Chapter 160

This winter seems determined to make life difficult for people, with wind, snow, frost... after only a few days of clear skies, another round of severe weather follows, causing extremely serious impacts on people's lives.

Even with Cyrus's prior preparations, some areas within the Desinia Territory organized snow removal efforts and transported substantial relief supplies.

If this is the case even within the Desinia Territory, one can only imagine the situation in other smaller countries and territories.

For one winter, even communication was cut off.

People had never felt that the whole winter was so long. They tightened their belts, and sometimes there wasn't even enough coal and firewood to keep warm.

Fortunately, winter will eventually pass.

After discovering that the first signs of spring had finally appeared, people everywhere breathed a sigh of relief. Subsequently, the ice and snow on the river completely melted, the roads were reopened, and transportation between each other gradually resumed.

News about other countries gradually reached the Desinia Territory.

Especially regarding what happened in the Saint Airo Empire this winter.

--Whether nobles, commoners, or slaves, countless people in the Saint Airo Empire died or were injured this winter, freezing to death, starving to death... Nobles lost their lives because of the riots instigated by commoners and slaves.

Commoners and slaves died as the rebellion failed and was suppressed.

Within the empire, many territories lost their lords, but these territories were not inherited by the next successor; instead, they were reclaimed by the king.

By the time the other nobles realized something was wrong, the king had already completed his arrangements.

--With cavalry constantly present within the territory, nobles dare not act rashly.

After listening to Ferdinand's report, Cyrus said, "So, Warner Gales has already consolidated most of the territories within the Saint Airo Empire, including the rights held by some nobles?"

"Yes, my lord." Ferdinand nodded.

"I think this matter must have met with considerable covert opposition... Even if some nobles were late in realizing it, they shouldn't have remained completely inactive."

Ferdinand said, "The King of the Saint Airo Empire has reclaimed some territory, but has also won over another group of nobles. And there's more news: the next king will marry Gary Phoebe's daughter."

"Ahem." Cyrus was suddenly startled by the news.

Isn't Cary Phoebe's daughter the same actress who plays Shamir Phoebe in the movie?!

How come after just one winter, the male lead in the original book is about to marry the female lead... Did he skip the part where they first met and fell in love?!

Cyrus glanced at the Plot Deviation Value in the upper right corner of the system interface; it was still stuck at 92% and hadn't moved.

Is this message legitimate?

Ferdinand said, "It should belong to..."

"My lord, this message came from the Thorn Merchant Guild's branch in the Empire..."

Having reported his mission complete, Ferdinand took his leave.

Cyrus pondered this sudden news for a while. After thinking it over, he began to recall the plot of the original book—as a Mary Sue, besides the male lead, the female lead naturally had many other suitors.

One of the main supporting actors is Gena Kozmo.

The other main male supporting characters include the son of a marquis of the Saint Airo Empire, the son of a duke of the Anas Empire, and the tribal chief from the distant Kadi Tribe.

Although the Anas Empire has split into the Achiyoli Territory and the Anas Kingdom, the son of the first duke is still alive, and his father is none other than Duke Rens of the Anas Kingdom.

After an avalanche in the Bovell Kingdom, war broke out in various places, and the subsequent plot of the original book gradually unfolded. The leader of the Kadi Tribe would arrive in the Saint Airo Empire shortly afterward.

The existence of the tribal chiefs is one of the key characters who facilitate the development of the relationship between the male and female protagonists in the original book.

These minor characters haven't even appeared yet, and the male and female leads from the original book are already getting married?!

It feels like after a winter, I don't recognize the outside world anymore...

However, the fact that the plot in the original book was "completely different" put Cyrus at ease.

Then, as the tender green shoots of grass sprouted from the ground, the definite news finally arrived—His Majesty the King of the Saint Airo Empire would be marrying Shamir, the daughter of Marquis Galli Phoebe, in two months.

The wedding will be presided over by the cardinal of the Saint Church, with the Creator God as witness, and a prayer will be offered for the couple.

At the same time, wedding invitations from the Saint Airo Empire were also sent to the kings or lords of various small countries.

Cyrus naturally also received a wedding invitation.

Segalot also wrote one.

Cyrus decided to go to the Saint Airo Empire for two reasons: first, he learned that the tribal chief of the Kadi Tribe Brali, would be arriving in the empire; and second, it was for the purpose of establishing a second Saint Church in the Desinia Territory.

Cyrus hoped that the second Saint Church would gradually replace the first.

Among them, the clergy are indispensable.

Moreover... if he seriously considers his relationship with the Pope, the center of the Holy See absolutely cannot exist in the capital city of the Saint Airo Empire...

Since that time by the lake... although he no longer hid from the Pope, he still hadn't given a reply.

Currently, their relationship is in a hazy, ambiguous stage.

Cyrus admitted that his heart would race and he would blush when facing His Holiness the Pope, but he felt that nothing was guaranteed until the Plot Deviation Value by 100%.

After all, 098 once said that the Plot Deviation Value is not fixed.

If something unexpected happens and the plot reverts to its original trajectory, his ultimate fate will still be difficult to rewrite.

Fortunately, the Pope did not press the issue further. As he said, he could wait as long as the Pope did not back down.

After Cyrus and the Pope arrived in the Saint Airo Empire, they were personally received by the second prince Kien, who was now a prince, and were still arranged to stay at the Sheri Hall.

Meanwhile, those who arrived at the Sheri Hall before Cyrus were Archduke Orville and Archibald Cavendish they hadn't seen all winter.

Compared to the reserved Grand Duke, Archibald gave Cyrus a tight hug as soon as they met.

"Long time no see," Archibald whispered in Cyrus's ear. "Have you missed me?"

Cyrus: "... I certainly do miss His Highness."

Archibald released him, his deep green eyes like still, cool lake water, yet rippling with emotion. "We haven't seen each other all winter, why are you calling me so unfamiliarly?"

"Archie." Cyrus smiled.

Archibald ruffled his hair as he always did.

"Why haven't I seen Rollie?" Orville asked.

Even after a winter, they still think about pandas.

Cyrus: "There's no fresh bamboo in the Saint Airo Empire, and Rollie is rather lazy and doesn't like going out..."

He only brought Egg Yolk, Black Sugar, Ice Cream, Eggy, and Qing Tuan a type of glutinous rice dumpling). Coalball, Snowball, and Rice Cake were left in the castle, and Rice Ball another type of glutinous rice ball) were still on their way back from other sea areas.

"Then after the wedding, I'll go back to Desinia with you." Orville said.

"Okay." Cyrus had no objections.

Coincidentally, he also had some matters to discuss with Orville and Archibald, concerning new crops, Cotton planting, etc.

So, before Archibald could even speak, Cyrus invited him.

Archibald smiled. "Of course I'll go."

Segalot stood behind, coldly observing their pleasant conversation. His deep, golden eyes revealed nothing on his face, but the oppressive aura around him noticeably decreased.

Cyrus, sensing this, turned around and naturally took Segalot's hand, saying, "Your Majesty, aren't we going back to the Saint Church today? Let's go together."

His Holiness the Pope dislikes wearing hats and gloves, and although winter has passed, the chill of early spring still lingers.

[Honestly, I've been using this app to follow my favorite books lately. It has multiple reading sources, various voice options, and works on both Android Apple.]

Cyrus's hand, which she scooped up, was as cold as jade.

He habitually pulled a pair of gloves from his pocket, asking the Pope to hold one while he slipped the other glove onto his cold hands.

"Can't you put your gloves on properly?" Cyrus said, displeased.

Segalot lowered her eyes and chuckled softly, "Yes, definitely next time."

Along the way, there were already several "next times".

Cyrus had to admit that she was arrogant and spoiled, even daring to glare at the Pope openly.

After bidding farewell to Orville and Archibald, he and Segalot temporarily left the Sheri Hall and headed to the Saint Church.

After the two left, Archibald stood still.

His brows furrowed, his lake-green eyes growing even deeper, and he murmured, "The relationship between Little Zuoyi and the Pope... has it changed somewhat?"

Orville, who was watching the fluffy creatures walking in a line up behind Walker upstairs, looked away at the question and asked, puzzled, "What's changed?"

Archibald: "Didn't you just see... they... their relationship has improved?"

He didn't know how to express himself on a deeper level.

Orville's expression grew even more puzzled. "Is it strange that you've gotten better?"

"..."

Archibald finally sighed, "Forget it, I can't explain it to you."

Orville: "If you don't beat around the bush, I'll understand."

"Some things can't be said directly; you have to understand them yourself."

"Then your expression is flawed."

"..."

Finally, Archibald decided not to waste his breath on someone whose heart was probably filled with nothing but furry creatures, and turned to leave.

Saint Church.

However, Cyrus was not able to enter the church with the Pope. He encountered someone outside the Saint Church and was stopped.

"Lord of Desinia, may I speak with you alone for a moment?" Shamir mustered her courage.

Looking at the blushing Mary Sue heroine before her, Cyrus silently resisted the urge to back away, her face remaining calm. "Miss Phoebe, why don't you just say what you have to say here?"

People came and went, and although no one stopped beside them, quite a few people were secretly watching this marquis's daughter, whose marriage to His Majesty the King had long been rumored.

Now, a marquis's daughter, who is to marry the king, stands with the lord of Desinia at the entrance of the Saint Church, a scene that attracts many curious or observant glances.

Cyrus was puzzled. He had never had any interaction with the female lead in the original book, and he wondered what this Mary Sue female lead wanted to do by calling him over.

Suddenly, without warning, Shamir burst into tears, and with what seemed like immense courage, she spoke, "Marrying the king was not my wish, and I could only obey my father's arrangement, but some things, if left unsaid, will be a lifelong regret..."

"Lord of Desinia, I... I have always admired you!"

After saying that, the female protagonist ran away.

Cyrus remained where she was. "..."