Chapter 164

After Orville finished speaking, Cyrus froze on the spot, not even knowing how to react for a moment.

He doubted himself, and stammered, "What...?"

Compared to Cyrus's bewildered expression, Orville seemed like a trapped fish that had finally found a way out.

He nodded as if agreeing with himself, "Since men can kiss each other, then naturally you can too..."

"Orville, I see..." Cyrus tried to explain.

Orville, however, seemed to have a sudden realization and stepped forward, saying, "Little Zuoyi, do you hate her?"

No, not at all...

"Are you already with the Pope?"

Orville frowned. "If that's the case, it's a bit hard to accept... Little Zuoyi, you'd better stay with the Pope. In his eyes, isn't the Holy See the most important thing?"

Cyrus rubbed her temples, feeling a slight headache. "We're not together yet."

"I hate you too, but that doesn't mean I can kiss you, Orville ...you've been through so much..."

Why are you talking nonsense?

Orville: "No, I'm just thinking about some things."

He asked doubtfully, "Why do you want to kiss me? Is it because you like me and not the Pope? That's why you were so intimate with the Pope last night..."

Cyrus did not answer, but the tips of her ears gradually turned red.

Orville's light gray eyes flickered, then darkened. He said, "Little Zuoyi, you like me, don't you? I'll treat you very well."

"Even though I can't marry you, I'll marry someone else."

"I can promise you, you will become a duchess in reality."

Cyrus: "..."

He not only had a headache, but also wanted to sigh helplessly, "Why must I become a duchess, and you become my lady of the lord?"

Orville thought for a moment, then nodded. "If that's what you want, that's fine too. I have no objections."

"... Orville, I was just saying that casually."

Cyrus sighed, "I will become your duchess. Whatever your reason for having this thought, give it up."

Orville pondered for a moment, then said, "Although you are refusing, you still want to give up."

"Little Zuoyi, there might be a better candidate than the Pope, why not try accepting..."

The conversation ended with Ferdinand knocking on the door. Orville left after saying he hoped Fernandi would consider it, seemingly unfazed by Cyrus's rejection.

Cyrus has a headache.

Ferdinand said, "My lord, the head of the Ed Merchant Guild, Old Thomas, personally visited the guild Sheri Hall, hoping to meet with you."

"Now, the chairman is waiting in the lobby. What are your thoughts...?"

"Please ask him to come." Cyrus pinched the bridge of her nose and said.

"."

Ferdinand turned and left. After Cyrus had sorted out her chaotic thoughts, Old Thomas, the head of the Ed Merchant Guild, was led inside.

"Please sit down," said Cyrus.

"I understand. Is there anything I can do for you here?"

The man, who was over forty years old, had his hair neatly combed back, with a few stray hairs mixed in, and his face showed obvious wrinkles.

But he still looked energetic, at least capable of managing a large chamber of commerce.

Old Thomas said, "I would like to ask the lord if he has any intention of cooperating with the Ed Merchant Guild."

Cyrus: "Does 'understand' mean you want the three chambers of commerce to cooperate?"

The Thorn Merchant Guild, the Ed Merchant Guild, and the Nagabi Merchant Guild.

Old Thomas shook his head. "I only want to cooperate with the lord. As for whether the lord cooperates with any merchant guild other than the Ed Merchant Guild, I don't care."

"The Ed Merchant Guild can make significant concessions to the lord."

Cyrus: "So, does the General Manager hope to cooperate with the Thorn Merchant Guild?"

Old Thomas: "Samuel Fern brought back new crops from the New Continent."

"My lord, although you are strictly controlling the flow of these new crops to the outside world, the news has still reached Saint Elo..."

"And this mere glimpse of the immense profits involved is enough to reveal the extent of the benefits."

"... Perhaps to be more precise, the emergence of these new crops will bring about a revolution in the field of food."

"This should already be reflected in the territory of Germany."

Old Thomas's eyes seemed to gleam with fervor as he said, "I never imagined that the yield of a crop could reach hundreds or even thousands of kilograms."

"And there are not just one type of such crop, but three!"

Cyrus: "If it's about new crops, the Ed Merchant Guild is perfectly capable of cooperating with the Thorn Merchant Guild."

"After all, there has never been any restriction on the sale of pamphlets containing seeds and cultivation methods for new crops to people outside the territory of Dernia..."

"As for temporarily controlling the speed of circulation, there are my own considerations on this."

"Your Excellency is joking. The seeds of new crops circulating in the market are barely the size of fish fry. Without releasing large fish, how could the Ed Merchant Guild possibly consume them?"

"Furthermore, besides these three new crops, the Ed Merchant Guild also wants to collaborate with the lord on establishing a hospital..."

Old Thomas's words were sincere.

But Cyrus leaned back on the sofa and said calmly, "I'll make sure I understand what's going on in the Drainia territory."

"However, I may have to disappoint the president."

"The Thorn Merchant Guild is temporarily considering cooperating with other chambers of commerce. Please return now."

Old Thomas's face darkened upon hearing this. "Does the lord wish to ask what conditions the Ed Merchant Guild would offer for cooperation?"

"As I said before, the Ed Merchant Guild can make significant concessions to lords."

"No matter how much the Ed Merchant Guild concedes, there are no plans for cooperation for the time being... at least not now."

Cyrus pondered, "Perhaps I'll change my mind later, provided the Ed Merchant Guild is willing to wait a while. Hopefully, they'll understand..."

"Does the lord have any concerns?"

Cyrus nodded.

Old Thomas's expression softened somewhat. After a moment's thought, he said, "The Ed Merchant Guild's intention to cooperate with the lord may change."

"As for the extended wait, hopefully the lord can provide a definite answer as soon as possible."

Later, old Thomas said goodbye and left.

To avoid seeing Orville and hearing his unpleasant words, Cyrus ate both lunch and dinner in her room. Fortunately, Orville didn't bother her again.

His Holiness the Pope was busy in the Saint Church and did not return home that day.

Cyrus thought he would sleep at the Saint Church's residence that night. After Eggy made a ruckus in the room, he dragged the dog out by the ear and planned to personally lock the naughty Husky in a "little dark room" with Egg Yolk yolks, brown Black Sugar, and Ice Cream. The three large furry dogs would keep an eye on it to prevent it from causing trouble in the middle of the night.

However, he suddenly stopped when he led Eggy to the corner of the corridor.

--On the other half of the corridor, lit by kerosene lamps, stood two figures: one was the Pope, and the other was Archduke Orville.

The flickering flame inside the kerosene lamp cast a dim shadow on the figures.

Cyrus Zuoyi's eyes widened slightly, then she bent down and squatted down, covering Eggy's mouth at the same time.

Eggy tilted his head slightly, his eyes darting around inexplicably.

Their encounter was accidental.

After returning to the Sheri Hall, Segalot naturally went to see Cyrus, and Orville had the same purpose.

Upon meeting in the corridor, the two stopped in their tracks simultaneously.

Segalot: "Your Excellency, is there something you need so late?"

Orville: "It's alright, Your Majesty. Go find Little Zuoyi."

He paused for a moment and then said, "Your Holiness, could you answer a question?"

"Your Excellency may speak frankly," Segalot nodded.

Orville: "The Holy See creates dogmas, imposes strict regulations on people, and spreads blessings to people on behalf of the Creator God... Are those who violate dogmas and common sense always punished without exception?"

Segalot: "The doctrines are strict, but the Creator God is tolerant of humankind."

"The regulations of the Holy See were also formulated and modified by each successive pope. They may not have been wrong in the past, but now... they are certainly correct."

There are always exceptions.

"And these exceptions mostly apply to nobles... because they assume the Grand Duke should have understood this reasoning long ago."

Orville: "Therefore, the Pope is no exception, and as for the rules of the Holy See, Your Majesty may also abide by them."

"Is what you said right?"

Segalot's golden eyes flickered, and she asked, "What exactly does the Grand Duke want to say?"

Orville: "Your Majesty, regarding men..."

"Aww--"

The words he had just spoken were abruptly interrupted by a loud, chaotic howl.

At the same time, Eggy suddenly darted out from around the corner of the corridor and bounced up in front of Orville Segalot.

"Eggy, why are you saying such things? Didn't I tell you not to run around? Come back..."

Cyrus then appeared, looking puzzled. "Your Majesty, Orville, what are you doing standing here?"

Eggy twisted its head, staring at Cyrus with a wronged look, then looked at its own butt and spun around twice.

Segalot: "We bumped into each other here by chance and chatted for a bit."

"Is Eggy talking again?"

Segalot rubbed the Husky's head, then Eggy playfully dodged away, letting out a pitiful whimper as it faced the corridor wall, its tail wagging.

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"What's wrong?" Segalot chuckled.

Cyrus: "Ahem... I caused trouble in the room earlier and got a lecture from her."

Actually, fearing that Orville would once again "say something shocking" in front of His Holiness the Pope, he pinched Eggy's butt in a moment of panic.

"What were you talking about just now?"

Segalot: "No, it's just that the Grand Duke has some questions to ask."

Orville's expression was indifferent. He didn't persist with his question, but stepped forward to Cyrus and said, "Little Zuoyi, I've come here to see you and say goodnight. Now, it's time for me to go back."

After he finished speaking, he suddenly leaned down and gently kissed Cyrus's forehead before she could react, then said in a warm voice, "Good night, sweet dreams tonight."

Segalot's expression suddenly changed.

After Orville left, Cyrus recovered from her shock, pursed her lips, and cautiously glanced at the Pope: "I... I didn't expect this either..."