Chapter 14: The Earl’s Banquet
The carriage drove along the main road and turned onto a small path.
The dense shade on both sides blocked the sunlight, making the already dim interior of the carriage pitch black.
“Giddy up!”
“Clatter…”
Karl felt himself being thrown high up and then falling heavily.
“Sorry.”
The coachman’s voice was filled with guilt:
“The road here is rough, especially near Apothecary Adolf’s manor, it’s full of potholes.”
“It’s fine.” Karl couldn’t blame him too much and casually asked:
“Do you often take this road?”
“Yes.”
The coachman replied:
“The fare for leaving the city is higher than within the city, and most of the people who come here are wealthy people like you.”
Wealthy people are more willing to spend money.
Karl nodded and lifted the curtain to look outside.
Through the shade of the trees, he could see a manor, with an ancient gate and tower, it must have been over a hundred years old.
Apothecary Adolf?
Such a large place belongs to him alone? Why have I never heard of his name?
“We’ve arrived!”
Count Rexton’s manor was not far from here, there were already many carriages parked in front of the gate, and even more luxuriously dressed guests were coming and going.
“Karl!”
Dana waved from afar:
“Over here!”
Martha, who was beside her, looked at Karl getting off the carriage with curiosity, her brows subconsciously furrowed.
Such strange clothes, and there are obvious burn marks on his face, it is said that he has a bad personality, this is the kind of person my cousin wants me to meet?
A Baron…
Besides the title of Baron, what else does this person have left?
“Chief Dana.”
Karl bowed slightly:
“I’m late.”
“We are early.” Dana waved her hand nonchalantly, her eyes lingering on him for a moment:
“Nice clothes.”
The formal wear Karl had tailored didn’t have any complicated decorations, it was more clean and neat, with a unique elegance.
Having seen so many luxurious dresses, Dana’s eyes lit up.
“The price is also nice.”
Karl replied with a smile and looked at Martha:
“This must be the beautiful cousin that Chief Dana often talks about, truly unforgettable at first sight.”
“Thank you.”
Martha curtsied, polite but with a hint of distance.
Hmm?
She doesn’t seem to be interested in me.
Even better!
Karl smiled and, at Dana’s suggestion, walked with Martha alone towards the interior of the manor.
“I’ll be frank.”
Seeing Dana leave, Martha immediately put away her polite expression, her demeanor became arrogant, and she said with her c*in held high:
“We are not suitable for each other.”
“What a pity.” Karl suppressed a smile:
“But please rest assured, Miss Martha, I won’t pester you.”
“Oh!”
Martha raised an eyebrow:
“You’re quite a gentleman.”
Now that they had spoken frankly, they were no longer restrained, and they strolled to the manor’s lawn, where many young people had gathered.
“Corcraff.”
“What?”
“Count Rexton’s son.”
Martha pointed to a young man in the crowd and smiled:
“Today is his coming-of-age ceremony.”
The young man was dressed in bright clothes, his face flushed, he held a wine glass and frequently gestured as he was surrounded by people.
“Hee hee…”
As if she had thought of something, Martha gave a mysterious smile:
“Do you know what a coming-of-age ceremony is?”
“A birthday when you reach a certain age.” Karl asked:
“Is there any special meaning to it?”
“Of course!”
Martha’s eyes were flirtatious:
“After the coming-of-age ceremony, you can do what adults do, don’t tell me you don’t even know this?”
At the coming-of-age ceremony, the elders would talk about the obligations and rights of adults in society.
They would also encourage the younger generation to abide by social morals, serve the country, and be loyal to the gods.
However…
Looking at Martha’s expression, one could tell that the coming-of-age ceremony she was talking about was definitely not so ‘traditional’.
“Look!”
Martha gestured towards a place not far away:
✿✿✿
“Those women over there are all specifically brought here to help Corcraff through his coming-of-age ceremony.”
“If he wants, he can keep them all tonight. Of course, this kind of woman is not worthy of bearing the Earl’s heir.”
?
Karl’s lips twitched.
He was not surprised by Martha’s words, but he saw a familiar face among those women.
His married cousin from his Uncle Giles’s family.
Why is she here?
Although this cousin did not have a good relationship with Karl, and they had met only a few times, he would never mistake her for someone else.
She obviously recognized him too, her face changed and she quickly turned around, it seemed she didn’t want to acknowledge him.
“Miss Martha.”
Karl concealed the strangeness in his eyes:
“You don’t seem surprised by this kind of thing?”
“Tsk…” Martha curled her lips, without the ladylike demeanor she had when they first met:
“What’s so strange about what happens between men and women, don’t tell me you haven’t done this kind of thing before?”
She said it casually, then continued:
“Lady Anne has arrived!”
Karl looked up.
Today, Lady Anne was dressed luxuriously, her long, spread-out skirt was like a blooming flower, further setting off her fair skin.
The towering peaks on her chest were astonishing, her cheeks were smooth and delicate, even the intricate veil couldn’t hide them.
It was hard to imagine.
This was a woman who had lost her husband for over ten years.
“She is getting more and more beautiful!”
Martha’s eyes were filled with fanaticism, as if she was looking at an idol she had admired for a long time, her hands subconsciously covering her mouth:
“I don’t know how she maintains herself, I would be content if I could have her skin now.”
“Eh…”
“The person next to her seems to be Physician Robert.”
“Robert.” Karl asked:
“Who is this again?”
The man next to Lady Anne was unremarkable, wearing high boots, he was even shorter than Lady Anne.
But the two of them were intimate, like a loving couple.
“You don’t even know Physician Robert?” Martha looked at him in surprise, then smiled mysteriously:
“You should!”
“What?” Karl frowned:
“Should I know him?”
“All men in the city, especially wealthy men, should know him.” Martha said seriously:
“It seems you don’t have much money.”
“…” Karl fell silent:
“Yes.”
“But why would all wealthy men know him, could Miss Martha enlighten me?”
“It’s simple.” Martha’s face once again showed that mysterious smile:
“Physician Robert has a magical method that can help men add a few centimeters to their…you know.”
“Add a few centimeters?”
“Yes.”
“It seems…” Karl looked puzzled:
“It’s not very useful.”
And not very convincing!
That Robert himself was even shorter than a woman, if he could make people taller, why was he so short himself?
Besides.
Women also need to grow taller, why specifically emphasize men?
“Tsk tsk…”
Martha shook her head:
“Not height.”
“Not height, then…” Karl was stunned for a moment, then he realized and couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Understand now?”
“Understood.”
“Then do you want me to introduce you to him?” Martha suggested:
“I have that kind of influence.”
“No need.” Karl shook his head:
“I don’t have that need.”
“Oh!” Martha’s eyes moved down:
“Are you that confident?”
“Miss Martha’s experience is probably not very extensive.” Karl said slowly:
“Many times, a man being too…gifted… is not an advantage, it might even make his partner feel disgusted and resistant.”
Martha shrugged.
She knew this better than men, but she knew men’s pride even better.
“Karl!”
At this time, Dana waved from afar.
“Chief Dana.” Karl was just about to get rid of Martha, who was suspected of being a hooligan, and hearing the call, he walked over:
“What’s the matter?”
“Hmm.”
Dana’s face was gloomy:
“Ham is dead, drained of his life force.”
