Dear Broom Knight

Valera paused for a moment, but she readily accepted the idea of parents not loving their own children, so she quickly followed up with: "That's normal. In the past twenty years, there's been nothing but infighting."

Ortiz twitched his lips.

Yes, ever since the Montes family had that misfortune, every major spectacle afterward had countless hands hidden behind it.

When you think about it, those who plotted against the Montes family were the least respectable, including that Kyle.

Don't think that Kyle caused a world-shattering disaster in the end, everyone knows the truth.

Evil gods gain power through human fear and darkness… especially the lives of blood relatives.

If the Montes family hadn't self-destructed to that extent, whether it was that Ice Dog King bastard or that Kyle rabbit, they wouldn't have amounted to much.

That's why Lowry was so hostile to the Church of the Storm, even publicly refusing their entry, and the Storm Lord didn't show any dissatisfaction.

In this open and aboveboard confrontation, the Montes family mainly played the role of cheering from the sidelines.

No one cared which side they were on; Lowry's anger was what the Church of the Storm cared about most… Of course, now everyone can guess a little, unlike the Church feeling humiliated, the Storm Lord actually greatly admired Lowry Montes' character.

The Church of the Storm didn't even dare to stir up trouble in secret.

After all, the main god's eyes were always wandering around the Northern Border, never leaving Lowry more than 1000 kilometers away.

For a god, what's the difference between that and never leaving?

In short, Ortiz felt that if his cousin could see everything that followed, he would rather have died more thoroughly.

This was supposed to be the glory of the Montes family, but not only did he hand it over to others, but he also made the whole world think that Lowry Montes' Montes was the true Montes of the future.

Originally, being able to maintain the dignity of an Earl and survive was already good enough.

People indeed did not seize the title of Earl of Montes, but directly turned the main branch into a sub-branch.

It was all thanks to Lady Yagris that she didn't go too far, not taking advantage of the disaster to force the dying Earl of Montes to change Lowry's surname… In fact, if she had been ruthless enough, she could have done it.

At that time, the Earl of Montes had no choice.

Outsiders don't understand these things, but how could those of them who truly cared about the future of Montes not understand?

Just seemingly innocent.

Although it could be said that they knew that those people couldn't be persuaded, they really didn't try to do so.

Of course, Ortiz could also explain it for himself.

At that time, they were really too used to listening to the Earl of Montes, and for a while, they didn't know how to treat that Baron Lowry, who was already an outsider in their hearts, so they were seized an opportunity.

Especially those guardians like him, whose minds were only focused on defending the fortress, by the time they reacted, the ancestral land had already done everything.

The strategy of first belittling and then praising that they used was indeed because they were lured by others, but it was also a common trick used by the old guys.

Moreover, it had always been very effective.

After all, people will waver in their resistance because of the return invitation from someone who once looked down on them… even if the other party only sends a little signal with a haughty attitude…!

Not to mention that this is the family they were born into.

Who would have thought that Lowry Montes would have no attachment to the Montes family at all?

Although his father didn't do a great job, he didn't go too far.

His two older brothers, especially the eldest, were indeed wary of him, but they didn't try to be harsh on this little brother when their father's attitude was firm.

Lady Yagris' existence was indeed very important, and everyone would restrain themselves because they were afraid of him.

But, if they really wanted to, how could they have let a child who was running around everywhere from a few years old be unscathed?

Harming people has never been just about hurting their lives.

The Montes family, at least on the surface, maintained harmony.

Think about the former Earl of Hamilton and you'll know what truly inhumane parents in the nobility can do!

Not being bad enough can sometimes make people's minds waver, especially when their biological father died early and the eldest brother who benefited is gone.

However, a mage is a mage.

Lowry really didn't take everything about the Montes family to heart, and it wasn't just because of Lady Yagris' education.

Ortiz glanced lightly at Valera, who was full of vigor beside him, and silently sighed in his heart.

Montes, really didn't have this fate.

Being able to maintain the relationship with Fabris at a decent level is already the best result.

"Strange, no one's picking us up?" Valera's sudden words interrupted his thoughts.

Only then did Ortiz realize that he was now a guest, and in principle, the host should have arranged someone to greet them.

When Leon was around, because he himself had no interest in these banquets, he had no interest in having everyone come over and take a look at him.

Especially when he first took charge of the Hamilton Earldom, Lady Yagris really contributed a lot, and none of the Montes family members violated the Earl of Montes' will, so after Leon controlled the situation, he tried his best to fulfill Fabris' desire to be reclusive.

In addition, there was also someone in the Northern Border who would never attend the so-called Border Social Season… Lowry was too lazy to send someone to represent him.

Therefore, the last formal banquet that Ortiz participated in was the Montes New Year's banquet more than twenty years ago.

For him, Montes Castle was also home, so naturally, he didn't need anyone to greet him.

But, now, he was a guest!

The Grand Knight looked around in confusion… The servants and guarding knights were all well-behaved, and the reception road was gorgeous and enthusiastic enough, but, where were the people?

Even if Earl Ezra was a famous pain in the ass, then… he should still have some confidants, right?

For example, Leon used to have Milian or the bard Seven as welcomers.

"Every day, it's very strange." Recalling the little bugs he had seen outside his residence in the past two days, Ortiz couldn't help but sigh.

Valera glanced at the Montes Grand Knight with a bit of helplessness.

This way of thinking is quite unique.

She now understood why the Earl of Montes could only ask Lady Yagris to take care of Fabris when his family clearly had several experts above level 10.

Ortiz was known for his steadiness, steadfastness, and firm will, but his thought process was very simple.

In his mind, Earl Ezra couldn't possibly give her and the representatives of Qingfeng Territory and Montes Territory a hard time in person, so he wouldn't think in a crooked way.

It was obvious that he felt that Earl Ezra had encountered some big trouble.

This was indeed the most likely possibility, but… think about that Earl…

Oh, right, Valera realized that only their lord knew about Earl Ezra's helplessness.

Outsiders wouldn't think that the madness he showed was forced.

On the contrary, she was thinking too complicatedly because she had other thoughts in her mind.

Valera tapped herself in her heart, raised her chin, and looked at the reception road that was about to end, and the tightly closed castle gate on the dozen or so steps: "Then what do we do? Go up and knock on the door?"

Ortiz, who was wearing a knight's dress, suddenly began to unbutton his cuffs and roll up his sleeves, then bent his arm towards Valera: "I'll knock!"

However, just as he walked to the door and raised his hand, the door opened automatically.

Ortiz calmly put down his arm, tidied his sleeves, and turned back to Valera, extending his hand: "Please, Miss Valera."

Valera laughed and walked to his side.

In this world, not as lovers or partners, nor with any relationship of dependence or subordination, women do not need to enter by hooking a man's arm.

Even so-called dancing can be divided into different forms.

Dance battles, partner dances… There are also dances where people stick together, hand in hand, but those are only for people with close relationships.

Although Valera was wearing a flowing silk gown, it was because she liked this beautiful appearance, not to please anyone's eyes.

She also had a period when she only wanted to wear clothes that were no different from those of male professionals, trying to get rid of the painful memories of wearing beautiful clothes, putting on a gentle smile, and letting men choose.

However, as time went by, after seeing Lady Yagris's unrestrainedness and Lowry's casualness, Valera finally abandoned those shadows.

Beautiful clothes and exquisite jewelry can exist for her own sake.

As long as she earns them back with her own hands.

From then on, Valera once again put on gorgeous clothes and beautiful attire.

Facing the open door, the noise was…

Huh?

Valera, who thought she would be greeted by the eyes of the whole room, was surprised to find that her and Ortiz's appearance did not attract anyone's attention.

Everyone was gathered in the spacious hall, whispering to each other.

The sound waves rose one after another.

Ortiz, who followed Valera in, asked loudly in as euphemistic a tone as possible: "What's going on? Is someone crying?"

Valera was silent for a while before asking: "Baron Watson, did they even bring the babies in swaddling clothes?"

Ortiz looked at her in surprise: "You, what are you saying?"

It wasn't that he didn't really hear it, but he sincerely felt that it would have been better if he hadn't heard it.