"You’re sick?" Song Zheng was very surprised when he saw Lance’s condition.
"If you’re not sick, what nonsense are you talking about?"
"Dean, I’m sorry, it’s me who has caused you trouble." Lance sincerely apologized, but he did not explain why he did so because he simply couldn’t explain it.
Lin Fu had asked him to admit defeat, and he had unconsciously done so.
It was only when he stepped off the platform that he suddenly realized, but at that time, he was not remorseful but incredulous.
"Alright! Looking at you now, I don’t even feel like scolding you. If you’re not up to it, take a day off."
Song Zheng had a feeling that something significant had happened to Lance, but since he didn’t talk about it, it wasn’t right for him to probe too deeply. After all, he was not like the other ordinary students, much like Celia. Rumors were swirling that it was she herself who had bloodbathed the Duke Mansion overnight, killing her brother and her father to become the Duchess.
Such matters, whether Celia did them or not, she certainly wouldn’t tell the school.
Song Zheng had not gone far when he suddenly had a thought—could Lance also be planning something? With that thought, he hurriedly returned, but Lance was no longer to be found in the hall.
Grihward Duke Mansion—
"Young Master Lance, this way, please!" A servant respectfully led Lance into a garden where a banquet was in progress, a typical gathering scene among the nobility.
Celia, who was conversing with someone, noticed Lance right away, in fact, everyone in the garden did.
This heir to Duke Stuart was well known in the noble circles of the Capital Star, and it was hard to catch a glimpse of him. The noble circles were basically divided into two factions. One faction inherited noble titles and lands and dedicated themselves to developing family businesses, active in various fields and often attending banquets, favored in social circles.
The other faction was the military merit faction. These nobles were more aggressive and disdainful of attending various banquets, unless it was the New Year’s social season or a military-sponsored soiree, otherwise, they were rarely seen at such gatherings.
Among the younger generation, representatives included Major General Fu Xing, Major General Joshua, Mr. Mervin, Young Master Lance, and others.
"It’s Young Master Lance."
"He is here to see the Duchess."
Whispers broke out in the garden, but Lance, oblivious to them, walked straight to Celia, "Let’s talk."
Celia didn’t refuse, dressed in noble attire, she looked dignified and elegant, her makeup exquisite, a stark contrast to her time in the Military Academy, and indeed she now looked much like the Empire’s Guardian Duchess.
The two of them came to a spot on the lawn and sat down on a bench.
Lance looked at her somberly, "You’ve adapted quickly."
"I have been looking forward to this day for a long time, so of course, I adapted quickly."
"How was it when you went to see His Majesty?"
Inheriting a dukedom definitely required an audience with the Emperor, otherwise, there wouldn’t have been an empire-wide announcement.
"Would you believe me if I said I didn’t see His Majesty at all?"
Lance was startled, "Really?"
"It’s true." Celia recalled the scene the day before in the Imperial Palace, a trace of worry coloring her brows, "I entered the Imperial Palace, but I didn’t even see the Chief Secretary of the Court. I was only escorted by the Royal Guard who took me on a tour, and before I knew it, the announcement was already made without my having left the palace."
"How could this be? The Emperor not seeing you doesn’t conform to the protocol."
Lanced looked annoyed, "The Empire has never had a precedent where the Guardian Duke assumed position without the Emperor’s personal summon. His Majesty is leading the breaking of the rules, setting a terrible precedent, and undermining his own foundation."