24 – The Three Siblings Reunite
1, 2, 3… 8, 9 and 10, a total of 10 carriages under the protection of a team of knights followed the yellow soil road before arriving below the castle"s hillock.
“Sir Baron…” The head knight darted to in front of Liszt, and then saluted according to the knight"s etiquette, “I have escorted the convoy from Tulip Castle to Flower Town to trade.”
“Chevalier Lähden, so it is you. It was hard on you. Who has come with you?” Liszt returned the greeting.
Chevalier Lähden replied: “Sir Viscount and Madam Baroness of Falcon Town have come.”
“I see. Sister has also come.”
During their conversation, a luxury carriage climbed the slope before stopping in front of Liszt and the others. The accompanying servingmen standing on both sides of the carriage opened the door, and one man and one woman came down. The two people were youngsters wearing aristocratic attire.
The young man looked somewhat similar to Liszt, however, a bit less good-looking. He also had light golden hair and sapphire-blue eyes.
The young woman also looked somewhat similar to Liszt, and was also not as good-looking as Liszt. Similarly, she also had light golden hair and sapphire-blue eyes. She did not wear the attire of aristocratic gentlewomen, and instead, wore the attire of male aristocrats alike the young man. When going on a journey, having appropriate clothing was essential. The attire was similar to a swallow-tailed coat, but more gorgeous.
“My dear brother, Lord of Flower Town, Baron Liszt, look who has come.” The young man, Levis Tulip, said while all smiles.
Liszt dismounted his horse and went up to Levis: “Brother, I did not expect that you would come personally. And sister, how is your life in Falcon Town?”
Lvera Tulip slightly raised her slender eyebrows: “Liszt, have you become an Earth Knight?”
“Yeah, I had a lucky breakthrough. A bit late though.”
“Apparently, leaving Tulip Castle"s binds and staying in the free Flower Town was a liberation to you. You have promoted to an Earth Knight, found a new type of tulip magic ingredient, and I heard that the town has also produced a peanut sprite worm… Your luck is so good that it makes me envious.” With a smile on his face, Levis patted Liszt on the shoulder.
In fact, the relationship between the siblings was not very good.
The enthusiastic greeting was more of a pleasantry between aristocrats than anything else. Anyway, the three siblings have already turned into genuine lords and lady.
At this moment, Blackdragon, which was led by Liszt, suddenly snorted. It rushed towards the several horses pulling the carriages and neighed. The few tall horses were spooked. They backed up again and again, nearly wanting to flee with the carriage.
“Hmm?”
Only now did Levis and Lvera took notice of the bright black Blackdragon.
Lvera"s eyes lit up: “Such a good horse. Liszt, was your mount not a date-red mare father gifted you on your birthday? Where did this fine horse come from. Also, could you part ways with it and give it to your older sister?”
“It came from the Thorns Ridge. I"m sorry, sister, but I have no intentions of selling it.”
“I am not surprised to be rejected. However, to reject so straight-forwardly, Liszt, you have improved.” Lvera was a little surprised. In their childhood, Liszt had always been somewhat submissive and very timid when dealing with her.
“People change constantly. I have grown up, and therefore also had to change somewhat.” Liszt exclaimed, “The sun is too glaring outside and you are worn out from your journey. I invite you to take a rest in the castle. Mr. Carter should have already prepared tea and snacks. There, we can relax and have a nice chat.”
“Then, Mr. Lähden, please bring the greater and lesser sprite elves.” Levis turned around.
The knight Lähden quickly went towards the carriage. He commanded a few knights to take out three fine ‘boxes", one bigger than the other two, from a compartment.
The boxes were not big, with the bigger box being merely the size of a cradle. Inside lied a beautiful life form as big as a baby. It looked similar to a human, but its body was bright and translucent, alike a glowing multi-colored gem. Furthermore, there were wings folded behind its back. This was the Tulip Family"s most precious a.s.set, the tulip greater sprite.
The two smaller boxes had one lesser sprite the size of an adult"s foot each. Similarly, they were also beautiful, yet not as bright as the greater sprite.
The tulip greater sprite, seemingly because of the ruckus caused by the knights" actions, had awoken. It stretched lazily inside the box, and then rubbed the sleep from its eyes.
Its wings fluttered and it rose into the air. It had no gender-defining appendages, and naturally had no use for clothing. With its bright eyes, it looked around before quickly locked onto Levis: “Levis, are we there yet? Where is the Black Tulip?” It said with its sweet voice, which resembled that of a little girl.
“We have already arrived. Little Fragrant, this is Flower Town. Soon, you will be able to see the Black Tulip.” Levis responded.
At this time, the tulip greater sprite looked at Liszt: “Waah, Liszt, long time no see.”
Liszt nodded with a smile: “It have been two months since we have last seen each other, Little Fragrant.”
Before they could finish talking, the two tulip lesser sprites also woke up and flew out from their boxes. They circled around the greater sprite, occasionally saying ‘waah". Lesser sprites had already developed intelligence, though their IQ was limited and they could not speak.
They entered the castle along with the sprites.
……
The castle"s living room.
Those who had t.i.tles sat around a table, while the knights without t.i.tles were entertained by Marcus downstairs.
Liszt, Levis, Lvera, Gort, Lähden, and another chevalier, Blues, the six people were seated together. Carter directed the servants to keep serving tea and snacks.
The cook, Abby Ladle, gave her all to come up with fine snacks time and again.
The tulip greater sprite sat on Levis" shoulder, rocking his short, chubby legs. It had already started dozing off. Of the two tulip lesser sprites, one was resting on Levis" head, while the other was resting on Lvera"s shoulder. Additionally, there were still quite a few small jade boxes with tulip sprite worms inside.
Upon seeing this sight, it dawned on Liszt: “The count has already transferred the greater and lesser sprites to Levis. Otherwise, they would not have been so close to him.”
He was secretly very jealous.
No matter how many times he had seen them, the sprites were so beautiful! They were so beautiful yet belonged to others, it was unbearable!
But this was a matter of course. Levis, after all, was the next Count of Coral Island.
“I did not expect Flower Town"s castle to be so simple and crude. Liszt, you should renovate it.” Levis held a teacup as he casually looked around.
Compared to Tulip Castle, this little castle was no different from the commoners" thatched cottages.
“I feel the same, but I lack money, manpower, and materials.”
“You have not requested construction materials for the castle. There is food and drink stuff, and even more seeds inside the carriages. After enfeoffing you, father gave you a lot of food. How come you still need so much food?”
“Flower Town is even more desolate than I have thought. I have stockpiled a bit of the food; or else, I really would have to go hungry one day.” Liszt gave a simple explanation.
One would never go wrong with stockpiling food. Ascend the throne only after the provisions were full and the ramparts were built, this was the way since ancient times.
If he wanted to develop Flower Town, he would first have to solve the issue of food.
“Well, I think that such boring topics should be continued during the meal. The most important thing now is to see the Black Tulip. My lesser sprite is already getting impatient.” Lvera interrupted them.
Liszt nodded, he also did not want to feign being friendly.
Levis and Lvera probably had no affection towards him. While to him, the both of them were no different from strangers: “Sister, since you are in a hurry, then let us go first to the flower farm to a.s.similate the Black Tulip.”