Chapter 208 Outsiders

These exquisite paintings are by no means a matter of one night. Anyone can see that even a professional painter, coupled with good talent and long-term training, it takes several months to paint a painting that is so exquisite that it is very vivid.

Asu Rufate's eyes were on one of the paintings. This was the scene where the protagonist stood in a certain room - probably in a bedroom. The painting looked familiar... He remembered that he had seen it before and was even a model by Aunt Mary for a while. However, he did not pay much attention to it at that time. It was obvious that Aunt Mary had never stopped this hobby after he left Brassian.

"It's just my hobby." The voice sounded from behind. At some point, Aunt Mary had already arrived behind them.

"Auntie," Xingke asked. "Who is this painting?"

"Michael." Although Aunt Mary was able to walk, her steps were still a little vague. "My husband."

Everyone knows that Aunt Mary has been married many times and has many lovers. She even was a famous slut in the Hawk City for a while. So this topic made several younger generations feel embarrassed.

"My first husband," Aunt Mary explained. "The Earl of the Border... like you, Ashu Rufate, he is also an Earl."

"Border..." The title of Eush Rufate was temporarily enthroned. Although he had the title of Earl, he did not have a real territory, or at least he had not been granted territory yet. But Earl Mikel should be a... a real lord.

Within the scope of the seven countries, nobles can be divided into three categories according to their actual power. Kings or grand dukes are the first level. They themselves are the highest rulers, and at most they only obey a higher lord on the surface, but do not fulfill their vassal obligations to anyone. The second level is the lord. Although they have the territory under their own rule, they must be loyal to the higher lords and fulfill various obligations. Finally, there is a noble who only has titles but no territory, but can get a certain salary by virtue of titles. Of course, there was originally a last level, that was a pure title aristocrat with only titles but no other things. Such aristocrat title is usually bought with money. However, the seven countries have signed relevant treaties in recent years and jointly decided not to enthrone the last honorary nobles. Those who have been enthroned are only valid in their own country and will not be recognized by other countries.

However, Groone's situation is a little special. This is because this country has been fighting with the barbarians in the north for a long time. In order to concentrate manpower and material resources to fight foreign invaders, it is undesirable to divide the land into small pieces and allocate it to the nobles as fiefs. However, the land of the little lord cannot be confiscated directly, nor is it suitable to transfer the little lord to other areas, so the "trustment" system came into being. The small and medium lords concentrate their own territory to a certain large lord (although there is no relationship between them as a lord and a vassal) to collect a suitable tax. Therefore, when the word "border" is added to the title of a noble, it usually means that the aristocrat actually has the power and the land controlled by the control is much stronger than he seems.

This situation is concentrated in the north of the kingdom because of the long-term existence of the threat of barbarians. Therefore, a special aristocrat was created - although they had an objectively existing territory, they actually could not really rule that territory.

"Yes, it's a border lord." Aunt Mary said.

In fact, Ashu Rufate wanted to ask Aunt Mary why these paintings were painted, especially why her face was empty, but he could tell from Aunt Mary's expression that the old woman would not talk about this for the time being.

"Ashu Rufat, why are you back?"

"Well, some people want me to hide for a few days first." Ash Rufate replied. "Avoid those fierce rumors outside first."

"Well, a smart choice." Aunt Mary's expression became stern. "But why are you back now?"

"Because I haven't seen you for a long time..."

"Absurd!" Aunt Mary said sternly. "You are irresponsible to yourself, and you are irresponsible to your fiancées! You must know that if you do not report to the Queen in Eagle City, it is equivalent to adding an irrefutable charge to yourself!"

Although Aunt Mary was scolding, Ashu Rufate was actually mentally prepared and was calm.

"I'll leave for a short while," said Ashu Rufate. "I've watched four weeks before coming in, and no one has watched."

"Of course no one monitors us. You are just an enemy of the public now, not the target of the law. No fool is here to watch us when he is full and has nothing to do." Aunt Mary replied. "Who gave you this advice?"

"Someone." Ashu Rufate reluctantly replied.

"What should I do next? It doesn't matter if I avoid the limelight for the time being, but it cannot be delayed for too long. Because others can use the crime of "abstention of office and abscond" to deal with you. And there is no sign of the storm of public opinion in a short period of time."

"My country has reached an agreement with Tiberius, and the two countries will form a coalition force to fight against the invading barbarian invading army together." Asu Ruffatt said. "General Berel of Tiberius will arrive in the city of Hawks in the near future. At that time, we will consult on the details of the coalition force, and then..."

"You will enter the coalition." Aunt Mary's expression seemed relieved. "This is really a good idea. I firmly grasp the short time before public opinion becomes an actual attack, and I will hide the truth... When the army leaves, the public opinion in Eagle City will have no effect on you. If you want to attack again, you can only wait for the war to end... The war is over, and it may have been a year and a half... No matter how powerful the public opinion power is, it will be unable to arouse people's interest after so long... It's really a good idea, it's great. I've been worried for so many days in vain."

"I'm so sorry, I've made you worried."

"Then you really shouldn't live up to the good intentions of that friend." Aunt Mary said. "You shouldn't go into the city, but wait for a few days in the suburbs."

"I just think..." Ashu Rufate hesitated for a moment, Aunt Mary's attitude had obviously eased, but she did not say the words he thought he would say. "I need to let you know."

"Now we know." Aunt Mary's stern expression had dissipated, leaving only a smile. "Ashu Rufate, be careful these days and we can overcome this difficulty."

"Aunt...is there anything you need here? I have a few friends who can help a lot."

"No need." Aunt Mary replied. "We are living here very well. By the way, do you need to change clothes? I have several sets here, all of which are..." She pointed to the other three people next to her. "They bought it for you. They originally planned to use it at the wedding... Because we knew you did a good job in Eagle City at that time, so we thought we could hold a wedding directly here in the Royal City. There were a few gorgeous days, which may not be suitable for your current situation, but there were also a few more ordinary sets, which should be good for daily wear."

The old woman looked at Ashu Rufate and suddenly laughed. "Ahu Rufate, your expression... is really interesting. You seem to be waiting for me to ask the 'why'. I guess, is it because you came back all the way and everyone asked you a Why? Why do you do that kind of thing in Fornoros?"

Ashurf nodded.

"This is the difference between family and outsiders. Because we believe in you, I chose you as my niece and son-in-law and heir, and they chose you as husband. We are a family, and trust is the most basic thing. If you make a decision, there must be your reason. So there is no need to ask such questions at all."

There was a clear sound of horse hooves outside the window. Horse-drawn carriages are rare in the city of Hawks, but there are indeed many horses. But this time, the sound of horse hooves seems to be too loud. If you are not mistaken, this sound means there are hundreds of horses. It is not normal for hundreds of horses to go shopping at this time.

Everyone exchanged glances with each other, Xingji immediately rushed to the second floor and observed the outside through the window upstairs. A minute later, Xingji ran down.

"It's okay, it's probably because of the outsider who came into the city. It seems like he is a foreigner."

Through the window, you can see a large team. From the movements and expressions of the people and the dresses of the riders, you can see that this is a team from other places.

"Who are these people?" Ashu Rufate asked involuntarily.

"Ah, there are quite a lot of people like this recently." Xingjian replied. "They are all from other places or even from abroad."

"Why?" Ashu Rufat felt that the momentum of this team was not like a diplomat, and he didn't dress like a caravan. He couldn't guess why they came to Eagle City.

"It is said that it is intended to propose to our little queen."

"ah……"

"No one came to propose before because everyone believed that the little queen would marry Byron or Rafa's son." Xingjian said. "Later, there was a coup and a war, and no one was sure that the little queen was able to protect her throne. But now, all doubts have been removed, and our little queen immediately became a coveted target for everyone."

"But...but...the war is not over yet?" Ashu Rufate remembered the army of barbarians invaded the northern part of the kingdom at this time. "Besides, our Queen is only twelve years old."

"Thirteen years old." Aunt Mary, who was next to her, interjected. "She will not be twelve forever. And your first question is the same. Although the war continues, no one has ever questioned whether Her Majesty's throne is stable or not. In this case, the person who waits until everything is settled before taking action is a fool. It is a simple truth that anyone knows. Look at this one," Aunt Mary pointed her finger at the middle of the team passing by downstairs, where there was a young man with the most gorgeous clothes and the most outstanding dress. "It looks like a prince."

"Prince...wait, that flag is..."

Alongside the young man who was called "prince" by Aunt Mary, there was a flag bearer, and the patterns depicted on the flag looked familiar. Ashu Rufate felt that he had seen such a flag somewhere, and then he remembered that he was in a dream. In those dreams full of blood, slaughter and fighting, he had seen this flag. In the dream, this flag had fluttered over the enemy camp. He defeated the army under this flag more than once, and would step on his feet with blood and broken flags.

"It's the Shem people..." Aunt Mary said as if she was talking to herself. "Ha, this is the banner of the Shem royal family. This should be a prince or a young prince. The Shem people have come, so I'm afraid that the royal families of all countries will not miss this competition."

The royal families of all countries have reason to do so. This is not an ordinary marriage, because everyone knows that the Markremiz family has withered, and marriage with the little queen can easily lead to strong inheritance rights.
Chapter completed!