Chapter 138: White Eagle

"Thanks, I'm fine, it's okay, it's just that I have to...damn, this chair was ordered not long ago..."

Thales held Miranda's hand and struggled from the broken chair with his strength.

Miranda quietly looked at the boy in front of him—maybe he was a teenager now, and he was pulling the broken chair with expressive expressions and embarrassment.

This reminded her of the Haoyue Temple seven years ago, the little boy standing on the wooden box covered in dirt, but still waving his immature fists and shouting "Are you coming?"

The corners of Miranda's lips curled up slightly.

"Okay, I give up, next time I have to ask them to find another carpenter..." After a while of panic, Thales could only raise his hands helplessly, announcing the end of life of the chair.

The moment the young Duke looked up, Miranda's smile disappeared:

"Now, Your Highness, can we get back to business?"

topic.

"What? Oh, yes, that's right, so what we were talking about was..."

Thinking of this, Thales looked solemn, and his voice lowered:

"Are you kidding me, Ms. Miranda Arend?"

Marry Miranda?

It felt like... the bargaining chip he used to threaten others, um, came true?

The next second, he seemed to see Raphael Lindbergh appearing in front of him, his eyes glowing red, and he sneered maliciously.

This made Thales look tense.

Facing the tense Duke, Miranda looked as calm as ever:

"No, it's not a joke. Even if it were, it wouldn't be funny."

It seems that you know it too.

At that moment, Thales had countless thoughts in his mind, he took a deep breath, and straightened his back.

"Well, if it's not a joke, then my suggestion is: I'll go to Aunt Valencia and Mallos first, and maybe Shi Tuo in the logistics wing. We have to hold a meeting to study the livelihood issues around Star Lake Castle, especially It is the quality supervision of traditional handicraft products, and by the way, this chair—or the rest of it.”

Miranda didn't speak.

"As for you, Ms. Arend, who is visiting from the standing barracks of the Broken Dragon Fortress, is a typical example of promoting the life of a military and civilian family and the heart-to-heart connection in the central north. Go to the back kitchen and ask for a cup of yerba mate, and then..."

Thales waved his hand and pointed resolutely to the door:

"Come find me when you wake up."

Just kidding, the Duke is in an important position, with heavy responsibilities on his shoulders, and a lot of time to deal with, and there are far-reaching events such as the end of the world and tailbone pain to deal with...

But Miranda didn't go.

Instead, she looked Thales carefully from head to toe, as if inspecting the goods.

"But you haven't answered me yet."

The female swordsman's words were cold and her gaze was compelling:

"You, Thales Canxing, do you want to be my husband?"

I fucking-

No, no, no.

Thales took a deep breath and kept reminding himself that he is now the Duke of Xinghu, so he should maintain proper politeness and demeanor, and pay attention to the rhythm of speaking:

"I'll be your fucking sister."

Miranda was startled for a moment, not knowing why.

But in the next second, Thales grabbed the female swordsman's arm and pulled her aside.

"Are you crazy?"

Thales lowered his voice and looked at the door vigilantly:

"I will marry you? Do you know that just saying this will cause an uproar? The relationship between Canxing and Aaronde, the Fuxing Palace and the Northern Territory..."

"Do you know what will happen if the words spoken here are spread outside? And do you know who is responsible for collecting and processing these news and public opinions in the Kingdom's Secret Division?"

Miranda looked at him, her expression unchanged, but she slowly let go of the hilt.

"You are the same as before,

Your Royal Highness," the female swordsman responded with a cold snort, "when she gets nervous, she will be very talkative, and she will talk crazy things that others can't understand. "

I am nervous? Am I talking too much?

That's why you haven't seen "Prince's Butt".

Taylor's face was cold at first, but he looked at Miranda's appearance, recalling the scene of their life and death together, especially her life experience and her father's misfortune, he couldn't help sighing.

"All right."

Thales pulled her to the window, the farther away from the door the better, and then exhaled impatiently:

"Tell me, what happened? Is it the anniversary of the breakup or a retaliatory affair? Are you so anxious to find a new love?"

Miranda stared at him carefully, frowning.

"Hey! Don't be Mr. Raphael Lindbergh secretly going to Red Square Street to flirt."

Thales clapped his hands, and sarcastically said with an old feeling of comfort: "As a result, records and witnesses were left behind, and you found out that you want to break up?"

Miranda snorted coldly when Thales deliberately used another name to divert the topic back and forth.

"It has nothing to do with him."

Thales shrugged:

"Of course, I'm sorry, my fault, I forgot that you are an independent girl, so no matter what happens, you will not punish yourself with the faults of others, especially your ex-boyfriend, let alone trouble others—"

But Miranda's expression turned cold, she took out a letter and a portrait from her luggage, and put them in Taylor's arms:

"It's about you."

Thales was stunned.

He lowered his head and unfolded the letter in his arms:

"This is……"

"A letter of greeting from you 'personally'."

Miranda said disdainfully:

"Not only did it describe in detail the 700-year-old friendship between the two families of Canxing and Aaronde, including many well-matched pairs made in heaven, marriage matching, and then praised my family's reputation, appearance and achievements, and also kindly intervened In the end, I quoted an ancient love poem to express your miss for me, lamented your loneliness for many years of being single, and by the way, ask for a recent portrait of me with this letter."

At that moment, Thales petrified in place.

His previous endless majesty and coldness suddenly turned into embarrassment and embarrassment.

"This, maybe just, everyday..."

Miranda ignored him and continued on her own:

"Bachelor Alpasoni said that according to the kingdom's tradition, this is the de facto 'personal notice'."

Thales swallowed unnaturally:

"Actually, no, then..."

"Of course, Lord Bustamante stripped away all the polite expressions and rhetoric, and helped me sum it up in one sentence," Miranda squinted at him:

"Breeding?"

It's really my problem.

Thales put down the letter expressionlessly, and the room fell completely silent.

Kessel Brightstar, the Duke is at stake with you.

"That, dear Miss Arend."

Thales tried his best to ignore the furious God of War Thales who was erupting in his mind with the power to destroy the world, resisted the urge to break into the Renaissance Palace again, and smiled softly:

"Would you believe me if I said it was all my father meant, and that I didn't know anything about the thing—oh, it drew me pretty well—in advance?"

"What does your father mean?"

Miranda stared at him, her piercing gaze seemed to see through something more.

After a while, she took off her saber, propped it up with one hand, and sat on the windowsill.

"I believe."

Thales heaved a sigh of relief, and at least let the red-eyed Raphael dissipate in his heart.

"Ah, now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up... In fact, I am preparing for a long trip, why don't we talk about it later..."

"Then, Thales Canxing," Miranda said again, this time, she was extremely serious, "Do you want me to be your queen?"

Thales paused again.

Fuck.

Thales sighed, now that he is not as powerful as before, he can only show a helpless smile: "You asked this question before."

"I don't," Miranda said coldly. "They are different questions."

Thales' smile disappeared.

It seems that at this moment, everything is different.

"Which part is different?"

Thales leaned back and sat on the desk: "Is it 'mine' or 'queen'?"

Miranda sized him up for a while, then shook her head slightly.

"It's a pity. If our marriage is real, it can solve many problems, from jurisdiction to inheritance."

Thales was silent when he heard the words.

Can solve many problems...

The point is, what's the problem?

"You don't want to sit there."

Thales looked at Miranda leaning against the window sill, and said sullenly:

"When the sun was at its worst, some cats used to come outside my study window to enjoy the cool air. The food and water in those few bowls were prepared to feed them, lest they go too far and enter the house."

cat?

Miranda frowned, and sure enough, she saw several bowls on the window sill.

Thales folded his arms and sighed: "If they find out that the old place is taken, they, especially that treacherous old black cat, will be upset. Then, then they should start to give me a headache."

Miranda was silent for a moment.

"It's okay, that's why I carry the sword."

Thales frowned and said:

"Sword? Uh, isn't this a little too cruel?"

"Will it be more cruel than the difficulties you encountered at the royal banquet?"

"Forehead……"

"What's wrong?"

Thales took a deep breath and said seriously:

"Well, Ms. Arend, what I just said is not a political metaphor, but a literal sense-there are cats who will really come here to visit!"

Miranda was stunned.

After this episode, the two people who had their own concerns fell into silence again.

Until Miranda spoke again:

"By the way, I went to the Sunset Temple a while ago and met Aunt Li Xiya."

"Li Xi—who?"

Miranda ignored Thales:

"There was also Priest Megan present. For your face, they have some things that are inconvenient to say to the prince directly, and ask me to bring them over."

Megan worships...

Something to say to the prince...

Thales was startled.

"I'm writing, I'm really writing!"

The prince subconsciously pointed to the copybook of theology class on the table: "Tell her, it can be handed in tomorrow!"

"Not that!" Miranda gave him a contemptuous look.

She said seriously:

"Priest Megan said that the inspection period inside the temple is coming soon. If you are considerate of Sister Nia and don't want her to rummage through the boxes every day in a hurry, return the three books stolen from the restricted area."

Um?

Restricted section, stolen, stolen...

Thales, who was originally relieved, froze his smile on his face.

"One is, and, the last one is..."

Miranda took out a note:

"Wait, Petruselli, is that the high priest of the setting sun in the era of King Ascension? The one who presides over the killing of sons and offering sacrifices to gods—"

"Thank you!"

Thales snatched the note and forced a smile:

"I know now!"

Miranda pouted.

"Aunt Li Xiya also said that if you want to borrow some books next time, you don't have to be a thief, you can just speak up—don't worry, she won't tell your father."

Thales seemed to feel his face was burning.

The atmosphere became a little awkward.

Until Miranda broke the silence.

"I heard from Huai Ya that you are going to the south for inspection?"

"Which Wyah—oh, you mean that Wyer," Thales nodded and sighed slightly, "Yes, it's obvious that everyone is busy with work."

"Since even someone like me who is known as 'not suitable for a house or a family' has received it...I guess, many lords in the south should also have received your 'mating'?"

Many lords in the south...

Thales showed an expression of eating a fly.

"About this, it's a father's order," he sarcastically said.

"And the king's fate cannot be changed." Miranda's voice was cold, which made Taylor's heart tremble.

What is she trying to say?

Thales said seriously:

"Listen, Miranda—sorry, it's Ms. Arend. I'm grateful you came to see me, and I'm sorry I've inconvenienced you, but if nothing else..."

"That's enough, I don't want to go around in circles with you."

Miranda interrupted him bluntly, and Thales was taken aback by the next sentence:

"I'm here to help you."

"Help, help me? Excuse me, I don't quite understand."

Miranda glanced at him, and that one glance, as if she knew everything.

But Thales was uneasy.

"Don't pretend, your trip to the south is definitely not for a blind date," the female swordsman said affirmatively, "According to your habits, wherever you go—kingdom capital, fortress, Dragon Clouds City, West Wilderness—no It will be peaceful."

ah?

Thales was taken aback for a moment, then picked up the chair unwillingly: "Xinghu Castle is very peaceful."

Only a few mice died.

At most two more chairs.

But Miranda ignored him:

"And no matter what you want to do that is inconvenient to talk about, you need trustworthy and capable people, preferably acquaintances who have worked together before, and even went through life and death together."

"So, this journey, I will go with you."

It's not convenient to talk about it...

Damn, what does she know?

At that moment, Thales and Miranda met eyes.

"Since you don't like going around in circles, Miss Arend," Thales doubted, "I know our experience in Dragon Clouds City is unforgettable, but our friendship doesn't seem to be so good that we can help each other a thousand miles away?"

Miranda didn't answer right away, but stared at him closely. Her eyes were different from others'. They were calm, indifferent, sharp, and even vaguely alienated.

By the way, the Duke suddenly remembered that although the girl in front of him belongs to the stars, Arend is from the Northland——Many times Thales can't help forgetting this, and treats her more as a typical "imperialist" ".

Finally, Miranda spoke softly:

"If you want a reason, Cohen told me that the prince is in a difficult situation, needs help, and is unfortunately not surrounded by people - or to quote him 'these are all idiots'."

"Cohen?"

Thales was taken aback when he heard this.

Was he the one who sent Miranda?

He subconsciously asked what was on his mind: "He, how is he doing recently?"

"Very good," Miranda said in a deep voice, "First, I was transferred from the road maintenance department to the file management office, and my daily work changed from sweeping the floor to drinking tea..."

Yes, thanks to me.

Thales felt a little guilty.

Maybe, maybe we should make some connections and transfer him to Xinghu Castle as compensation?

"...Until he sorted out the files without sleep, and found a lot of suspicious old files, involving a large number of retired police officers and magistrates, and even many former high-ranking officials. His boss had no choice but to He transferred to the police officer school under the Knight Academy to train reserve police officers."

After a second of deliberation, Thales decided to reluctantly give up and let Cohen continue to practice more in the security hall.

"I see."

Thales felt a strange feeling in his heart.

"I have to say, I am very grateful and honored, but, but you are Chief Sonia's right-hand man and a master under his command, if I kidnap you, she will not..."

"She will," interrupted Miranda, "sir, she will understand."

She understands it better than anyone.

Miranda stared out the window.

Thales paused for a second.

"Are you serious?"

"You want to come... to serve me?"

"I'm not in the habit of lying."

"So you're not good at lying either—at least not as good as you think."

At that second, Miranda's eyes sharpened!

The Duke of Xinghu took a deep breath and felt the tone in the room getting darker.

"You didn't come here on Cohen's request."

Thales straightened his posture and looked at her seriously:

"It's not because he doesn't want to help me, but even if you give that stupid guy twenty more brains, he can't think of it, let alone say, 'The prince is in a difficult situation and needs help urgently'."

Miranda's brows were furrowed.

"Seven years ago in Dragon Clouds City, you couldn't fool Chail Urad with this 'Eagle Flying'," the Duke of Star Lake looked at her coldly, "Seven years later, you couldn't fool me either. "

"Therefore, I will ask again, and for the last time."

There was a chill in Thales' words:

"Ms. Arend, why are you here, to 'help me'?"

Miranda leaned against the window, silent.

Like a winter plum against the wind and snow.

But Thales was also patient.

Finally, the female swordsman said expressionlessly:

"Because I'm tired."

"Tired of what?"

Miranda looked up suddenly!

"Wait," she said coldly, "I'm tired of waiting, tired of waiting for changes, tired of following the crowd, I'm tired of being a happy, pitiful, innocent, sad woman who is content with the status quo and has no self-consciousness."

Like the past twenty years.

Miranda did not evade, and met the prince's eyes.

Happiness, pity, innocence, contentment, these words...

Taylor frowned slowly.

"what are you saying?"

Miranda sneered:

"everything."

She turned her head and looked at the star lake under the sun.

"Seven years ago, my father was imprisoned for the crime of harming a foreign dignitary—that is, the hapless Prince Exeter."

"But everyone in the circle knows that the crime of 'Iron Eagle' Val Arend is far more than this: he colluded with foreign enemies with ulterior motives, committed appalling crimes of treason, almost devastated the lives of the northern border, and brought the kingdom to an end. The debt is heavy and the crime cannot be punished."

Thales thought of the Hall of Stars seven years ago, and the scene when the war was imminent and the officials forced the palace, but he didn't speak.

Miranda's words became more and more depressing:

"The Aaronde family suffered from this blow. Their majesty and reputation were completely ruined. They have suffered so much ridicule in the past seven years. The powerful families that had been friends with each other competed to keep a distance from Cold Castle and draw a clear line."

She lost and said:

"The fact is that our family name is getting darker, and in the north, we no longer look up at the white eagle on the peak of Neverwinter."

Thales spoke in a low voice, but felt uneasy in his heart: "I'm sorry."

"That's absolutely unnecessary," Miranda flatly denied, "Since we did it, we should bear the consequences. We deserve it."

Thales looked at her, but thought of the Grand Dukes of Exeter who fought in the Palace of Heroes in another country.

"So that's why you came to me, and even offered to serve me."

"You want to take advantage of the power of the Duke of Xinghu to regain the glory of the White Eagle?"

Miranda nodded, then shook her head.

"more than."

She stared:

"You know, you know what else he did."

he?

he.

For some reason, Thales understood: she wasn't talking about Duke Val.

Miranda left the window sill and walked slowly towards Thales.

tread.

Her voice is calm, but her words are heartbreaking:

"He imprisoned my father—albeit at his own fault—for seven full years, and neither took his life nor his title and position, while displaying both the benevolence of the King and the cruelty of the Restoration Palace."

tread.

"He never made it clear that I, the legal orthodoxy of a female first heir, also did not recognize that other Arend branch bloodlines have the power to replace it, allowing us to have disputes and family rifts."

tread.

The pace of the female swordsman of the Arend family seems to have a certain rhythm, and every step is deepening her momentum, which complements her words:

"He never mentioned and approved my marriage, and even rejected the proposal of someone who cared about me, making me gradually become the fruit of power in the Northland that the more I delay, the more attractive and tempting it is to pick."

tread.

"He also provoked Zemuto and Forex, gave small favors and fueled their ambitions, and made these two northern families second only to Aarond think that they could replace Coldhold in front of the Fuxing Palace."

tread.

Thales only felt that the sin of Hell River was about to move, and a strong premonition forced him to take a deep breath and interrupt the other party:

"The geography of the northern border is critical, and the folk customs are aggressive. Fuxing Palace naturally needs to be cautious when dealing with related affairs..."

"That's right!"

Miranda snapped and cut him off.

"The northern region has a special status, and many traditions are different from those in the interior of the kingdom. One of them is the primogeniture inheritance system that the lords of the northern region do not have to follow. They can even follow the legacy of the northern region and select talents to succeed them, which is quite special."

"Or in the words of the inlanders - savage backwardness."

The legacy of the Northland.

Thales suddenly remembered the black sand collar, and remembered how Charman Rumba won the position of Grand Duke.

"But I know what he's planning," Miranda changed the subject and said harshly, "You know it too."

"He took advantage of the differences and disputes over succession to the legal system, as well as my gender, to hang me, the Arend family, and the entire Northern Territory."

"In order to lead the story again, in the name of the royal family, implement his decrees in the northern border, spread his authority, convey his will, and appoint officials close to the royal family, until the rebellious Cold Castle did as he wished, in the north. After Broken Dragon Fortress, it became the second northern camp of Fuxing Palace."

Miranda finally stopped, and stopped right in front of Thales.

She said quietly:

"Until the proud white eagle on the peak of Neverwinter became a parrot in a pet cage."

Thales couldn't help but sigh.

"So now, I, Miranda Arend, the duke's daughter, am a victim of the kingdom, a pariah of history, and a hindrance to the North—my rank is at stake, my rights are at stake, my future Obscure."

Miranda snorted coldly:

"As expected of a father and son, he, like you, knows how to use women, especially women in disadvantaged situations, right?"

Taylor's eyes moved.

she……

He resisted the urge to refute, but he couldn't stop his depression.

So, Miranda, you are here to, to...

At this moment, Thales only felt a deep sadness.

"And I'm just... bored." Miranda said blankly.

Thales sighed:

"So you just asked me if I wanted you to be my queen—you were looking for... a way out."

Miranda's complexion darkened, she nodded:

"Yes, this is indeed the fastest and most labor-saving way to solve the problem."

But she immediately turned sharp:

"But I believe that you are not so stupid and short-sighted that you only see my value as a wife and mother."

Listening to her words, Thales remembered the brief encounter with the Duke of the North in shackles - "Iron Eagle" Val Arend at the royal banquet:

Duke Val, you saw this coming, you knew it was going to happen, didn't you?

You know your daughter, you know she's an Arend.

It is the white eagle of the north.

Under the extreme cold, she may retreat temporarily, but she will not be dumb for a long time, and she will not bow her head forever.

"So, what do you want?" Thales asked softly.

"Hmph, what do I want?"

Miranda repeated this sentence, she slowly bent down, and met Thales' eyes.

"It's very simple."

"I am a descendant of the white eagle Aarend, and what flows in my veins is the cruel blood of Nolanuer Aarend, the First Marshal under the Restoration Throne seven hundred years ago."

She said in a deep voice:

"I went back and forth between Coldhold and Broken Dragon Fortress, fighting the Yankees for nine years, every general, captain, soldier, messenger, cook, and porter in the fortress, and even the prostitutes in the villages outside the fortress They all know me."

Miranda's expression became more determined:

"I am also a subordinate and comrade-in-arms of Fortress Flower. Regardless of fame, ability, identity, experience, or familiarity with the northern border, I am after her. As the kingdom's northern barrier, the best and strongest substitute and successor."

At this second, Miranda's eyes were as sharp as a knife.

"Looking across the kingdom, no one is more deserving of the title of Duke of the North than I."

Her voice was as cold as frost.

"No one is more qualified to rule that ancient land than me."

Her words are as thick as a mountain.

"Not to mention that no one can use any reason to prevent me from defending and even taking back - what belongs to me."

Thales didn't speak.

At that moment, he was in a trance, as if returning to the small Ballard room.

Now, they pop out.

Thales trembled inwardly.

He raised his head slowly, meeting Miranda's resolute expression.

This day came so fast.

At this moment, "Guertaxa" is in his front pocket, as light as nothing.

That night, when he reached an agreement with King Kessel, Thales knew the price of doing so.

Or rather, he thought he knew.

he thought.

"Now, what do you think?"

While thinking, the daughter of the Arund family stared at him:

"Polaris?"

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