similar to the Eye of Petrification?” Lady Grace contemplated deeply and nodded, “You are probably right, it must be a forbidden spell that could kill a Holy Knight! And the one who cast it could indeed be Mr. Ji from the St. Sean family.”

“I don’t think necessarily so.” Count Morrison shook his head, “Using a forbidden spell means sacrificing one’s life. But Mr. Ji has been scheming for the North Territory for so many years and is about to succeed, why would he willingly trade his life for that of Duke St. Hilde at this time?”

“That is my conclusion as well.” Scholar Doan joined in with Count Morrison’s argument, “If the St. Sean family were in an extremely adversarial situation, then Mr. Ji might possibly decide to make a last-ditch effort, and throw everything into one desperate struggle, but the current situation in the North Territory…”

Scholar Doan did not continue, but it was clear to everyone that the current situation in the North Territory slightly favored the St. Sean family.

Lady Grace coughed lightly, attracting everyone’s attention, and then sighed, “Perhaps, the price of this forbidden spell was not borne by Mr. Ji.”

Scholar Doan curiously asked, “Oh? Dear Lady Grace, do you perhaps know something?”

“Just before the banquet, I received news—” Lady Grace’s face turned solemn, “Fallen Eagle City has been burnt to ashes a few days ago!”

“What?”

Everyone present was stunned by the news.

Except for Colin.

He, of course, knew the news long ago, he just hadn’t mentioned it.

So, Lady Grace’s news wouldn’t surprise him, but, Colin noticed another interesting thing—

Count Morrison was also just finding out about this news.

In that case, this Lady Grace was indeed the true master of Phoenix Butterfly Fort.