Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters-Chapter 1008 - 57 Carlo Aide
Chapter 1008 -57 Carlo Aide
[Monta Republic, Steel Fortress City]
[Two days before the blacksmith guild’s election ceremony]
In the afternoon, two carriages bearing the White Eagle crest arrived one after the other at the lakeside hotel, stopping outside a detached building reserved by Baron Granashi.
An elegantly dressed elderly man alighted from the carriage and walked into the building without a sideways glance.
The head waiter recognized from afar that the elderly man was a partner from Navarre Commerce, Carlo Aide, and greeted him eagerly. However, the head waiter still did not get to see Mr. Ed; the Baron’s guards sent him away.
Mr. Ed had specifically come to escort Winters and Anna.
Although the White Eagle’s gathering did not start until the evening, the hospitable host, worried that the Baron visiting Steel Fortress for the first time might get lost, specially asked Mr. Ed to guide him and had sent Este family’s carriage.
“Am I also supposed to go?” Anna asked uneasily.
“White Eagle especially wants to invite you, my lady,” Mr. Ed explained soberly, “It’s a private gathering, and other guests will also bring their families.”
Anna looked towards Winters.
Winters inexplicably felt nervous and tried to appear relaxed: “Mr. Este has invited you, so it’s up to you to decide whether or not to go.”
Anna leaned forward, teasingly scrutinizing Winters’ expression up close.
Winters felt uncomfortable being stared at and pretended to casually look out the window.
Anna sat back contentedly, a mischievous smile appearing on her face: “Alright, then I’ll go too.”
No sooner had she spoken than her face showed difficulty: “But I don’t have suitable clothing.”
“White Eagle has already considered this.” Mr. Ed tapped his cane on the floor tile: “He asked me to bring a dress for you.”
“But how does he know my . . .” Anna asked sheepishly, “My . . .”
“Size?” Winters interjected.
“He doesn’t know.” Mr. Ed explained nonchalantly: “That’s why he prepared twenty-four sets, and you may choose any you like.”
The door was opened and two maids in black carried a wheeled clothes rack into the living room, bearing twenty-four identical ladies’ long dresses in style, materials, and color, along with matching petticoats.
Even Anna was shocked by White Eagle’s generosity, and Winters’ expression became subtly complicated.
Updat𝓮d from freewēbnoveℓ.com.
Although Father Caman still kept a stern face, the corners of his mouth and cheeks twitched slightly.
Winters stood up and politely said to Carlo Aide: “Please convey my thanks to Mr. Este.”
“I too am acting on White Eagle’s behalf,” Mr. Ed’s eyes carried a hint of helplessness: “After all, you still need his assistance, so it might be better to thank him in person.”
Mr. Ed also stood up: “I’ll be waiting in the side hall, not disturbing the lady in picking the dress. The carriage is already prepared outside, ready to leave at any time.”
“Leave now?” Winters asked puzzledly: “It will still be a few hours before it gets dark.”
Mr. Ed explained: “We can only take the land route at the moment, and to reach Este’s residence we need to go around a large part of the city, so we must leave as early as possible.”
After speaking, Carlo Aide bowed slightly to Winters and Anna and walked out of the living room.
Caman too planned to leave, coughing lightly: “Then I will also excuse myself.”
“Father Caman,” Winters held onto Caman, seriously saying: “Please be sure to attend with me.”
“I need to go too?” Caman confusedly said: “Monta’s capital has been a stronghold of the Heretic Oath for twenty years, and it still is. It’s not wise for me to appear publicly in such a place.”
“If I’m not worried, what’s there for you to worry about?”
Caman realized what was happening, laughed out of exasperation: “Why is your sense of revenge so strong?”
“What revenge?” Winters looked innocent: “You said it yourself, besides you, who else can act as my translator?”
Caman stormed off, visibly irked.
Anna motioned the Este family’s maids to also leave the room, leaving only the “Baron couple” in the living room.
Winters jokingly asked: “Should I excuse myself as well?”
With no one else present, Anna could no longer maintain her composed and poised demeanor.
She circled around Winters, suddenly encircled his neck, cooingly drawing out her words: “So you do get jealous, Mr. M.”
Such affectionate and bold actions, something that Sea Blue’s Lady Navarre would absolutely not dare to do. To some extent, the journey through the wilderness not only significantly expanded Anna’s painting subjects but also imbued her with a bit of the wild beauty characteristic of the barbaric lands.
Winters was momentarily overwhelmed, his cheeks to the roots of his ears suddenly becoming flushed and hot. Intending to say a few clever words to ease the embarrassment, but completely unable to think of any.
He gritted his teeth, deciding not to say anything at all, and embraced and kissed Anna. This surprised Anna, instantly making her flustered.
“Rather than saying it’s jealousy . . . it’s more like an apology . . .” Holding Anna, Winters guiltily said: “I . . . owe you so much . . .”
“Don’t talk like that.” Anna patted Winters’ back, soothingly as if consoling a child: “These days have been the freest, happiest times of my life. If not for you, I might never have left Vineta, nor would I have such precious memories. So don’t talk in such a somber tone again.”
“Okay.”
“But you must also remember.” Anna whispered close to Winters’ ear, her breath like an orchid: “You can get jealous, and so can I. That sword you gave me, I always carry it with me . . .”
