Chapter 190

"Ouch."

Eggy ran over with an old, bitten frisbee in its mouth, nuzzling its head against Cyrus's hand with hopeful eyes.

--I need someone to play with me.

Cyrus looked up at the sky, shook her head, and said with difficulty, "No, Eggy good, Daddy has to go to the Scientific Research Institute."

The project's research is now at a critical juncture.

He half-squatted down, cupped Eggy's head in his hands, patted it gently, and gave the dejected dog a kiss. "I'll play with you again, okay?"

I've been so busy lately.

His Holiness the Pope was not present either.

Judas wanted to go to the research institute with him.

Meanwhile, Gibran and the others have been very busy these past few days. Inside the castle, the only people who can play with Eggy are probably the servants, though Eggy probably only wants to play with him.

"Ugh."

The dog's tail stopped wagging and drooped down. It rubbed against Cyrus's palm again, then obediently spat out the frisbee and sat down on the ground.

Cyrus's heart was practically melting.

Although Eggy can be quite naughty at times, he can also be well-behaved and sensible at other times, like right now.

He then left, relieved.

Eggy stood behind her, tilting its head, watching for a while. Once Cyrus's figure had disappeared, it suddenly ran joyfully into the castle...

Scientific Research Institute.

The new research project that Cyrus assigned was to invent the Steam Engine. We are now in an era where machines already exist, and the emergence of the Steam Engine will undoubtedly accelerate the development of productivity and provide people with more convenient services.

The pace of technological advancement and replacement is very fast for cotton gins, textile machines, and other equipment.

The people have no shortage of wisdom and labor, and a previous examination to recruit inventors greatly boosted people's enthusiasm for creation.

Now, the Scientific Research Institute has been officially established. It is an institution directly under the government, just like the "Medical Research Institute," and is dedicated to serving Cyrus.

Whether it's the "Scientific Research Institute" or the "Medical Research Institute," Cyrus will personally participate in both.

The level of importance attached to it is self-evident.

Both locations are still recruiting talent, but the assessment is very strict. Usually, many people are eliminated in the second round, and very few are able to stay in the end.

Not to mention, even after entering these two places, there is still a three-month internship period.

During the internship, Cyrus, Reinog, and Joseph would jointly evaluate whether the new hires were qualified to stay on.

If not, then you'll have to leave.

These strict regulations do deter many people, but the excellent benefits in these two places still attract a considerable number of people who are willing to risk everything to get in.

After all, this is also a route that brings you close to the lord.

Now, after experiencing the Black Death, the Battle of Kunseci, the fall of the Saint Airo Empire, the fall of the Bia Kingdom, the surge in food production, the availability of Cotton for warmth, and the rapid development of handicrafts, not only the people within the Desinia Territory, but also the people in other small countries and territories, have developed a fervent worship of Cyrus.

The lord of Desinia's prestige soared, earning him the respect of countless people.

In particular, this lord is young and handsome, with a reputation comparable to a rose. He has an outstanding appearance and has never had any scandals, nor has he married a beautiful wife.

His power was unparalleled, and his looks were unmatched—such a man was extremely sought after by the noble ladies and even wives.

They tried almost every means to get to know the Lord of Desinia, for what an honor and prestige it would be to become his wife.

Moreover, they wouldn't be at a disadvantage at all by marrying such a lord.

Unfortunately, regardless of whether they wanted to give gifts to the mayor, officials, or close advisors closest to the lord, or tried every means to organize banquets to invite people and cultivate relationships...

For some reason, all attempts to contact the higher-ups and get closer to the Lord of Desinia were ineffective.

Left with no other choice, they could only try their best to find out the lord's daily routes and then pretend to bump into him along those roads.

Recently, Cyrus's travel route has undoubtedly been between Par Mountain and the Scientific Research Institute or Medical Research Institute.

On the fragrant paths, on the wide streets, under the trees with falling leaves... almost every day, a carriage and servants would stop at any place that Cyrus could see at a glance... The most eye-catching were the noble ladies, dressed in either gorgeous and beautiful, delicate and fragile, or innocent and lovely attire.

They were waiting for a chance to have a wonderful encounter with Cyrus.

These noble ladies longed for Cyrus to remember them, fall in love with them, and marry them as the lord's wives. Even if they couldn't become the lord's wives, they would still be willing to be his lovers.

What's truly disheartening is that no matter how they dressed up, pretended to bump into each other, or struck poses while waiting, or even boldly stopped the Desinia lord's carriage...

They received no attention or response whatsoever.

Even if she managed to strike up a conversation, Cyrus would only politely express her refusal, leaving these noble ladies no room for wishful thinking.

In the past few days, quite a few people have returned home disappointed.

The noble ladies, each with their own unique charm, were all beneath the notice of the Lord of Desinia. Could it be that he intended to marry a princess?!

But princesses are nowhere to be found now.

His Majesty the King of the Bovell Kingdom is still unmarried, and both Grand Duke Achiyoli and Prince Cavendish, who are on good terms with the Lord of Desinia, are still single.

Moreover, the Anas Kingdom is ruled by Queen Minina.

She had already made it clear that she would not have any more children, and that Archibald Cavendish would succeed her after she abdicated the throne.

If His Highness the Prince does not wish to inherit the throne, then he shall give birth to an heir for her.

It seems that His Highness is currently being pressured by Queen Minina to get to know the various noble ladies in the capital...

[By the way, this is currently the best app for reading aloud and listening to books. Install the latest version.]

There was no princess anywhere.

So, what kind of person does the Lord of Desinia want to marry?

Among Cyrus's close associates were several elderly men, including Marquis Marco Keith, the father of diplomat Nat.

This marquis has followed Cyrus ever since the fall of the Gadayat Kingdom. He once saved Cyrus's life and was later appointed as the mayor of Kaies and the interim mayor of Yami.

After Yami stabilized, he returned to Kaies. Now, due to his advanced age, he stepped down as mayor and came to Visas to live with his son.

Marquis Marco can be said to have watched Cyrus grow from a fair-skinned child to the handsome young man he is today.

He regarded Cyrus as a lord, but also as a beloved junior.

So, seeing that Cyrus had been an adult for quite some time but still had no intention of getting married, he couldn't help but bring it up, his words carrying a hint of urging.

Cyrus said not to worry, he already has a lover, and he will live with her for the rest of his life, never to leave her. Recently, they are preparing to announce their relationship to the world and then hold a grand wedding.

Marquis Marco was utterly astonished—when did the lord acquire a lover?! There had been absolutely no trace of it.

But he was immediately relieved. The lord was always reliable. It seemed that he couldn't bear to see his lover exposed to others and suffer jealousy and attacks, so he hid her away and would introduce her to everyone when the opportunity arose.

Upon realizing this, Marquis Marco's heart finally settled back into his stomach.

The lord must have his own reasons; he should just wait patiently.

However, he was too complacent.

More than half a month later, the annual God-Prayer Festival began. This is a very important festival where people pray to the Creator God god for divine favor.

Typically, the highest-ranking clergy member from each city's church would serve as the messenger of divine favor.

--The messenger will lead people in reciting prayers inside the church, followed by ceremonies such as bestowing holy flowers and sprinkling holy water.

Now, the Saint Church has been built in Visas, and the God-Prayer Festival will naturally be held in the Saint Church. In the past, the person who held the festival would be a cardinal.

But this year is different; His Holiness the Pope will personally serve as the messenger for the God-Prayer Festival.

It would be an immense honor for them to be led by the Pope to complete the rituals of the God-Prayer Festival and receive blessings.

Many people wanted to go inside the church to participate.

Later, when they heard that the Lord of Desinia would also personally come to the Saint Church to participate in the God-Prayer Festival, everyone in Visas was obviously very excited.

Nobles and commoners alike wanted to participate, and even people from other cities wanted to come to Visas for the God-Prayer Festival.

Even though the Saint Church hall is spacious, it cannot accommodate everyone.

After discussion, the Saint Church decided to hold the ceremony in the central square of Visas, where vast fields of fiery red roses are planted, a symbol of the City of Roses.

On the day of the God-Prayer Festival, the central square was bustling with people and very lively.

The Pope wore an extremely noble black robe, with gold thread embroidered on the collar and cuffs. His long, black, curly hair was draped behind his head, and his pair of gilded eyes were unapproachable.

After he stepped onto the stage, he merely glanced around casually, and the audience gradually fell silent.

The Pope rarely appears in public, but when he does, everyone inevitably feels a sense of submission.

He possessed an equally undeniably handsome appearance, and those eyes that were said to be favored by the Creator God... He was undoubtedly a figure worthy of reverence.

The noble ladies who had originally come for Cyrus couldn't help but have their eyes light up and their cheeks flushed as they looked at the Pope, showing signs of budding romance.

The Pope cannot marry and have children, and clergy must also dedicate their lives to the Holy See and serve the Creator God.

However, this is not a strict rule. If one wants to get married and have children, then one must take off one's clergy robes and leave the Holy See.

From then on, they would exist as ordinary citizens, with no connection to the Holy See.

But Segalot Wordsworth Augsger is an exception.

The previous pope once said that, both in the past and in the future, only Segalot could have children. If the child's eyes were golden, then he would undoubtedly be a candidate for the next pope.

If Segalot had no wife or children, the next pope would be chosen from among the children raised by the Holy See.

This proposal was approved by all clergy members of the Holy See at the time.

No, later the clergy of the Holy See unanimously concluded that their Pope would definitely be alone for the rest of his life.

The God-Prayer Festival officially began, with Cyrus and a group of nobles and officials at the forefront, followed by the assembled crowd.

In this solemn moment, no one uttered a sound. They clasped their hands together, bowed their heads slightly, and silently recited the prayer in the Pope's deep, melodious voice.

After all the ceremonies were over, the Pope did not leave, but instead faced everyone, seemingly having something to say.

Dempus and Malediz exchanged a glance, unable to imagine what was about to happen.

Next, the Pope solemnly announced to everyone the existence of his beloved.

Segalot smiled and said, "My beloved is right here. Under the witness of the Creator God, I will stay with him for life, never to leave him."

They will grow old together, until the moment of death arrives.

Otherwise, no matter what happens, no one can separate them.

Amidst the varied expressions on people's faces and a moment of silence, Cyrus calmly stood up from his seat, walked onto the stage, and placed his hand in Segalot's palm, which Segalott then firmly grasped.

!!!

An uproar immediately erupted below.

People watched in disbelief as what was happening before their eyes...

What?! Why is the lord going up to shake His Holiness the Pope's hand?!

Could His Holiness the Pope's beloved be...?!