Lord: Stripped of My Inheritance from the Start

Chapter 471 - 444: Ronin’s Happy Time

The next morning, Lurans and Ronin stood at the manor’s entrance, watching from afar as a luxurious carriage, escorted by a troop of Knights, stopped before them.

A handmaiden accompanying the carriage drew back the curtain, and Blanche hopped out. The moment she saw Ronin, a smile unconsciously bloomed on her face.

"Welcome, Her Highness Princess!"

Lurans stepped forward with a cheerful smile, offering a respectful and polite welcome.

"Please, don’t be so formal, Marquis Lurans."

After the two exchanged formal greetings, she winked at Ronin.

Ronin offered his arm, which she took naturally as he led her into the manor.

"When the Knights came to announce your arrival just now, I was quite surprised. I thought we were supposed to go to the Royal Palace to have an audience with His Majesty, and then I would come find you. Why did you leave the palace?"

"It’s not a good time to hold a birthday banquet, so my father let me leave the palace to relax with you. He also asked me to tell you that he will grant you an audience tomorrow morning in Oduin Hall, along with Duke Valgis and the other nobles."

Lurans, standing to the side, nodded slightly. ’This must be about how to handle the matter of Moonlight Valley. It will involve the Royal Family’s rewards for Wushan Castle and for Ronin personally.’

"In that case, Ronin and I will enter the palace tomorrow."

He looked at his grandson and future granddaughter-in-law, a look of gratification in his eyes. He never expected that the marriage he had discussed with Bruno for Ronin and Blanche, born from a strange twist of fate, would actually turn out so perfectly.

"Ronin, why don’t you take Her Highness Princess out for a while? I won’t tag along."

Ronin could tell that without an elder present, Blanche would be much more relaxed.

"Ronin, did you really become a Proud Sun Knight?" Like Missy, she asked the same question.

Ronin lowered his head and whispered in her ear, "Not just a Proud Sun Knight, but also a Great Mage."

Feeling the warmth of his breath on her ear, Blanche’s cheeks flushed slightly. Her upturned eyes sparkled with a brilliant light, like a fan seeing their idol.

"The outside world already adores you for being a Proud Sun Knight. If they knew you were also a Great Mage... good heavens, I can’t even imagine the looks on their faces!"

Blanche said in amazement, "When I heard you defeated Garrett the other day, I was worried he would try to get back at you. But now it seems I don’t have to worry about you anymore!"

"Garrett should still be in Golden Feather City, right?"

Ronin thought of the Crown Prince he had defeated. "How has he been lately?"

Blanche shook her head. She paid little attention to her brother; in the past, she was content as long as he didn’t bother her.

"A while ago, I heard he was incredibly depressed, just drinking all day, every day. He’s probably a bit better these past few days, since all the major nobles have been arriving to offer their condolences."

’Garrett, who values face and power so much, must be furious after falling from his pedestal.’

However, it seemed the Crown Prince’s unhappiness hadn’t interfered with His Majesty King Bruno’s decisions.

Ronin strolled with Blanche around the manor for a while. Then, he cast the Wind Shadow Skill, soaring into the air with her. They left the manor, planning to visit some of Golden Feather City’s famous sights.

After all, today was Blanche’s birthday, and Ronin had a gift prepared.

He had given her silk clothes and Porcelain a few times before. This time, his gift was a potion crafted by Elron that could enhance a Mage’s training.

Speaking of which, Elron wasn’t actually familiar with this kind of potion; the specific formula had been provided by Sophia.

As a princess from the City of Dawn and an Eighth-level Mage, Sophia possessed not only a great deal of knowledge about Magic, but also the methods for creating many Magic Potions, Magic Energy Devices, and more.

’Back then, Bruno and Garrett refused to acknowledge Sophia’s testimony. Looking back, they were far too short-sighted. They missed out on so many valuable things.’

Happy times passed quickly. In the afterglow of the setting sun, the sea was like a flowing oil painting, radiating endless charm.

Ronin held Blanche as they sat on Carlos’s back, drifting over the boundless Screaming Sea.

The setting sun, about to sink below the horizon, dyed the sky and the sea’s surface in a warm, orange-red hue. The scene was both beautiful and magnificent.

Blanche had seen the sea, and she had seen the sunset, but she had never seen such a beautiful view from the sky with the person she loved.

She couldn’t help but tilt her head up to kiss Ronin’s cheek, then fell back into his arms.

Ronin took the chance to kiss her, not stopping until the woman in his arms felt as if she were about to melt.

Blanche’s breathing was a little heavy, her eyes filled with a melting softness. She said gently, "Ronin, after today, I’ll be twenty-two."

Ronin thought she was saying she was too old, so he comforted her, "Twenty-two is when a woman is at her most beautiful."

Blanche laughed. "Thank you for the compliment, but what I meant to say is that other women have children in their teens. My sister, Sharon, for example, gave birth to Emil when she was eighteen."

She suddenly grew shy, leaning a little closer to whisper, "I want to have your child."

Ronin was stunned for a moment when he heard this. He had never considered the issue of having children.

Seeing the shy look in the eyes of the woman in his arms, his heart warmed. He smiled and said, "Alright. But... right here?"

"This..."

Blanche looked around. Although there was no one else in the sky, Carlos was an intelligent being.

Her face instantly turned beet red. "I meant... after... after we’re married."

Just then, the surrounding Water Elements were suddenly mobilized. Blocks of ice formed over Carlos’s giant ears and eyes.

At the same time, it sent a telepathic message: "Don’t worry, Master. From now on, I can’t hear, can’t see, and don’t know anything."

Ronin couldn’t help but laugh out loud and pat Carlos’s back. ’This guy really gets it. His ancestral memories must be full of all sorts of things.’

Although Blanche didn’t know what Ronin and Carlos were saying, she could guess from Carlos’s actions. Her cheeks burned, and she wished she could find a hole to crawl into and hide.

After their playful banter, the amorous atmosphere dissipated.

The two watched the sun sink completely below the horizon. As night began to fall, they rode the Giant Dragon back to Golden Feather City.

「The next morning, in Oduin Hall.」

Lurans and Ronin had arrived early, but MacLaren of Screaming Island had been the first to get there.

"Heh, Lord Ronin, I never thought that by our next meeting, you would be a Proud Sun Knight for us all to look up to!"

There was no trace of anything unusual on MacLaren’s face, as if he hadn’t been the one to send Patridge.

Ronin didn’t expose him, merely giving a polite nod without saying much.

Next, Duke Valgis walked in briskly.

The moment the world-weary, white-haired old man entered, his eyes locked onto Ronin. He walked up to Ronin, his gaze profound yet utterly exhausted.

"Ronin, tell me, if my daughter hadn’t died, would there have been a way to turn her back into a normal person?"

Ronin shook his head slightly. "I’m sorry, Your Grace. When your daughter was converted, she had already died. What lived on was merely an Alien Race member that inherited your daughter’s appearance and memories."

Valgis slowly closed his eyes, then walked dejectedly to the side and sat down quietly.

’He wanted to take his anger out on Ronin, but as Lurans had said yesterday, Dana’s death had nothing to do with Wushan Castle or Ronin.’

Soon, Duke Ference and Duke Andrea arrived together. In addition, Broel and the other Ministers walked in, with Bruno following close behind.

Ronin saw Garrett, whose gaze was also fixed on him.

Although Blanche had said her brother’s condition had improved slightly, Ronin could still sense a certain weariness about him. He lacked some of his former vigor and arrogance.

Ronin gave him a polite nod, acknowledging his presence.

Bruno first greeted the nobles, making a point to praise Ronin’s strength and express his approval.

Only then did he walk slowly to the throne and sit down.

"I have gathered you all here today mainly to discuss the matter of Moonlight Valley."

His face was etched with grief. "It is hard to believe that my brother, Jesus Oduin—a man so healthy, so ambitious—was tortured to death by the Alien Race!"