Chapter 142 The Canary

Spring birds are chirping on the branches, and the morning mist in the mountains has not completely dissipated, leaving hazy water vapor on the glass windows.

After turning around on the bed, I woke up a little, and then I opened my eyes.

It should be late, and the sound of hawkers can be vaguely heard in the distance. The residents of this small town have always woken up this early.

It's time to get up, and if you don't afford it, I'm afraid someone will make a small report again, embarrassing yourself. This thought just turned in my mind, and then I remembered the current situation.

No, don't worry anymore, no one has reprimanded him now.

Slowly sat up, took off the quilt, got out of bed, and looked at this face in the mirror.

The black hair is slightly spiral, scattered between the shoulders and collarbone, the dark blue eyebrows are a little slender, and the curve of the cheeks is soft and smooth.

Looking at this face that was somewhat similar to those portraits, a slightly disgusting feeling swam through my heart, like a filament, although weak, it was hard to ignore.

That's right, my name is Gavier Kite Winlani, and I'm the only heir to the Winlani family today.

The surname Wenlani comes from the lucky ancestor, and the kite is a noble bloodline that a certain ancestor climbed hundreds of years ago, so a word was added in the middle, so as to get rid of the lack of deep background and outbreak of the past. the image of the household.

When I was very young, my mother died, and my father was absent all the year round, raising me in the castle.

Life is limited in a small area, and if it is someone else, it may feel uncomfortable, but I have never experienced such an experience. Maybe it's because I haven't seen the beauty of the outside world, so I won't miss it.

This is what Judy said about me, the daughter of a nearby baron, her age and closeness, and a rare friend of mine.

Life in the castle is very monotonous and there is not much new, so the only way to get information is to read.

My father invited an etiquette teacher for me to teach all kinds of knowledge, including the basics of literacy and arithmetic.

"A qualified lady should learn to be at home, receive guests, and take care of her family, so that she can live a good life." The experienced old lady taught me this.

Although she looks kind, but in many details, her teaching is harsh, and I am often beaten in the palm of my hand.

"I'm doing this for the sake of the eldest lady. Your father paid me to come here, just to do this." While fighting, she told me not to hold grudges against her, because the eldest ladies of various families came here like this.

"You have to be beautiful, be decent, and be reserved while still making men feel attractive. It's a fine art."

"The most beautiful time for a girl is actually these few years. If you can't find a suitable marriage partner during this time, you will become the laughing stock of others."

"Be careful of girls your age, they are your competitors."

"Remember, elegance and restraint can only be appearances. You can't always win by this. Some things must always be firmly grasped."

"Men always like young and beautiful girls, but we all know that no matter how beautiful girls are, they will grow old one day."

"Don't believe any promises, everything will pass and be forgotten."

"Wealth, power, status, fame, these are all things that can protect you. If you can't get them, then your beauty is just a flower on the water, drifting with the current and dispersing in the wind."

"Climb as much as you can. I believe that you are a smart girl with great talent."

Once, I was so sick of hearing these words because it shattered my childhood fantasy.

But alas, over the years, I did slowly incorporate these into my life and consciousness.

Father is ugly.

Realizing this, it was probably the night after a banquet.

I walked through the corridors of the castle and heard a rippling sound from one side of the room, howling like a wild beast, unspeakable.

Is this the nobility? I began to wonder if the nobility was really noble.

After another year or two, I gradually grew up, and my father occasionally came to see my daily life in his spare time.

"Gerwell." One day, he walked into the study and called out my name.

"What's the matter, Father." Didn't you go to play with any lady today, such a thought arose in my heart.

"You are already 12 years old."

"Yes."

"Well, it seems that I have to tell you about the history of our family." The father seemed to finally remember his responsibilities, took my hand, and walked to the secret basement of the castle.

The stairs have an old-fashioned feel, the corners are rounded and incomplete, and the sound of dripping water can be heard occasionally. The servant held a torch, illuminating the surrounding scenery.

The steps descended step by step, and as the iron fences were pulled up, the sound of the noose was almost stopped, and the father also took out the badly worn key from his arms and opened the tight stone door.

This place seems to have been transformed by alchemists in the past, and it has complex mechanisms.

There was a rattling sound as the gears rotated, and the stone door slowly lifted, revealing the dark space behind it.

It turned out to be not pushed open or pulled left and right, really clever design.

After a simple sigh of relief, my father asked the attendant to guard the door, held a torch by himself, and walked in with me.

With a soft bang, the brazier on the wall was lit, the thick candles were also lit, and the inner environment was finally revealed.

This is a small hall with a flower bud in the center

's throne, its corners and armrests are lavender in color, reflecting slightly in the firelight.

The walls on both sides are covered with murals, and they are all portraits of people. Surprisingly, these avatars are vaguely similar.

"Yes, these are our ancestors. By the way, this is your grandfather, maybe you remember what he looked like." Father said, pointing to a newer portrait.

"I don't remember." The memory of my childhood has long been blurred.

"Well, that's a bit of a pity, in fact, your grandfather took care of you when you were young." That's because I was disappointed with my father, because I heard people say that at that time, my father spent every day drinking and drinking, and let my mother wash her face with tears, and finally Yu Yu died. .

"So that's the case, thank you grandpa." I pretended to be a well-behaved salute, because it was in line with the behavior of a lady.

"Yes, thank you." My father looked at me and nodded, and then introduced the others one by one. It could be seen that his memory was a little vague, and some people's names were even pronounced twice.

"Our Wenlani family originally came from the middle of the empire, that is, the imperial capital Titania, and has a long history and a glorious bloodline." However, it is not glorious. I have read a lot of records in the study, those ancestors are comparable Father is more honest.

"The two most critical generations of ancestors, you have to remember their names, this is the turning point of our family."

As he said that, he pointed to a special portrait. Compared with other busts, that painting was a rare full-body landscape painting.

A young girl in a light yellow and white dress was running in the sea of ​​flowers, holding a bouquet in one hand and pressing the sun hat on her head with the other hand, looking happy.

"Sifiel Winlani, this is the ancestor's sister and the one who brought everything to our family."

Then he pointed his finger to another painting. There was a young man with short black hair on the picture. He was wearing a white dress with a dark blue iris on his chest. His pupils were like smoke crystals, and he had an inexplicable charm.

"Disinger Kite Winlani, this ancestor let the family get rid of its humble status and officially became a noble academic bloodline in the empire."

"If you have a brief understanding of our family history, you will know that beauty is such a powerful force that others will surrender willingly."

"Yes, our family does not have a strong armament, nor has it produced scholars, high-ranking officials, powerful transcendents, etc."

"But this doesn't affect our glory, because we are born noble, and your appearance and posture are the best proof." Father's eyes had an inexplicable color, looking at me like a snake. .

"You'll marry into prominent families and nobles and become the next shining jewel in our Winrani family history."

"Understood, my darling, this is your destiny and responsibility."

"I understand, Father." I bowed my head and saluted.

"Yes, that's it..." I heard my father murmur as the firelight shook.

After that day, my father began to invite teachers for me. Some of them taught music, some told about heraldry of the nobles of the empire, and family history and so on.

Even if he has free time, he will let some noble doctors to examine and exercise me, which is also the scene I hate the most.

It was unbearable even though the doctors were women because they had to take off their clothes from time to time and let people look at their bodies.

As if looking at the goods, the eyes are considered up and down, and then the diet is formulated and various exercise programs are given to me.

Soon after, I became ill, perhaps feeling depressed and uncomfortable.

My father asked the pastor of the Church of Angels to treat me, but it didn't work, so he changed several people one after another, until a doctor from far away said after seeing me.

"Perhaps, you can clear a quiet forest in the backyard of the castle, and it would be better for the lady to recuperate there."

"She is a common disease among nobles, because she has too little exposure to the outside world, just like crops lacking sunlight."

"So it is." Father suddenly realized, and then did as he did.

In this way, I also got a rare respite, and it was also during this time that I met Judy.

Judy was brought by her father at a certain banquet. She is about the same as me, just over 13 years old, a year older than me, and she is quite active.

"Gevier, have you ever seen a bird?" I was playing with her in the woods that day, and she suddenly stood up and said mysteriously.

"Birds? I've seen them." Although he didn't go out, it didn't mean he was ignorant. I also saw those little guys with gray feathers in front of the windowsill.

"No no no, you haven't seen it before." Judy shook her head, indicating that I just understood.

"Then talk about it." Although Judy may be showing off or lying, I still politely follow her words, because that's my character.

"Hey, let me tell you, there are actually many kinds of birds. Although they are all called birds, the actual difference can be said to be bigger than that of princes and beggars." Judy really likes to use princes and beggars. The beggar is a metaphor, and I nod my head in agreement.

"The sparrows in the mountains are the same color as the earth, and some birds have very beautiful colors." She took out a beautiful oriole from her sleeve.

The little oriole, like a pom-pom, was very cute, and was proudly held in the palm of Judy's hand.

"It's so beautiful, can you let me touch it?" I looked at the bird and blinked.

"This...it's not impossible, but you asked me, hehe." Judy smiled happily, it seemed that she really wanted to

Make me soft.

Compared with my family background, Judy is much more ordinary. Her home is in a small town. Although her father is a baron, she does not have her own castle and can only live with commoners.

Generally, such a baron would often live in a big city, handing over the fief to his deputy or steward for management, and he would just collect the money every year. This will not only keep you decent, but also very worry-free.

But the territory of Judy's family is not rich, and their family's expenses are not small. In order to gain as many benefits as possible and keep the land, they have not moved away.

Compared with other nobles, Judy's father, the baron, is quite insignificant. Because he gets along with the residents day and night on weekdays, everyone is not afraid of him, and sometimes as the fief master, it is difficult to give orders.

"Master must be joking, isn't it, haha." Everyone just laughed, and sometimes the tax was not paid, so the baron had to come to the door to urge him.

But such incompetent behavior can only be perfunctory and teasing, and it is often difficult to collect taxes.

"Dad is so nice. When those people cry a little, they will be soft-hearted and exempt from taxation. Later, when everyone learns, it becomes more and more difficult to collect taxes." Judy often complains like this. It can be seen that she loves her father very much, but sometimes Worried again.

Because of her father's image, Judy and Judy were laughed at by other noble ladies in the surrounding circles, and she was often angry.

And the only thing that can make her feel good is to play with herself.

Because the Wenlani family is a famous family nearby, although other nobles also have viscounts, but when it comes to history and origins, they are actually very weak and have nothing to praise.

Because she was able to say hello to the eldest lady of the Winrani family, Judy's status among the sisters was also much higher. She would occasionally say something proud in front of her. It could be seen that she cared about her praise very much. , as long as a little compliment, this friend will be happy for several days.

Then why not satisfy her, I thought, it wouldn't hurt anyway.

So as time passed, our relationship became closer. She always brought me all kinds of news from the noble circles around me, and I, the eldest lady who sits at home and does not go out, can also know a lot of interesting things. .

When I turned 15 and Judy was over 16, this bubbly girl started to attract the attention of other boys because it was time to talk about marriage.

At that time, Chasing Judy had a good boy named Boy, who was also the child of a nearby baron. He was the second in the family, with a gentle and polite personality and a relatively decent appearance.

"Boy is very attentive and prepared a present for me on my birthday." On the sofa, Judy excitedly talked about what happened last night, when she held a birthday party at home.

On summer afternoons, I entertain Judy in the tower where I live, and I haven't left it since I was 15.

"I also prepared a present for you." I took out the box that had been wrapped a long time ago and handed it over.

"Wow, thank you Gavier, what a beautiful dress, thank you." Judy hugged her excitedly, I blinked and smiled, but I didn't really put much thought into it, I just picked out a piece from the closet that I didn't wear. Just a fitted dress.

In order to package this exquisite product of mine, my father has put a lot of thought into it. There are occasions when it is difficult to choose the dresses with various patterns.

Judy and I talked a lot about Boyle that day, his mellowness, his kindness and honesty. I once thought that they would come together.

However, things took an unexpected turn. Less than half a year later, my father told me about Judy.

"Judy is afraid that she won't be able to come and play with you in the future. She is already married to the third son of a nearby baron, who seems to be Murphy."

"Murphy? It doesn't seem to have a good reputation." I recalled that the name seemed to have only been mentioned briefly in Judy's mouth.

"That guy is so rude. He looks like he wants everything. He is very smart, but he is also very cunning. I heard that he has also killed people." Judy commented at that time.

"Yes, I heard that I was going to get engaged to Boye, but one day, news came that Judy was actually pregnant, and the object was that Murphy's. In the end, I had to arrange for the two to get married as soon as possible." The father said casually. , these things are not on his radar.

"Did Murphy use some means?" I feel a little sorry for Judy, who lost a wonderful marriage.

"Maybe." My father finished drinking the wine in his hand, put down the glass and left. It is estimated that he will spend the night at some beautiful woman's house tonight.

I couldn't get the news, so I finally had to write a letter to comfort Judy and have someone send it over.

The reply was received a month later. The sender was Judy's younger brother, a slightly fat boy. It was obvious that he was very afraid of life. It took a lot of courage to come to my house.

"My sister asked me to give it to you." The boy gave me a sneaking glance, then quickly nodded.

[Sorry Gavier, it took me so long to get back to you because I've been very confused and feel like a mess all this time.

But it's been getting better recently, so I can finally reply to you.

First of all, thank you for your concern. Regarding marriage, I let everyone down. My father almost beat me, but my mother stopped me.

I don't know why, but when Murphy approached me that day, I hesitated and didn't reject him. In fact, the whole process was very chaotic.

Then I saw Boye's lost expression, and I felt very sorry for him.

But, but, I still chose Murphy, the reason for this is so secret, even I

I just figured it out today.

You know, as I told you when I was a child, there are many birds in the world, all kinds of strange, beautiful, ugly, kind, vicious, and so on.

Therefore, not every kind of bird is attractive, but since it exists, it must have its own way of survival.

When I was very young, I watched my father and others nod their heads and bow down, even though they were nobles but humbled themselves in front of those commoners.

Even though my father was so kind, he was not respected, and even I was laughed at.

I hated my father, yes, I hated that weak kindness.

However, I cannot surpass my father, because I am also so weak that I dare not treat the servants and commoners arrogantly like those eldest young ladies.

Why, obviously our family is the master of the territory, but we don't get the corresponding respect and admiration.

I hate always smiling, I hate being tricked by others, I'm afraid of my cowardice and cowardice.

No way, I want to have a reliable support, even if the other party is thorny.

Of course I knew that Murphy wasn't a good guy, even a little bit bad.

But that's what I'm missing, even our family is missing, too weak to bully.

If the father had such a son-in-law, outsiders would also consider it.

So, I chose Murphy and indulged him in everything.

Strong mountain people will cultivate gentle monarchs, and gentle peasants will believe in tyrannical emperors. As long as the latter can lead them to not be bullied by outsiders, they can endure the evil deeds of tyrants.

That's the reality, it's frustrating.

Finally, I'm sorry, maybe I won't be able to visit again for a long time.

I wish Gavier not to be like me, to make a helpless choice and find the perfect object in his mind. ]

On the back of the letter it said, 'Please burn it after reading it, I hope this is a secret that only belongs to us. ’

After burning the letter, I sat under the windowsill for a long time, thinking a lot, until it got dark.

Time passed, I was 16 years old, and I had a beautiful appearance that surprised others, and it was time to talk about marriage.

My father began to find a suitable marriage partner for me, and the first target was naturally the noble Baska family, the Duke of Red Dragon.

But it is a pity that the young sons of Exiangzhilong are already engaged, and the youngest of them are more than five years older than me, so naturally they will not wait forever. And there are only a few daughters left, but because of the same sex, naturally they can't be considered.

Disappointed, my father began to take aim at several famous earl families, and I also met several young masters in the castle.

These processes are very secret, and my father does not seem to want to attract the attention of outsiders, because there are many people competing.

Originally, the process went very smoothly. He had already negotiated a marriage with a certain earl, because the young master fell in love with me at a glance.

But something changed in the end. The conflict between the Baska family and the royal family involved many southern nobles, and the count disappeared in the crackdown.

It is like a well-prepared commodity, but it has lost its due market and buyers, and is smashed in the hand.

After the successive blows, the father was very lost, and at this time the southern border was in chaos, and there was no big family suitable for marriage.

In the next year or so, he used alcohol to relieve his worries and began to find various lovers, and I have been living in the tower.

One night, my father was drunk again, and he muttered down the aisles of the castle to my room, just as I was sitting in front of the mirror after my shower.

"Lorisa..." He looked at me and called out the unfamiliar name.

Lolisa is my mother and the eldest lady of a big family. She is very beautiful. She married him because she was bewitched by her father when she was young. But unfortunately, this marriage was not blessed by the grandfather's family, and the Winrani family did not gain any benefits.

Looking at my father's blurred eyes, I gradually realized that his lecherous nature had been committed again.

Even his daughter is not spared, although he thinks so, but he is not surprised, he is such a person, right?

I poured tea on my father's face to wake him up, but for the first time I was slapped in anger by him, feeling that my authority was being resisted.

He regretted it afterwards, because if I was beaten in the face, it would not be suitable to sell.

This stopped for a few days, and in the days that followed he began to find strict etiquette teachers to train me, expecting me to obey him completely, while he and his mistresses played in the castle.

In fact, I would like to see such a scene, because he will not come to me.

The development of things has ushered in a shocking change, and our fief has finally set off a rebellion.

In the chaos, I was taken to his bedroom, the deepest and safest place in the castle.

There is still the smell of perfume in the air. It is a seductive fragrance. I don't know how many of these fun things my father bought in the alchemy workshop.

I listened to the sound of battle and the whistling of flames from the outside world, but my heart was very quiet, because I don't actually have too much hope for the future, and if I die here, it doesn't seem to be a bad thing.

The door finally opened.

A rough and strong man smashed it open with a giant axe and rushed in.

He laughed loudly at his father, grabbed him like a chicken, and slashed it with an axe.

The blood spattered on my cheeks and my dress, it was very warm, and the fire and noise from the outside came together.

At that moment I lost all my loved ones, but I was also free.

In the dazzling night, I was led away from the castle by a few servants and hid in a corner of the city, only peeping out from the corner of the window.

Soon after nightfall, a group of red-clothed cavalrymen rushed into the city, and the seemingly powerful warrior seemed to be gradually losing his strength.

'for freedom. ' He seemed to be yelling so hard that I couldn't understand it.

Is freedom so precious, I don't feel the same way.

There are all kinds of birds in the world, some are beautiful, some are ugly, some are kind, some are vicious, but not every bird yearns for freedom.

Freedom means uncertainty, it means risk, it means change, it means insecurity and danger.

I am a bird that grew up in a cage, for me, freedom is a kind of poison.

After losing my father, I felt the sky suddenly open up and everything became brighter because I was no longer in his control, but at the same time a great nothingness overwhelmed me because I was taught from a young age to marry a good husband , to cling to power, status, wealth, and everything.

I hate such a future, but I have to choose such a future, and now there is no such future.

So contradictory.

Until the figure came into view.

He has a powerful strength like an ancient hero, with one enemy a hundred, swinging his sword in his heart like a hammer, so powerful and powerful.

He has a chivalrous spirit like an ancient knight novel, and while not killing anyone, he achieves a perfect solution and pacifies the original bloody killing.

Why didn't he kill these red-clothed cavalry soldiers like the rebels? Since they fought, they should follow through to the end.

Why does he want to help these savage commoners? Judging from the armor, it must also be from a famous noble.

Although there were doubts in his heart, the image in the fire was deeply imprinted in his mind, and it was unforgettable for a long time.

After the night was over, the cavalrymen took me to the leader of the cavalry. Looking at the familiar gaze, I naturally understood what he was thinking.

He lowered his head, trying to hide his face as much as possible, even wondering why he did this. Obviously in the midst of troubled times, marrying such a noble officer is the safest choice.

Afterwards, the steward's flattery and conversation made me understand that these officers were also so greedy, their essence was the same as some nobles, an imperceptible disappointment gradually rose, and their heads were lowered even lower.

In the tent, the officer thought he was serious and put on airs, but the details revealed from time to time reflected that he was only from a small noble family, and there was a feeling that drawing a tiger was not an anti-dog.

Even more disappointed, is this the new army of the Empire?

Thinking of such a thought in my heart, I wonder why I have unrealistic fantasies. Maybe my childhood self hasn't completely dissipated.

Finally, these people left, the officer seemed to want to leave himself behind and said all kinds of hints, but I just found it a little funny. Obviously as long as I use brute force, I can't resist, but I have to pretend to be noble.

Perhaps this is the reality. Even these powerful officers have something they cannot disobey and fear. That is the power of the royal family and the prestige of the old nobles.

Everyone lives in a bird cage, which actually reduces risk and makes oneself safe.

The night came again, and the housekeeper came to my side. I knew he had a lot of thoughts, but what if he was dismissed, the next person would still be the same.

He is just a canary raised in a cage, without the ability to resist.

Standing quietly in front of the castle, a long-lost emptiness is coming, the cage of the past has collapsed, and the wind of the world is blowing with sparks and dust.

I was finally free, but I also lost all my support.

An inexplicable emptiness echoed in his chest, like the wind passing through the void, making bursts of noise.

The sound of the armor rubbing sounded at the end of the fire, and the nameless knight appeared in front of him again.

If those noble families are no longer noble, and the honorable soldiers are no longer honorable, what is there to follow?

I think reality has given me the answer.

Lifting the skirt gently, I stepped out of the guard's protection and moved forward cautiously among the rubble and ashes.

Looking at the quaint and fire-reflecting armor, he lowered his head slightly, and bowed his head to the lord with his most moving gesture.

I don't know what he will think of me, will he think I'm just a good-looking vase, or something that can be played with at will, or a naive girl of Mu Qiang.

But how can this be done.

I have no choice. Instead of being humiliated in a muddy mess, I might as well dedicate myself to this noble hero.

Even if he abandons himself in the end, this is my own choice.

I am a caged canary, a bird that cannot be freed.