The Embarrassment Behind the Elegance

For the next few days, Lux, accompanied by her guards, took a long detour around Silvermine City.

During the day, they traveled through mountains and fields.

At night, they lodged with farming families.

Lux saw another world, a completely different one.

At first, everything felt novel, interesting, and a bit awkward.

But as she saw more and more, she no longer felt any novelty, interest, or awkwardness.

After a week, she seemed to have truly become a hunter's daughter—she no longer subconsciously maintained her etiquette, could brazenly scoop river water with a broken bowl, and wouldn't lose sleep over the smell and dampness of the bedding.

At the same time, she could finally answer the question Karya had posed earlier.

If possible, every farmer would want to become nobility.

The reasons were varied.

Perhaps it was the raspberry dessert before the noble lord's meal, which required farmers to pick it from deep in the mountains.

Perhaps it was the fuel for the noble lord's fireplace, which never needed to be carefully rationed.

Perhaps it was the noble lord's unremarkable guard, who was the farmer's proudest son.

Perhaps it was the ornate carpet under the noble lord's feet, which had taken countless sleepless nights to create.

Lux had once naively believed that the rights and obligations of nobility and commoners were equal—even that nobility, compared to the vulgar commoners, were more elegant, composed, loved the country more, and were willing to sacrifice for Demacia.

But the reality was that, in every aspect, the lives of commoners could not compare to those of nobility.

This was true even during war—although noble scions were supposed to join the army, and many died for the country, the number of commoners who died in war was still far greater than that of nobility.

It was just that few people had their bodies sent to the Hall of Valor.

For Demacia, they had "voluntarily" come to the battlefield.

This realization had a huge impact on Lux's worldview. She had never imagined that everything the nobility was proud of in their daily lives was built upon the hard work of the commoners; and everything the nobility took for granted was beyond the reach of the commoners.

The more she interacted and understood, the more ashamed Lux felt—ashamed of her past self who thought she knew everything, and even ashamed of being nobility.

When her guard reminded her that too much time had passed and she had to return, Lux finally understood what Karya meant by the "fundamental problem."

At that moment, thinking of the vast gap between Demacian farmers and nobility, she even had the thought, "Farmers shouldn't have to pay taxes at all."

Realizing this, Lux was stunned.

"How could this be?" Lux murmured, "Karya, I think I understand something now, but I also feel like I don't..."

"Because you've seen a new contradiction, one you've never discovered before," Karya said calmly. "It's the contradiction between nobility and commoners."

"Is that really a contradiction?" Lux's tone was uncertain. "I only saw envy and longing."

"That's because this contradiction isn't sharp yet, nor has it erupted—it has always existed, like those Nullstones absorbing Magic Power, waiting for an opportunity," Karya continued. "And taxation is one of the most direct points of conflict."

"But the problem is, I don't know which side I should stand on anymore!" Lux reached up and tugged at her straw hat. "I... I always thought things shouldn't be like this!"

"Things indeed shouldn't be like this," Karya affirmed. "Some people haven't noticed this, some people turn a blind eye to it."

"If, according to your words, they reduce taxes on farmers, this matter will become truly troublesome," Lux couldn't help but sigh. "Fortunately, I saw all of this."

"So, have you found a solution?"

"The fundamental contradiction... I haven't found it yet," Lux said truthfully. "But for the current situation, I'm prepared."

"Oh? Tell me about it?"

"Actually, whether the nobility reduced taxes before or not is no longer important," Lux's confident smile reappeared on her face. "The whole matter can be divided into two!"

"How can it be divided into two?"

"For the farmers, promote some as retainers and knights, give them the opportunity to become nobility, and let them be responsible for this matter!" Lux clearly grasped the key point. "For the nobility, deal with those who violate the law, announce their crimes, and punish them publicly as a warning to everyone!"

"Very clever, Lux," Karya's tone was full of admiration. "Using power to curb contradictions, winning over some, and dealing with others. I thought you would ponder for a while longer!"

"I'm not that naive! I can distinguish between purpose and method!" Lux said proudly. "Besides, I've also realized that you were guiding me to the farmers, to see things from the commoners' perspective!"

"So?"

"So even if I haven't found a solution yet—" Lux's tone was full of confidence, "—I will find a way sooner or later!"

"Is that so?" Karya chuckled lightly. "Then let's keep watching—don't say I didn't warn you, Lux, so far, you've only seen the most tender and gentle facade."

"?"

"When times are peaceful, contradictions hide their sharpness, but when conflict erupts, you'll find everything becomes frantic," Karya said meaningfully. "Are you ready?"

"Always ready!"

Meanwhile, while Lux was out in the countryside for her investigation, Gao Kan had also finally arrived at Vilos Town at full speed.

To capture Lux, Gao Kan had made extensive preparations.

First, he used his financial power to book the room next to Lux's entourage and chose a sunny afternoon to play the harp on the balcony.

Gao Kan hoped to meet Lux as a fellow music enthusiast.

But unfortunately, the rooms next door remained silent—even though it was a beautiful sunny day, Lux's window wasn't open.

Gao Kan wasn't discouraged, however. That evening, by the fireplace, he began to play his instrument again, but still, no one responded.

Making friends through music seemed to be a dead end.

Gao Kan changed his approach and started drawing portraits of people on the street outside Lux's window.

He deliberately chose the perfect angle, ensuring all his works faced the second-floor window.

But after drawing for three whole days, Gao Kan was almost sick of it, and Lux's window remained shut.

Gao Kan finally sensed something was wrong—no matter how reserved Lux was, he could rule out her guards telling him to stay away. After all, having a crowd gathered there would be quite noisy.

But the guards hadn't reacted at all from beginning to end; they even seemed a bit lax.

Using his wealth again, Gao Kan finally got an unexpected piece of information from a talkative waiter.

"The room next to yours is interesting too. They never ask for meals. The noble lady must be really pampered..."

Pampered?

Pampered my ass!

For so many days, the door and windows of the room next door hadn't been opened, and no meals had been delivered. Unless Lux could live without eating or drinking, then... there was no living person inside!

In other words, Lux wasn't next door; she had already left!

Where could a patient go?

Hmm, wait, a patient?

Damn patient, she probably wasn't sick at all!

Realizing this, Gao Kan immediately checked out and rushed back to Silvermine City.

Upon arriving home, he informed his father of the news first thing.

Dili was stunned when he heard everything—in the next moment, he quickly understood Lux's intentions.

Good heavens, I thought she was just a delicate girl who couldn't adapt to the local climate, but she's actually a hidden dragon!

"It seems we need to change our approach," Dili narrowed his eyes. "When Miss Lux arrives in Silvermine City, we might need to have a good talk with her."

"Is the plan still going ahead?" Gao Kan finally became serious. "She's only twelve, but she seems difficult to handle..."

"No, it can't continue. You shouldn't appear again, or it'll be awkward if those people recognize you," Dili shook his head. "This time, we're not playing the role of a dream lover, but a loyal newcomer."

"A loyal... newcomer?"

"We don't have much money left anyway," Dili quickly prepared a new plan. "Since Miss Lux is serious, we'll give her all the evidence she wants—she must have been investigating the nearby farmlands during this time to confirm if there's a frost disaster."

"So?"

"So, we'll offer our support within our capabilities." Dili's lips finally curved into a smile again. "For a naive young girl, the best way is to capture her heart; for a capable lady in power, the best way is to offer your loyalty."

"But what about Codora?" Gao Kan looked incredulous at his father's decision. "That old guy is not easy to deal with!"

"Trust me, our little princess is the one who's truly difficult to deal with." Dili's smile widened. "I heard her uncle died three years ago, and the main family doesn't seem to have many descendants—do you think she might need loyalty from a collateral branch?"

"This isn't your style..."

"What is my style?" Dili raised his eyebrows. "You brat, are you asking for a beating? How many times have I told you, your mother and I are true love!"

"Ah, yes, yes, yes--"

"Bastard, get me my horsewhip!"

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