Chapter 60: Chapter 60 I Have a Friend Who Can Tell Fortunes (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
The “flower girl” across from her sneered and also drew a sword from her waist, “I, Honore Rocher de Vilar, will make you remember today’s lesson.”
Almost all members of the Vilar family were of military background, and this Rocher was no exception. He was a Major in the Bourges Legion, indeed possessing some courage.
“Don’t do it!” Emily cried out in alarm, “Stop fighting, please!”
However, once the two young men had drawn their swords, all they expected was to see each other’s blood.
Andre attacked first, his Swift Sword thrusting straight for his opponent’s ribs.
Rocher forcefully smashed down, pressing the tip of the sword towards the ground, and then took the opportunity to stab towards Andre’s calf.
Andre, who had actually been on the battlefield and seen blood, responded extremely quickly in a life-and-death moment, immediately retreating while wielding his sword upward.
Rocher dodged in panic, seemingly not expecting the low-ranking officer to have such formidable swordsmanship. He immediately became more spirited and his movements quickened.
Within the garden’s floral beds, the “lady in red” and the “flower girl” shuttled back and forth among the shadow of swords, fighting to a stalemate.
Joseph peered out from behind a tree, sensing that Andre had the advantage. But with the dim light, if one was not careful…
A thought flashed through his mind.
First and foremost, he absolutely could not allow the future Marshal Dawu’s elder brother to die here.
Secondly, it was evident that Emily and her mother were being bullied, with their estate about to be plundered, and she was Andre’s beloved; to not lend a hand to the young couple was utterly indefensible.
Moreover, if Emily and Andre were to marry with his help, they would definitely be able to reclaim the power that belonged to the Duke Vilar. The Vilar family had considerable influence within Mulan’s military, and in the future, they might become a substantial support for him locally.
“Stop fighting… Andre, be careful—” Emily cried seeing the duelists, suddenly running forward, extending her hand to intervene between them.
Both men were startled and hurriedly pulled back their swords.
However, Rocher was a split second too slow, and his sword’s tip grazed the girl’s arm.
“Ah!” Emily cried out in pain, looking down to see a gash, as wide as a finger, appear on her arm.
Rocher hesitated for a moment, then proceeded to dramatically clutch his chest in front of the girl, “Oh, dear Emily! I am so sorry, it was not intentional!”
Andre, however, was so frightened that he grabbed his beloved’s hand, speaking incoherently in his rush of worry, “How, how bad is it? Are you seriously hurt? Why did you suddenly run over…”
Joseph emerged from behind the tree as this happened, and Eman hastily stepped in front of him, addressing the two swordsmen, “Please put away your weapons!”
Perna promptly opened her small leather case, taking out her tools and approaching to tend to Emily’s wound, relieved to see that it was not serious.
Seeing the arrival of outsiders, and with Emily injured, Rocher realized they definitely could not continue fighting, so he wiped sweat from his forehead, sheathed his sword, and went to pull Emily, “Hmph, consider him lucky. Emily, let’s go back to dancing.”
Joseph suddenly said in a cold voice, “Excuse me, sir, why are you pulling Marshal Dawu’s fiancée?”
“What are you saying? Dawu’s? Ha ha!” Rocher, not recognizing the disguised Crown Prince, immediately let out a scornful laugh, “I don’t know who you are. But he will never be able to climb to the status of Duke Vilar.”
“Is that so?” Joseph smiled, “Then let us make a bet.”
Rocher paused, “Oh? Bet on what?”
“If tomorrow Marshal Dawu is engaged to the Duke Vilar, you will kiss his boots in public,” Joseph said, “If they are not engaged by tomorrow, then Marshal Dawu will kiss your boots.”
“This is not proper…” Andre objected in shock, speaking out to stop it but then saw the young man winking at him.
Joseph pointed to Eman and said, “Marshal Dawu, please trust my friend here, he is proficient in prophecy. He has just accurately divined that you will be engaged to this lady tomorrow.”
Eman: “…”
Andre felt a sense of familiarity with the voice and suddenly exclaimed in surprise, “It’s the Cro…”
Joseph immediately interrupted him with a forceful cough, “Cough! As for this bet, what do you two think?”
Although Andre had no idea at all, since the Crown Prince had said so, he gritted his teeth and nodded, “I agree.”
Rocher scoffed disdainfully, “Fine, I’ll take that bet.”
“Good, please clap hands.” Joseph then signaled to everyone, “All of you present are witnesses, I hope you can uphold justice.”
Rocher didn’t take it seriously, gave Dawu a casual clap, and then strode off.
Andre wanted to ask the Crown Prince about his plans, but heard the latter say, “I shall not disturb the precious moments of lovers. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He could only suppress the doubts in his heart and watch the three people walk away.
Only then did Emily remember something and hurriedly waved to Perna’s retreating figure, “Thank you for treating my wound, may I know your full name?”
Getting no reply, she sighed softly, turned around, and hugged Andre tightly, thinking that this might be their last moment together.
After walking a distance, Perna curiously asked Joseph, “Your Highness, how are you going to engage Miss Emily and Mr. Dawu?”
Joseph smiled slightly, “I will persuade Miss Emily’s mother.”
“Persuade?”
Joseph gestured towards the Hall of Mirrors, “Come, let’s go find her now.”
When the three returned to the Hall of Mirrors, the ball was reaching its climax, with everyone moving elegantly to the music.
Joseph, fearing a siege, stood in a corner and sent Eman to find Emily’s mother.
No sooner had Eman left than a young man in a sequined dress edged closer, scrutinized Joseph up and down, and then stuffed a note in his hand, pointing to a woman on the second floor of the Hall of Mirrors pretending to be a scholar, “She asked me to give this to you.”
Joseph glanced suspiciously at the seductive woman, opened the note, and saw only one line: I know your greatest secret. If you want it to remain a secret, come to the second room at the end of the east side on the second floor of the south palace.
The note was from Lady Sangbellon, who was adept at attracting men.
Usually, the success rates were not very high for those young girls who wrote bluntly, “I admire you,” or for lascivious noble ladies who wrote, “I wish to spend a splendid night with you.”
She knew that no one could resist a secret.
Especially the secret of how someone else could know one’s secret.
She smiled smugly.
She had enough confidence that once that thirteen-year-old boy entered her room, he would not want to leave!
Joseph frowned— his greatest secret?
Of course, it was the fact that he came from another world.
Could it be, that woman also traveled here like him?
At that thought, he immediately turned and left the Hall of Mirrors, heading for the south palace.
On the other side of the Hall of Mirrors, a young man dressed as a fairy watched Joseph’s departing figure and couldn’t help but narrowing his eyes: the Crown Prince had left behind hundreds of noble ladies here, and it was his second time going out. What was he up to?
After pondering briefly, he leaped up and followed.