Chapter 302 - 300: Brief Confrontation

Chapter 302: Chapter 300: Brief Confrontation

The long corridor was flanked by exquisite, white jade-carved pillars, surrounded by vibrant green plants and flowers.

Duane had heard from Natalia that the backyard was where Delilah often relaxed, so the scenery here had been meticulously arranged.

The two of them chatted and laughed. Ever since Duane’s arrival, the dark clouds over Natalia’s heart had completely scattered, replaced by pure joy.

She linked her arm through Duane’s, enthusiastically recounting recent events.

Duane listened intently, an amused smile playing on his lips. "The first time I met you, I thought you were cold and reserved. I never expected you had a side that could talk endlessly."

"I’m only like that with people I don’t know well," Natalia explained. "Do you prefer someone quiet, or someone talkative?"

Hmm...

Duane hesitated. ’This is a tricky question,’ he thought. ’If this were the modern world, any answer would probably be wrong.’

Of course, Natalia seemed to be asking with genuine sincerity.

Duane replied, "When you’re quiet, I can be quiet with you. When you’re talkative, I’ll listen quietly."

He looked into her eyes, his gaze sincere. "As long as it’s you, I’ll love it."

Natalia’s cheeks burned, but she felt enveloped in happiness, her hands tightening their grip on Duane’s arm.

Duane felt his arm brush against a soft area and couldn’t help but glance over.

Although Natalia’s dress was conservative, revealing nothing, it was apparent the young woman had an excellent figure.

"You..."

Natalia blushed and looked down, her voice a low whisper. "What are you looking at?"

With a slightly wicked smile, Duane whispered back, "You have a great figure."

At his words, Natalia’s head drooped even lower.

The intimate atmosphere was thickening, only to be shattered by the sound of footsteps.

Count Kudro and Viscount Hela approached from the other end of the corridor, and the two parties met head-on.

It was clear neither was in a good mood.

"Hmph!"

Count Kudro stopped in front of Duane. "You haven’t even formally established your relationship, and you’re already all over each other. The Kennedy Family certainly has excellent etiquette!"

Natalia subconsciously pulled her hands away, but Duane smoothly wrapped his arm around her waist instead. It was a slender, perfect handful. ’Very nice,’ he thought.

"Natalia and I have already signed the marriage contract. Our union is perfectly legitimate."

He added tauntingly, "I wonder, though, what you’d call the Hassa Clan’s shameless act of trying to force a daughter someone else rejected onto another person?"

BOOM!

Kudro threw a fierce punch.

Not one to back down, Duane met it with a punch of his own.

The two fists collided. A dull thud echoed like a clap of muffled thunder. A fierce gust of energy swept out in all directions, sending Natalia’s long, silver hair flying and rustling the garden’s greenery. The atmosphere turned deadly.

The result of the exchange was that Duane didn’t move an inch, while Count Kudro stumbled back several steps.

Hela’s heart was still pounding from the shock of that punch, and his expression soured.

He had just barely managed to resolve the conflict between Kais and Kudro and was already worrying about what to do next, only to see Kudro pick a fight with Duane.

"Hey, hey, hey!"

"Gentlemen, if you have something to say, we can sit down and talk it over. Please, don’t resort to violence!"

He first tried to persuade Duane. "Today is George’s big day. Surely you don’t want to see this place reduced to ruins and spoil the celebration, do you?"

Duane had indeed held back out of consideration for the day’s event.

Otherwise, with his power on the verge of a breakthrough, Kudro would have done far more than just take a few steps back.

"Viscount Hela, I think you should focus on restraining him, not talking to me."

"Yes, yes, you’re right!"

’In his eyes, Duane was just a stubborn hothead; trying to use roundabout words with him was completely pointless.’

"Kudro, let’s go! If you really cause trouble, not even His Majesty will be able to help you!"

Kudro snorted but didn’t make another move.

When experts clash, a single move is often enough to gauge the situation.

Duane had taken his punch with one hand while holding Natalia with the other, without budging an inch. That said it all.

He didn’t linger and strode away.

Hela offered an apologetic smile and followed after him.

Natalia patted her chest, her heart still pounding with lingering fear.

Her family had dealt with Count Kudro many times, but Duane was the only one to face him head-on.

"You are... stronger than any of us could have imagined!"

She sighed with admiration. "Teach me! I want to be like you and become a Magic Master as soon as possible!"

Duane laughed. "Just focus on your training. With your talent, becoming a Magic Master is not a problem at all."

Natalia knew this wasn’t something that could be taught; she was only joking.

"Oh, right, Duane. Last time, didn’t you say Owington would be stationed in Silver Jade Territory? Do you not have a male servant with you?"

Duane nodded. "Owington and the others should have reached Silver Jade Territory by now. Why? Have you already found a candidate for me?"

Natalia nodded. "It’s Housekeeper Moer’s grandson. He is very willing to become your male servant. He’s at Sea Cliff Castle now. I’ll have him meet you after the banquet, and you can see if he’s suitable."

Duane nodded.

Moer was the housekeeper of Sea Cliff Castle, so his abilities were beyond question.

Logan was Moer’s grandson and had likely been taught a great deal. Now that he had also earned Natalia’s approval, his capabilities were surely up to par.

Passing through the corridor, they arrived at the rear courtyard.

At that moment, Count Kais was half-reclining in a chair, taking a delightful sip of wine. He couldn’t suppress the upward curl of his lips.

He couldn’t help it. The sight of Kudro immediately backing down upon learning of Duane’s arrival was just too satisfying.

He had never felt so vindicated.

Hearing footsteps, he turned his head and saw Duane and Natalia.

"Hahaha, Duane, you’ve come!"

The Count quickly set down his wine glass, rose from his lounge chair, and came forward.

"I didn’t expect you to come, but now that you are here, no storm can stop the union of our two families!"

A territory of three cities, the title of a Hereditary Earl, and a vast amount of resources—Kais truly admired this young man.

’If it were me,’ he thought, ’I couldn’t have done it.’

Duane gave a slight bow. "Thank you for your trust in me as well."

"Compared to what you gave up, all I did was wait two more days."

Count Kais pulled Duane to a seat beside him. "To be honest, when you didn’t reply to my letter, I was already prepared for you to break the engagement. It was only out of my love for Natalia that I decided to wait until today."

"You gave me a surprise, and a pleasant one at that!"

He looked at Natalia and added, "It is my daughter’s lifelong fortune to find a fiancé like you who keeps his promises."

Natalia nodded slightly, finally able to sit openly with Duane.

"There were indeed some complications,"

Duane sighed, then explained how Marquis Sean’s men had arrived on Black Forest Island, forcing him to delay his departure. He also mentioned that he had never received the letter.

This made Count Kais frown. He pondered for a moment, then raised a hand and beckoned to a guard standing post not far away.

"Go inform Knight Allen. Have him investigate Rivera, the Message Bird Guardian, and see if anything is amiss."

"Yes, my lord!"

After the guard left, Duane asked, "Are you suspecting that the letter meant for me was never sent?"

Count Kais nodded. "After a letter is written, it’s usually given to Rivera to transcribe several copies and send out successively. Since you didn’t receive any letter, either there was a problem with the Messenger Bird, or there was a problem with the person who sent it."

On Black Forest Island, Jasmine was the one who raised the Messenger Birds, and Ralph or Owington handled sending and receiving messages. It was impossible for either of them to be the problem.

Furthermore, Silver Gale was a Messenger Bird that Count Kais had personally helped select and train. It had sharp eyes, could fly at incredible speeds in short bursts, and was small, making it difficult for predators to catch.

Therefore, after a comprehensive analysis, Kais felt it was more likely that the problem lay with the sender.

Count Kais snapped back to the present. "We’ll get to the bottom of that with a few questions. Right now, I’m more interested in what Duke Kelvin and the Crown Prince discussed with you. Is it convenient to disclose?"

"It’s not a secret."

Duane recounted the contents of that day’s negotiation.

After hearing everything, Count Kais finally understood just how much Duane had given up. He also realized that Duke Kelvin had even prepared a compromise.

"Actually, if you had let Natalia become your mistress, with your children being legitimized and even gaining a new territory, I think you could have considered it."

Natalia remained silent. She had to admit her father had a point. Moreover, that approach, while creating some distance between them, wouldn’t have meant a complete falling out.

Duane grasped Natalia’s hand and smiled. "Count, I am a man of principle. I won’t do something I don’t want to, especially if others try to force it on me."

"Young people, always so stubborn!"

But in his heart, the Count liked this persistence in Duane. "However, His Majesty’s concerns are obvious. He’s afraid that we will join forces with Marquis Sean and threaten his throne."

Duane actually wanted to understand certain things better, like usurpation.

So he asked, "Would Marquis Sean really dare to declare himself king, or openly oppose King Eric’s rule?"

At the mention of Sean, the Count’s expression became cautious and wary.

"He is an extremely ambitious man. He would do anything for profit!"

Duane had some understanding of this.

The man might have been connected to the previous assassination attempt on him, yet he had not hesitated to cooperate with Duane to help his son win a good ranking.

Someone so pragmatic and adaptable was clearly no ordinary person.

The Count continued, "The Marquis’ Territory is rich in Secret Realms. I know of at least four or five Elemental Ore Veins, not to mention Mithril, Fertile Soil, Elemental Secret Realms, Black Iron, and so on."

Duane sucked in a sharp breath. The Marquis was that wealthy?

He asked, puzzled, "When His Majesty enfeoffed the Marquis, why did he bestow such superior land upon him?"

"Those Secret Realms all appeared after he was enfeoffed."

Just mentioning this made Count Kais angry.

Why did Secret Realms appear one after another in the Marquis’ Territory, while his own Silent Shore had nothing?

’Was all of the Kennedy Clan’s good fortune stolen by the Smith Clan?’

"To declare oneself king, one needs strength and opportunity."

The Count said, "The Smith Clan’s strength is undeniable. As long as the opportunity arises, what’s to stop him from making himself King, or even Regent King?"

Duane nodded. He understood now. No wonder His Majesty was making such a big fuss this time.

"We should still keep our distance from Marquis Sean. Getting too close is not appropriate."

The Count stood up. "Alright, I will handle this matter. Natalia, why don’t you take Duane out to the front and have some fun. Also, tell your second older brother to come here."