Chapitre 538: Chapter 538: The "Beast" Sailing from the Sea
Chapter 538: The "Beast" Sailing from the Sea
During the New Year, the sea was not as bustling as usual. Only a few scattered small boats, unable to return on time, had to spend the New Year together on the ocean.
An old fisherman sat at the bow, fishing, while a young man at the stern cast a net, hoping to catch a big haul for dinner.
Without the sun's protection, the sea was dark and gloomy. The silence was only broken by the crisp and powerful sounds of fish flapping in the net.
Two fishing lamps, hanging on the mast and by the cabin door, emitted a faint light that could not dispel the growing darkness.
The old fisherman, who had lived off the sea for years, was accustomed to its dark side.
As the fishermen from several boats gathered on a slightly larger vessel, enjoying delicious fish soup in the cabin, a low, rumbling sound like that of a giant creature came from the distant dark sea.
Was it a massive whale, or some unknown sea beast from the deep?
The people in the cabin were momentarily stunned. A few of them stepped out to the bow to investigate.
They dared not turn on the spotlight, fearing it might attract the attention of the massive sea beast or pirates also hunting on the sea.
Their vision was obstructed, and they couldn't see clearly, but the low rumbling sounds were getting closer.
As fear gripped them, someone exclaimed that it sounded like a large warship moving.
The old fisherman immediately recalled the sound of the ironclad ships of the Ruen Kingdom when they sailed the sea.
But something was off. The Ruen Kingdom was to the north, yet this sound came from the south.
The south... the Southern Continent?
"Quick! Turn off all the lights on the boat!" the old fisherman urgently whispered.
The young men quickly returned to their respective boats and extinguished all the fishing lamps.
With the last light source gone, the sea became even darker, and the fear spawned by the darkness made the people on the small boats shiver.
They dared not make a sound, even swallowing their saliva cautiously.
After a while, they heard the sound of the suspected large warship passing through their nearby waters.
The faint light from the ship did not reach their area.
The warship took more than an hour to pass, finally stopping.
"Something big is happening!" The old fisherman's face was as pale as snow. Based on the time it took for the warship to pass, he could roughly estimate the size of the fleet.
This was no patrol ship but an entire fleet capable of conquering vast territories!
They were fishermen from the Kingdom of Fenepot. Following this route, there was only the Kingdom of Fenepot and the Duchy of Disi in the Ruen Kingdom.
"War is about to begin!"
...
Tonight in Backlund, the New Year celebrations had not yet fully faded, and the city was still lively.
In the countryside, at Violet Manor, Audrey was sitting in the bridal chamber on the second floor, accompanying her mother in entertaining noble ladies and daughters.
"You are indeed the most suitable choice for him. May your future be as bright and dazzling as tonight's starry sky."
Audrey instinctively looked at the person who said this blessing, hearing a deep sense of envy and sorrow in the voice.
It was Mrs. Gramiel. Tonight, she was dressed to the nines, looking stunning and charming. Even among a group of noble ladies, she stood out.
But her eyes held deep sorrow, looking at Audrey with envy, as if imagining herself in the wedding dress.
Audrey had heard her brother Hibbert mention Mrs. Gramiel once or twice, but she hadn't paid much attention then.
Now it seemed that Mrs. Gramiel really liked Mr. Hastur.
Seeing Audrey's gaze, Mrs. Gramiel hid her sorrow and smiled charmingly.
Audrey did not show sympathy or the pride of a victor but quietly shifted her gaze.
When she looked again, Mrs. Gramiel had already left the room.
Audrey stayed in the room for about two hours before leaving with Countess Hall to return to the banquet hall on the first floor.
Scanning the room, she saw Hastur surrounded by her brother, Greck, and Glaint , being urged to drink.
"Until now, you refused my matchmaking efforts. Now that you're together, you should drink a few more glasses," Greck said, signaling Glaint to fill Hastur's glass.
"Hahaha, Greck, if you want to get me drunk tonight, you'll need to practice your drinking more."
After finishing his drink, Hastur looked at Audrey, who had changed into a new outfit and was coming down the stairs. He naturally walked over, took her hand, and addressed the guests.
Soon, the ball began, and Hastur and Audrey danced in the center, under everyone's gaze.
"Remember the last time we danced?" Hastur whispered in Audrey's ear.
"Was that when you fell for me?"
"It was even earlier."
"When was that?" Audrey's eyes sparkled with curiosity and anticipation.
"Do all girls like to ask this question?" Hastur's heart trembled, recalling that Sharon had also asked him this.
He was sure that when he first met Sharon, he had a great liking for her, almost love.
As for Audrey, he didn't have such feelings initially.
He couldn't remember exactly when he started liking her.
"Before you liked me."
"Mr. Hastur, you're not being honest," Audrey saw through his words.
"Then, Miss Audrey, when did you start liking your fiancé?" Hastur gently held her waist.
Audrey didn't answer but playfully said, "You guess."
After the first dance, Hastur led Audrey away from the crowd to the secluded back garden, with only Susie following.
Feeling free, Audrey was in high spirits. She squatted down to adjust the pink bow on Susie's neck, an idea from Xio.
She avoided Hastur's gaze, gently stroking Susie's head.
As Susie had said, Audrey was still not used to her changed relationship with Mr. Hastur. She still preferred to call him Mr. Hastur rather than a more intimate term.
"Audrey."
"Yes."
Hearing Hastur's voice, Audrey's heart skipped a beat. Though it was a simple call, it felt intense.
"Woof!"
Susie barked and quickly disappeared into the shadows.
Without Susie to ease the atmosphere, Audrey stood up, trying to look calmly at Hastur, though her fluttering eyelashes betrayed her unease.
"Audrey, I don't mind if you keep calling me Mr. Hastur," Hastur saw her troubled emotions and knew she needed time to adjust.
Audrey's eyes brightened, and her anxiety eased.
"Of course, if you want to call me husband, dear, my love, or my heart, I'd be delighted."
"Mr. Hastur!" Audrey's voice rose slightly, her blush spreading to her ears.
"What's wrong, dear?" Hastur feigned confusion.
"…"
Audrey stammered, then laughed, giving Hastur a playful look. "I don't care; I just like calling you Mr. Hastur."
"Dear, I always respect your wishes."
"…"
Audrey almost lost her composure again, finally playfully slapping Hastur's chest, telling him to stop teasing her.
They stayed in the garden for about ten minutes. Audrey's anxiety faded, replaced by a bright, sweet smile.
Compared to intimate terms like husband, dear, my love, or my heart, she still preferred Mr. Hastur.
It might not be intimate, but it felt close.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone