The Knight's Journey to the Empire

In Viscount Ayudukai's castle, people were coming and going, bustling around, and laughing all the time.

A rich variety of exquisite musical instruments, under the control of excellent musicians, produce clear and pleasant beautiful notes.

Different notes resonate with each other in the air, forming an elegant and soothing musical chapter, like lingering sound in the air.

Under the influence of beautiful and melodious music, distinguished nobles and ladies, wearing gorgeous banquet gowns and appropriate makeup, gathered in twos and threes to form small aristocratic circles.

They drank the sweet and delicious fruit wine while chatting and gossiping with each other happily. From time to time, they would cover their mouths and let out a perfunctory or casual chuckle.

The waiters at the party, dressed in standard servant attire, moved nimbly and lightly among the crowd, either placing delicious food and fresh fruits or adding fruit wine and drinks, their movements were hurried and orderly.

The coming-of-age ball has not officially started yet, so this is the best time for the nobles to socialize and communicate.

After Soran entered the castle accompanied by the Knight of Gogoth, the two separated.

Knight Gogos was going to have a drink and chat with his acquaintances.

But Baron Soran didn't know anyone here!

So he could only find a place to sit down, drink and rest.

Of course, there is a special course in the curriculum of the Donbass Knight Academy that is dedicated to teaching banquet communication, such as social discourse and ballroom dancing.

Soran has studied in the academy for so many years and is also an outstanding graduate of the academy, so his communication skills are actually very good.

But he was not in a hurry to get to know other nobles, but sat quietly aside, ready to observe the situation first.

At the same time, he was also waiting for an opportunity, an opportunity to smoothly integrate into this aristocratic circle.

……

Viscount Ayudukai's castle is twenty meters high and is divided into three floors.

The castle lobby on one of the floors is the main venue for the coming-of-age ceremony ball.

At this time, in a room on the second floor of the castle, several women who were close to Viscount Ayudukai were gathered together, discussing or debating something.

In this room, there is a hidden window through which the women can observe most of the people in the lobby.

While they were observing, they were also chattering about it.

"Vivian, come and see! That's Viscount Molson's eldest son. He's very handsome and good-looking! Come and see what he thinks! Is he to your liking?" A middle-aged woman suddenly turned around and said with a smile to the young girl sitting on the sofa behind her.

Vivian Miparis, the eldest daughter of Viscount Ayudukai, is the protagonist of today's coming-of-age ceremony reception.

Probably because of her luxurious lifestyle, Miss Vivian's skin is naturally fair, delicate and creamy, as flawless as a white jade; her face is characterized by bright eyes, white teeth, and a refined temperament, like a lotus emerging from water.

The overall feeling she gives is that of a girl next door with infinite youthful vitality, pure, innocent, gentle, yet smart and elegant.

At this moment, she was dressed up like a princess, sitting there quietly, waiting for her coming-of-age ball to begin.

When Vivian heard what the woman said, she looked a little shy and said, "Aunt, please help me! I don't know what to do!"

Viscount Ayudukai held this coming-of-age ball for his daughter and invited many nobles to attend.

In fact, in addition to being a witness, I also hope to choose an excellent son-in-law from among them.

……

There are two main orthodox ways for noble ladies in the Knight Continent to get married.

The first one is the parents’ orders and family marriage.

In order to safeguard various interests, two noble families choose to enter into a family marriage.

So the parents of both parties made the decision, and the newlyweds got engaged from a young age, and got married directly when they grew up and formed a family.

However, most of these marriages have no emotional basis and are based on the need to maintain family interests.

Therefore, after they got married and gave birth to family heirs, many aristocratic couples would have their own affairs!

This is also one of the important reasons why there is an overwhelming number of illegitimate children among nobles on the Knight Continent.

The second one is just like now.

The family held a grand coming-of-age ball for him and invited single young nobles from the surrounding area to attend.

Then let the noble lady choose one or more partners from among the noble young men of appropriate age and develop a romantic relationship with them.

Finally, the best ones are selected and they get married.

Of course, in this slave society where class stratification is serious, class correspondence is very important.

This is especially serious in major life events such as weddings and funerals.

Therefore, in order to achieve equal status, class correspondence, or maximize benefits, the parents of a noble lady would usually prepare multiple candidates of the same class for their daughter, allowing her to choose carefully.

And just like what is said in those fairy tales, a noble lady falls in love with a poor boy, and then, despite her family's opposition, she insists on eloping, and finally, after going through some hardships, she lives a happy and fulfilling life.

This kind of rubbish plot is basically 99.99% unlikely to happen in the Knight Continent.

……

Upon hearing this, Vivian's aunt immediately said angrily, "Vivian, how can your aunt help you choose? You have to know that today we are choosing your husband! This is related to your future happiness! You must make the decision yourself!"

"That's right! Vivian, you'll grow up after today! There are some things you need to decide for yourself! Come and take a look at Viscount Molson's eldest son. I think he's quite good. Come and take a look!" Another woman at the side also persuaded.

She is Vivian's mother.

"Okay, Mom, I'll be right there!" Finally, Miss Vivian lifted her skirt, took small steps, and came to the window with a shy look on her face.

Immediately, she looked carefully in the direction her aunt pointed.

He was a young nobleman in his twenties.

At this moment, he was full of energy and high spirits!

And there were many people around him, surrounding him like stars surrounding the moon, listening to him talking incessantly.

Among all the hereditary nobles in the County of Garnese, the Earl of Katis's family was undoubtedly the most honorable and the most powerful.

Below them are the various viscount families, baron families, and even the manor knights.

Currently in the western region of Ganise City, there are six hereditary viscount families and twenty-three hereditary baron families.

Baron Soren is one of them!

As for the manor knights, there are even more of them, simply too numerous to count!

The Viscount Molson family is the most powerful of the six hereditary viscount families and ranks among the top three!

Therefore, the single young nobles in their family are naturally on the list of people that the Miparis family wants to marry into!

And the eldest son of Viscount Molson naturally became the focus of attention!

"Although the eldest son of Viscount Molson is a good choice! But, Vivian, I heard that he likes to abuse and punish serfs, he may be a little abnormal, and he is very unfaithful and has a very messy private life! He has not married yet, and there are even rumors that he has an illegitimate child!" A woman next to her suddenly spoke up, expressing her understanding and concerns.

She is Vivian's aunt.

"Yes, sister Vivian! I heard that this man is really disgusting! He plays with women at will, and has no bottom line. He even doesn't let go of those dirty and lowly serf women! Sister, if you choose him, you may not have a good life in the future!" Another younger girl said worriedly.

She is Vivian's cousin.

Upon hearing this, Vivian immediately frowned!

For her, who had little social experience, this information was truly beyond her expectations.

She never imagined that this young nobleman who looked so bright and handsome on the outside could have such disgusting and depraved behavior and life!

How could I choose such a pervert as my husband?

Just thinking about it, Vivian felt a little scared!

So she quickly refused: "No, no, it can't be him! Otherwise I would rather die!"

"What about that guy over there? Vivian, look, that noble young man is the only son of Baron Zonaras and the sole heir to the baronial title in the future. What do you think of him?" On the side, the aunt pointed at another noble young man and introduced him to Vivian.

But before Vivian had time to take a closer look, she heard her mother say in a deep voice:

"I've heard of Baron Zonaras's son. He's indeed a good choice! But he once publicly stated that he only likes Baron Badas's twelve-year-old daughter? He's waiting for her to grow up and he'll marry her in this life!"

"In the end, because of this incident, the two families even quarreled in the Noble Garden of Ganise County, and the two territories almost came to blows! And his father, Baron Zonaras, was even so angry that he fainted!"

Upon hearing this, Vivian, who originally had some smile on her face, suddenly turned three shades darker!

This is also a perversion, definitely not okay!

But before she could say no, her aunt pointed to a young noble and introduced him: "That one! That's Viscount Stenmogre. He's still so young, but he has inherited the title of Viscount! He should be a good choice!"

"No, I heard that since his father died, although Viscount Stenmogre inherited the title, his family has declined! It may even be inferior to a baronial family. And now, in order to restore his family, he is actually pursuing the Countess of Katis! He wants to be a gigolo! But he was sternly rejected by the Countess of Katis!" Vivian's aunt spoke up.

"No, aunt, I heard that Viscount Stenmogre said that because he likes men! And pursuing the Countess is just his excuse!" Vivian's cousin also spoke up, her face full of excitement.

In an instant, Vivian's face turned even darker!

The originally rosy cheeks are now tense!

What kind of people are these!

Vivian said she is now very confused about the future!

"That one! It's the young man who is walking in from the castle gate now! He should be the eldest son of Baron Emil Antnonst. I have never heard of any scandal about him. What about you?" Vivian's mother suddenly pointed at a young nobleman and said.

"Yes, I remember his name was Comer Emil, and I haven't heard of any scandals about him!"

"Yes! Me too!"

For a moment, the women of Viscount Ayudukai racked their brains for a long time before realizing that they had indeed not heard any gossip about this young man.

After listening to the introductions from her relatives, Vivian had already given up on this coming-of-age ball!

She even thought about her own bleak life in the future!

But now hearing everyone say this, she suddenly felt a little hope again!

Because every noble lady who is waiting to get married wants to find a perfect husband and start a happy and fulfilling life.

Vivian looked in the direction her mother pointed, and saw a young nobleman slowly walking in from outside the castle.

He has a handsome appearance, handsome features, and always has a smile on his face, always giving people a warm feeling like spring.

He politely called a waiter, then gently picked up a glass of amber fruit wine from the waiter's tray, and finally expressed his gratitude to the waiter.

After expressing his gratitude, he took a sip of the sweet fruit wine.

He performed the whole set of movements calmly and calmly, which was extremely elegant.

But for some reason, when Vivian looked at him, she felt that he was very fake, as if he was deliberately pretending!

It was like he did it on purpose, just to show it to others!

"Hey! Look, who is that noble young man sitting next to Comer? I don't think I've ever seen him before?" Vivian's cousin suddenly said in surprise.

"That? It's very strange!"

"Yes! I haven't seen it either!"

Other women said the same thing.

It turned out that this Comer Emil entered the castle, and after greeting a few acquaintances, he went straight to sit next to a young nobleman, and then the two of them started chatting happily like good friends who had not seen each other for many years.

Vivian also noticed this noble young man.

He seemed to have been sitting there quietly. No one came to talk to him, and he didn't seek to socialize with others.

From him, Vivian felt the unique aura of a tough man!

This aura is very different from those noble young masters I just saw.

To Vivian, those young nobles seemed more like spoiled young masters who were accustomed to a life of luxury.

If those young men before were somewhat feminine and gentle, then this young man gave her the feeling of being masculine and strong, full of masculinity!

In short, it's the smell of male hormones exploding!

This so-called masculinity is undoubtedly a powerful killer weapon for a young lady like Vivian who stays at home all year round.

So Miss Vivian was immediately attracted by the unique temperament of this noble young man!

"Who do you think this young noble is?" Vivian couldn't help but ask.

"I don't know! I haven't even seen him!" Her aunt shook her head and responded.

"I heard from the master that he invited Baron Sauron to Vivian's coming-of-age ceremony party! Do you think this noble young man could be him?" Vivian's mother said doubtfully, as if she remembered something.

"That Baron Soren Lipton? Is there a Baron named Soren in our area?" Vivian's cousin also looked confused.

"It is Knight Soren Lipton, who has recently become famous throughout the kingdom. He made great contributions in the Western War and was praised by His Royal Highness Prince Leo II. He was then canonized as a hereditary baron by Lord Marquis Saladin!"

"Knight Soren Lipton?" Vivian murmured softly as she looked at the figure.