When Lin Ke arrived downstairs, he immediately made up his mind.
He must keep his distance from Princess Rica in front of those eager faces to avoid misunderstandings.
If he were acquainted with Rica, the nobles might frown.
If he were familiar with Rica, the nobles might get angry and hold a grudge.
And if they knew Princess Rica wanted to marry him?
Azaenn Castle might turn into a battleground, and Lin Ke wouldn’t have to do anything but wait for challenges and duels every day.
However, when Lin Ke went outside the castle and looked toward the lawn, the radiant Rica saw Lin Ke as well.
Princess Rica’s previously bored and listless eyes lit up, and she loudly declared to those around her, "Look! There’s Lin Ke! I like men like him, I want to marry him!"
She pointed a jade finger at Lin Ke as she spoke.
Instantly, everyone surrounding Princess Rica, from old to young, turned their gaze uniformly toward Lin Ke, as if a gust of wind had swept by.
Six-year-old "man" Lin Ke stood confused by the wind.
For a second, the air went silent, and then Lin Ke’s vision darkened, nearly fainting with anger.
This Rica, what the heck is she doing!
Damn it, Rica must be annoyed with those people too, so she wants to use him as a shield!
Lin Ke cursed inwardly.
However, his good manners and years of noble upbringing instantly corrected his posture.
He smiled slightly and said with a loud voice as he walked over, "Princess Rica, you jest. I’m just a minor Viscount heir, how could I be worthy of you?"
But this remark did not have the effect Lin Ke imagined; those people continued to stare at him.
Luckily, luckily Akel and the others were there, such situations were entirely overwhelming for amateurs like Antova and Fulon, even Butler Billy was almost out of his depth.
At this moment, a short Akel stood up from the chair with a wide smile and said loudly, "Young Lin Ke, let me introduce you."
The awkwardness was broken by his words, and Lin Ke smiled and nodded.
Akel first raised his palm toward a thin, gloomy man and said, "This is Count Giant Sword, located northwest and very close to the Azanen Plain."
Count Giant Sword cast a cold gaze at Lin Ke, revealing a slight grim smile, "Hello Mr. Lin Ke, yesterday my subordinate was at fault and I punished him with 300 lashes. Today, I specially came to apologize and to present you with a birthday gift."
Although Count Giant Sword seemed intimidating, his words weren’t, even hinting at a friendly solicitation.
Lin Ke didn’t know what this man truly thought, so he returned the courtesy and expressed that past grievances be forgiven.
Akel then smilingly introduced the next person, "This is Ding Ya, a Level 9 housekeeper from the Deep Blue Duke’s house."
Lin Ke looked over, seeing an elder with graying hair, a face full of wrinkles, wearing an outfit embroidered with waves.
The elder slightly bowed and amiably said, "Young Master Lin Ke, I bring the friendship of the Deep Blue Clan, and my lord’s praise for you defeating Young Delin."
Hearing Housekeeper Ding Ya refer to Delin as "Young Delin" rather than "Young Master Delin", Lin Ke instantly understood this housekeeper’s status within the Deep Blue Clan.
So he waved his hand with a smile, "Among peers honing our skills, Delin just has a bit of youthful innocence."
On the words "youthful innocence", Lin Ke slowed his speech intentionally, full of goodwill.
Housekeeper Ding Ya listened, satisfied, and took two steps back, rejoining the crowd.
Next were other nobles introduced one by one, including several professionals. The highest level being a Level 10 [Minstrel], and even the lowest level was a Level 5 [Storm Berserker].
Besides the [Minstrel] who was just there for poetic inspiration, the other professionals sought to align themselves with or follow Lin Ke.
Beyond the great nobles and professionals, it was the various Azanen sub-lords.
The Nathan noble system caused each family’s territory, regardless of family size, to be complex and complete in its way.
For example, from Duke-level families to humble baronial houses, all have family councils responsible for judging and deciding domestic affairs.
However, each family is different; some are populous, some have a single heir, some are ruled by a patriarch, others by their council.
In the Azanen Family, it was Garoce’s authority that ruled.
When Lin Ke was born and even before, Azaenn Castle was bustling, with the main road never as loose as now, often crowded.
Various Azanen Domain nobles would visit Garoce for various reasons, and the family council was completely at Garoce’s command.
When Garoce left to battle realms and repay debts, Lin Ke’s birthday annually saw little attention.
A gathering like today’s, featuring the prominent Azanen Domain nobles, hadn’t happened before.
Nobles unable to attend had representatives or sent messages via Kuku Bird to express goodwill.
After all... though Garoce seemed fated to die in a secondary realm, Young Master Lin Ke of Azanen gained an incredible teacher.
Those attending today to celebrate Lin Ke’s birthday and offering gifts came with great goodwill.
For instance, Baron Puxin had a face plastered with a smile watching Lin Ke like a loyal servant.
Though unaware his fate was already decided.
Of course, not everyone came bearing gifts or goodwill...
"I don’t understand..." As Lin Ke joined Fulon and they were conversing with Count Akel, a cold voice interrupted.
This voice was peculiar, like an old eunuch speaking through a constricted throat, dry and sharp, with an air of chill.
The guests largely paid it no mind, faces maintaining unchanged smiles.
However, Princess Rica was full of excitement, looking around, muttering, "Fight, fight."
Lin Ke frowned and looked toward the speaker.
The speaker was an exceedingly fair-skinned youth, with pale blue long hair, nearly white pupils, and a poised demeanor.
Eyes are the windows to the soul, whereas the soul reflects the might of bloodlines.
This youth’s bloodline was remarkably formidable!
Like Princess Rica, his bloodline was strong enough to alter hair and eye color.
Judging by the voice, it seemed to be a voice-breaking period.
"Son of the Marquis of Ice, may I ask what puzzles you?" Lin Ke maintained basic propriety.
But from the Son of the Marquis of Ice’s eyes darting between Lin Ke and Rica, and other noble youths with him...
Some women indeed are sources of trouble... Lin Ke thought helplessly.
"I don’t understand why Princess Rica likes you, nor why my father sent me to deliver something..." Indeed, the Son of the Marquis of Ice arrogantly pointed at Lin Ke, "I challenge you to a duel!"