Count's Banquet

Count's Banquet

The carriage traveled down the main road and turned onto a narrow path.

Dense shade from the trees on both sides blocked out the sunlight, making the already dim carriage interior pitch-black.

"Hyah!"

Clatter...

Karl felt himself thrown high into the air before crashing heavily back down.

"My apologies."

The driver spoke apologetically.

"The road here is rough, especially near Adoff the Apothecary's estate. It's full of potholes."

"It's fine." Karl could not bring himself to blame him too harshly and casually asked, "Do you often take this road?"

"Yes."

The driver replied.

"The toll for leaving the city is higher than traveling within it, and most people who come this way are wealthy folk like yourself."

Wealthy people were more willing to spend money.

Karl nodded and lifted the carriage curtain to look outside.

Through the shade, he could see an estate with an ancient gate and a tower. It had probably stood for over a hundred years.

Adoff the Apothecary?

Such a vast place belonged to him alone? Why had Karl never heard his name before?

"We're here!"

Count Recton's estate was not far away. Many carriages were already parked before its gates, while extravagantly dressed guests came and went.

"Karl!"

Dina waved to him from afar.

"Over here!"

Martha, standing beside her, looked curiously at Karl as he stepped down from the carriage, her brows furrowing unconsciously.

His clothes were somewhat strange, there were obvious burn scars on his face, and supposedly he had a poor temperament. This was the sort of person her cousin wanted her to meet?

A Baron...

Other than being a Baron, what did this man have left?

"Officer."

Karl bowed slightly.

"I'm late."

"We arrived early." Dina waved it off indifferently, her gaze pausing on him. "Your clothes look nice."

Karl's tailored formalwear lacked cumbersome decorations. It looked clean and sharp, possessing a different sort of elegance.

Used to seeing extravagant formalwear, Dina found herself unexpectedly impressed.

"The price was nice too."

Karl answered with a smile, then looked toward Martha.

"This must be the beautiful cousin the officer often mentions. You truly leave an unforgettable impression at first sight."

"Thank you."

Martha curtsied, polite but somewhat distant.

Hmm?

She was not interested in him.

All the better!

Karl smiled. At Dina's suggestion, he accompanied Martha alone as they headed deeper into the estate.

"I'll be direct."

Once Dina had left, Martha immediately dropped her courteous expression. Her manner turned arrogant as she lifted her chin.

"The two of us are unsuitable for each other."

"What a pity." Karl held back a smile. "But please rest assured, Miss Martha. I won't cling to you."

"Oh!"

Martha raised a brow.

"You're quite the gentleman."

With everything out in the open, neither of them felt restrained anymore. They wandered over to the estate lawn, where many young people had gathered.

"Kolkraaf."

"What?"

"Count Recton's son."

Martha pointed at a young man in the crowd and smiled.

"Today is his coming-of-age ceremony."

The youth was splendidly dressed and glowing with health. Surrounded by admirers, he repeatedly raised his wineglass in greeting.

"Hehe..."

As though she had thought of something, Martha smiled mysteriously.

"Do you know what a coming-of-age ceremony is?"

"A birthday held when someone reaches the proper age?" Karl asked. "Does it have some special meaning?"

"Of course!"

Martha's eyes gleamed flirtatiously.

"Once you've had your coming-of-age ceremony, you can do the things adults are supposed to do. Don't tell me you don't even understand that?"

At a coming-of-age ceremony, elders would speak about the obligations adults bore toward society and the rights they enjoyed.

They would also encourage the younger generation to uphold public morals, serve the country, and remain loyal to the Deity.

However...

Judging from Martha's expression, the coming-of-age ceremony she meant was definitely not so "traditional."

"Look!"

Martha gestured toward the distance.

"The women over there were specially brought in to help Kolkraaf get through his coming-of-age ceremony."

"If he wants, he can keep them all tonight. Of course, women like that are unworthy of bearing children for the Count's family."

?

Karl's lips twitched.

He was not surprised by Martha's words. Rather, he had spotted a familiar face among those women.

His married cousin from Uncle Gejier's family.

Why was she here?

Although Karl was not close to this cousin and had only met her a few times, there was no way he could mistake her.

She had clearly recognized him too. Her expression changed, and she hurriedly turned away, apparently having no intention of acknowledging him.

"Miss Martha."

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Karl concealed the strange look in his eyes.

"You don't seem particularly surprised by this sort of thing?"

"Tch..." Martha curled her lips, displaying none of the ladylike grace she had shown when they first met. "What's so strange about things between men and women? Don't tell me you've never done it before?"

She looked entirely natural, then changed the subject.

"Madam Annie is here!"

Karl looked up.

Madam Annie was dressed magnificently today. Her spread skirt resembled a blooming flower, making her soft, rosy skin appear even more radiant.

Her towering chest was astonishing, and her cheeks were smooth and delicate. Even the elaborate veil could not diminish her beauty.

It was hard to imagine.

She was actually a woman whose husband had been dead for over a decade.

"She's becoming more beautiful by the day!"

Martha's eyes shone with fervor, as if she were looking at an idol she had long worshipped. She instinctively covered her mouth with both hands.

"I wonder how she takes care of herself. I'd be satisfied if I could have skin like hers."

"Eh..."

"The man beside her seems to be Doctor Robert."

"Robert?" Karl asked. "Who is that?"

The man beside Madam Annie was unremarkable in appearance. Even in high-heeled boots, he was still slightly shorter than Annie.

Yet the two of them behaved intimately, like a loving married couple.

"You don't know Doctor Robert?" Martha looked at him in surprise, then smiled mysteriously. "You shouldn't be unaware of him!"

"Why?" Karl frowned. "Am I supposed to know him?"

"Men in the city, especially wealthy men, should all know him." Martha's expression turned serious. "It seems you aren't very rich."

Karl fell silent.

"Yes."

"But why would all wealthy men know him? Could Miss Martha enlighten me?"

"It's simple." That mysterious smile returned to Martha's face. "Doctor Robert has a miraculous method that can help men add a few centimeters to what they already have."

"Add a few centimeters?"

"Yes."

"It seems..." Karl looked puzzled. "Not particularly useful."

Nor was it very convincing!

Robert himself was even shorter than many women. If he could make people taller, why was he so short?

Besides.

Women also had reason to want to grow taller. Why specifically emphasize men?

"Tsk, tsk..."

Martha shook her head.

"Not taller."

"Not taller? Then..." Karl froze before immediately realizing what she meant. He could not help laughing.

"Understand now?"

"I understand."

"Then would you like me to introduce you to him?" Martha suggested. "I have that much influence."

"No need." Karl shook his head. "I don't have that need."

"Oh!" Martha's gaze lowered. "You're very confident?"

"Miss Martha probably doesn't have much experience," Karl said slowly. "Many times, a man being too powerful is not an advantage. It can even make his partner feel disgusted and resistant."

Martha shrugged.

She understood that better than men did. She simply understood men's pride even better.

"Karl!"

At that moment, Dina waved to him from afar.

"Officer." Karl was looking for an excuse to get away from Martha, who seemed like a hooligan. Hearing her call, he walked over. "Is something wrong?"

"Yes."

Dina's expression was grim.

"Ham is dead. Someone drained all his life force."