Chapter 324: What’s Wrong with Taking a Bath Together as an Engaged Couple?
Several luxurious carriages slowly approached from the far end of the street.
The sound of wheels intertwined into a complex melody in the air, gradually slowing down as the distance shortened.
The noble procession came to an orderly halt before a massive iron gate, forming a neat line.
Behind the enormous iron gate lay a vast estate. A fountain crafted from stone blocks stood at the center of the courtyard, with lion-shaped spouts continuously spraying crystal-clear water droplets.
Red brick paths wound out from both sides of the fountain, extending to every corner of the estate.
The paths were flanked by lush green vegetation, with clusters of vibrant flowers dotting between the greenery, creating a spectacular display of colors.
The massive marble castle stood quietly at the end of the courtyard, its enormous walls blocking nearly half the sky.
Several sturdy stone pillars supported the circular dome, giving it an air of majesty.
The servants had already been waiting at the entrance. Upon seeing the noble carriages arrive, they immediately went forward to open the doors for each carriage.
The nobles emerged from their carriages one by one, stepping onto the clean cobblestone path.
However, after taking just a few steps, they stumbled slightly, their faces showing undisguised fear.
They looked as if they had just experienced a brush with death.
A moment later, the beast-eared demi-humans also emerged from the noble carriages.
They were fully armed and wore solemn expressions.
These demi-humans were the source of the kingdom nobles' fear.
In the human world, demi-humans were viewed as beasts.
This time, they had shared the same carriage compartment with these "beasts."
This made their hearts race, as if their lives were in constant danger.
These nobles weren't seeing demi-humans for the first time, but the ones before them were vastly different from those they'd seen before.
The aura these demi-humans emitted commanded respect from the nobles.
These petite yet agile figures each wore intimidating armor, and their eyes gleamed more like experienced hunters than mere beasts.
The diplomatic ministers also disembarked with the convoy, stepping steadily onto the cobblestone path.
Breathing in the foreign air, they smiled at the trembling nobles and said:
"Stay calm, everyone."
"You see, you're just not used to it yet, have you ever seen anything like this?"
"These are the demi-human guards of Count Viktor Kravina's household."
The diplomatic ministers began recounting the glorious achievements of these demi-humans to the nobles of the Kanter Kingdom.
These demi-humans had once accompanied the Carenthian Empire's princess to the Adventurers' City at the southern border for training, slaying countless monsters and earning military merits.
The kingdom nobles looked at these imperial diplomatic officials praising the demi-humans so enthusiastically, and couldn't help but admire them.
They could remain so calm in the face of such dangerous demi-humans.
Could it be... that the Empire had developed techniques to train demi-humans?
The number of demi-humans in the Kanter Kingdom was not small.
After all, unlike the Carenthian Empire, the Kanter Kingdom didn't deliberately control the demi-human population through policies.
The Kanter Kingdom's interior emphasized species diversity.
In the kingdom, demi-human slaves could be seen almost everywhere.
Even in some forests, demi-human presence was possible.
The Kanter Kingdom had never banned demi-humans from entering, nor had they ever established any laws specifically targeting them.
One could even see demi-human traders openly selling demi-human slaves on the streets.
However, since demi-humans were considered little different from animals, with little wisdom or thought, they were simply the easiest tools to enslave.
The people of the Kanter Kingdom, especially the nobles, looked down on demi-humans from their very core.
Because they were simply untamed beasts without proper training.
But despite their disdain, no one wanted to encounter a wild dog on the road and get bitten.
After all, there had been incidents where lords were brutally attacked and killed by demi-humans after abusing their demi-human slaves.
Although demi-humans were always considered inferior, their strength and ferocity couldn't be underestimated.
This led them to feel envious when they saw Viktor's well-trained and extremely obedient demi-human guards.
And when they learned that these demi-humans wouldn't bite randomly,
Their fear of these demi-humans diminished somewhat.
After all, these nobles subconsciously believed that these demi-human guards were merely slaves of the Kravina family.
These demi-humans' master was naturally Viktor.
Some bolder nobles even approached the demi-human guards, examining their bone armor with curious eyes, circling around them and clicking their tongues in amazement.
"The Kravina family's resources are truly impressive."
"Indeed, even their demi-humans are equipped so excellently."
At this moment, the most luxurious carriage at the front of the convoy gradually came to a stop.
Count Laurien was the first to step down from the carriage, standing at its side and bowing slightly towards the compartment, showing respect.
Next, a figure in a black coat stepped down from the carriage.
Viktor stood on the other side, one hand on his chest, bowing slightly while extending his other hand toward the carriage compartment.
From behind the carriage curtain, a delicate white hand emerged.
Aurelianne's hand steadily rested in Viktor's broad palm as she stepped down from the carriage.
Count Laurien bowed elegantly to her, respectfully saying:
"Princess, please stay at my estate for the night."
"I have prepared rooms for you."
"And..."
Count Laurien nodded to several maids behind him, who stepped forward and curtsied to Aurelianne.
"The servants have also been prepared for you."
Aurelianne smiled gently and nodded to Count Laurien:
"Thank you for your kindness, Count, but the servants won't be necessary."
As soon as she finished speaking, the demi-human guards who had already lined up in formation stepped forward.
Walking with heavy and synchronized steps, their bone armor clashing with dull sounds.
The entire unit exuded a sharp presence.
In front of everyone, they approached Aurelianne, placed their arms across their chests, and bowed deeply to her.
"Your Highness."
Under everyone's bewildered gaze, a white-haired cat-eared girl in a maid's uniform stepped out from among the demi-human unit.
She walked with light, delicate steps, swaying her slender waist, moving both gracefully and nimbly to Aurelianne's side.
Her white ears twitched nervously, but her elegant etiquette was no less refined than those maids who had trained for much longer.
Count Laurien's expression became slightly stiff, and his body involuntarily leaned back slightly.
His expression clearly showed disbelief.
A demi-human wearing a maid's uniform!? And displaying etiquette almost indistinguishable from humans?
How was this possible with demi-humans' intelligence?
Had the Empire's training techniques advanced to the point where demi-humans could perform maid duties?
Aurelianne paid no attention to Count Laurien's surprise and confusion, simply smiling faintly as she said:
"This is my maid who I brought with me, her name is Vanilla, and she's in charge of my daily care."
She seemed to deliberately emphasize each word.
"I'm only comfortable with her taking care of me."
This statement made Count Laurien even more confused.
The Carenthian Empire's princess actually letting a demi-human take care of her daily needs?
It seemed absurd from any perspective.
But he still caught the princess's implication about being uncomfortable with other servants, so he bowed his head respectfully and said:
"I understand, Your Highness."
Since the princess had someone to take care of her, he naturally wouldn't make things difficult.
After all, this princess from the Carenthian Empire wasn't just a neighboring country's princess.
She was also his superior and a legend within the entire Kanter Kingdom.
The granddaughter of the only person who could be called Grand Duke in the kingdom.
So, he turned his attention back to Viktor, speaking with respect:
"Councilor Kravina, I have also prepared a room for you."
This gentleman was even more significant.
Although Viktor was visiting the kingdom as an imperial count and the princess's teacher,
His position as a councilor and his own power were absolutely not to be ignored.
Outside of the Empire, almost all countries had established one standard:
Once 'Viktor Kravina' appeared within their borders, they must show him the highest courtesy and keep constant watch over this councilor.
No one wanted this wielder of [The Judgment that Strips All Phenomena] to casually cast a war spell in some corner of their country.
Few countries could withstand that.
Regarding sleeping arrangements, Viktor naturally wasn't picky.
He had just nodded when suddenly, an icy figure walked past him.
Gwen, wearing an expressionless cold demeanor, looked at Count Laurien and asked in an almost emotionless voice:
"Is there hot water prepared in our room?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Aurelianne's expression slightly stiffened beside her.
Laurien's gaze turned to Gwen, his mind racing rapidly.
Actually, initially, he had planned to show proper respect to Gwen as a count from the Empire as well.
So he had already prepared a separate room for this knight count.
But now he suddenly realized.
This Count Gwen and Councilor Kravina.
Were engaged to be married!
Count Laurien looked at Gwen, then at Viktor.
So, he made a quick decision and said:
"Of course, Count Gwen."
"I have prepared everything you and the Councilor might need in your room."
At this point, he added, as if half-jokingly:
"Though now it seems I'll need to prepare a larger bathtub for you two."
"""
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- Unlock a HUGE stash of advance chapters now!
Dive deeper into the story ahead of everyone else!