Chapter 14: The Marquis Ball
Chapter 14: The Marquis Ball
The carriage rolled down the avenue and turned onto a narrow path, where dense tree shadows blocked the sunlight, further darkening the already dim interior.
"Giddy-up!"
"Clang..."
Karl felt himself being tossed high and then landing with a heavy thud.
"Sorry about that," the coachman apologized. "The road here is rough, especially near Apothecary Adolph's estate, which is full of potholes."
"It's fine," Karl replied, not wanting to blame him too much. "Do you often take this route?"
"Yes."
The coachman answered, "The toll for leaving the city is higher than inside, and most of the people who come here are wealthy like yourself."
Wealthy people are more willing to spend money.
Karl nodded and lifted the curtain to look outside. Through the tree shadows, he could see a vast estate with an ancient-looking gate and tower, likely over a hundred years old.
Apothecary Adolph?
Did this entire place belong to just one person? Why had he never heard of him before?
"We've arrived!"
Lord Rector's estate was not far away, and several carriages were already parked at the entrance, with elaborately dressed guests coming and going.
"Karl!"
Dena waved from a distance, "Over here!"
Martha, standing beside her, looked curiously at Karl as he stepped down from the carriage, her eyebrows unconsciously furrowing.
He had a strange outfit, obvious burn marks on his face, and was said to have a bad temper. Was this the type of person her cousin wanted her to meet? A baron...
Aside from his title, what else did this man have?
"Officer," Karl said, slightly bowing. "I'm afraid I'm late."
"We're the ones who arrived early," Dena waved dismissively, her gaze lingering on him for a moment. "Your outfit looks nice."
Karl's custom-made tuxedo was simple yet elegant, with a unique kind of grace.
Dena, accustomed to seeing elaborate gowns, was pleasantly surprised.
"The price is quite nice too," Karl replied with a smile, looking at Martha beside him. "This must be the beautiful cousin you often mentioned, Officer. She's indeed unforgettable."
"Thank you," Martha bowed slightly, her politeness tinged with distance.
Hmm?
She doesn't seem to like me.
That's better!
Karl smiled and, at Dena's suggestion, walked alongside Martha towards the estate's interior.
"I'll be straightforward," Martha said as soon as Dena left. She dropped her polite demeanor and lifted her chin proudly. "We're not a good match."
"That's a shame," Karl said, struggling to hold back a laugh. "But please rest assured, Miss Martha, I won't pester you."
"Oh!"
Martha raised an eyebrow. "You're quite the gentleman."
With the ice broken, they relaxed and strolled leisurely towards the estate's lawn, where many young people had gathered.
"Corclarf."
"What?"
"Lord Rector's son."
Martha pointed to a young man in the crowd and smiled, "Today is his coming-of-age ceremony."
The young man was well-dressed and radiant, raising his glass amidst the crowd's attention.
"Hehe..."
As if remembering something, Martha smiled mysteriously, "Do you know what a coming-of-age ceremony is?"
"A birthday when you reach a certain age," Karl asked, "Is there any special meaning to it?"
"Of course!"
Martha's eyes sparkled with allure. "After the coming-of-age ceremony, you can do what adults do. You don't understand, do you?"
During the ceremony, elders would talk about the responsibilities adults have towards society and the rights they enjoy.
They would also encourage the youth to uphold social morals, serve the nation, and be loyal to the deities.
However...
Judging by Martha's expression, the so-called 'traditional' ceremony she referred to was definitely not like this.
"Look!"
Martha gestured towards a group of women nearby, "Those women are here specifically to help Corclarf through his coming-of-age ceremony."
"If he's willing, all of them can stay tonight. Of course, women like these are not worthy of bearing the Marquis's heir."
A slight twitch appeared at the corner of Karl's mouth.
He wasn't surprised by Martha's words, but rather by a familiar face among those women.
His cousin, the married one from Uncle Gerald's family.
How did she end up here? Although Karl didn't have a good relationship with his cousin, and their encounters were limited, he was certain he didn't mistake her identity.
She obviously recognized him as well, her face changed, and she quickly turned around, apparently not intending to acknowledge their acquaintance.
"Miss Martha."
Karl concealed the strangeness in his eyes:
"You don't seem to find this strange?"
"Tsk..." Martha scoffed, all the ladylike demeanor from their first meeting gone:
"What's so strange about the matters between men and women? Don't tell me you've never done something like this before?"
She spoke naturally, then continued:
"Lady Anne has arrived!"
Karl looked up.
Today, Lady Anne was dressed extravagantly, her skirt spread out like a blooming flower, further accentuating the tenderness of her skin.
Her chest was tall and majestic, her cheeks smooth and delicate, even the intricate veil couldn't diminish her beauty.
It was hard to imagine.
That she was a widow for over a decade.
"She's becoming more and more beautiful!"
Martha's eyes lit up with fervor, as if she were looking at an idol she had admired for a long time, her hands instinctively covered her mouth:
"I wonder how she maintains her skin. If I could have skin like hers now, I'd be content."
"Hmm..."
"The person beside her seems to be Doctor Robert."
"Robert." Karl asked:
"Who is this?"
The man beside Lady Anne was unremarkable, and even with his heeled boots, he was still slightly shorter than Anne.
But the two were intimate, like an affectionate couple.
"You don't know Doctor Robert?" Martha looked at him with surprise, then smiled mysteriously:
"You should know him!"
"How so?" Karl frowned:
"Should I know him?"
"The men in the city, especially the wealthy ones, should all know him." Martha spoke seriously:
"It seems you're not very wealthy."
"...I guess I'm not." Karl fell silent:
"Yes."
"But why do wealthy men all know him, Miss Martha? Can you enlighten me?"
"It's simple." Martha's face once again showed that mysterious smile:
"Doctor Robert has a magical technique that can help men gain a few extra centimeters based on their original height."
"A few extra centimeters?"
"Yes."
"It seems..." Karl looked puzzled:
"It's not very useful."
Even less convincing!
That Doctor Robert himself was shorter than most women, if he could make people taller, why was he so short?
Moreover, women also needed to grow taller, why emphasize men specifically?
"Tsk tsk..."
Martha shook her head:
"It's not about growing taller."
"Not growing taller, then it's..." Karl was taken aback, then realized what she meant, and couldn't help but laugh silently.
"Do you understand now?"
"Yes."
"Do you want me to introduce you to him?" Martha suggested:
"I have that kind of influence."
"No need." Karl shook his head:
"I don't have that need."
"Oh!" Martha's gaze shifted downward:
"You're quite confident."
"Miss Martha probably lacks experience." Karl spoke softly:
"Many times, being too powerful is not an advantage for men, and it may even make companions feel disgusted and resistant."
Martha shrugged.
She understood this better than men, but she was also more aware of their pride.
"Karl!"
At this moment, Dena waved from a distance.
"Officer." Karl, who was trying to get away from the seemingly thuggish Martha, heard her call and walked over:
"What's the matter?"
"Yes."
Dena's face was somber:
"Ham is dead. He was killed by someone who drained his life force."
(End of Chapter)
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