64 The Nobles (2/2)

Lucien noticed Rhine’s difference and turned to look at him, and his eyes just met Rhine’s in that moment. The corner of Rhine’s mouth quirked up, putting a casual smile on his face.

It was not the first time that Lucien noticed Rhine was behaving in a weird way. However, Lucien knew that tonight was not a proper time for solving the many questions about Rhine in his mind.

When Cardinal Sard entered the hallway, following the knight manner, Orvarit kissed Sard’s right hand respectfully with his knees slightly bent.

”Only truth lives forever,” said the grand duke.

It looked like religious authority was still above imperial power in Aalto.

”It’s very nice to see you, Your Majesty. I’m glad to see that you’re still doing this great, and I’m glad to see our lovely little Natasha is an outstanding knight now.” Sard held Orvarit’s arm and smiled lovingly.

The grand duke and the cardinal walked into the concert hall hand in hand, with Natasha holding Sard’s arm on the other side slightly behind them. They were followed by the nobles walking in the strict rank rules.

”Well… It’s time to get prepared in the backstage.” Victor smiled, ”Lucien, you may want to wait here for your friends and lead them to their seats later.”

Lucien nodded and watched Victor and Rhine leaving. Soon Felicia, Lott and Herodotus went into the hall as well, and they would be sitting in the good seats assigned for their families.

Close to the hallway, only Athy and Lucien were still waiting there. Athy was waiting for Victor’s relatives and Lucien was waiting for his friends.

A moment later, a plain and fully-loaded coach came. Iven was the first one getting off the coach, followed by his elder brother, John. Iven looked very adorable in his little suit, while John was the same, tall and handsome, whose blonde hair was shining in the light.

Joel and Alisa got off the coach as well. Lucien felt auntie Alisa’s dress was pretty tight for her, but her happy smile made her look much younger than usual. Seeing the whole family, Lucien smiled without knowing.

”I thought you wouldn’t come.” Lucien playfully hit John on his shoulder. The two buddies had not seen each other for a while.

”Come on…!” John also hit Lucien back cheerily, ”Your first music work will be played in the Psalm Hall. As your best friend, how can I miss it! By the way, Lucien, I have a good news too.” John hugged Lucien and patted him on the back, ”I’m a high-rank knight squire now!”

”Wow! That’s awesome, John! Good for you!” Lucien grinned.

At this time, Elena also arrived. In her long, light yellow dress, Elena looked like a lovely angel tonight.

”Good for you too, Lucien.” Joel took a glance at Elena and nudged Lucien slightly, ”She’s adorable.”

”No… no… we’re just friends.” Lucien was a bit shy and embarrassed.

Then Lucien led them to the west stand. It was much smaller than the other stands, and could only seat twenty people.

...

The best seats belonged to the distinguished counts and above. After taking his seat, Orvarit slightly leaned forward and asked the cardinal, ”Your Eminence, is there any progress in investigating Baron Laurent’s case?”

Although the city guards and the intelligence division of the Duchy were also looking into this thing, they could never compete with the great pastors from the inquisition who claimed that they could hear from the God of Truth.

”Well… some.” Cardinal Sard was watching the orchestra being prepared on the stage in the front, with a casual smile on his face, ”We believe that it has something to do with the duke in the hell. His predecessor was sealed somewhere under the Dark Mountain Range by the ancient magic empire, and he’s always been trying to find his predecessor and absorb the power.”

”I thought he could have been more careful,” Natasha joined their conversation, ”and we heard that some sorcerers were involved in it as well.”

”That’s true.” Sard nodded, ”God revealed to me that they do have other plans, so we’re still gathering more information, especially looking up the ancient documents from Sylvanas Magic Empire. As for the sorcerers, they are just several apprentices with a sorcerer coming from the headquarter of the Congress of Magic. He calls himself ‘professor’ but he’s only a third or fourth circle sorcerer, so we don’t have to worry too much about them.”

”The headquarter of the Congress of Magic?” the grand duke and the princess asked at the same time with wonder.