Chapter 452: Chapter 452: 450 Handprint_1

“What?”

Colin finally pulled himself out of his gentle indulgence, strode to the living room door, and asked in a deep voice:

“What on earth happened?”

“My lord, just now, a powerful female knight suddenly burst into the city, killed several people, and rescued Evan Sanctus. We are currently scouring the city for their whereabouts.”

“A female knight?”

“Yes, my lord. She was adorned in a grand armor, wielding a massive longsword. It is reported that she should be a powerful rank five knight.”

“It must be Miss Anna Sanctus,” Grace walked over, her face still flushed from earlier, her expression a mix of relief and regret.

Regardless, now that Count Evan had been rescued, she wouldn’t have to kill a member of the St. Prowse family herself.

Grace released a sigh of relief.

“Anna Sanctus?” Colin muttered this name, recalling the gallant female knight he had met two years ago in Silver Moon City.

His first encounter with her left quite the impression. He hadn’t anticipated their paths crossing again.

But why would the young daughter of Duke Sanctus be in Huorong City at this time?

“Was she alone?” Colin asked.

“Yes.”

Colin held back an urge to curse. A woman managed to rescue Evan?

He knew he couldn’t exactly blame his subordinates for letting their guard down; after all, the Blood Knight Army had just taken the city, and they were busy restoring stability. The lack of adequate forces made it impossible to keep a close watch on Count Evan.

“Continue the search, locate them both.”

“Yes, sir!”

The orderly immediately obeyed and left.

Yet, Colin didn’t hold high hopes.

Considering the size of the Blood Knight Army, it was impossible for a city-wide search to take place. He couldn’t afford to remain in Huorong City for long. His real aim was to march south to White Dew City.

It seemed inevitable that Count Evan was bound to slip through his fingers.

Fortunately, this wouldn’t significantly affect Colin’s original plan. However, regarding Grace…

“Did you let out a sigh of relief?” Colin turned, looking teasingly at the girl.

Grace candidly nodded, saying, “Yes. Whether considering his status as a legitimate member of the Sanctus family or as my fiancé, it was hard for me to kill him.”

Colin shrugged, “Then you’ve lost a golden opportunity.”

After saying this, Colin left without hesitation.

“Lord Count!”

Grace’s mournful cry trailed behind him, sounding like a poor young girl just abandoned by a jerk.

Colin turned back, giving a polite smile, “Miss Grace, now that Count Evan is gone, we don’t have a reason to build trust anymore. Hence, I’ll simply continue acting as your sworn enemy.”

Grace stood erect, biting her red lips, looking pitiable, “Isn’t there another way for you to trust me?”

Colin shook his head decidedly.

He wasn’t a creature that thought with his lower body, he wouldn’t easily abandon his principles for beauty.

If Grace proved her sincerity and fully bound her interests with the North Territory, he wouldn’t mind having an additional lover in Huorong City, especially if it was an enticing young girl.

But now, Colin didn’t want to introduce unnecessary complications.

Seeing Colin unmoved, Grace immediately called out, “Please wait!”

Colin had no intention to linger with the girl, but as he saw the motion of her hands out of the corner of his eyes, he immediately paused.

Her slender hand raised to her chest, with the palm inward and her fingers entwined, forming a gesture resembling a lotus.

This gesture… Colin recognized it!

Half a year ago in Dragon City, he had ‘truthful conversations’ with Queen Midela and formed an alliance. Queen Midela had told him that if he saw this gesture again, it was from a person who could be trusted.

Of course, Colin didn’t completely trust Queen Midela.

Yet, when he found out that the Brugen family was actually a chess piece the Royal Family had set up in the East Territory, he suddenly became interested.

“I just remembered I’d like to try your flower tea again.”

Grace smiled delightfully, “That would be my honor!”

Both of them returned to sit in the living room.

The same flower tea, the same fragrance, the same girl brewing tea, only the atmosphere was now completely different.

Colin took a sip from the silver cup Grace had handed him, closed his eyes to relish the taste, and when he opened his eyes again, he said,

“Were you testing me just now?”

Grace shook her head, seemingly aggrieved, “How could I be testing you?”

“Why didn’t you reveal your identity to start with?”

“Because I also cannot ascertain if you are indeed Her Highness’s ally.”

“Didn’t she tell you that I am part of the alliance?”

“No. The queen didn’t tell me any member of the alliance. Seeing how you’ve been targeting the East Territory, I guessed you might be the queen’s ally. So, I made the hand gesture to test.”

Caught off guard, Colin realized that while Queen Midela had told him about this hand signal and mentioned the existence of this alliance, she never mentioned any member of the alliance.

At first, he thought this was because the Queen was wary of him. Looking at it now, he wasn’t treated specially. The other alliance members didn’t know of each neither. They only knew of the Queen!

So, Queen Midela turned out to be the key figure maintaining this alliance without her, others wouldn’t be able to identify their comrades.

Grace, seeing Colin deep in thought, couldn’t help but ask, “Lord Count, what are you thinking about?”

Colin looked up, voicing his doubt, “If the Brugen family is an ally of the queen, why did the Huorong Army intend to fight me to death before?”

Grace shook her head slowly, “My lord, you’ve misunderstood. I believe my father is not an ally of the Queen. Within the Brugen Family, I think I might be the only one.”

After careful consideration, Colin felt like her statement was plausible.

If Queen Midela already had control over Count Brugen, or the entire Brugen Family, the Royal Family would not need to be so wary of the East.

Given the strategic importance of Huorong City and the strong combat strength of the Huorong Army (relative to the Eastern Army), they could easily split the East Territory in two. Especially with the Royal Family fanning the flames and causing civil unrest, it wouldn’t be difficult.

Considering this, Colin asked again, “If the Brugen family remains loyal to the St. Prowse family, why then, are you willing to go serve Queen Midela?”

However, Grace avoided this question, throwing back, “My lord, why are you willing to ally yourself with the queen?”

I was coerced by her!

Colin cursed silently.

Then he instantly realized–

So that’s how it is.

Colin laughed suddenly, “Miss Grace, did Her Highness get something on you?”