It's been half an hour since the guests from Florence County and Livingstone Duchy passed through the entrance gate and disappeared beyond it.
Outside, other workers of Westirifer Duchy were leading the escort cavalry guards of both noble families toward their barracks through another gate.
The moment the last escort guard vanished from sight, the repetitive sound of drums once again echoed through the military area, signaling that another batch of guests had reached the vicinity of the ducal grounds and would arrive at the entrance gate shortly.
Hearing the drums, Head Minister Allen, Elder Guntor, and Lady Talmora handed over the responsibility of guiding the guests from Livingstone Duchy and Florence County to Westeria and Veronica. They themselves turned and hurried toward the entrance gate, reaching it within a few quick minutes.
Upon arriving, Allen moved forward to the spot where Commander Artemis held her position, leaving Lady Talmora and Elder Guntor behind. When he reached Artemis's side, Allen asked, "So, where have they reached?"
Artemis replied, "Sir Allen, the entourage of guests has reached the center of Serendity. Judging by the speed they're moving, I believe they will arrive here in half an hour."
Allen nodded at her words and returned to where Talmora and Guntor were standing. As the three of them continued waiting, Guntor spoke up. "Allen, I didn't know the ducal grounds possessed such an illusion formation."
Allen answered, "That's because you came here by special means. Not everyone has that privilege."
At his words, Lady Talmora interjected, "No, Sir Allen. Father came here with me. We—all members of the Keilname family—were escorted here by Sir Maxwell and Lady Rowena."
Listening to Talmora's explanation, Allen gave Elder Guntor a knowing smile, which Talmora noticed immediately. She turned to her father-in-law, whose face had gone colorless with anxiety. "Father, what are you hiding from me?"
But she received no answer from Guntor, who was staring at Allen with pleading eyes. Talmora then looked toward Allen. "Sir Allen, what is it that my father-in-law is hiding?"
Allen answered in a cryptic manner, "He is hiding the same thing that Sir Jeffrey has been hiding from you ever since you arrived at the ducal palace with Lady Fobila, Lady Rkliona, and Lady Fifi."
Talmora's expression grew even more confused. "What is that boy hiding from me, Sir Allen?"
Allen smiled playfully. "About how he came here… meaning how he actually reached the ducal palace."
"What are you implying, Sir Vance?
I, my son, my daughters, and my father-in-law took our family carriages from Sagencita along with the ministers of our state and came to this ducal palace under the guidance of Sir Maxwell and Lady Rowena," Talmora stated firmly.
Hearing this, Allen laughed once more. "Haha… hah… haha…"
Seeing his laughter, Guntor was sweating profusely while Talmora was rapidly losing her patience.
Noticing her rising frustration, Allen said, "Lady Talmora, I'll tell you the whole story of what Elder Guntor and Sir Jeffrey have been hiding from you until now… but first, answer me one thing."
He pointed toward the standing members of the spy unit.
"How would you react if any one of these Yorkshire Devils kissed you?"
She asked, "Only kiss me?"
"Why stop just there? I wouldn't even mind if they fucked me… on the contrary, I'd love it.
You may not know, Sir Allen, but I've already tasted one or two of them since I arrived here.
What can I say? They have perfect bodies and high stamina."
Allen laughed even more playfully. "That's nice… that's nice…
Lady Talmora, now that you are one of our own, I don't think it would be good to keep you in the dark any longer."
She asked, "What do you mean by keeping me in the dark?"
Allen nudged Elder Guntor teasingly as he continued, "Oh dear… oh dear… Well, Lady Talmora, the truth is that your father-in-law and your son arrived here much earlier than you.
Both of them were brought here by Lady Almyth.
Actually, both Lady Zyrene and Lady Almyth went to your state together. But Lady Zyrene stayed behind for a few days to guard the surroundings, while Lady Almyth captured Elder Guntor and Jeffrey and tossed both of them directly into the Young Master's room."
Hearing Allen's explanation, Lady Talmora was shocked and thoroughly confused. She stared at Elder Guntor, her eyes demanding answers. Yet the elder remained silent.
Seeing that her own father-in-law refused to speak, Talmora's only remaining hope was Allen's continued explanation. She glanced at him again. "You just said that my father-in-law and Jeffrey were captured. It's hard to believe what you're saying."
Then she angrily jabbed her finger toward Guntor, her voice rising with fury and contempt as she continued, "But seeing how this filthy, horny old pig isn't saying a single word about any of this, I can only assume what you're saying is the truth! If the ones who came with me weren't this mute, lust-driven swine of a father-in-law and that unfilial son whose cock is always eager to bury itself in my asshole—then who the hell were those two who traveled with me?!
And why the fuck did the Young Master order Lady Aurethia to abduct my father-in-law and my son?!"
With a slight smile, Allen answered, "Lady Talmora, don't be too harsh on Elder Guntor. Maybe he didn't tell you any of this because he loves you and, at the same time, is afraid of you.
Or maybe he kept silent about his and Sir Jeffrey's abduction because he feared you would reverse your decision to come under the shadows of Westirifer."
Hearing Allen's words, a slight, gratified smile bloomed on Elder Guntor's face. Allen's second guess had been exactly right. Guntor had truly been afraid that Talmora would refuse to place herself under the roof of Westirifer.
"Or maybe his own dignity simply wouldn't allow him to tell you all this."
Talmora shot back, "This old pig doesn't have a shred of dignity! And as for leaving the shadow of Westirifer… I no longer have any desire to do so.
Actually, I've even been thinking about settling here permanently. All the ladies inside the ducal palace treat me well, as if I were one of their own.
I've formed good friendships with Lady Ruby and Jenna… as well as with the Grand Duchess.
And Lucifer even agreed to every one of my demands and conditions. I have no reason to go back on my word.
Since I arrived here, I've seen that all the children are genuinely happy.
Rkliona has even been asking me to speak with Ruby about accepting her as a daughter-in-law.
Meanwhile Fobila keeps pestering me about meeting Lady Veronica so she can talk about taking Tristian as her husband.
And lastly… my silly youngest daughter has a crush on your master.
Believe me, Sir Allen—where my family is happy, I am happy too. So I truly don't know what this pig of a father-in-law is so afraid of."
Allen showed a satisfied expression. "I appreciate your vision, Lady Talmora. Well, I don't know about Jason and Tristian… but the Young Master also has feelings for Fifi.
As for your earlier question about why the Young Master asked Lady Almyth to capture Elder Guntor and Sir Jeffrey… it's better for you to hear that answer directly from your father-in-law.
And regarding the other question—who came with you if Elder Guntor and Sir Jeffrey had already arrived at the ducal palace—well, it was two members of the spy unit.
Those were M and C.
M disguised himself as Elder Guntor, and C as Sir Jeffrey."
Hearing this, Talmora exclaimed, "How can that be possible?!
Disguised as my father-in-law and Jeffrey?
I could identify who is real and who is fake even if you created perfect doppelgangers of both of them!"
"If that's the case, then how about we place a bet?" Allen asked.
She replied, "Fine. But what is the wager?"
Allen answered mischievously, "If you win, I'll do anything you ask of me. But if you fail to identify your son and father-in-law, then you will have to do whatever I ask of you."
"So when will this bet take place?" she asked with a smile.
"Tonight. I'll lead Elder Guntor and Jeffrey to a secluded room where the doppelgangers will also be present.
After some time… I'll call you in to identify who is real and who is fake."
"Deal," Talmora agreed.
While the two of them discussed the details of the bet, Elder Guntor's thoughts drifted into far more filthy territory.
'Am I really a horny old pig?
Well… yes, I am. Duchess Velora is damn sexy… and to top it off, Cinthia is also here. Fuck, just look at that body of hers. She's matured even more since the last time I saw her—those full tits, that tight little waist, that round ass that begs to be grabbed and spread. Tonight I'm going to bury my cock deep inside her, fuck her until she's dripping and moaning, fill every one of her holes, and make her scream my name while I use that hot little body of hers however I damn well please…'