my armed maid

Chapter 158 Chapter 155: Masquerade (two chapters in one)

"Eh?" Evelin said in surprise. "Senior and him, won't they get married?"

"Well, I wonder if Eve can understand..." Rosalia's fingers drew circles on the table.

"Marriage is different from falling in love. It is a very complicated thing, right?"

"Of course I understand!" Evelin nodded quickly, looking like she felt the same.

The reason why she feels the same is because she has also faced this embarrassing situation before.

She and Nolen only have a pure friendship, and no matter how deep it is, it is nothing more than a comradeship.

But as Nolen became more and more important to Linfeng City, both her father and Uncle Ryan were hinting that she would get married to Nolen and tie the genius to Linfeng City.

It has nothing to do with personal feelings, this is a naked exchange of interests at the political level.

If Nolen wasn't interested in political marriage, or if he already had his heart set on one, I'm afraid things would have gone in this direction.

"Sometimes even I don't understand how I can be good friends with someone like Senior. What did Senior like about me at that time?"

"Everyone can grow!"

"Compared with human society, the attitude of the dragon tribe towards illegitimate children is even worse. He was expelled from the Dragon Valley by his tribe since he was a child.

"It's true that Eve is too outspoken." Rosalia nodded her nose, "Sisters, they just have to help each other, and your request is not too much, is it?

"Although we are determined to fight the rebels together with His Majesty, Linfeng City has just experienced a war. Without support, we may not be able to survive.

But since then, he has indeed become more cautious, and almost no longer meets strange messengers except when recommended by people he trusts.

But that's fine, this misunderstanding is exactly what she wanted.

"Reinhardt, he is actually the illegitimate son of Bareton, the current patriarch of the dragon tribe.

Rosalia laughed: "Obviously you were the most in love among these people at the beginning, but I didn't expect that after not seeing each other for a while, you would change so much."

"It's not that you're a stranger, it's just that besides saying thank you, there's nothing else I can do for you."

"Although the dragon tribe allows him to live, it does not mean that he can show up in public——

"Just when I set off, the rebel forces in Alto City had already cut off the transportation channels in Linfeng City, and they may have Roderick's support behind them.

As a member of the royal family, Rosalia enjoys more power, but correspondingly, she should have greater constraints than herself in this regard.

This reason is reasonable, Evelin sighed and said regretfully:
"Is there no other way?"

"Ahaha...you really want me to tell the truth?"

On this side, Rosalia saw Evelin showing such a regretful expression and knew that she had misunderstood.

Evelin perked up after hearing this. After chatting for so long, it was finally time to talk about business.

"That's... great!"

"If the illegitimate son of the dragon tribe marries the princess of the empire, I think this may cause conflicts between the empire and the dragon tribe."

Evelin shook her head repeatedly, "I am now the city lord of Linfeng City. I don't even have time to work, so how can I think about other things."

Evelin breathed a sigh of relief, and then said embarrassedly, "I have caused trouble to my seniors. Without your help, I don't know what to do."

"Speaking of which, the frequency of my father's meetings with envoys in recent days is indeed very low. I'm afraid this is also due to the threat of the rebels."

She organized her words, and soon she was about to tell Rosalia about the current situation in Peak City, and said:
"Now Roderick is leading the rebels to surround Flamel, and even the nearby Linfeng City is also implicated.

"That's why I went to the imperial capital to ask for help, but His Majesty was so busy that he couldn't get away, so I had no choice but to trouble my seniors."

She continued on this topic, "On the contrary, he actually has a lot of background - do you know why he has such a powerful talent?
"The talents of the dragon people are most affected by their blood. The reason why his talents are so good is because he inherited the most powerful blood of the dragon people."

Evelin shook the sparkling ripples in her tea cup, “Speaking of which, I used to get help from my seniors when I was in the academy.

Fortunately, Robert was protected by strong men, so the dead man did not succeed.

She has been addicted to Rosalia and Reinhardt since she was a student.

"Me? No, no!."

"So he can only become my vassal and my knight, but cannot have a higher status or important official position in the empire."

"Hmm, even though it feels like it will be a cruel truth, I still want to hear it!"

It felt like if they couldn't get together in the end, even my youth would be a bit regretful.

At the beginning of the year, some of Roderick's dead men disguised themselves as defecting messengers and visited Robert in an attempt to assassinate him.

"Hey, Eve, why should you belittle yourself? After all, you are also the daughter of the Lord of Linfeng City, and you are so cute."

"Okay, okay, then let me hear what troubles our Lord of Linfeng City has recently?"

"Reinhardt...his identity is not as simple as a humble family."

"But in the imperial capital...in the circle of seniors, everyone is a famous prince and noble. Being from a mere third-rate city-state is nothing, right?"

Facing Evelin's slowly widening eyes, Rosalia said calmly:

Rosalia changed the subject, "What about Eve? Is there anyone you like?"

"Okay." Rosalia cupped her chin and smiled, "I will take you to see your father tomorrow."

"Let's take one step at a time."

"It's not that complicated..." Rosalia smiled, "Because you are innocent."

"clean?"

"The Imperial City is not as glamorous as you imagined. It is a very cruel place, isn't it?"

She whispered, "In order to gain power and get ahead, betrayal and calculation are common. Behind every smiling face is a knife that can kill others.

"This kind of thing is especially common in the royal family. It can range from the father and his brothers fighting each other for the throne, to the events as small as female relatives from all parties spying on information during gatherings...

"Even among our group of sisters who were close friends at that time, there were at least several spies planted by other princes, right?"

"There is a traitor among us?" Eve was shocked.

After becoming the city lord, she had to become more mature and smooth, so she cherished the pure and carefree happy time during her school days even more.

But now Rosalía told her that even in school days, the group of sisters who often gathered together did not always have pure friendship?
If you think about it carefully, are they really traitors? Maybe Rosalia already knew that some people had different intentions, but she was still acting with them.

There was a tacit understanding between them, and only she, a foreigner, was kept in the dark.

The world has never changed, it's just that she can finally see its true nature now.

"...So, even though there are always many people around me, most of them are not my friends, right?"

Rosalia said, "My father is about to inherit the throne, and I don't know how many people are watching us secretly, so I can't trust everyone around me.

"This world is like a huge masquerade ball. Everyone wears a mask and dances elegantly while saying things they don't mean.

“They are like this, and so am I, and I’m doing better than them.

"But, it will be very lonely if this continues. Just when I felt that way, you appeared."

She smiled and said: "You are like Cinderella who has wandered into this masquerade. You are so innocent that you can see everything at a glance, so I quickly concluded that you cannot be a spy sent by others."

“Ugh——” Evelin covered her chest, “Are you praising me or mocking me…”

"I'm complimenting you." Rosalia covered her mouth, "In the imperial capital, innocence and purity are rare things."

"Is this why you're friends with me?"

"Yes, I just want to find a friend to relieve my loneliness. In the end, it's for my own good. You don't have to feel bad about it."

Rosalia's eyes flickered and she said half-truthfully, "Of course, some of the things I said to you tonight may not be true.

"If you want to become a mature adult, don't trust anyone's words. Is this some advice from someone who has experienced it?"

"The world of adults is really complicated." Evelin sighed.

"Perhaps one day you will get used to it." Rosalia finished speaking and stretched.

"It's getting late. It's time to turn off the lights. Let's go to bed and chat for a while. I want to hear your story about Linfeng City."

"Well, speaking of which, did you know that we have a legendary alchemist in Linfeng City?"

"..."

The two girls chatted while changing into pajamas. This was not their first pillow night talk.

As the night light on the bedside went out, only the faint whispers of the two people were left in the bedroom.

……

The next morning, the two got up on time.

After finishing dressing up, Reinhard escorted them to Robert's palace to meet His Majesty.

The seventh princess, Rosalia, came forward and the carriage was quickly released.

Reinhard was waiting outside while Rosalia took Evelin through the main entrance and soon saw a sparkling pond in the garden.

A waiter on the side took the bait and sprinkled it into the pond, causing the colorful fish in the pond to compete for food. Sitting by the pond was a gray-haired old man in a gorgeous robe. He was about sixty or seventy years old and was in good spirits. Behind him stood quietly several unobtrusive black-clothed guards.

"Gui'an, my lord father."

Rosalia stepped forward to salute, and Evelin followed, feeling a little nervous.

This gray-haired old man is Roland II Robert. Although he was only the "eldest prince" not long ago, he is actually quite old.

After all, Roland I was over a hundred years old when he died, and his son was of a normal age.

Looking back, Robert was not even the eldest son of Roland I. His real eldest son was said to have died while he was fighting in various places.

"Yeah." Robert raised his eyes, looking past Rosalia and towards Evelin.

"I remember that a few months ago Linfeng City sent a document regarding the change of the city lord position. Are you Evelyn Bayhart, the current city lord of Linfeng City?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Evelin bowed and saluted.

"You are very young, even younger than Ivan." Robert looked her up and down.

"However, since Aemon agreed to pass on the position of City Lord to you, it means that you have a better talent than your brother. Don't bury this talent."

"Yes." Evelin bowed again, "Remember His Majesty's instructions."

This was her first meeting with the monarch as the city lord. She was supposed to go to the imperial capital once when she took office, but she was delayed due to the civil strife in the empire.

This conversation at this time meant that Roland II had officially recognized her as the legitimate city lord of the empire.

"You came here to ask for help, right?" Robert then got to the point.

"Exactly." Evelin gave a brief report on Alto's troops cutting off the transportation channel.

After she finished speaking, Robert did not express his position immediately, but after thinking for a while, he slowly said:

"Speaking of which, I heard from Fred that a legendary alchemist recently appeared in Linfeng City?"

Fred was the chief alchemist of the imperial court and had participated in Flamel's results conference before.

"Yes, his name is Nolen Vyshes." Evelin responded.

"Nolen...well, that's the name." Robert nodded.

"I heard that the alchemy weapons he made are very magical and powerful. He used this to quell the rebellion of the Lebus tribe before, and he also obtained the qualification to apply for the Order of the Bauhinia.

"I have already approved that application, but the recent situation is special. I'm afraid I won't be able to award him the medal in person."

"Ah, it doesn't matter."

Evelin said, "Your Majesty has worked so hard for the empire, why should you do such a small thing yourself? Just take the time to send an envoy to Peak City to confer the honor on your behalf."

"I think so too." Robert nodded, then looked at Rosalia.

"In that case, Rosalia, you will serve as my envoy and go to Linfeng City with your friends.

"Not only do I want you to be awarded a medal, I also want you to work with Linfeng City to open up transportation channels and provide support for Flamel...

"How about it, can you do this?"

The Rosalia he was talking about did not refer to her alone, but the entire "Rosalia force" including her master Catherine and her knight Reinhardt.

Among them, Rosalia is a seventh-level mage, Reinhard is an eighth-level knight, and Catherine is an eighth-level mage with the inheritance of the "Silver God of War" who is only one step away from the ninth level.

It can be said that, not to mention other entourage, the three of them have more powerful combat power than the entire Linfeng City combined, which is more than enough as reinforcements.

"Yes, it is as my father wishes." Rosalia understood Robert's instructions, bowed and nodded.

The task Robert gave her was not just as simple as conferring honors and supporting her, but also meant contacting the legendary alchemist.

It is said that those alchemical weapons are powerful, but based on Fred's few words, it is not sure whether Nolen's research results are qualified for the empire to invest a large amount of materials for them.

To be on the safe side, he wanted to send someone to Linfeng City for on-the-spot investigation.

On the one hand, it was to verify the performance of these alchemical weapons through the support battle against Flamel. On the other hand, it was to think about whether Nolen could be directly brought to the imperial capital.

He was assured of his daughter Rosalia's wealth and personal charm.

Since she can make a promising eighth-level knight willingly sacrifice his life for her, it shouldn't be that difficult to recruit a legendary alchemist.

"Rosalia..." Seeing her agree immediately, Evelin gave her a grateful look.

They say fire protection, theft protection, and best friends are the best, but Rosalia is really good at it when something happens!

"Then, the support issue is settled." Robert agreed, "What else do you want to report?"

"No more." Evelin lowered her head.

"Then step aside and I'll have a few words with Rosaria."

"Yes, I take my leave." Evelin bowed and left the garden.

After she left, Robert asked, "Have you thought about Reinhard?"

"Yes." Rosalia said calmly, "I want to find a new candidate."

"Don't let it go." Robert frowned slightly, "A genius who has the potential to advance to the ninth level, don't let him escape your control easily."

"I know." Rosalia nodded, "He will always be my knight."

She mentioned to Evelin last night that because of Reinhardt's status as an illegitimate child, the possibility of the two getting married was extremely low——

But this does not mean that it is completely impossible. As long as his strength and potential are strong enough to impress everyone, his identity will not be particularly important.

Especially after he advanced to the eighth-level knight at the age of 26 a month ago, Robert had actually acquiesced in the natural relationship between the two.

If they really like each other, he would also be willing to communicate with the Dragon Tribe about this matter.

You see, a genius has emerged from your clan. Although his status is rather embarrassing now, as long as you are willing to let him recognize his ancestors and return to the clan, he will definitely shed tears of gratitude.

By then, both the empire and the dragon tribe will gain a loyal genius. Isn't this a happy ending for everyone?

The dragon tribe has some traditions, but they are not stupid. It is just the price of a nod, so why bother turning friends into enemies with a future strong man?

Therefore, he actually has a high degree of confidence in convincing the dragon tribe——

Unexpectedly, just when he was planning this, it was Rosalia herself who shouted stop first.

It seems that she has no intention of marrying her knight.

But that didn't matter to Robert, maybe it was better this way.

Because in this way, Rosalia can be exchanged for other high-value allies.

Whether it is Joshua, the only son of the Etel family, the young masters of other major forces, or even the young legendary alchemist Nolen, these goals are all very good——

The premise is that Reinhard is still loyal to Rosalia.

……

After a while, the conversation ended in the garden.

Rosalia left Robert's palace and met Evelyn and Reinhard who were waiting outside the palace.

"It's been a long wait." Facing the two of them, her smile was still generous, without any gloom.

"It's time for us to go back and prepare for departure. Without further ado, I plan to leave tomorrow, okay?"

"Of course!" Evelin nodded repeatedly and got into the carriage first.

Rosalia was also about to get in the car. At this moment, Reinhardt held her hand slightly, leaned into her ear, and whispered nervously:

"Rosalia, have you told His Majesty about us?"

"I told you." Rosalia responded softly, "My father is still thinking about it.

"You know that because of your status, this decision will not be easy. But I will try to convince him, just give me some time."

"Of course, I can wait." Reinhard hid the anxiety in his heart with a gentle voice.

"Forget about this, get in the car and I'll prepare the luggage for departure later."

"Well, please." Rosalia got on the carriage and sat next to Evelin.

The carriage then started, and Evelin noticed that she seemed to be worried just now, and said curiously:

"What's wrong? What happened?"

"fine."

Rosalia looked back and looked out the car window with a smile, "I'm just looking forward to tomorrow's trip. Linfeng City should be a very beautiful place, right?"

That's the only thing I didn't lie to you about, Evelyn. she thought.

The world is one huge masquerade.

And I am the best dancer in the masquerade.

(End of this chapter)