Skeleton King

The mansion of the Black family in the imperial capital was brightly lit. There was a constant flow of cars and horses in front of the mansion. There was a faint sound of wonderful music coming from the mansion. Passers-by in the distance could not help but stop when they noticed the movement here.

Ace and Eugenia held light yellow champagne in their hands, smiling gracefully at the passing nobles.Eugenia doesn't look like she was in Black Manor at all, she looks very ladylike, and she behaves with ease in all social situations.

Ace stood beside Eugenia. Whenever Eugenia introduced strange nobles to Ace, Ace would not hesitate to praise the beauty of the lady and the demeanor of the man.

At the same time, Ace's spring-like smile and elegant and charming temperament also make his words not flattering, but very sincere.This won over most of the guests tonight.

On the edge of the porch, a noble lady in a pink dress was smiling and said to her companion, "I never thought there would be such a character in the Black family. He really doesn't look like a member of the Black family."

The companion looked at Ace with a meaningful look, "After all, they are distant relatives. It's not normal to be like the old Duke Black and Eugenia."

The aristocratic lady in a long pink dress heard the protective meaning in her companion's words, and chuckled lightly.When her companion looked over, the noble lady gave her a wait-and-see look.

As friends who grew up together, Miss Noble couldn't be more clear about her companion's thoughts.As ladies of the high society in the Finger Empire, they all have generous dowries, but it is not easy to find a husband who matches their status.

Although Phil Black had no money, he came from the ancient Black family. He was not like many new aristocrats who had no pedigree or background. In particular, he had a beautiful and charming face, which was enough to detonate the atmosphere in the imperial capital of the Finger Empire.

However, at this time, Ace was not in the mood to attract bees and butterflies at all.

It's already the sixth day of Ace Dafinger's imperial capital.The imperial capital of the Finger Empire, especially the nobles, have resumed their former life after Ace and the others arrived in the imperial capital.

If it weren't for the long queue at the place where the imperial soldiers were recruited, Ace would have suspected that there was something wrong with the letter received by the old Duchess Black, and the Finger Empire had never officially declared war on the Pansy Empire.

Even though Ace sent tens of thousands of skeleton soldiers to guard the gate of the undead corresponding to the imperial capital of the Finger Empire to ensure that no undead with intelligent life escaped the surveillance of Eternal Night City, he did not get any useful news.The undead of Prince Bartholomew did not appear in the dead world. Ace didn't know whether he didn't go to the dead world at all, or he was swallowed by other undead creatures just after arriving in the dead world.

Eugenia held a grand banquet for Ace, announcing the appearance of the new Duke Black, and she invited many famous families in the imperial capital.Ace didn't refuse either.The banquet is always the easiest place to inquire about information.

"What are you thinking?" The banquet hadn't officially started yet, and Ace and Eugenia, as hosts, kept shuttling through the corridors and halls. Eugenia asked, noticing that Ace was out of his mind.

Ace kept smiling at the passers-by, his lips moved slightly, "I didn't expect such a scene in the Imperial City. It seems that no one knows that we are going to war."

In fact, the Finger Empire is not as inactive as it seems on the surface.The atmosphere in Purin Canyon was tense like never before. The two empires sent many knights to Purin Canyon, and all over the country began to recruit soldiers.

The Pansy Empire has sent envoys to the Finger Empire, but they are still on the way.

Eugenia looked at Ace with a funny face, "What did you plan to do when you came to the emperor? Do you want to shed blood for your beloved country?"

There was a bit of sarcasm in Eugenia's voice, Ace heard it, but didn't care.

Eugenia asked again: "What do you think the emperor will look like? All nobles who have money will contribute money, those with knights in the fiefs will contribute knights, and the royal family will go to various places to mobilize before the war?"

Ace turned his head to look at Eugenia, and he really thought so.

The communication between Ace and Nou has not been broken, and the Pansy Empire is acting as Eugenia said, although most people in the empire do not believe that Princess Fenfur will assassinate the king and crown prince of the Finger Empire, But the Pansy Empire has never lacked the main fighters, like Prince Xiben and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, they are just the epitome of countless ambitious people.

Intrigue has always been a favorite of the people of the Finger Empire, and the people of the Pansy Empire prefer to express their ideas with their swords.

Moreover, everyone who knew Princess Fenful did not believe that Princess Fenful had the wisdom to assassinate the king.It's not that Princess Fenfur is not smart enough, it's just that Her Majesty Ludwig IV and Queen Celia raised Princess Fenfur too innocently.

She is a lily growing up in the palace, not a rose with thorns in the Rose Manor.

Eugenia smoothed the hair from her sideburns behind her ears, and taught Ace lightly, "Cousin Phil, the nobles of the Finger Empire would not do this. If we are like you think, commoners will feel that The end is here. The imperial capital will be in chaos in a moment. It will become a paradise for thieves, robbers, and desperadoes."

Unlike the nobles of the Pansy Empire, who were mostly promoted through military merit, the nobles of the Finger Empire almost all bought titles with gold coins.Some of them donated money to the knights, bought food, weapons, and armor for the knights, and asked the knights to suppress the rebellion. Some bribed the nobles, and even directly bribed the royal family.

It would be more expensive to bribe the royal family, though.

Of course this was hundreds of years ago.After the Finger family completely occupied the east side of Prine Valley, apart from money, the old nobles also began to like power, and they wanted to distinguish themselves from ordinary businessmen.

Gradually, the nobles and commoners of the Finger Empire began to have a sense of class.

However, until now, the division of the Finger Empire is not as obvious as the Pansy Empire.

A rule-heavy prince like Nishimoto will never understand what the Finger Empire relies on, and why it can share the same share with the Pansy Empire.When a person shows ignorance about something he doesn't know, he either underestimates it or fears it.

As the eldest son of His Majesty Ludwig IV of the Finger Empire, Prince Xiben will naturally not be afraid.

"Cousin Phil, you are now the Duke of Black." Eugenia taught Ace, "You are no longer an ordinary mercenary in the Warcraft Forest. Maybe you were once very talented, but if you want to truly integrate Here, you have to change your identity and think about the problem."

Ace stared into Eugenia's eyes.

Although our eyes were the same emerald green, Eugenia's were darker.I don't know if it was because of the light, but Ace felt that there were many things hidden in Eugenia's eyes, and there was something unfinished in her words.

Before Ace tried Eugenia again, there was a sudden commotion in the porch.

Ace and Eugenia walked there quickly, and two teams of knights in golden armor appeared outside the Black family villa.The heads of lions are engraved on the chests of these knights, and there are light golden scabbards around their waists. This outfit clearly belongs to the Knights of the Golden Lion.

Although only the knights of the Golden Lion Knights came, who else could stand the protection of the Golden Lion Knights when His Majesty the King of the Finger Empire was critically ill and Prince Bartholomew died unexpectedly?

A dignified woman in a long black dress walked into the hall quickly.

Different from most ladies, her steps are fast and agile, and there is no joy in her expression. Although her appearance is outstanding, she is just ordinary in a banquet full of beauties.

But no one dared to underestimate the new woman. The knights knelt down to her on one knee, and the ladies pulled up their skirts and curtseyed, "Princess Muse."

Of course Ace also recognized Princess Muse.But he had no idea in advance that Princess Muse would be there.

A few months ago, at the wedding of Princess Fenfur and Prince Bartholomew, Ace also met Princess Muse.It's just that Ace was still a scholar of the Pansy Empire at that time, and the guide of Princess Fenfur, and Princess Muse was wearing a light red dress, graceful and gorgeous.

Unlike now, Ace is the fake Duke of the Finger Empire, and Princess Muse has firm brows and no ornaments on her body. She is still in mourning for Prince Bartholomew.

Life is like a play.In just a few months, the scene has undergone earth-shaking changes.

Eugenia whispered in Ace's ear: "It's the Princess Muse that I invited. I'm not sure if Princess Muse will come, so I didn't tell you in advance. When my father was in good health, our family would visit every year Coming to the Imperial Capital, Princess Muse and I have known each other since childhood. If it weren't for the special times now, the arrival of Princess Muse will make you the favorite of this year's social season."

Eugenia pushed Ace lightly, she only felt that Ace was nervous, "Princess Muse may not be for you. After that incident, the royal family members have not appeared in public. Today is the most crowded place for the nobles in the imperial capital." When the time comes, Princess Muse may have something to say to us."

With Ace's name, I think it is very unobtrusive.

Ace walked up to Princess Muse.

Princess Muse stretched out her hand, and Ace held her hand—unlike most girls, Princess Muse’s hands are cold, and this thought flashed through Ace’s mind—Ace put his thumb on Muse On the back of the princess's hand, she gently kissed her thumb.

Princess Muse glanced at Eugenia, and asked Ace again: "Am I late? Has the banquet started yet?"

Ace smiled, "Not yet."

Princess Muse nodded and asked, "So, Duke Black, do you want to invite me to my first dance?"

Ace naturally did as Princess Muse said.

The melodious music sounded again, and they took the lead on the dance floor.After that, an old friend of the Black family invited Eugenia, and one after another, everyone entered the dance floor.

This scene is no different from before the Finger Empire declared war.

……

Warcraft Forest.

Tall trees obscured the stars and moonlight, except for the occasional light from the eyes of the little green and golden monsters, Fenfur couldn't see anything.Although the forest is very cool at night, neither Fenfur nor Jonah intend to light the bonfire. The biggest threat to them at this time is not the monsters and the cold, but the pursuers who don't know when they will appear.

Fenfur looked extremely embarrassed.

Unlike usual, she always wore those intricate and gorgeous dresses made by the best tailors in the Finger Empire.

At this time, although Fenfell's coat was still made of silk, with pansy flowers and golden lions embroidered with gold thread on it, which symbolized the Koorser family and the Finger family respectively, it was dirty and the original long The dress seemed to have been torn apart by hand, and turned into a miniskirt with a pair of coarse trousers inside, which was very ugly.

But Fenfur didn't care about these at all.

She leaned against the tree trunk and stared blankly into the distance.

A young man with freckles and brown hair appeared beside Fenfur.He squatted beside Fenfur with a red cloak, and said, "Princess Fenfur, it's cold in the forest at night, put on the cloak."

The young man looked extremely disturbed. Although he wiped the cloak vigorously, there was still a lot of mud and blood on the outside, and there were many cuts caused by swords.

He naturally knew that this thing was not worthy of a princess, but they were in the forest now, and he couldn't find anything else to keep them warm.If the cloak is washed in the river, not to mention that the cloak will become even more rotten, and it will take a lot of battle energy to dry the cloak.Even if he wants to give Fenfur the best, he also understands that every point of combat power is extremely important to them now.

Fortunately, Fenfur didn't dislike her, and put on the cloak very cooperatively, and Jonah was relieved.

Although Jonah joined the Royal Knights of the Pansy Empire very early, Sykes has a rule that knights of the Royal Guards under the age of 20 are not allowed to go to the red light district.The past few years have been the time when their strength has grown by leaps and bounds, and Sykes will not allow them to be abandoned.

Although the knights of the Royal Guards are also very popular at the banquets in the imperial capital, Jonah is shy by nature and is not likely to please the noble ladies.Compared with various banquets, he also prefers to stay in the Knights' resident training.To be honest, Jonah didn't have much experience with young girls.

At this time, Jonah was alone with Fenfur in the Monster Forest. Fenfur was still in such a bad mood, and Jonah really didn't know what to do.

Fenfur looked completely unwilling to talk, as if nothing else happened to her.Jonah was stupid, he knew that he shouldn't bother Fenfur with trivial matters at this time, but this question has been lingering in Jonah's mind for a few days, "His Royal Highness, Princess Fenfur, where are we going now?"

Fenfur didn't speak, and Jonah lowered her head silently.

……

Ten days ago, it was the 10rd birthday of the King of the Finger Empire.Jonah is the guardian knight of Princess Fenfur, and he also has a seat at the banquet. Although he sits at a very angle to the stage where the opera is performed, he is far away from His Majesty the King of the Finger Empire, Prince Bartholomew, and Princess Fenfur. The location is not far.

From time to time, Jonah would look at the high platform, where Fenfur was sitting.Jonah saw with his own eyes that Fenful poured out the turquoise liquid from the jug and handed it to Prince Bartholomew. As soon as Prince Bartholomew drank the wine, Princess Muse asked Fenfull to toast the old king.

At that time, Fenfur was wearing the long skirt she was wearing now, but the skirt was still intact at that time, and it was much more delicate and gorgeous.

Jonah felt that although Princess Muse was also a princess of the empire, she could not compare with Princess Fenfur in terms of beauty.Jonah had never seen such a beautiful and innocent person as Princess Fenfur.

But just as Fenfull smiled and handed the wine to the old king, who had just drank the turquoise liquid—Prince Bartholomew fell from the high platform, his hands tightly clutching his throat, His expression looked terribly painful.

Prince Bartholomew kept rolling on the ground, his forehead was bulging with blue veins, his eyes were bloodshot, and his expression was terrifying.The opera on the birthday of His Majesty the King seemed to be paused, and no one made a sound in the open-air garden, only Prince Bartholomew's heavy panting and inaudible groans in the garden.

Fenfur wanted to guard Prince Bartholomew, but because Jonah was not far from them, he easily caught Fenfur.At that time, Jonah didn't think too much, but Prince Bartholomew had black blood at the corner of his mouth, obviously poisoned, and he was worried that Fenfur would also be poisoned.

Until the old king also collapsed on the ground, showing the same expression as Prince Bartholomew.

Jonah is introverted by nature. He was able to enter the best knight order of the Pansy Empire at the age of less than 20, and was left alone by Sykes as the guardian knight of Fenfur. He is not a stupid person.

The last thing that Prince Bartholomew and the old king drank before the accident was offered by Fenfell herself. No matter it was accidental or intentionally harmed, Fenfele could not stay in the Palace of the Finger Empire.Otherwise, no one can be sure what she will encounter here.

Jonah wanted to take Fenfur away at that time, but Fenfur was concerned about Prince Bartholomew and insisted on refusing to leave.

But Prince Bartholomew didn't last long, and he died.

Fenfur no longer resisted so fiercely, and Jonah took her away in the chaos.

At that time, the imperial capital of the Finger Empire was not under martial law, and they left the imperial capital easily.It wasn't until they went to a small town on the border of the Finger Empire and met mercenaries who wanted to capture them alive that they got news from the imperial capital.

King's birthday.The former Princess Fenful gave the king and Prince Bartholomew the enchanting wine, the king was poisoned and fell into a coma, and Prince Bartholomew died on the spot.Princess Muse became the princess regent, issued a warrant for the former Princess Fenfur and the knight Jonah, and declared war on the Pansy Empire.

But Jonah didn't tell Fenfur the last news.Although this violated Jonah's oath, he couldn't bear to provoke Fenfur again, and he didn't want the kind-hearted princess to blame herself for it.For this reason, Jonah doesn't care what kind of punishment he needs to be punished at that time.

Of course, on the other hand, Jonah doesn't think it's a bad thing for the two countries to be at war.To be honest, there are many young knights in the Knights who want to fight.Only during the war years can they gain military merits, be granted titles, and become famous.

Furthermore, Jonah met many knights of the Finger Empire when he was in the Finger Empire. In his opinion, except for the Knights of the Golden Lion, the other knights of the Finger Empire and even the soldiers guarding the city of the Pansy Empire Can't beat it.

There is nothing to worry about such a war that must be won.

Jonah thought that the people of the Finger Empire also knew this situation.They just had to declare war, and if something happened to the king and the crown prince, it would be a shame if they remained silent.

Jonah quietly looked at Fenfur, how much they have wronged the beautiful princess.Before entering the monster forest, they encountered several fierce battles. If Jonah could always break through between life and death, he would have been killed long ago, and Fenfur had also been captured.

"Let's go back to the imperial capital." Jonah had already given up getting Fenfur's reply, but suddenly, a voice like a silver bell appeared in Jonah's ear, which was clearly Fenfur's voice.

"But?" Jonah didn't react yet.

Fenfur seemed to see through Jonah's thoughts, and said again: "Let's go back to the capital of the Pansy Empire."

"But didn't you say that you would never go back in this lifetime?" Jonah had to remind Fenfur how His Majesty Ludwig IV made her choose when she insisted on marrying Prince Bartholomew .

"No matter what, I am the child of my father, queen and concubine." Fenfur's voice was exhausted, but her demeanor contained the firmness that belonged exclusively to the Keoser family, and she said softly: "I will go back this time, Not for myself." I don't know if Jonah heard it.

Fenfur certainly has the pride of belonging to the royal family.Originally, she couldn't survive in the Finger Empire, and she would not return to the imperial capital of the Pansy Empire, but there were some things she had to tell her father personally.

Fenfur remembered the vows Prince Bartholomew had made to her, and what had happened on the King's birthday.She was sure that Prince Bartholomew had died, and Prince Bartholomew had even known that he would die on this day.

But he put Jonah near their seats.Jonah may not know it, but Fenfur, who has participated in various banquets since childhood, knows it all too well. It is impossible for Jonah, who has no title in the Finger Empire, to sit in front of such a banquet.Originally, Fenfur felt that Prince Bartholomew wanted to show respect to her.

But even Prince Bartholomew is more interested in flowers and poems than in these red tapes, usually he would not expect such things.

Unless, Prince Bartholomew knew that something would happen to him, and his death would be related to Fenfur, and he wanted Jonah to take her away to save her life.

Fenfur doesn't know what scheme Prince Bartholomew, or the royal family of the Finger Empire has, and needs to use Prince Bartholomew's life to lay it out, but she knows that the only thing on this continent worthy of the bait of the Royal Family of the Finger Empire is The Pansy Empire is royal too.

The family she was born and raised in, she really relies on.

So she has to go back.She had to go back to the Emperor of the Pansy Empire and tell her father that she was being used, and she might push the Pansy Empire into an unknown abyss.

She must go back as soon as possible.

Fenfur's hands tightly pinched the neckline of the cloak to prevent the cold wind from blowing in.She thought of the way Prince Bartholomew helped her button up the button on the second day of their wedding, and the look in his eyes when he put a rose on her head.

Fenfur thought, he still loves her.

Otherwise, if she stays in the palace of the Finger Empire, Princess Muse will have more bargaining chips.Let her live, give her a chance to return to the Pansy Empire, and leave her as a variable.

In Bartholomew's heart, did he ever care about her?

The stars are dim, just like the way forward for Fenfur, when she left, it was doomed that she would never return.