Heavy footsteps echoed as Lucien, clad in silver-white armor, entered Swan Castle.
An attendant took Lucienâs removed helmet and sword, while a charming maid bowed to Lucien, presenting a clean damp towel.
Lucien wiped his face with the towel, asking, âWhere is the lady?â
The maid, taking the damp towel, replied softly, âThe Countess is changing clothes upstairs.â
Lucien nodded, ascended the spiral staircase to the second floor, and pushed open a wooden door. He found that Countess Schultz had already changed into a pure black ceremonial dress.
Her hair was styled in the latest aristocratic bun, a string of crystal clear and round pearls hung around her creamy neck. Her exquisite features were delicately made up, making her look graceful and gorgeous.
âYouâre back,â Countess Schultz greeted her husband with a smile, taking a few steps forward to help him out of his armor. âDid you find anything today?â she asked.
Lucien chuckled, shrugged, and said, âWhat could I find? I simply accompanied Viscount Angler on a tour around Swan Castle. However, it seems that the Viscount wasnât just going through the motions, but earnestly looking for Archbishop John.â
Countess Schultz smiled lightly, dismissing the idea, âWhat could he possibly find with such a large undertaking.â
Lucien furrowed his brows, carefully saying, âI think he might have discovered something. Otherwise, he wouldnât have been so attentive, like he was genuinely looking for clues.â
Countess Schultzâs hand paused, and the expression on her face also became tense, âHas he discovered something?â
Lucien shook his head, âI donât know. But, since he wouldnât let Vera come to Swan Castle to identify you, he must have some suspicions.â
Countess Schultz furrowed her beautiful brows, puzzled, âI canât figure out what went wrong, that would make him suspicious.â
As Lucien undid the armor on his body, he shared his speculation, âCould he have discovered Veraâs true motherâs identity?â
âHe shouldnât have.â Countess Schultz shook her head, âSince that person confidently stated that Marquis Garcia wonât come forward to deny me, this means Veraâs real motherâs identity is extremely sensitive and itâs unlikely that Viscount Angler knows this secret.â
Lucien, unable to contain his curiosity, asked, âDidnât that person reveal any information about Veraâs real mother?â
âNo, he just said that Veraâs real mother did not dare to acknowledge Vera.â
Lucien rubbed his chin, as if deep in thought about who Veraâs real mother might possibly be.
Upon seeing this, Countess Schultz reminded him, âEnough, stop guessing. If you are worried that Viscount Angler has discovered something, you can feel him out at the banquet.â
Only then, Lucien retracted his thoughts, nodded and said, âOkay, Iâll go freshen up and change into clean clothes.â
Knock knock knock.
Just then, a knock at the door was heard.
âCome in.â
Countess Schultz called out loudly, and immediately, the butler entered the room.
First, he greeted the Count and Countess, then reported, âSir, Viscount Angler would like to tour Swan Castle.â
âTour? I suppose he wants to search!â Lucienâs face turned cold as he replied in a displeased tone.
Countess Schultzâs eyes hardened, but she soon regained her composure. She instructed the butler, âPlease ask Viscount Angler to wait, I will accompany him on the tour of Swan Castle.â
âYes!â the butler replied and then closed the door.
Lucienâs eyes glinted dangerously, he said coldly, âHas he really discovered something?â
Countess Schultz patted her husbandâs robust chest, soothing him, âIf he really has discovered something, he should have pretended to know nothing and stealthily left Swan Castle, heading to Winterfell City for reinforcements.
âInstead of alarming us like this.â
Lucien nodded, finding his wifeâs words reasonable and gradually recovering his usual composure.
âSo, what do you plan to do?â
âSince he wants to see, I might as well accompany him.â said Count Schultz, appearing nonchalant.
Lucien understood his wifeâs intentions and nodded, âOkay, you keep him company while I get the guy to move his nest first.â
âHmm.â Count Schultz nodded, then added a warning tone, âYou better behave respectfully in front of him.â
âDo you genuinely believe he is Duke St. Hilde?â Lucien retorted with disdain. âAside from looks, his demeanor, tone, and habits are nothing like the real Duke St. Hilde!
Although I have no idea about this appearance matter, he most definitely couldnât deceive someone who truly knows Duke St. Hilde.â
Count Schultz spoke with a meaningful expression, âHe has the Dukeâs face, and the Dukeâs power. Why canât he be Duke St. Hilde?â
âPower?â Lucienâs expression was even more dismissive, âGiven his current state, I can chop off his head within the space of an hourglass.â
âLucien, never underestimate the power of a Holy Knight!â Count Schultzâs face became stern, âEven if he is severely injured now, if you truly dare to provoke him, you will meet a very unpleasant ending.â
Seeing Lucien still unconvinced, Count Schultz looked sternly, âYou promised me, Lucien, donât go against that promise!â
âI surely remember my promises, just hope you donât forget yours.â Lucien responded coldly.
Count Schultz looked earnestly into her husbandâs eyes and nodded, âI certainly will not.â
âThatâs good. However, I would like to remind you not to let a âDuchessâ title blur your mind. Itâs nothing but a promissory note.â
Countess Schultz nodded solemnly and said, âI know what I am doing, and I will not entirely trust this so-called âDuke St. Hildeâ.â
âThatâs goodâ. Lucien put on his half-removed armor again, âYou go and deal with Viscount Angler first, Iâll handle the so-proclaimed Duke St. Hilde.â
The Countess nodded, then turned and left.
Swan Castle is a Gothic-style building incorporating numerous spire designs. Tall, slender yet grand, its white exterior wall strikes a captivating contrast against the green Swan Lake, creating an unforgettable visual impact.
The castle stands over thirty meters tall and has seven stories, with over two hundred rooms. It would take most of the day to look around each one.
Under the Countessâs lead, all Colin could do was to quickly skim around.
âViscount Angler, this is all for the main castle. We also have two subsidiary castles, warehouses, stables, farms, etc. Would you like to continue the tour?â
Colin, standing in the grand hall of the Swan Castle, let his eyes roam, as though appreciating the decorations and furnishings around him.
Seeing Count Shultz pointing to the door, he didnât immediately approach it, but stomped his foot in place and asked with a smile:
âMy Lord Count, is it that there is no basement under the main castle?â
âOf course there is.â At that moment, Lucien entered. He seemed to have just finished bathing and changed into a black suit. He smiled at Colin and said, âBelow is the wine cellar and storage room. Would you, my lord Viscount, like to take a look?â
Colin nodded, saying:
âOf course!â