Kingdom’s Bloodline

The round-faced freckled girl held Thales's hand with one hand, and lifted the skirt skillfully with the other hand, revealing a pair of rough and thick walking boots that were incompatible with the dress. She stepped up the stairs skillfully, Swift and dexterous.

Where are you taking me?

Be quiet, keep your eyes on the road, and you won't pay if you fall.

Thales had no choice but to follow Xi Lai up the stone stairs all the way to the third floor of the Sunset Temple.

For this eldest lady of Kevin Dill who suddenly appeared last night, Thales had mixed feelings and didn't even know how to treat her.

There is no doubt that Cecilia Calvin Dill is by no means as innocent as in the portrait, or in the mouth of Jen En. She is pure and innocent. At least her interest and skills in creating atmosphere, diverting attention, pretending to be ghosts and scaring people are all very human. , can be called a must (Thales is indignant about this).

Secondly, as Jen's younger sister, the secret identity she reveals is really appalling and unbelievable.

But considering the ability of the kingdom's secret department and King Kessel's appearance of winning, the fact that the noble daughter of the Iris family was instigated by the Fuxing Palace does not seem so unacceptable.

What's more, Thales remembered his official reason for coming to Emerald City, and realized that the cause of all this was this girl.

But therein lies the problem.

Thales calmed down, looking at the girl in front of him who was dragging him forward.

That night, King Kessel, who visited Star Lake Castle in person, once told him that the covenant between their father and son was destined to be a top secret that could not be known to outsiders, and the kingdom's secret science was also among them.

But last night, this noble lady spy, who was instructed by King Kessel, claimed to be from the kingdom's secret department, and she was well aware of Thales' purpose in coming to Emerald City.

This cannot but make Thales suspicious:

what does she know

What did King Kessel tell her?

How much does she know about her covenant with King Kessel?

How much can I trust her?

Is this endangering myself?

And there is still a little Thales thought of this,

Can't help but feel a sinking:

Thales, how do you know that King Kessel didn't hide, deceive, or mislead you about the Emerald City, or even about the covenant?

Like...the existence of Shirley Cavendir?

Or, in addition, how much did he hide?

As far as the king is concerned, to what extent is the so-called top secret that cannot be treated by outsiders established?

At that moment, the voice in my heart was full of vigilance, quietly reminding:

Maybe, maybe that's just a lie your father made to make you feel at ease.

And he himself never cared.

Whenever there is a profit, whenever the situation calls for it, whenever there is a better reason, the Iron Fist will not hesitate to sell you out, no matter the cost.

Just like how he treated you in the past.

Or the future too?

Thinking of this, Thales became more and more uneasy.

Not long after, they walked around a corridor, and vaguely heard voices outside the window.

Ah, here we are!

Hilley went to a door at the end of the corridor and turned the handle.

Hey, it's locked.

Xi Lai took a step back, snorted coldly, reached out and pulled out a thin hairpin from her hair, and approached the door lock.

Amidst the rustling sounds, Thales' complexion changed slightly:

What are you doing?

Pick the lock.

Picking the lock in the temple? You are Kevin Dill, the lady of the Duke's family!

Why, have you never seen a noble pick a lock? Xi Lai didn't turn her head, but concentrated on dealing with the lock.

Thales was taken aback for a moment, and then he became annoyed:

Actually, I've actually seen it... Can you do this technique?

Hille waved his hand:

Shut up and don't bother me.

She pulled out her hairpin, took a deep breath, and waved her palm around the lock.

It's all about attention and misleading, Hilley said to himself, his expression focused, and his palms waving faster and faster, Yes, so I just need to direct the attention of the door lock. If you don't pay attention to the lock, you can successfully open it...

Misleading...

While the lock is not paying attention...

Thales looked strange:

Um, maybe the secret of magic is this... But are you sure it's also the secret of picking locks?

Xi Lai turned her head back with a shudder, her eyes were gloomy and unfriendly:

Are you suspicious of me?

Thinking of the girl's tricks, Thales quickly smiled:

No! I'm just making a trivial point...

At this moment, the door lock snapped open.

Xi Lai's expression brightened, and he turned around quickly:

Look! Take advantage of the lock and pay attention!

Thales looked at the door that opened slowly, and then at the hairpin still in Hille's hand, frowned and said:

Are you sure you opened it?

At this moment, an old man wearing a priest's robe poked his head out from behind the door, cautiously:

Who is Miss Hilley?

The old priest behind the door breathed a sigh of relief:

Hey, I thought it was some daring little bastard who was... um, it's you again, Your Highness Thales?

Thales smiled awkwardly as he looked at the Chadvi priest whom he had just met not long ago.

It's you, Chadvi, Xi Lai was not surprised, but instead looked stunned, I remember at the door of the confession room, didn't I tell you to stay away?

Yes, yes, but...

Chadwei looked behind him, and then at Xi Lai, the grievance in his eyes was extremely clear:

Isn't that far enough?

Thales followed his gaze and looked back, only to realize that behind the door was the roof of the temple.

Xi Lai pushed the door open and took a step forward, with a look of righteousness on his face:

Give up the place, go out, do what you should do.

Chadwi's complexion changed:

But miss, here are the few who can avoid work

Go out now, Shirley shrugged, I'll just pretend I don't know about Earl Pintor's mother's affair.

Thales twitched the corner of his mouth, and Chadwei's expression changed drastically:

I, you, you can't do this...

Do you want me to tell you which room in the new suburb you cheat on every Wednesday?

In the next second, Chadwei jumped out nimbly and disappeared in front of the two of them.

Thales then followed Xi Lai to the rooftop, and was immediately surprised:

The citizens crowded in the temple square below, lined up and divided into areas. Some were listening to a few priests preaching, and some were praying with the priests and receiving the communion.

You have sacrificed a lot this year, for yourself, for your family, and even the Emerald City and the Goddess of the Sunset. A priest closed his eyes and led everyone to pray.

If you repent sincerely, you will get what you have done, a priest stood on a high place and preached loudly. The setting sun forgives your sins!

But no matter which one, you will never forget to hold a donation box.

What is this? Thales asked.

Public Prayer Day.

Xi Lai jumped with his arms out of the way, and sat on the edge of the roof, a pair of boots dangling in the air, making Thales frown again and again.

Apparently she doesn't have a fear of heights.

While the great and the rich pray publicly in shrines and altars, in churches and missions, the general public, I mean the poor and the common, pray publicly here.

I see.

Hilley snorted softly:

The Emerald Festival is a carnival in the whole city, but it is a pity that the Sunset Temple believes that all revelry, alcoholism, overeating, games, drug abuse, pleasure, and even excessive sexual intercourse are depraved behaviors that violate the teachings, and are extremely harmful to one's body and soul. A display of irresponsibility.

After saying that, Xi Lai stretched her arms back, leaned her upper body back, and looked up at Thales:

But here, in the Emerald City, customs and precepts are struck in an artful and convenient balance.

Thales subconsciously covered his eyes and turned his head to hide, but Hille did nothing:

The temple hosts public prayers, and the church is responsible for evangelism. They will judge what you did in the previous year. Of course, most of the time it depends on how much donation you gave. After that, your carnival in these seven days is due diligence and hard work. The rewards you deserve afterward are justified, of course, and blessed by the goddess. So after you finish the sacrament, listen to the sermon, leave the temple and go to the church, you can be satisfied and have no burden, and go drinking and carousing happily.

So convenient?

In order to fit the reality, it is more convenient to have a carnival for six days, and come to the public prayer on the evening of the seventh day after the end of the celebration. Donations are the most.”

Just when Thales was thinking about whether he could get out of the Emerald City alive if the girl fell and fell, and whether the Star Kingdom could avoid the threshold of the civil war, he suddenly discovered that Xi Lai's weird action was not to scare again He, instead, reaches for something on the ground and lifts it up.

This is... a hookah? Thales frowned and looked at the snuff bottle that was brought up.

Well, good insight.

No way, in the Sunset Temple?

Chadvi is an old smoker, he has a full set of equipment, Hilley skillfully took out the tools without even looking at him, I just need to bring the cigarette holder and tobacco leaves, aha, here are the remaining tobacco leaves from his smoking , it’s a good product imported from Tuoluo.”

Forget it, Jen...how come you are so proficient?

Who do you think taught my brother to smoke?

Thales had no choice but to shut up.

Hille quickly lit the hookah:

Have a bite?

Thales smiled awkwardly and waved his hands, thanking you for not being sensitive.

I remembered, Thales looked at the hookah, suddenly said, I met that Chadvi priest, at a dinner party a few days ago, he said at that time, 'Only a civilized and pious marriage , will be blessed by the goddess of the setting sun', and then yin and yang imply that I am neither civilized nor pious.

My brother must have instructed him to do it, Hilley took a small sip of a cigarette, and the whole person looked elegant and mysterious in the smoke. Go to the temple to receive instruction, learn etiquette, and improve education.

A little joke? Thales looked suspicious.

At that time, it was Chadwei who stood up for justice and helped me get away with it.

Oh, speaking out of righteousness to get away with it... Thales looked strange, Don't you think there is something wrong with this sentence?

The sun was shining brightly, and Xi Lai exhaled a puff of smoke, raised his arms to the sky, and stretched comfortably on the rooftop: It was also from then on that I discovered that although the old guy had no religious beliefs, his taste in tobacco was not bad.

If she wasn't holding a hookah pipe, this scene would have been beautiful.

No, in fact, holding a hookah pipe, surrounded by smoke, does it have a certain charm?

Thales shook his head, waved away the smell of smoke, sat on the ground, and returned to reality:

Did you learn to smoke from Chad?

You insulted me, Your Highness, do you still need to learn this thing?

...

In addition, Chadwi also has a believer who was born as a street magician, so he can make himself full of miracles and brilliance during sacrifices and preaching. Of course, it also benefits me a lot.

gain much……

Thinking of what happened to him yesterday, Thales swallowed.

Okay, let's get started, Xi Lai leaned on the roof, basking in the sun, lazily, If you have any questions, now is the time.

Just, right here?

Thales stepped forward, looked at the crowd below, and sarcastically said:

It's great, there are at least 10,000 people below, and they can see us when they look up!

Not that much, at most eight thousand.

does it matter

Thales resisted the desire to complain:

Why don't you go to the confession room just now, it's more hidden...

Only when the knights look at the stupid guy, you will feel that the spies are meeting in the dark and airtight place, thinking that it is the safest that no one will see, Xi Lai said disdainfully, If you want to say something in private, it is best to In public, talking nonsense, like that.

But she took a puff of cigarette and frowned:

Oh, sorry, did I get it wrong? Then you want to find a dark, narrow and unknown corner, and do something with me, um, things that can't be done in broad daylight?

Thales' complexion changed, thinking of the twins of the Karabyan family:

Ahem, ma'am, please respect yourself

Very good!

Xi Lai's eyes lit up while lying flat: The dark and oppressive small space can enhance the atmosphere of terror! It's the most suitable for 'Ghost Crying Through the Wall'!

Crying across the wall...

Taylor's smile disappeared instantly:

You're right, it's good to be here.

Xi Lai looked at him, as if she had seen through something, she smiled mysteriously, and looked outside the temple.

Looking at the weird girl lying flat in front of him, Thales' brows only became tighter and tighter.

To be honest, Ms. Kevin Dill, I've been thinking about your role since last night.

I understand, Xi Lai took another puff of smoke, A good performance always makes the audience toss and turn, sleepless all night, scratching their hearts and livers, and will never forget it for a long time.

And after scaring the audience and letting them experience a period of sensory stimulation, we need to give them a period of relief to understand and digest the last feeling, applaud the performance, and cultivate the atmosphere for the next climax.

But Thales ignored her nonsense and went straight to the point:

My father, besides those few code words, what else did he tell you?

You mean, the part you should know, or the part you don't need to know?

Thales was taken aback:

Is there anything else I don't need to know?

Is the second prince, the heir to the kingdom, and the king's secret collaborator really a show?

Shirley shrugged noncommittally.

Okay, Thales cleared his throat, letting go of his unhappiness, Then what should I know about the former if I ask you?

The stars are revived, the royal power is exalted, the Emerald City and even the South Bank will soon belong to the royal system, and obey the kingship, Xi Lai replied simply, and we will be the witnesses of this history. Of course, if there is any discrepancy, we will be a participant.

Witness to history.

participants.

I don't understand, Thales folded his arms, Why did he tell you this? The sister of the first target of this trip?

Hilley turned sideways and shook the pipe at Thales.

Yeah, it's like I didn't understand at first, the girl exhaled two puffs of white smoke from her nose, Why did His Majesty tell you this? Someone who clearly opposed him in the kingdom?

Thales shook his head: This is different.

But I can understand, Xi Lai replied very quickly, because in this mission, His Majesty needs a surprise soldier. There are some things that the Kingdom's Secret Division can't do, and it's best not to know.

Raiders.

Kingdom Secrets can't be done, and it's better not to know...

Thales frowned slightly.

Okay, it's my turn, Hilley rolled her eyes, What did my brother tell you in that suspicious and soundproof confession room?

He said, Thales cheered up, he didn't kill Dagory Moss.

The wine merchant who followed you into town?

Yes, Thales stared carefully at the other party, trying to read the clue from the girl's face, So, was he killed by the Kingdom's Secret Division?

But Shirley shook her head.

have no idea.

What?

Thales looked suspicious:

Don't be kidding, you just showed up on your front foot and warned me that 'someone else will do it for you', and Moss died on your back foot. How can there be such a coincidence in the world?

Like I said, we are in single-line communication. How can I know what the Kingdom's Secret Division is doing?

No, such a big matter, even if it's a one-line connection...how could you not know?

You are the second prince, don't you know that too?

I'm not from the secret department!

I'm not from the secret department either.

Then what can you tell me? Thales reacted, a little surprised.

I said, I really want to help, Xi Lai shook his head indifferently, but unfortunately, I am neither a member of the Kingdom's Secret Division, nor do I have a way to contact them, so I can't confirm it.

Thales was taken aback again when he heard the words, and asked:

What? You just said you're nothing?

Shirley shrugged.

Thales was extremely puzzled:

But last night, didn't you say...

What did you say?

Your last sentence, remember?

Xi Lai couldn't help being puzzled, and thought for a while:

Oh, you mean 'Kingdom Secret Division, send you my greetings'?

Thales raised his eyebrows:

right?

Oh, that sentence.

Hille looked as usual, as if this was just a trivial matter:

It's to adjust the atmosphere when saying goodbye.

Adjust the atmosphere...

It was quiet on the rooftop for a long time, and for a while, only the sound of the square could be heard.

A few seconds later, Thales urged the crime of prison river, trying his best to maintain a smiling face:

What? Atmosphere?

The doubt that kept me awake all night, you just explained it with a light sentence of adjusting the atmosphere?

But don't you think that farewell line is cool and funny? It just brings the suspenseful atmosphere to a climax.

Hille took a drag on his cigarette and pulled out a grimace mask from under his sleeve:

The greatest reward for a magician is to enjoy the incredible expressions of the audience after performing a trick.

Thales didn't know what an expression of disbelief was.

He only felt his brows twitching at the moment.

If you want to do it again...

The round-faced girl sat up, her gaze turned cold.

I saw her approaching Thales with a calm expression but deep eyes:

As shown by the majesty, the grace and power are boundless. Kuntana, who comes from the distant mountains and the land, sends his highness greetings.

Thales took a deep breath.

That means……

Xi Lai put away her expression and lay back on the stage, but she was startled when she remembered something.

Wait, so, the girl frowned and turned around, You don't really think I'm from the secret department just because of this line?

yes.

if not?

No way, how is it possible, Thales coughed, trying to squeeze out a calm and disapproving expression, I have already seen that you are not from the Kingdom's Secret Department, just now I was just testing you, look at you Can I find out the truth with a single sentence.

real?

real!

Oh, please, Xi Lai looked at him pitifully, and shook his head, We are the ones appointed by His Majesty to make 'immediate decisions'. In this case, of course, we are the only ones who mess up the secret department. How can we let the secret department mess up? Our game?

I know!

do not go.

Don't go to what? Thales was still in a mood of embarrassment and anger.

Don't try to find or contact the Secret Department of the Kingdom. At that moment, Xi Lai's voice was ethereal, drifting with the smoke, My brother not only rules this city, he also controls it, owns it, and dominates it. When it comes to you unimaginable extent.

Own it, dominate it...

Thales' expression changed slightly.

But at the Banquet, he asked tentatively, Zhann was very restless. He was in fear all night, wary of the king's next move...

It is better to die because of friends than to die because of enemies.

Shirley cut him off.

The girl turned to Thales. At this moment, she stopped smoking and her eyes were sharp:

Do you think you are my brother's friend or his enemy?

And my brother thinks, are you his friend or his enemy?

Thales was stunned.

He was about to speak, but Xi Lai robbed the words again:

To sum up, what do you think he will let you see about him?

Thales' expression disappeared, and he fell into deep thought.

Xi Lai looked at Thales with deep eyes:

If you go to contact the secret department, it's okay if you don't succeed. If you succeed, you will expose each other and bring disaster to their actions.

Hilley turned around and said:

And I don't need to remind you: Kingdom Secrets shouldn't even know we exist.

Thales broke away from his complicated thoughts and took a deep breath.

In that case, what role should I play here?

That's the part where His Majesty said, 'You don't need to know'. Shirley shrugged.

Ha, thank you, Thales sarcastically said, Thank you for telling me 'I am not my father's favorite child'.

Think about it, in this task, everyone has their own role to play, even me, Xi Lai snorted softly, It's like His Majesty must have told you that only a prince is worthy of knowing, and The 'don't have to know' part, right?

Something only a prince deserves to know...

Thales squeezed out a smile with a certain chance of winning:

right.

wrong.

He didn't even tell me shit.

So, we're even, are we happier?

Thanks, not at all.

But the next moment, Thales' gaze changed.

Then why?

He stared at Hilley, who was lying comfortably and was about to take a puff of cigarette: As Kevin Dill, why do you want to stand by the king against your brother?

Shirley's hand holding the pipe stopped.

Skip this question, the girl said blankly, Change to another one.

Thales narrowed his eyes.

So, do you know, once our mission is completed, what fate will your brother, Jann Cavendir, face?

Hillary's eyes froze.

You broke the rules.

What?

Hille turned to him with indifferent eyes:

I believe that you have violated His Majesty's instructions by talking about my 'no need to know' part.

Your Majesty's instructions...

Thales frowned.

That means you actually know, right?

So, why? he pressed.

Hillary frowned:

You're back to the question you just skipped.

On the roof of the temple, the boy and the girl looked at each other and faced each other silently.

But a few seconds later, Thales smiled.

What's wrong?

It's nothing, I'm just thinking, Thales shook his head, sighing with emotion, If Jann knew that the biggest enemy of Emerald City came from his side, from his close relatives...

Hillary's expression turned cold.

Don't worry, he's not you, even if he finally finds out the truth, he won't cry.

Thales' expression changed slightly: What do you mean 'he's not me'?

Xi Lai snorted coldly, and the freckles on his face moved slightly.

With my brother's temperament, he would just grit his teeth hard, wipe away a tear in an invisible corner, and then raise his head in the next second and squeeze out a smile: 'That's great, sister, it's our Kevin Dill , has always been loyal to the emperor and patriotic, never falling behind!'”

Hilley turned to Thales:

Then, on the surface, he respectfully obeys, but secretly he will continue to think of ways to use his best method to cause damage and trouble. Why are you looking at me like this?

Although your description is strange, Thales narrowed his eyes, but my intuition tells me that what you said may be right.

Xi Lai and Thales looked at each other, and after a few seconds, she smiled.

I know what you want to ask, Your Highness.

Hilley sneered:

Yes, that's right, I know, I know what kind of fate my brother will eventually face in the current situation.

In the next second, Xi Lai looked firm:

That's why I'm going to do it.

Because it's the only way to save him.

This time it was Thales' turn to change his expression:

Save him? You did this to save Zhan En?

The round-faced girl nodded.

I'm not an idiot, Your Highness, nor is my brother. She looked towards the sky, and the pipe in her hand hadn't been moved for a long time, But facing the same thing, many people have different choices.

It's as if His Majesty gave you the power of discretion. On the setting sun temple, Xi Lai looked at the sun covered by clouds in a trance, And I, as long as I complete the mission and goals His Majesty gave me, I can , do everything possible to reverse the fate of my brother.

Thales frowned:

Is that so?

if not?

I, I thought... Thales hesitated, but Miranda appeared in front of his eyes.

Thought it was me who wanted to become the Duke myself and snatch his seat?

Xi Lai raised her eyebrows and sneered disdainfully:

Don't be kidding. After you sit in that seat, you will no longer be human.

Thales' heart skipped a beat.

It makes sense, the prince sighed. However, it is precisely those who are still human who envy those who are no longer human.

That makes sense, Hilley nodded in agreement, It's a pity that there are not many people who listen to it.

In that case, why don't you try to talk to Jann?

Thales couldn't help but said:

With your help, we can negotiate a condition with him and settle this matter decently.

Instead of causing a bloodbath, Thales said in his heart.

Decent?

Hillary shook her head.

Don't look at him pretending to be gentle and rational, the girl put down the pipe, and pulled out an exotic pendant from her collar with a few golden threads spirally intertwined with a red gemstone, but in his heart, Zhan En is a The guy who is so extreme and stubborn that he hates it, he will never give up until the end.

Until the end, never give up.

Hearing this, Thales fell into deep thought.

Hille looked at the slowly rotating pendant:

What's more, in his eyes, I'm just a little girl who doesn't know anything, am I?

That's why you came to me, Thales suddenly realized, Report yourself to increase your confidence and achieve what you want.

Hille clutched the pendant in her palm, her eyes sharp.

So, can you help me?

She jumped in front of Thales, and slowly stretched out her right hand:

That way, I can help you and we can help each other.

Thales lowered his head, looked at the girl's outstretched palm, and frowned.

Well, I can add one more thing at most, Xi Lai sighed, and withdrew his palm, As long as you help me, I won't scare you anymore, how about it?

Thales looked at her and suddenly smiled.

What are you laughing at?

Thales shook his head, looked at the sky and the sun rushed out of the clouds, so that he had to squint his eyes:

I think Jen En probably thought that he was the one protecting you all this time.

Hilley's expression changed.

Yeah, she lowered her head and put the pendant into her collar, just like all self-righteous brothers.