The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

The grey-white walls of Long Taro Castle were adorned with an abundance of flowers, branches, and ribbons, making the majestic castle look especially sacred.

Two huge banners fluttered high on the castle's highest spire.

One was the abstract "Chang Yu" banner of the Long Taro Family, and the other was the Sapphire Family's Sapphire Dragon Banner, rustling in the wind.

These temporarily hung massive banners represented the family marriage alliance.

In the vast area before the castle gate, countless servants were busy arranging the wedding site, with squads of knights interspersed among them, and even officials-looking figures were participating and gesturing orders.

"These are professional servants from the Court and Internal Affairs officials, as well as knights from the Blueblood Knight Order. They are not only taking over the wedding process but also responsible for the defense, as the Grand Duke will personally attend the Little Princess's wedding with Meioubao," Mesiro Taro explained.

Upon hearing this, Earl Li Weiliam's brows furrowed slightly, and his expression quickly turned cold, "It's understandable that the Blueblood Knight Order is taking over the defense, but why isn't the wedding process conducted according to the traditions of Long Taro Castle? This is Long Taro Castle's ceremony of welcoming its mistress, even if she is the Grand Duke's daughter."

Durant and Sharke did not join the conversation.

Mesiro also felt somewhat embarrassed, "It's my father's wish, hoping to show more respect to the Little Princess."

"The Long Taro Family's contribution of more knights' glory is the respect for the Grand Duke and the Little Princess, not this way," Earl Li Weiliam was very dissatisfied with the Court interfering with Long Taro Castle's etiquette, "I need to talk with Marquis Merlin. Mesiro, is your father in the castle?"

"I will take you to find my father, Durant and Sharke, please entertain the guests for me."

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With that, the two hurried into the castle to find Marquis Merlin. Lady Marie and Lidun followed the deputy butler to the guest lounge. These two had rather special identities; they were considered relatives of Long Taro Castle by status, but they had no blood connection, and it was even a bit awkward.

Levis, Li Vera, and Liszt, the three siblings, didn't treat Long Taro Castle like someone else's home.

They found a butler and inquired, "Where is Cousin Meioubao?"

"Master Meioubao has gone to Matsutake Castle. The First Prince has already escorted the Little Princess to reside in Matsutake Castle, waiting for the wedding to come," said the butler. "Miss Melinda's family has also gone with the young master to Matsutake Castle to take care of the Little Princess's daily life."

Matsutake Castle is another castle of the Long Taro Family.

"Should we rush over there or stay in Long Taro Castle?" Liszt asked.

"It's just a two-hour ride on horseback from Long Taro Castle to Matsutake Castle; we might as well hurry over. I haven't seen what the Little Princess looks like yet," Li Vera said excitedly.

Levis shook his head, "I need to stay here. Father is very unhappy with the Court arranging the wedding process for the Long Taro Family. I might be needed to lend a hand later. You go ahead and send my regards to the First Prince."

Afterward.

Liszt and Li Vera set off for Matsutake Castle together.

When they arrived at Matsutake Castle, the sun was about to set, and the entire castle was guarded by knights of the Blueblood Knight Order, barring outsiders from entering.

The siblings waited outside for nearly ten minutes.

Only then did they see Meioubao hastily coming to greet them, "Li Vera, Liszt, you've arrived? Didn't you rest at Long Taro Castle, how come you came to Juniper Castle?"

"We heard that Aunt Melinda's family and Cousin You are all here, and that the First Prince and Little Princess have already moved into Matsutake Castle, so we came over," Li Vera said eagerly. "Where is the Little Princess, cousin? Hurry, take me to visit the Little Princess. I can't wait to meet my future sister-in-law."

Meioubao smiled, "Follow me."

Upon entering the Matsutake Castle, it was necessary to first pay a visit to the First Prince—even though Liszt and Li Vera were not vassals of the Sapphire Family, they only needed to be loyal to their father, Earl Li Weiliam.

"Your Highness the First Prince, I am pleased to see you again," Liszt bowed and paid his respects, neither pretending to be aloof nor deliberately lowering his stance.

The First Prince clearly remembered Liszt, "The only knight promoted during the Battle of Iron Hoof Island, Liszt, I'm also glad to see you."

After a few simple courtesies, Liszt and Li Vera took their leave.

Given the great difference in status and the absence of a vassal relationship between them, indeed, there wasn't much they could talk about. Following Cousin Meioubao, they proceeded to the second floor of the castle, and in the piano room on the second floor, they met Aunt Melinda and Cousin Russell's wife, Cassie Broccoli.

Of course, there were also several other young, eye-catching, lavishly dressed noble debutantes.

"Everyone is here, so please wait a moment to chat," Meioubao said loudly.

Drawing everyone's attention, "Please allow me to introduce... This is my cousin, the daughter of Earl Li Weiliam, Li Vera Tulip, Baroness of Falcon Town; and my cousin, the second son of Earl Li Weiliam, Viscount Liszt Tulip of Black Horse Island, and incidentally, his viscounty is a reward for his military service."

Family shadow and merit-based enfeoffment are two different concepts.

One represents identity, the other represents potential.

While being a second son might be somewhat awkward, gaining recognition through one's own efforts is more noteworthy—who doesn't favor a stronger knight?

Upon entering the room, Liszt felt the gaze of these noble debutantes brighten when they looked at him.

When Meioubao introduced him as a knight ennobled for his military service, their eyes brightened yet again.

"I've heard of you, Liszt, the new Viscount who was promoted during the Battle of Iron Hoof Island and has tamed an Intermediate Magical Beast," a noble debutante said quickly, her eyes roaming over Liszt.

Even though he wasn't dressed in flamboyant Flack Abbieye attire, wearing only a simple suit of leather armor, he still had an outstanding presence.

Seeing that the debutante had already spoken, Meioubao proceeded to introduce her to Li Vera and Liszt, "This is Miss Grasutti Red Maple Leaf, the sister of the Red Maple City Marquis."

Red Maple City Marquis Glendenton Red Maple Leaf was precisely Liszt's immediate superior during the Battle of Iron Hoof Island.

As Marquis Glendenton was the husband of Grand Princess Annie Sapphire, it was natural for his sister Grasutti to become best friends with the Little Princess.

"Pleased to meet you, the lovely Miss Grasutti," Liszt said with a smile and a bow, though against his better judgment, as Grasutti was not particularly beautiful in his eyes.

In Liszt's opinion, she would be considered quite ordinary.

Meioubao continued, "This is Salando Dahlia Hui Lan, the daughter of the Quicksand City Marquis, and she is already spoken for... This is Joanna..."

He introduced several noble debutantes in succession, all offspring of Nobles.

Birds of a feather flock together, and it was only the offspring of Nobles who could be companions to the Little Princess.

Finally, Meioubao approached a beautiful woman sitting at the piano, took her hand, and introduced her with emphasis, "Li Vera, Liszt, need I continue... Angela Sapphire, my fiancée, the future Lady of Long Taro Castle, and your future sister-in-law."

"Pleased to meet you, Your Highness," the siblings said, smiling and paying their respects.

The Grand Duchy's most famous socialite, finally met in person, and soon to become family as well.