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Colin strolled alone down the long corridor of Swan Castle, occasionally passing a few patrolling guards.

Upon seeing Colin, the guards all stopped to pay their respects, his distracted nods were all the responses they received.

Having just returned from the church, Colin was still (mulling over)/(thinking about) the conversation he had had with Prince Lexie in the confessional.

In particular, the possibility that Mr. Ji might still be alive made Colin feel an irresistible sense of oppression.

Although, Colin soon shrugged and laughed at himself, he thought he was being overly anxious.

After all, Mr. Ji might or might not be alive, even if it was true, he had Prince Lexie in front of him, so Colin didn’t need to worry about facing this formidable opponent himself.

Thinking this, Colin’s steps became much easier.

The air also seemed to become sweeter.

What?

It’s not just a feeling; there really was a sweet fragrance wafting through the air.

Out of curiosity, Colin turned around a corner, and then he saw the open-air balcony at the end of the corridor.

On the balcony, a moving silhouette stood there all alone.

It was Countess Schultz.

At night, the countess wore a simple corset dress without any jewelry. The dress was tailored perfectly, outlining her slender and flexible body curves.

In Colin’s view, Countess Schultz was a mature, graceful, and charming noblewoman. Despite knowing that the loyalty of the Schultz Family was questionable, Colin found it difficult to harbor ill feelings towards such a remarkable countess.

Presumably hearing Colin’s footsteps, Countess Schultz turned around and gently smiled, “Sir Viscount, did you go out for a walk?”

“Yes, couldn’t sleep, visited the church to confess a bit to the Lord, felt much better,” Colin replied with a smile. He then went forward and stood side by side with Countess Schultz.

Swan Castle was built by the lake, gazing out from the balcony; one could see Swan Lake under the nighttime skies.

The dazzling silver moon reflected in the lake, ethereal and serene.

“Yes, there are things that are better to say out loud.” Countess Schultz said, seemingly implying something.

Colin nodded noncommittally, his gaze beyond the wide expanse of the lake, to the faint lights on the opposite shore – that should be where Vera and the others were camping.

Countess Schultz followed Colin’s gaze and as if understanding something, she spoke again, “Does the Duke not wish to enter Swan City, expressing dissatisfaction with the Schultz family?”

Colin smiled faintly and said, “Countess, do you think Duke St. Hilde can still trust the Schultz Family?”

“Indeed. The previous actions of the Schultz family would indeed make one bitter. However, my conflict was only with the previous Duke St. Hilde. To the current Duke St. Hilde, I am willing to offer limitless loyalty!”

Colin turned his head and looked at Countess Schultz, who looked earnest.

Countess Schultz met Colin’s gaze without shrinking back the sincerity in her eyes seemed genuine.

However, Colin would certainly not be moved by a few light words. He had seen too many skilled politicians, who knew if Countess Schultz was one of the foremost among them?

“I will convey your words to Duke St. Hilde,” said Colin indifferently.

Countess Schultz caught the perfunctory tone in Colin’s voice and said once more, “You don’t believe me.”

“It’s just very hard to trust someone who’s betrayed their lord once.”

A flash of sorrow passed through the eyes of Countess Schultz, it seemed Colin’s words had struck a nerve, only after a moment did she manage to speak again, “Then do you know, why I betrayed the previous Duke St. Hilde at Ice Rock City?”

Colin was a firsthand witness to the lord’s rebellion at that time and was naturally aware of the situation then.

But judging by Countess Schultz’s demeanor, her motivation might have some hidden implications.

“Was it not because of Marquis Charles’s devastating defeat at the Frontline?”

“It’s not wholly that.” Count Schultz shook her head slowly, “It’s also because of Marquis Garcia!”

Colin’s expression shifted slightly, but he wasn’t too surprised, as Marquis Garcia had also intentionally shown his dissatisfaction with his own brother at that time in order to incite the lords to rebel.

However, the next sentence from Count Schultz gave Colin a startle: “Marquis Garcia is my lover.”

“Excuse me?” Colin looked at the beautiful countess beside him, a wildfire of gossip burning in his heart.

“At first, I thought Garcia finally had the courage to resist his brother, so I joined the rebellion of the lords, but I didn’t expect… heh, I overestimated his courage!”

Looking at Count Schultz gritting her teeth, Colin was lost for words for a moment.

In his view, the countess might be overacting a bit. It was evident that Marquis Garcia was more willing to cooperate with his brother in purging the northern lords to consolidate the rule of the St. Hilde family.

Even Colin was taken out of the city for hunting by Marquis Garcia at the time, which saved him from the whirlpool of rebellion. However, Marquis Garcia did not inform Count Schultz, which showed that she might not be very important in the heart of Marquis Garcia.

As if seeing through Colin’s thoughts, Count Schultz immediately asked, “Do you think I overestimate my importance to Marquis Garcia?”

Colin rubbed his nose, helplessly saying: “That’s not it. I think the fact that Duke St. Hilde didn’t involve you in the purge of the rebellious lords later, might be because Marquis Garcia pleaded for you.”

Count Schultz pulled a sarcastic smile at the corner of her mouth, “Actually, you are not wrong to think so. I probably did overestimate my importance to Marquis Garcia.

Twenty years ago, I was even foolish enough to think that he would marry me. However, Duke St. Hilde only asked him to give up the command of the Dark Cavalry in order to marry me, and he hesitated.

He even told me that he would abandon the Dark Cavalry to marry me only after he conquered the Troll King’s City. Luckily, I didn’t wait for him, or I don’t know how many years I would have wasted…”

Colin’s face was somewhat surprised. He didn’t expect that Marquis Garcia and Count Schultz had reached the point of discussing marriage. But it was stopped by Duke St. Hilde.

Of course, Colin could understand Duke St. Hilde’s conditions, as Marquis Garcia had the strongest army in the north. If he had the support of the Schultz family as well, his power in the north would be enormous.

At that time, Duke St. Hilde had probably not yet ascended to the Holy Field, so it was natural for him to be concerned about it.

“…Perhaps in the hearts of people like Marquis Garcia, achievements will always come before love.” Count Schultz was still musing.

Colin remained silent, he didn’t think it was appropriate for him to comment.

However, he suddenly felt that his father-in-law might still be hiding many secrets.

“All those things have passed, and I’ve let go.” Count Schultz tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and changed the subject, “But there are some things that I have to take seriously.”

Colin turned his head curiously, “What do you mean?”

“The fact that I gave birth to his daughter.”

“What?” Colin wondered if he’d heard wrong.

But Count Schultz sat there calmly, nodding, “Yes, Vera is the daughter of Marquis Garcia and me. She was later adopted by the last Duke St. Hilde. Now you should understand why I said the Schultz family would not betray this generation of Duke St. Hilde, right?”

Colin stared at Count Schultz in disbelief, a tidal wave surging in his heart.

What’s the situation?

Isn’t Queen Midela Vera’s mother?

Then, Colin instantly realized–

He had been fooled by the Queen!

All the mutually exchanged handles! The inevitable support for Vera!

These were all the Queen’s tricks!

She used these tricks to win Colin’s trust successfully, and in exchange, he had been forced to reveal his vulnerability!

At this time, Colin felt somewhat relieved that he hadn’t handed over his real vital vulnerability.

Otherwise, he would probably be at the mercy of Queen Midela in the future!

At this moment, the warning from Prince Lexie lingered in his mind—

“Beware of the Queen. She is a dangerous woman.”