Kingdom’s Bloodline

In the hall, as the Grand Duchess took her seat, more than 20 nobles in the audience also sat down one after another. m..

Thanks to the Grand Duchess, Thales has received a lot of aristocratic education with Northland characteristics during his six-year hostage career. On the contrary, he is familiar with Exeter's glorious history.

For example, Dragon Clouds City's hearing day.

It originated ninety years ago, from the grand duke of Dragon Clouds City and the forty-third joint king, Nun VI—the grandfather of the predecessor NUN VII, the heyday when the Walton family monopolized the throne for three consecutive generations The Opener, a king worth remembering.

The Dragon Kingdom under his rule has fought several times on the border with the Star Kingdom after the death of "The Worthy King". Facing the three major families of Arend in the North, Zemuto in the Watch City, and Forrest in the Lonely Tower, The king was undefeated, pushed the southern border of Exeter to the Broken Dragon Fortress, and turned the East and West Needles into the exclusive land of the Northlanders; he fostered the new Freedom Alliance in several wars Facing the sudden rise of the Commas Alliance, he used a strong hand to curb their expansion momentum, and firmly controlled the eastern end of the Golden Corridor; he even rebuilt the defense line of the Quigul Glacier, keeping the The orcs were expelled again to the north of the thirty-eighth outpost.

Internally, starting from the highly skilled King Nun VI, it has become a common practice for the vassals of Dragon Clouds City to greet and report to the Grand Duke on a regular basis: the vassals show their loyalty to the Grand Duke and report the status of the territory. On important affairs, in order to obtain the permission and support of the Grand Duke, the Grand Duke shows his majesty and tolerance on this occasion, listens to the general situation of his vassals, and maintains and strengthens the relationship between the monarch and his ministers-this is the hearing day.

It is also a proof of the expansion of Dragon Clouds City's dominion, Thales thought so.

but now……

The voice of the Grand Duchess resounded clearly in the hall, pulling him back from his thoughts.

"Lisbane, Kierkegaard, Nagel, Hearst, Linna, Curtsen," Facing so many people, Thelma called out to her one by one according to the seating order, despite her pale face. Every lord of the vassal family under the banner nodded slightly when called: "Banner, Hudson..."

Selma called out the names of nearly twenty families in one breath, and there were two families with the same name, which had to be distinguished by territory.

Almost every nobleman who had a seat nodded respectfully—or at least looked respectfully.

If this is in the Kingdom of Stars... Thales couldn't help thinking of the grand occasion of the Kingdom Conference, the six wealthy families, the thirteen prominent families, and Canxing's own direct vassals, just calling out the names of these families...

The prince sighed.

Man, hope they have a roster.

"Welcome, everyone," under the sharp eyes of the nobles of the Northland, Thelma took a deep breath, looked down at Lisban, and said slowly: "Once again, on the glorious hearing day, Long Xiao The major families in the city gathered together, because of your arrival, the Cloud Dragon Spear is sharper, and with your loyalty, the Walton family will become stronger."

The crisp female voice echoed in the stone hall, faded away, and disappeared.

At the same time as the voice of the Grand Duchess fell—as if it was an appointment, almost all the vassals solemnly raised their right fists and slammed their chests hard three times in a row!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

As a response to Fengjun.

The dull sounds resonated with each other in the hall, and it seemed that even the entire Palace of Heroes was shaken.

"Look, you understand what I mean," Ian beside him had a bored expression of "I told you so", made a movement of knocking on his chest, and whispered in Taylor's ear: "Gorilla..."

Thales raised his eyebrows.

Selma remained motionless amidst the knocking sounds, but Thales, who was very familiar with her, could feel that the girl was hiding a nervousness and apprehension under that calmness.

"The hearing day begins now," the Grand Duchess cleared her throat, "Charles?"

The Earl of Lisbane, sitting first on her left, bowed slightly in his seat,

Turn around and look at the audience.

The five earls at the front finally set their eyes on the Lord Regent, but Thales noticed that those eyes were not as friendly as imagined.

Six years ago, at the funeral of King Nun... what was the attitude of these five crucial people?

Thales recalled.

"As a rule," the steady and gentle voice of the Regent of Lisbane sounded in the hall, just like the voice of King Nun countless times in the imperial meeting in the past thirty years, "My lords, what do you want to ask Madam Did you ask for instructions?"

No one spoke.

Within the sight of Thales, the twenty or so vassals didn't even whisper.

They just shot countless sharp eyes firmly on Lisbane's body, as if they wanted to split the old earl, especially the five most powerful vassals.

Thales couldn't help clenching his fists.

Lisban looked around the audience, but still no vassal answered.

Like it was planned.

His face gradually became ugly.

"Courtesy is dead," Ian's annoying voice quietly reached Thales' ears, with a faint gloat: "I guess no one wants to say 'hello' to the Grand Duchess."

In the silence where needles could be heard, Ian's words were harsh.

Many Beidi people turned their heads to look at him with cold eyes.

Ian showed an expression of being caught doing something bad, and smiled apologetically at them.

This is the first time Thales has participated in the hearing day in six years, and it is also the first time he has seen the attitude of the lords of Dragon Clouds City towards the lord. Looking at Selma who is trying to calm down on the stage, Thales only feels that Heart stings.

In the six years since he stepped into the Hall of Stars and became the second prince of the Star Kingdom, his journey has been very difficult.

But at this moment, all the difficulties I thought were compared with her, with Selma, and with Exeter's first grand princess...

"Very good, it seems that everyone is fine, there is no bad news," Lisbane said coldly, and he bowed slightly to Thelma above: "Ma'am."

All eyes focused on Lisbane turned to the Grand Duchess.

Thales looked at the lonely Selma with pity: the girl cleared her throat unnaturally, subconsciously avoiding the eyes of the vassals.

"Everyone...ahem...Everyone, I know you don't like nonsense," Selma's voice was a little quick and trembling: "So I'll cut to the chase..."

Compared with the silence when Lisbane spoke, many vassals lowered their heads and whispered the moment the Grand Duchess spoke.

"It's a good sign, at least the Grand Duchess has the ability to ease the atmosphere." Ian sarcastically whispered.

Thales sighed.

The words of the Grand Duchess continued:

"I believe you all know that last month, the king's envoys came from Heisha, and a few days ago, the envoys from Qiyuan City also visited Dragon Clouds City..."

Someone interrupted her.

"Are you talking about that farce-like audience, ma'am?" The Earl of Fehrenburg, who was sitting third from the left of the Grand Duchess, said coldly, "Of course, it's very entertaining—" The majestic Dragon Clouds City is being fucked around by a brat."

Earl Curtson's words were very rude, many people laughed lowly, but more people snorted coldly.

Thelma's face paled even more.

Thales frowned slightly, and he turned his head—the culprit, the Viscount of Wind City, smirked unconsciously, as if he also thought it was very entertaining.

"Funny?" Thales shot his gaze like a sharp sword.

After seeing Thales' displeased eyes, Ian, who realized what was happening, immediately withdrew his smile, and he coughed lightly, seemingly seriously: "Sorry."

"Dragon Clouds City is facing a choice." After adjusting her breathing, the Grand Duchess resumed the previous words: "And I respect the lords who have served under my grandfather for many years, so we will be here on the most important hearing day , discuss our options together.”

Just when Thales thought that the vassals were going to be silent again, unexpectedly, a clear male voice sounded.

"We respect you, ma'am, just as we respect your grandfather," said the earl, sitting second from the lower right of Selma, with a rare kindness and respect in his tone, with a golden beard casually With the ups and downs of the words: "So we are here, and the iron county answers your call."

Earl Hearst from Iron County looked at the Grand Duchess gently and said so.

As if she had found a savior, Thelma smiled and looked at the speaker gratefully: "Thank you, Earl Hearst."

Hearst, in his thirties, shook his golden beard and nodded with a smile.

Thales frowned. He looked at the enthusiastic Hester and moved his butt unnaturally.

This damn chair is so hard to sit on.

"God, Thales, did you see the way he looked at that girl?" Ian cut in inappropriately: "I bet every time he looks for a woman, he imagines her as..."

Thales, who was in a bad mood, suddenly turned around.

"Will you die if you don't speak?" the prince replied coldly.

Ian quickly raised his hands, stuck out his tongue with an innocent face, then opened his mouth, maintained a smile, and mouthed silently: Yes.

Thales was so angry that he didn't want to talk to him anymore.

Earl Hearst's words seemed to spark the conversation of the vassals: Curtsen, who had just made a sarcastic statement, stroked his chin and snorted softly.

"The same goes for Fehrenburg," Ketson said slowly, "but I've noticed that it's not just us who answered the call..."

Count Curtson moved his finger and pointed to a corner in the hall.

That is……

All eyes shifted with his fingers.

Taylor's heart skipped a beat!

"Why is he here, ma'am?" Cotson twisted his wrist, pointing coldly at the Prince of Stars: "This man from the Empire, at the most important meeting in Dragon Clouds City?"

There was a lot of discussion and even commotion in the hall.

At that moment, Thales became the focus of the field.

Concern and tension appeared on the face of the Grand Duchess, Lisbane narrowed his eyes, and Nicolai, who had always been cold, frowned.

Well, no matter how much I try to keep a low profile...

Thales sighed.

"I am here at the request of Your Majesty the Grand Duchess and at the invitation of the heir of Qiyuan City," the second prince of Xingchen said coldly, "As a third party, I am here to witness this meeting concerning Exeter's honor."

As he finished speaking, the debate in the hall grew even louder.

Thales could even hear their arguments clearly:

"So that's..."

"It's ridiculous..."

"Guess what, he's here, and that woman should be there too..."

"Dragon Clouds City...haha, how ironic, maybe one day, there will be a little lord who doesn't know who his father is in the belly of the Grand Duchess..."

Thales clenched his fists.

Ian shook his head helplessly at him, with a look of helplessness on his face.

"I don't remember when we were with the Imperials," Curtson said coldly, without even looking at Thales: "Kick him out."

There was a lot of approval among the vassals.

"Order, my lords!"

Nicolai's voice intervened in this conversation. As the Grand Duke's personal guard, the Meteorite looked down upon the chaotic nobles, and said unceremoniously:

"You are standing on the ground of Dragon Clouds City, Earl Cotson, you are standing in Nakaru's Palace of Heroes, and here is the Hall of Heroes, in front of the Grand Duchess..."

Nikolai's face became serious: "It's not your turn to give the order."

Maybe it was because the Meteorite was indeed famous, maybe it was because of his more than 20 years of experience with King Nun that played a role, and the field slowly quieted down.

Until Cotson replied without any shame.

"Shut up, my lord."

"You don't have the right to talk to me about the fucking order," Ketsen gritted his teeth, and looked at the meteorite on the steps like an enemy: "His Majesty Nunn promoted you, who is humble and lowly, to be his personal guard. To give him the title, but you repay him with dereliction of duty and incompetence, which made His Majesty die, and us, and Dragon Clouds City fell to this state."

At that moment, Nikolai's pale face flushed rarely.

Thales has seen him like this: this is a sign when the meteorite is angry.

"If I were you, incompetent, I should find a place where no one is around and commit suicide as soon as possible, instead of brazenly lying next to the Grand Duchess and pretending that nothing happened," Earl Cotterson's words clearly spread into everyone's mind. In the ear:

"The shame of killing the king!"

"Pooh!"

Many northern nobles let out cold snorts.

Nikolai lowered his head abruptly, so that no one could see his expression clearly.

But he didn't say anything.

But Thales could see that his fists were already clenched together, shaking violently.

The prince knew that the king died under the protection of the White Blade Guard, which was the biggest shadow of the meteorite in his life.

In the hall, Ned Monty of the Qiyuan City Mission frowned, and the 'Death Crow' looked at the abnormal Nicolai and sighed softly.

"That's enough, Cotson."

The Grand Duchess finally spoke, and her words were unconsciously tinged with anger: "Lord Nicolai fought against the disaster to the last moment for the king. He shouldn't be judged like this."

"According to what my officer told me, ma'am, this Prince Thales may be the most troublesome imperial man in the world, and he also caused the ugly gang fight on the government hearing last day," said the oldest Nagel The count spoke slowly, his words sounded fair and rational, and brought the topic back to the prince:

"I sincerely advise you, in discussing our own affairs, to show our 'hospitality' and let him rest in his room."

The old earl narrowed his eyes slightly: "Do you know what rumors are going on outside about you and him?"

All eyes refocused on the prince, and from time to time they wandered back and forth between the Grand Duchess and him.

Selma's expression changed, and she was speechless for a while.

Thales closed his eyes.

Ian beside him was expressive, and opened his mouth to say something in his ear.

"Not now, Ian." The moment Ian was about to speak, Thales spoke coldly, sealing his enthusiasm in his throat.

They did it on purpose, the vassals of Dragon Clouds City.

Thales recalled six years ago when the nobles in the Hall of Stars in the Fuxing Palace were dirty, and told himself secretly: That's why they are attacking the prestige of the Grand Duchess step by step.

And now...

No, he couldn't speak, he couldn't refute, or it would only make the situation worse.

Thales gritted his teeth tightly.

"He is the lady's guest, Curtson, Nagel," the Regent of Lisbane said at the right time, and he stared at the two earls coldly: "This is the lady's promise, so he will stay, and if you can't bear it He appears in your sight and would rather disregard the lady's honor, so close your eyes or go out by yourself, it's either."

Curtsen snorted coldly, as if he was very displeased with the Lord Regent.

"Don't forget your blood feud, ma'am, the legal heir before you, Prince Moral, died in the stars, his bones still cold," Earl Linna, who was sitting third from the left of the Grand Duchess, spoke expressionlessly: "From Since then, all the tragedies have come from this little prince."

"The bones are not cold, really?" Ian whispered again: "Six years, even if it is a dragon's body, it should be cold."

Thales didn't even bother to pay attention to him.

Thelma took a sharp breath, seeming to adjust herself.

"That tragedy has come to a conclusion, Linna." The Grand Duchess glanced at Thales from a distance, gritted her teeth, and said, "It was there when the former king was still alive, and Prince Thales, he is our guest now." —and we should get back to business."

"You don't think the death of your blood relative is a 'business'?" Linna suddenly raised his voice.

"I have to say, you make me feel a little bit chilled," Earl Linna's face was still frosty, his eyes did not move, but his words like a poisonous snake were hard to ignore: "Dear Selma Walton Miss."

Thelma met his gaze, and the hand on the seat arm trembled slightly.

In the hall, the discussions of more than twenty nobles became louder and louder.

"Take back your words, Linna," said the Regent of Lisbane with obvious emotions, and he said every word: "Especially to Her Majesty the Grand Duchess."

"How dare you say that to His Majesty Nunn, the granddaughter of the Born King—'You make me feel a little chilled'?"

Lisban glanced at Earl Linna: "Your Majesty has spent thirty years since the prince's time to promote you, the Linna family, which is on the verge of decline..."

"That's what I'm worried about, Lisbane," Linna replied fearlessly, "That His Majesty Nun, who was willing to die, that great born king, is no longer here!"

"Only us old bones are left guarding a woman..."

"Linna!" The one who interrupted him was still Earl Hearst with the golden beard.

Lin Na paused for a moment, and he glanced at the Grand Duchess sitting on the seat. After a little hesitation, he changed his words: "... maintains the dignity of Dragon Clouds City."

As soon as the words came out, Selma lowered her head and pursed her lips tightly.

There was silence in the hall.

Earl Hearst coughed lightly.

"I'm sorry, ma'am," the Earl of Iron County looked at the embarrassing Selma, and said gently, "But I think Earl Linna just misses his Majesty too much, and also values ​​the future of Dragon Clouds City too much."

"But he respects you and your bloodline, just like me," Hurst nodded respectfully, "Ma'am."

"Hey," Ian put on a disgusted look, and whispered, "I'm going to throw up on this heroic way of picking up girls."

"But it really works, look at that girl's expression..."

It's so long-winded.

For the first time, Thales found himself wanting to strangle Ian to death.

His sharp words are blocked in his vocal cords.

The prince watched Thelma closely.

Selma looked at Hester who made the rescue, and smiled reluctantly.

Thales frowned.

"What you are facing is the blood left by the born king, little Hester," Lisbane interrupted their eye contact, "There is no doubt that she will lead the future of Dragon Clouds City."

Hester smiled and nodded slightly to the regent: "Of course."

"You speak more and more like His Majesty Nunn, 'Master Prime Minister'," Earl Linna, who had been expressionless but utterly venomous, said slowly, "Just like six years ago, you, the great The Lord Regent stood there, standing next to His Majesty's body, and told us beyond doubt that the Grand Duke has changed, and we just need to kneel obediently."

"Don't bring your personal grievances here, Linna," Lisbane said with a livid face, "this hall of glory should not leave room for selfishness and darkness."

Lin Na curled the corner of his mouth in response.

"I'm beginning to admire your little girlfriend," Ian sighed, and patted Thales on the shoulder: "How did she survive among these people in the past six years?"

"I don't know," Thales shook his head, he looked at the rebellious earls, and couldn't hide his worry, "This is the first time I have attended the hearing day, but before, the important earls sent officials to come — I guess they made it even more difficult by being there in person."

Ian raised his eyebrows: "Oh, you didn't refute me?"

Thales, who was observing the earls, expressed doubts: "What rebuttal?"

"It's okay." Ian replied seriously, shaking his head solemnly.

An old voice sounded again in the field.

"Relax, Lin Na, show some respect," the oldest Nagel sighed, "You are facing the most powerful Earl of Dragon Clouds, the 'Dragon Eye' Lisbane who has held the power of Dragon Clouds for six years. ——You don’t want to mess with the regent of Dragon Clouds City, he has countless ways to deal with you.”

Lisbane and Najir looked at each other in the air, and it seemed that even the air had become cold.

"Oh, I think what he really meant to say," Ian narrowed his eyes, "'fuck you, Lisbane'."

Thales thought so deeply.

"Since he wants the Xingchen people here, then let him go." Nagel said softly, "Anyway, Dragon Clouds City is no better than before."

Lisban looked at Najir, who was the same age as him, from a distance, and said softly, but very clearly: "Really, Najir, old friend?"

"My old friend died six years ago," Earl Nagel said unhurriedly, "with His Majesty, he died in the vortex of power."

During the time when Lisbane and Nagel looked at each other, the earls were silent.

As if this is their arena.

Thelma in the seat was at a loss.

"Let me guess," Ian's whisper intervened inappropriately again: "When they were young, one of them fucked the other's wife?"

Thales shook his head slowly, he lowered his head, looked at his right hand, and sighed.

The situation is very unfavorable and cannot continue like this.

Go ahead, Ian.

we need to.

The next moment, a scream suddenly resounded throughout the hall:

"ah--"

"you you you--"

The sound was so loud that it was like a whirlwind blowing in the silent Hall of Heroes.

All the nobles, including Selma and Lisbane, turned their heads in surprise and looked at the source of the sound.

Among the nobles and vassals in the hall, a person suddenly jumped up.

The Viscount of Wind City from Qiyuan City, His Excellency Ian Ronnie, was standing on a chair, clutching his waist, with a distorted expression, looking at the people around him in disbelief.

Beside him, Prince Thales withdrew his hand expressionlessly, and sat upright with a serious face.

It seemed that he was not the one who just grabbed Ian's waist and twisted it with all his strength.

Ian gritted his teeth angrily, and mouthed "How dare you" to Thales.

But the prince didn't move at all, as if he didn't know him at all.

Ian took a deep breath and looked up.

Only then did he notice that the eyes of the audience were all focused on him.

The Viscount of Fengcheng showed an embarrassed smile: "That..."

The five earls frowned together.

"Your Excellency Ian," Lisbane's eyes lingered on Thales, and returned to Ian silently: "What's the matter?"

Ian exhaled, and gouged Thales back and forth with murderous eyes.

The prince had a flat expression and gave a thumbs up next to his knee.

Come on and good luck.

Ian could only sigh.

"Although I am very happy to appreciate the anti-plot in the nest of Dragon Clouds City," he said with a reluctant expression on his face. He first bowed slightly to the Grand Duchess, then tilted his head to look at the Earls: "But shall we come first? Talk about business?"

Ian showed his white teeth and smiled slightly: "You know, lunch time is very important and cannot be delayed."

Sitting together in the Qiyuan City Mission, the faces of the attendants were ashen.

Only Monty, the meteorite's old friend, watched Ian's performance with a smile on his face.

The vassals of Dragon Clouds City looked at this dissolute young man in amazement - many of them saw Ian himself for the first time.

"And where did you come from?"

Earl Cotson looked at Ian with a cannibal expression on his face, and said with a sneer, "Joker?"

Ian blinked.

Facing this insulting title, he smiled even more.

"Where do I come from?"

His Excellency the Viscount opened his arms and smiled like a child: "Of course it's a circus!"

At that moment, Earl Curtson's sneer froze on his face.

Thales exhaled a breath, only feeling that the depressive scene was instantly relieved.

"I'm here to remind all the actors, when the time comes, take your seats."

Ian looked at the Grand Duchess on the steps, then at Thales beside him, shrugged, and loudly announced to the vassals in the hall happily:

"We're about to start!"

On the other side of the hall, everyone in Qiyuan City, headed by Ned Monty, bowed their heads together and let out a long sigh.

His face is sad.