Chapter 2230: Dream, Kiss, and the Eve of the Banquet

Chapter 2230: Chapter 2230: Dream, Kiss, and the Eve of the Banquet

This dream was quite long, and Shard described it in great detail. However, as Miss Belindel listened, she felt something was amiss. Even the maids tidying the basement gradually put down their things and looked at Shard in amazement.

Shard continued talking to himself:

"...and after we defeated the dessert giant with the snow elves and the talking pigeons, we wore flower crowns and ascended to the highest treehouse in the center of the forest, surrounded by small fairy forest spirits covered in gleaming white snow, which was actually sugar frosting. We sat together at the edge of the rooftop terrace of the treehouse, watching fireworks explode under the moon. The fireworks were so beautiful, as they went off with a boom, not only lighting up the forest in colors but also casting Emilia’s face in a rainbow hue."

Miss Belindel gazed at him with an even more meaningful expression:

"And then?"

"And then? At that time, she suddenly asked me to turn and face her. She was supporting herself on the terrace floor of the treehouse with her hands, her feet dangling and swinging. She said she had something to tell me, but because the fireworks were too loud, she leaned in a bit closer to me. As she got close enough, I mean, I could even clearly see her eyelashes trembling at that time, and then we were face to face, with the background of various dazzling fireworks, the vast starry sky, and the bright silver moon, and then..."

"What happened? What did you do?"

Someone instinctively asked, and for the first time, Shard noticed everyone was watching him tell the story:

"It seems the ladies all share similar childhood dreams."

Shard thought to himself, while Miss Belindel urged:

"Quick, tell us, then what?"

"Then you woke us up."

Shard said honestly, noticing the witch was stunned there, and blinked:

"Then the dream ended, ending at the moment we were gazing at each other up close amidst the fireworks."

They all nearly gasped simultaneously, and Shard even saw Miss Matilda looking somewhat reproachfully at her mistress and teacher for a moment.

Miss Belindel instinctively gasped too, then suddenly shook her head vigorously:

"Thankfully, I woke you up... No, I was also influenced by the relic, maybe I should go out and soak up some sun."

With that, she left the basement without paying any more attention to Shard.

Shard stood there, puzzled, looking around at the ladies, who were also turning to other matters, each going about what they were supposed to do. Only the blonde Head Maid was willing to meet his gaze, and she curiously asked:

"Mr. Watson, did you do it intentionally or accidentally?"

"Sorry, what?"

Shard asked again, and Miss Maid immediately shook her head and went about her business:

"No wonder you can charm my lady..."

She whispered, but actually everyone there could hear her.

If it weren’t for Emilia encountering the relic again, Shard would have planned to go home for lunch. And now, waking from Emilia’s dream, it was already two in the afternoon. Since he had delayed a bit, Shard no longer hurried to return, but first checked on Emilia, who was blushing and unwilling to speak to him, to ensure her current condition and prevent any lingering aftereffects neither he nor Miss Belindel had noticed.

Then he also found the witch standing on the second-floor terrace, truly soaking in the sun. The weather was quite nice today, even though the whole city was still shrouded in dark fog, at least the afternoon sun was fairly pleasant. The witch’s blonde hair appeared to be shimmering under the sunlight, and she recognized Shard’s footsteps, so before he even reached her side, she began speaking:

"I saw you talking to that Elf lady just now."

Emilia had only stayed in this manor for a few days, yet the witch had already started addressing her as "Emilia." To now say "Elf lady" was undoubtedly teasing and reminding Shard.

"Yes, I checked if there were any residual issues on her body."

Shard looked down at the courtyard below, where Emilia, together with some maidens who happened to be in the garden, was grooming the snow-white little beast’s fur under the sun:

"I think this won’t be the last time, I’m really causing you trouble."

"I told you, don’t say such things again."

The witch replied with a slight hum:

"During yesterday’s meeting, I heard Vanessa and Sylvie mention that the Royal Family is already preparing for Margaret’s visit to Moon Bay. The news will be out either today or tomorrow, the distance between Velindale City and Moon Bay is neither far nor near, so they’ll be here by the end of the week."

"What task has Margaret been assigned? With so much going on, how can the Royal Family be so assured letting a princess come to Moon Bay?"

Shard immediately asked, and Miss Belindel looked at him with suspicion:

"I noticed you didn’t first inquire about Vanessa and Sylvie’s arrangements but showed concern for that princess..."

She paused:

"Last time, I said they went out of their way to please you, particularly sending that princess to you, but at the time, I was half-joking... Now, could you honestly tell me, what exactly is your relationship with Margaret Anjou?"

Since they would be arriving in half a week, Shard wasn’t trying to hide anything:

"Kind of a lover relationship."

"Kind of?"

"Well... Her Highness the Princess is still pure."

"Everything except that is impure, right?"

The Witch knowingly nodded, not considering a Witch Apprentice a worthy opponent:

"That’s good too. If you can truly bind Margaret Anjou completely, it will be easier to persuade more witches to accept your presence. As for Her Highness the Princess coming to Moon Bay, apart from the Royal Family’s recent gentle approach shown to the local citizens that we discussed, they also want to warn the Seven Great Families not to have strange ideas before the autumn harvest, and warn our northern neighbors not to meddle; on the other hand, it’s also an excuse for Margaret Anjou’s visit, allowing the Kingdom Navy stationed in Moon Bay City to move around a bit, preparing in advance for the inevitable north-south war."

She added:

"Remember the Marchioness of Ankara? The woman from the Werewolf Family. She helped me get some information from the Marquis. Although it’s not very confidential, it seems His Majesty Lain of Velindale, wants to use Moon Bay Harbor as a strategic point for future war, if necessary, he plans to turn it into the northernmost battle fortress on the Western Coast of the Kingdom."

Shard then asked:

"Is this aiming to rally all of Moon Bay to fight for Casenli? That will surely affect the city’s trade and those ships coming from the New World. Would you agree to such a thing?"

"Of course, I wouldn’t want to agree. If Casenli and Draleon want to fight, why drag us into it?"

The Countess snorted:

"But Moon Bay still nominally belongs to Casenli, so completely refusing is impossible. In my opinion, helping Casenli is inevitable, but how exactly to proceed, does His Majesty Lion Ryan, far away in Velindale City, think he can personally come to Moon Bay to oversee our wall building and spy arrest?"

She looked at Shard:

"I’m supporting the Belindel Family all by myself, and the pressure is quite high. Although Matilda can help me, she is still just an assistant."

Shard knew how to respond:

"I might be able to help a bit. Once Margaret arrives in Moon Bay, you’ll know who I really am... hope you won’t be too surprised."

After revealing his identity, with the influence of Margaret and Galina, assisting the Belindel Family in navigating between the two countries shouldn’t be a problem, and it would also help strengthen the unity at the Witch Council.

"As long as you’re not telling me you’re actually a girl in disguise, I won’t be surprised. When they arrive locally..."

Miss Belindel said with a hint of lament in her voice and without any concealment:

"Although it’s nice to have more help, I still cherish the days when it’s just you before me."

These words made Shard a bit embarrassed, so he said:

"Speaking of which, since coming to Moon Bay, I’ve been busy with various things and haven’t had the chance to properly explore the area. Before Margaret arrives, if you have time one day, take me for a leisurely stroll around Moon Bay. Be it in town or outside, maybe even going out to sea for fishing."

The Blonde Witch revealed a smile and continued watching the ladies downstairs grooming the Little Unicorn:

"Alright, but I can’t take you to the Candy Forest, nor can I find the Ice Cream Giant."

"I..."

"No need to explain. Gifts dreams to the elves, so can you give me a kiss?"

She blinked and then leaned towards Shard’s neck.

When Shard returned to his home in Tobesk, it was already two-thirty in the afternoon.

Dorothy and the maid sent by Her Highness Lecia to deliver the suit and assist with Shard’s wardrobe change were almost driven mad. It may sound exaggerated, but having already changed into a deep blue suit, her golden hair tied with a ruby headband, Dorothy indeed complained upon seeing Shard:

"Mr. Knight, I almost thought you forgot about tonight. We arrived after lunch, where on earth did you go?"

She approached and sniffed suspiciously but didn’t give Shard time to explain:

"Quickly wash up and change clothes, the Moon Bay witches are really impolite... We need to enter Yordle Palace early for opera rehearsal. You don’t need to know the complete script, you appear in the last scene, and your lines are on that paper, just take a look."

She pointed to Mia on the coffee table, the cat lazily stood up, revealing the paper beneath it. Shard’s eyesight was good enough to see that the paper was only half-covered with text.

"Alright, sorry, some things came up... You look really beautiful today."

The blonde, blue-eyed girl again covered her mouth and laughed:

"You always say that. Hurry, let’s go. Her Highness Lecia even sent maids, worried you wouldn’t make it in time. Don’t refuse this time, I don’t mind them taking advantage of you, so why should you?"

"Dorothy, what are you saying?"

Shard followed the maids into the bedroom while others in the living room assisted Dorothy in arranging her intricate dress. The cat also swayed its tail as it followed into the bedroom, intent on ensuring Shard’s safety.