Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 534 Thank you for waiting
While DD was excitedly gossiping about the aristocratic circles of the capital, his bad luck struck again.

"Officer Doyle".

Marius's voice rang out from behind at just the right moment, interrupting Thales's thoughts:

"What's so funny?"

Doyle's expression stiffened, but when he turned around to face the Watchman, DD had already regained his serious and composed demeanor:

"No, sir."

“When His Highness asked me a question, I explained to him some of the etiquette and customs among nobles.”

Marius glanced at Lady Eleanor, who had disappeared into the banquet hall, then looked thoughtfully at Thales:
"Is it?"

Thales banished the image of the tiny iron spike from his mind and gave a dry laugh:
"That's it."

Behind him, Doyle nodded solemnly, while Golov remained expressionless.

Marius scoffed lightly, remaining as calm as ever:

"Very good, are you ready?"

In the distance, a middle-aged nobleman with makeup and his wife alighted from his carriage. After signing his name at the entrance, he smiled and had his servants present him with gifts. He straightened his clothes and, guided by someone, walked towards Thales.

“Of course.” Thales sighed, then put on a bright smile again.

But Marius shook his head and pointed to DD:

"No, Your Highness, I mean... him."

Doyle, with his back to the hall door, stared blankly and said:
"Why do I?"

Just then, a heart-wrenching scream suddenly rang out!
"Ahhhhh, Your Highness, Your Highness, Prince Thales, ahhhhh!"

Thales shuddered, almost thinking he was being haunted by a vengeful spirit.

The cries drew the attention of the waiters, soldiers, guards, and other guests from the side gate, and they all turned around in surprise.

Before everyone's eyes, a middle-aged nobleman with a greasy face and a rather plump appearance rushed in from the hall door and pounced on Thales!
Before the surprised Thales could react, the dutiful Golov carefully pulled the prince back and then pushed Doyle forward.

The middle-aged nobleman pounced on the unsuspecting Doyle, making DD's face turn ugly.

But the newcomer did not give up. The nobleman lying on the ground shrank his facial features and scrambled toward Thales.

"Your Highness!"

Terrified, Thales flinched again, and Golov had to shield the prince behind him, while Marius stood aside comfortably, watching from the sidelines.

The guest showed no intention of getting up, and continued to stretch out his arms, lunging towards Thales' legs:
"The gods have eyes, the sun is wise, and the setting sun protects! The Star Kingdom has finally, finally found its destined successor!"

"Our Seven Star Servants' unwavering loyalty has finally paid off!"

The tone was so sorrowful and poignant that it broke the hearts of those who heard it and brought tears to their eyes.

Thales was dumbfounded.

what's the situation?
Blocking the road to plead for justice?

The Star Lake Guards in the foyer frowned and gripped their swords, but Marius waved to them.

It wasn't until Doyle reached out and grabbed the middle-aged nobleman by the back of his collar, using all his strength to drag him backward.

"Dad, what are you doing? Get up! Get up!"

DD, looking around in terror, frantically used both hands and feet to block the middle-aged nobleman two meters away from the prince:
"This is so embarrassing, Dad..."

The middle-aged nobleman, upon seeing Doyle, immediately changed his expression without even wiping away his tears:
"I was so excited to see Your Highness that I couldn't contain my emotions. What's it to you!"

Hearing how they addressed each other, Thales raised an eyebrow.

Marius, standing to the side, spoke up leisurely:
"Your Highness, this is Baron Doyle, the lord of Mirror River, and also DD's... well, you can see for yourself."

Thales's eyebrows twitched.

Doyle was still arguing with his father, while his face was full of apology and shame as he smiled apologetically at the people around him.

The servants and guards who had been watching the spectacle dispersed, and the scattered nobles turned away to whisper among themselves.

Until another shrill female voice rang out:

"Oh! Danny! How could you treat your father like this!"

Suddenly, a heavily made-up noblewoman rushed up from behind, shouting and grabbing Baron Doyle, while waving a handkerchief to shoo DD away, forcing him to let go.

"He's old and in poor health, and you're still so inconsiderate. We're such a pitiful couple..."

Baron Doyle, panting heavily and coughing repeatedly, collapsed into his wife's arms.

The Baroness, on the other hand, wept and sobbed.
"How can you do this to us after all the hard work we put into raising you, treating you like dirt and diapers?!"

Baron Doyle and his wife, hand in hand, slid down to sit on the ground, looking at their son who was in a terrible headache and completely at a loss.

Their expressions were resolute yet sorrowful, conveying a poignant sense of a devoted couple united in heart.

It's like a bullying young master harassing a pitiful, honest couple in the street.

"Raise them?"

Doyle looked annoyed: "You're clearly just my stepmother..."

"What's wrong with a stepmother!"

The Baroness, arm in arm with her husband, rose to her feet. Tears still clung to her face, but her expression instantly changed. She flung her handkerchief around, her tone sharp and forceful:
"Isn't a stepmother a mother too?!"

"Your food, clothing, daily necessities, knight's tuition, the cost of picking up girls—aren't all of these things the result of our hard work..."

Doyle completely gave up any possibility of saving face for his family and could only cover his face and sigh.

This family drama left Thales speechless.

Baron Doyle wiped his nose and finally managed to stand up.

But the moment he saw Thales, his expression changed again, this time with immense eagerness:
“Ah, Your Highness! Look, you are standing here, before the portraits of the Three Kings of the Stars. Perhaps it is a coincidence, but who can say that this is not a sign: the fearless courage of the Supreme Restoration King, the majestic figure of the Legendary Oath Keeper, the wise and sagacious ruler… You are simply a gift from heaven, a combination of the three!”

Thales was somewhat overwhelmed by the praise.

As old Doyle spoke, tears streamed down his face:
"The bright star has a son who has just come of age. If the late king knew this, he would surely smile as he passed through the River of Hell... or perhaps into Heaven?"

Thales forced a stiff smile and returned the greeting from a distance.

But DD didn't think that way.

He smiled apologetically at the young duke and pulled his exaggerated parents aside.

"Dad... what are you doing...?"

Old Doyle lowered his head and muttered resentfully, "It's all because of you!"

"I?"

"I heard from the servants that you, you troublemaker, have actually offended Lady Ginny—do you know how terrifying she is? Do you still want to stay in the capital?!"

DD sighed, "What does that have to do with you..."

"You're so thin-skinned, you can't even find a girlfriend, so of course I'll have to swallow my pride and do the flattery..."

"You talk as if your face is some kind of magic weapon..."

"You brat—"

"And it's not that I can't find a girlfriend..."

"Huh? You want to be like the idiots in the Kalabyan family? Find a boyfriend?"

"Dad, you—you get inside right now and stay there!"

"Wait, I forgot to kiss His Highness's hand..."

"Oh, I'll kiss him for you—"

On the other side, Thales and Golov exchanged a glance, both feeling helpless.

Marius, on the other hand, seemed quite used to it.

Finally, after seeing off his magical parents, Doyle turned around with lingering fear, wiped his forehead, and found the prince and the others staring at him intently as if watching a play.

Thales, without changing his expression, understandingly offered the back of his hand:

Do you want a kiss?

DD paused for a moment, then said ingratiatingly:
"No, no, but it's not because I don't want to kiss... In fact, I kiss him in my heart every day... It's just that, you know, my father and the others... hehe..."

“Hmm,” Golov spoke for the first time ever, his emotions unreadable:
"A sweet home".

Doyle wished he could disappear into a hole.

“I know,” he said sheepishly.
"So, I don't like living at home."

The other three turned their heads away, pretending nothing had happened.

Compared to Doyle's lively and cheerful family, Baron Stoddard, also one of the Seven, came alone without any attendants, appearing lonely and gloomy.

"After the bloody years, due to the limitations of the nation, His Majesty Kessel favors frugality and simplicity," said Baron Stolt, a man in his forties with high cheekbones and a gaunt face, who appeared rather stern.

"Therefore, the capital city no longer hosts banquets of sufficient scale."

Baron Stoddard held Thales's hand, carefully observing his face:

"So, Your Highness, do you know what today means for us?"

Thales could only respond with a smile.

"It's okay, because we don't know either."

The somber baron leaned down and gently rubbed his cheek against Thales's hand:

"It's up to you to prove it."

By the time Baron Stoddard turned and left, Thales was already somewhat numb.

"I remember that the head of my logistics team was named Stott..."

“Very well, whether it’s my Mindis Hall or the Royal Guard,” the prince took a deep breath:

"How many more people are connected to the Seven Star Servants?"

“Many,” Marius replied calmly.
"But very few."

Thales was stunned.

Until another tall figure stepped out of the carriage, amidst the fawning greetings of a group of minor nobles, he passed through the forecourt of the Mindis Hall, signed his name, and crossed the direction of the guards to come before Thales.

"I heard they all arrived early, so I can't not come either."

The tall nobleman smiled, yet his eyes were shrewd. He bowed to Thales, his body lowering, exuding a different kind of imposing aura.

"Lozano Glovoro, Viscount of Lake Hill County"

Doyle let out a soft gasp from behind.

Glov.

Thales felt a pang of urge but resisted the urge to turn around.

The Duke of Starlake continued with his perfect smile:
"It's a pleasure to meet you. His Majesty once mentioned that your family is a pillar of our rule—I heard that your grandfather served in the Royal Guard and held a high position?"

Lozano was tall, but appeared thin.
"He was once the most trusted guard of the late King Eddil and the swordsmanship instructor of Crown Prince Midil, until he died in the line of duty, sacrificing his life for the country."

"To live up to the mission of the Grover family."

Watchmen.

Thales resisted the urge to look at Marius, but his mind was on someone else.

Lozano smiled:
“I work for the Finance and Taxation Bureau, so I reside in Yongxing City. If you have some free time, Your Highness, you might as well come to my humble abode in the DC District for a chat.”

He holds an important position in the Finance and Taxation Bureau, no wonder.

Lozano turned his head and looked at Marius:

"Tormond, the same goes for you. The doors of the Golover family are always open to you."

Marius smiled faintly:
"It would be my pleasure. May I show you inside?"

“Of course.” But that wasn’t all. Lozano unexpectedly turned to DD, who had been watching silently:

"And Danny Doyle, right?"

"Please tell your father not to send any more money to the tax office. We can't accept it, and even if we did, we couldn't bypass his land clearing and tax audit this year."

Doyle's face immediately turned bright red.

Before leaving, Lozano looked at Thales again and said seriously:
"I hope you are aware, Your Highness."

"We will always be loyal to the throne, loyal to the nine-star crown."

So when Lozano Golova and Marius left together, Thales and Doyle both breathed a sigh of relief, feeling relieved from a certain pressure.

DD gave a soft hum:
"What did I tell you? Tsk tsk, the one in charge of the money."

Yes.

and……

Thales resisted the urge to turn his head to the side and behind him.

But clearly, some people couldn't hold back any longer.

"Hey, zombie, aren't you going to say something?"

Doyle looked curiously at Viscount Golover's retreating figure, then turned to look at his colleagues:
"That's your elder brother, the lord, and the one in charge of the money. If it were me, I'd be jumping the gun for him..."

Golov suddenly turned his head!
His sharp eyes pierced DD, cold as ice.

Doyle panicked, and Thales, who was caught in the middle, also froze.

Golov stared coldly at DD for a few seconds before slowly speaking, enunciating each word clearly:
"I am on duty."

Doyle seemed to be seeing Golov like this for the first time; he froze for a few seconds before forcing a smile.
"Okay, okay, fine..."

Golov then turned around and nodded slightly to the prince, who was watching the scene in a daze.

Doyle shrank to the side, gave Thales a wronged look, and pouted indignantly.

But Thales was too busy to care about their interactions.

The prince took the water cup to replenish his fluids. His gaze swept across the hall and past the guards' defensive line, looking at the bustling crowds and carriages coming and going outside. He knew that he would only become busier and busier from now on.

But he was already quite tired.

The few vassals of the central territories who arrived early were not as arrogant as the nineteen nobles on the surface, but Thales found it even more exhausting to deal with them than the national conference six years ago.

But he cannot rest.

As Gilbert instructed, when he was tired, he had to be even more careful and attentive to his appearance, manners, movements, smile, posture, and speech.

"Six families."

Thales counted his family members on his fingers, attracting the attention of his two bodyguards:
“Paterson, Adrian, Barney, Doyle, Stolt, Golov…”

"If I haven't misunderstood the history lessons I've been taking these past few days... within the Central Territory, there seem to be a few other families that can rival these six in terms of reputation, history, and power?"

Thales watched with boredom as the guests outside the hall were slowly dispersed and guided to appropriate entrances and locations. However, many people forgot their manners and tried to tiptoe and peek through the main hall, just to catch a glimpse of the prince's charm.

"It's declined."

Doyle casually picked up where Thales left off, his tone languid, clearly showing his own impatience:
"Although 'Seven Attendants' is just an insider term... when I was just old enough to remember things, there were eight or nine noble families in the central government who were directly under the royal family, had actual fiefdoms, and were able to inherit their titles. There were also many more below them who were lining up to try to get in."

Eight or nine families...

"until……"

Doyle shrugged:

"You know, in the past twenty years, some have had empty titles but lost all their fiefdoms, some have had large families but couldn't make ends meet, some have had long histories but their descendants are unworthy, some have been destroyed by war and never recovered, some have made mistakes and lost their titles, and some have fallen into decline due to infighting among their blood relatives..."

Thales listened quietly, while Golov frowned.

"As of now, only six families truly deserve the ridiculous title of 'Seven Servants of the Brilliant Stars'—and their quality varies greatly. As you've seen, some are nearing their deathbeds, some are widows and orphans, some wield great power, some are insidious and petty, and some even wail and kneel upon meeting you... cough cough..."

Doyle, who was casually gossiping, realized something and promptly ended the conversation.

Thales remained silent for a long time.

After thinking it through, he nodded thoughtfully.

In the following ten minutes or so, more and more guests required the prince's greeting, but almost all of them were royalists whom Thales had known for six years, or even newly rich members of the royal council:
The current Chancellor of the Exchequer, Joker Mann, kindly inquired about the prince's adjustment and progress in his math lessons. The Secretary for Education then seized the opportunity to bring up the issue of funding for this year's central bureaucratic examinations.
Military advisor "Soldier" Sodor Red had just assured him that the kingdom's actions in the desert would bring another decade of peace to the Western Wilderness when the Minister of Agriculture and Herdsmen arrived with a serious expression and explained to him the harm of militarism and the destruction of production by military operations, arguing for the asymmetry between the benefits of plundering and peaceful farming.
Baron Garth, who manages the mint, had just warmly invited the Duke of Starlake to visit the kingdom's "source of wealth," and preferably to hear more about their currency issuance plan that His Majesty had rejected, when the Royal Bank's supervising minister rushed in, rudely interrupting the conversation, and strongly suggesting that Thales open an account in his own name, as the Royal Bank's historic third thousandth distinguished noble client...

During this time, Thales was greeted and seen off by countless people, and he felt his face was almost numb from being squeezed so much.

To be honest, he would rather go back to the Night of Dragon Blood six years ago and face the five menacing Grand Dukes.

No wonder, no wonder I remember the motto of a certain noble family was "Better to die for a friend than for an enemy"...

However, the next moment, as a carriage arrived, the nobles queuing in the front courtyard fell silent.

A middle-aged nobleman stepped down from his carriage and, accompanied by his old servant, walked toward the Mindis Hall.

The nobles' voices rose again, and the soldiers and guards unconsciously stood even straighter.

“DD, go take a look,” Thales sighed, finally having a chance to catch his breath, and looked up:
"Who is it this time..."

But Thales' words came to an abrupt end.

Outside the hall, the middle-aged nobleman was elegant in demeanor yet approachable in temperament, with occasional air of authority in his disdainful glances.

With every step he took, he would patiently nod in return to the lower-ranking nobles who greeted him, displaying an unpretentious yet graceful demeanor that won everyone's respect.

Thales was stunned.

This is really... exactly what I wished for.

"Ha, I know, he's a big shot. He often stays in the capital for short periods; his status is..."

Doyle was about to continue speaking when Thales suddenly raised his hand and stopped him.

Thales watched the approaching guest with a complicated expression, noticing the family crest on the guest's sleeve.

The flower has three petals, each a different color.

As guests ascend the steps, they flash their signature smiles between the pillars:

"The Mindis Hall truly lives up to its reputation, filled with countless treasures of priceless value."

As he signed his name, he smiled and said to the old servant beside him:
“I really wish I could have come here six or seven years earlier.”

A few meaningful glints flashed in the nobleman's eyes.

"That's good."

The old servant simply nodded quietly.

The next moment, the middle-aged nobleman raised his head and, after the guards made way for him, came face to face with Thales.

Without warning, without any cover-up.

Thales exchanged glances with the other person in mid-air.

Doyle, who had been numb and nonchalant, suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

he's changed.

Thales remained calm as he silently observed the guests, pondering to himself.

His demeanor was more mature, more natural, and more...

The prince gently rubbed his gloves.

he's changed.

The guest remained unfazed, silently observing Thales, understanding the situation perfectly.

His gaze was sharper, more determined, and more...

The guest narrowed his eyes slightly.

In that instant, the huge and bustling Mindis Hall seemed to be empty except for the two of them.

but……

Thales and the guests simultaneously smiled warmly and, as if in tacit agreement, took steps in unison to greet each other.

So what?

Thus, under the watchful eyes of countless people, the host and guest of the Mindis Hall walked toward each other with great enthusiasm and joy, like old friends who had not seen each other for a long time but were still close friends, and their hands met fiercely in the air!

"Welcome, Your Grace!"

"It's been a long time, Your Highness!"

Thales felt the opponent's unrestrained and powerful strength, and he also released the Sin of the Prison River without hesitation, exerting his muscles!
His two palms trembled slightly in the air, but he remained calm on the surface.

Marius, who rushed to the scene upon hearing the news, frowned slightly upon seeing it.

Thales and the guest exchanged glances in the air once more, then both broke into friendly smiles.

The Duke chuckled:
"Just call me Janine."

The prince was also very understanding:

"Thales".

The next moment, the two looked at each other and laughed in perfect unison, then hugged each other with their arms clasped together, their other hands encircling each other's shoulders.

Thales suddenly realized that he was only half a head shorter than him.

I don't know when it started, but the other party's once unattainable height is no longer an obstacle.

To outsiders, Prince Thales and Duke Janne were bosom friends. Despite not having seen each other for years, they felt an instant connection and rushed to each other's side, eager to stay up all night and talk intimately.

However, only Thales and Jan, who were holding each other tightly with their heads and necks pressed together, knew how genuine their feelings were at that moment.

“I knew it, the northerners can’t do anything to you.”

Jenn whispered something in his ear, his tone eerie.

“Yes,” Thales replied slowly, his voice also carrying a deeper meaning:

"Like vampires."

From an angle out of sight, the two turned their heads and glanced at each other from a distance that was almost a kiss.

Jann's eyes were icy cold, as if frosty.

Thales's gaze was sharp, piercing straight to the heart.

“Welcome back,” Duke Jann Kevin Deer of the South Shore said softly.

Nine-pointed star.

"Thank you for waiting." Duke of Starlake, Thales Starlight, gave a faint, cold laugh.

iris.

The next second, the two influential figures in the country separated instantly and let go of each other.

Her perfect and warm smile returned.

This demonstrates that the kingdom's greatest source of pride in this era is unity and harmony.

(End of this chapter)