《1》GUEST FROM EASTON
Mina moved carefully across the big branches trying to catch the beautiful blue bird perched on the branch. She was delighted to see that the dumb bird still did not notice her when she’s only a foot away.
But at this moment, the cry of "Little Miss, Little Miss" came from a distance.
She was shocked and the branches shook. The blue bird realized the danger and flew away hastily.
"It's Winnie again!" She complained indignantly and saw a fat woman in a white apron appear at the edge of the forest. She immediately climbed back to the canopy and hid herself in it’s thick branches and leaves.
The body of a six-year-old girl is small and agile; the thick canopy could completely obscured her. She held her breath, as she usually did, and did not let herself make any noise.
When she uses this move, even her father, who is a master of swordsmanship, might not be able to find her.
Today, however, she miscalculated. When Winnie arrived nearby, she soon discovered a hint of fragrance in the air.
Winnie immediately recognized that it was the smell of perfume sprayed on the beautiful clothes that Miss Mina wore today.
It was a new fragrance that was only introduced three years ago and was intended for children. There would never be a second bottle in this remote place where she was staying!
She’ll never admit she’s wrong! She is Winnie, the most professional nanny trained in Matt Harbor since childhood! She can sniff out the smell of more than 200 kinds of perfume by nose. She can tell the material of more than 100 kinds of fabrics by mere touch. She knows more than 300 kinds of dishes and desserts and can distinguish 88 kinds of drinks in the shortest time.
She knows how to arrange the most beautiful and comfortable living room and knew how to take care of the elderly, pregnant women and children.
She is Winnie!
Now, standing under the tree, she proudly looked at the calf exposed in the foliage "Little Miss, you can't fool me, come down quickly."
Mina slid down the tree in frustration, looked at Winnie's fat face and pouted.
"How many times have I told you, Little Miss!" Winnie grimaced. "Climbing up a tree is not what a lady should do! How rude! You are a lady!"
She can't help remembering the glorious past of her mistress. "When Miss Dora was only six years old she was already a little lady praised by the whole city. Her intelligence was said to be even better than Her Majesty when Her Majesty was a child."
Mina was deeply suspicious of this and scoffed. Winnie gave her a stern look and inadvertently scanned body, screaming "Good heavens! Little Miss, you have soiled your clothes! This is a precious silk! It's specially for today's distinguished guest that you are wearing it, this is why I told you to stop climbing trees. "
Mina made a face: "What distinguished guest? I hate that man. Every time he comes, mom and dad will quarrel. "
"That's because Young Master is jealous." Winnie curled her mouth.
"Look at what he made the Young Lady through? In this kind country, the neighborhood is full of country bumpkins, a two-story house with less than ten rooms and the garden is full of weeds! There's not even a maid except Marshall and I!"
"In order not to be rude in front of the guests, the Young Lady actually wants to find a hillbilly’s daughter to act as a temporary maid!"
"If she had married the young master of Duke Chulov's family, she would never have been wronged like this! Oh, what an elegant and noble man Young Master Chulov is and look how gentle he is to the young lady. "
Myna said angrily, "That's a lie. Dad said he's a bad guy!"
Winnie glared at her sternly. "You can't say that Miss! Young Master Chulov is your Eldest Aunts's Brother and Elder! Good Heavens, it must have been the father’s fault that the young lady's daughter could say such rude things. "
She murmured a few words, looked up and said, "Come back with me! The guest is coming soon. It's disrespectful of you to wear such dirty clothes. Come back and change it with me! "
She reached for Mina but Mina dodged nimbly, dashed into the woods speedily and turned around to made a face at Winnie: "I won't go back! Mom is always making me pretend to be a good kid. I hate that! "
Winnie was almost angry: "It's the young master who has taught the Little Miss badly. How could the Little Miss be so naughty!" As she was talking, she moved her fat body to catch up.
Dora once again examined the small tables, rattan chairs and baskets in the garden for perfection. She always felt that there was something she didn't do well enough, but she forgot what it was. She was confused.
Today's guest is Goodwin Chulov. The younger brother of Aaron's sister in law 1So basically Aaron have a half brother,Elon, and this Goodwin is his wife's brother, the youngest son of Duke Chulov and also one of her former pursuers.
This man seems to be always calm, gentle, elegant and polite, and never had any emotional fluctuations. She chose Aaron because she couldn't understand his thoughts.
Now it seems that this decision is correct, because Goodwin is obviously not upset because she married someone else.
He is still gentle and polite. Every time he comes to visit, he never fail to give a small gift.
But as Aaron's wife, she did not forget her duties. As an illegitimate son, Aaron has been in an awkward situation since childhood.
If he was not adopted by his father's wife, Madam Mirabel, he would even not have a surname.
But his gratitude to Madam Mirabel does not mean that he is willing to bear the contempt and ridicule of the Cardo Family.
In order to stand out by his own efforts, Aaron would rather be a small border knight in a border town like Keaton2其顿 than be controlled by the Cardo Family.
Goodwin is Lilith's3wife of Anlong's half brother younger brother. When he returns to Easton, he will definitely talk about what he saw and heard here in Keaton.
If he doesn't do well enough, Aaron and her will be the laughingstock in the aristocratic circle of Easton.
When Goodwin came a few years ago, they were huddled in a small building with three other families and could only receive guests in a narrow room.
She was worried that both husband and wife had been laughed at for a long time. She didn't want to lose more face in front of her sister-in-law.
"Madam, the tea is ready. Shall I bring it now?" Marshall, the Butler, appeared quietly behind her and asked respectfully.
"Oh, Uncle Marshall, yes, please." Dora smiled uneasily and said, "What do you think of this place? Is it too shabby? "
"Madam, How could that be?" Marshall gave a satisfactory answer.
"It's the best time to have a garden tea party in today's weather. Besides, you took care of all the plants in the garden. In fact... Even in the Easton, the garden of the most elegant noble lady is just like this. "
Dora looked at the beautiful flower bed carefully arranged in the small garden and smiled confidently:
"You are right. I planted all the plants here by myself, even the fences and rattan chairs. It's not easy to organize the backyard full of weeds into what it looks like today. No matter how elegant those delicate aristocratic ladies are, who can be more competent than me? "
She suddenly thought of her clothes again: "So what do you think of my clothes? Will it be very rustic? "
She knows nothing about the current fashion in Easton . In order not to be laughed at, she chooses the most traditional tea garden party fabric and even the simplest style.
Marshall always knew how to deal with the ladies who were bothered by clothes: "It's not rustic at all, Madam. This is the most classic style and the so-called classics will never be out of date."
Dora smiled contentedly again, looked around, and asked doubtfully, "What about Bree? Is she in the kitchen? "
"The butcher's family just called her to go home, saying that her stepmother had beaten her brother again. But she said she would be back soon. "
"When is her brother not beaten? The guests will arrive soon. What if she can't make it back? "
"Don't worry, ma'am. If she doesn't come back, Uncle Marshall will come out in person." Marshall smiled and bowed.
"Well, I'm going to bring tea." He returned to the house in silence.
Dora watched him leave gratefully. Old Marshall is really a good steward and like Winnie, he was the most professional.
She looked into the woods not far away. Why hasn't Winnie brought her daughter back?
God of Light. Mina, you must not be naughty. Even if she can't compare with the Elon and Lilith's two daughters, at least she must look a young lady.
A gentle male voice came from the front door: "Good day, is anyone there?" Dora took a deep breath and went out smiling.
A handsome, mature, healthy and charismatic man stood at the door— brown hair, blue eyes and his face filled with a soothing smile.
He gently held the three fingers of Dora's right hand and bowed gracefully: “It’s been a long time, Dora. You’re still beautiful.”
"Thank you for your compliment, my friend." Dora was in a good mood, polite gentlemen are always welcome.
At this moment, she felt that she was not in the small house of the northern mountain city, but in some noble house in Easton.
Goodwin Chulov is an elegant and polite person. His every move is in line with the noble norms, even the topic of conversation.
They first talked about the weather, then greeted each other's health. Goodwin then began to praise the flowers in the garden, before asking about Aaron.
Dora only vaguely said that he was very busy at work. She was a woman with traditional ideas. As long as she knew that men were working outside, she didn't care about the specific work content.
Moreover, she concealed Goodwin's visit in advance, because her husband never wanted to see the old classmate, and every time they met, he was unhappy.
Goodwin seemed to be very interested in the work of the old enemy.
Dora saw the situation and quickly changed the topic: "Look at me, I forgot to let people serve tea. It's really a snub." She picked up the little bell on the table and called for tea.
When she saw the girl in a white headscarf and apron appeared, she nodded with satisfaction: the girl finally caught up.
In accordance with the practice of the past three days. Bree carefully placed tea and various cakes in front of the guests and hostess, made a proper ceremony and retreated to one side.
Although the movement is still a little rusty, it has the appearance of a Living Room Maid.
Dora smiled and asked Goodwin to taste the cake. She threw a smile of appreciation to Bree, but her face soon froze...
At the bottom of Bree's skirt, there is a pair of old straw sandals with a hole that will show her toes. How could this happen?! She has prepared black shoes for this country girl!
She turned her head stiffly to Goodwin, praying in her heart that he would never find out. However, when she saw the direction of Goodwin's vision, she knew it was just her own delusion.
Goodwin's upbringing told him that he couldn't embarrass the host, especially a beautiful hostess, so he said with a silent smile, "It's a really good tea. It's the best black tea produced by Xiao's Tea Shop, isn't it?"
"Ah... Yes, yes. "
"The orange cake is also delicious. I've heard that Xiao Family's Joyful Forest has the best wine and vegetables in the world, and the kebabs have the best roast in the world."
"But when it comes to tea, only Madam Mary's craftsmanship can be regarded as the top. Presumably, the way of making this cake is also passed down by Madam Mary herself? "
"You are very kind."
At last Dora calmed down and gave brie a quick look, suggesting that she would leave. The poor girl didn't know what she had done wrong, so she had to go back inexplicably.
Dora was about to talk with the guests, but she was interrupted by a thumping step. Looking back, she was frozen.
Mina, her daughter ran out of the woods in a dirty way and run to her side.
She cried out, "Mom help, Winnie went crazy." behind her was Winnie, a fat nanny who was panting.
She also shouted, "Don't run, I must catch you!"
Dora's eyes darkened, as if she had seen Lilith and other ladies sniggering and talking about "The daughter of Zhufa's Family is just like this, not only the Living Room Maid is wearing the rotten grass shoes with open toes, but the daughter is also a dirty naughty ghost with no lady temperament..."
Goodwin Chulov once again overshadowed the embarrassment of the host's family: "Long time no see, Mina. I'm so happy you are still so energetic."
Mina had long seen that annoying man and spoke to herself with that pretentious smile. She ignored him, but rush into her mother's arms: "Mom, Winnie is going crazy. She said I’d be tied up if I didn’t listen."
After Winnie caught up with him, she immediately found Goodwin. She hurriedly arranged her hair and dress, and saluted him: "Good day, Master Chulov, I apologize for my rudeness, please forgive me."
She did it as gracefully as she could, but she didn't know that her bumpy fat and sweaty head had nothing to do with gracefulness.
Mina hid in her mother's arms and snickered and got a glare from her mother.
“You don’t need to apologize Winnie, I’am very happy to see you. Mina is still a child. Please don't be too harsh on her. "
Goodwin, still smiling softly, turned to Dora and said, "You don't have to worry too much. In fact, my sister's two daughters, Beryl and Manda, were nice to me in front of others but would often flirt with me privately."
"You are so considerate, Goodwin," Dora said gratefully to him, casting a stern eye at her daughter in her arms. Mina pouted.
"Well, children naturally like to play. Don't blame her too much. I brought a present today. Why don't we open it together? I hope you and Mina will like it. "
He called the valet to bring two large cartons with beautiful ribbons. He smiled and handed the smaller box to Mina: "What I’ve chosen is said to be the most popular thing for girls right now, and I wonder if Mina would like it. "
"She will love it, thank you so much." Dora said with a smile, then urged her daughter in a low voice, "Say thank you, don't be rude again, be a good child."
However, Mina stared at Goodwin fiercely, disregarding her mother's words, breaks away from her arms and turns to run away. Dora was anxious to apologize to Mr. Goodwin, who remains a soft-spoken and uncaring man.
Mina is very aggrieved in her heart. Every time that man pretends to be a good person, she will be blamed by her mother. Dad was right. That man is a bad guy!
She ran to the hall and stopped. When she looked up, she could see two pictures on the wall.
A painting of a black-haired, black-eyed young man with a long sword in his hand, with a seemingly innocent smile on his face and deep eyes.
Another painting shows a woman in her 30s, with a hint of melancholy on her beautiful face. Her eyes showing a gentle, merciful nature.
She knew that the man was her grandfather, the legendary hero. The strongest swordsman in the whole continent, and also the richest Earl, Xiao Tianjian.
It was said that he had been to the Elven Forest, the Devil Kingdom and the Dragon Island. It was also rumored that he made a trade with the dragon and became an immortal. And up until this day he still travels around the mainland. And that woman, Madam Mary, is her grandmother who died long before she was born.
She thought of her grandfather's legendary deeds and was very envious. Unfortunately, she never saw him. Why didn't her grandfather come to visit his family? Grandpa visits here every year.4the mother's side
While she was thinking, she heard footsteps in the corridor not far away.
Looking up, she saw her father Aaron walked into the study from the back door followed by a tall and healthy woman. Her blonde hair was tied behind her head. Red-brown sleeved shirt and long skirt. A black-set leather waistcoat, a black long leather boots, and a horse-riding suit that was pretty and sharp.
She remembered that this woman had come to her house several times. Every time she came, her mother would quarrel with her father.
She was a little curious. What’s this woman doing here? Why does Dad come in through the back door? After thinking about it, she tiptoed past, holding her breath and eavesdropping on the door of her study.
She only heard one sentence: "On this mission, the Deputy Director means to let you and me..."
At this time, the voice stopped, the door suddenly opened, and a dagger appeared in her throat like lightning, sending out bursts of cold light.
She was too frightened to move.
It was the woman with blonde hair who was holding the dagger. She was about twenty years old. Her beautiful face was covered with frost and she was staring at her coldly.
Even if the woman knew who she was, the other side didn't mean to move the dagger, and the murderous spirit in her eyes didn't disappear.
Mina shivered a little and tears began to fill her eyes.
"Veronica, my daughter is just naughty for a while. Please let her go" Aaron busily told the woman. Veronica stared at Mina for a long time, then took back the dagger and snorted:
"Little devil, get back to your room. This is not a place for children to play." Then he slammed the door and almost hit Mina's nose
Aaron soon opened the door again, and said softly to her daughter, "Go back to your room and pretend nothing happened and don’t tell anyone. Be obedient.”
He dried the tears on his daughter's face with his sleeve, patted her on the head with heartache, pushed her slightly away from the door, and then closed the door gently.
Veronica looked at him with a sneer. "You’re not doing so well in secrecy. Your daughter almost overheard us."
Aaron smiled helplessly and turned to the main topic: "What do you want to do? I thought you would stay in Easton all the time. "
"I was, but the person who originally carried out the task suddenly broke the news. I was ordered to check it. If necessary, we should go to Meicheng5边城麦城 a border town in Noga in person and bring back the information. "
Veronica looked up at him. "You should get ready. We'll depart tomorrow night."
[End of Chapter 1]
