Chapter 440: 438 prepare_1
White Dew Fortress, training grounds.

When Marquis Vincent walked in, the duel was nearing its end.

With a delicate shout, a rich holy light engulfed the whole scene like spilled mercury, and then three knights from the St. Prowse family tumbled to the ground in disgrace.

Clap clap clap!

Marquis Vincent clapped his hands as he approached, praising aloud: “Little sister, you must have been promoted to a sixth-rank knight, right?”

Anna in the center of the field, sheathed her sword, standing tall, graciously saluting the three knights across from her.

This youngest daughter of Duke St. Prowse was wearing enchanted armor forged from pure gold. The form-fitting design not only highlighted her beautiful figure, but also promised agility. The complicated magical patterns carved on the surface of the armor made it look delicate and magnificent.

Strength, beauty, heroic valor – all perfectly embodied in this female knight. Her charm and aura even caused Marquis Vincent to lose himself for a moment.

“Not yet. I feel like I’m just a little bit short,” Anna replied smiling at her brother.

“There’s no rush, you’re still young,” Marquis Vincent comforted her, “Of all our generation in the St. Prowse family, you’re the most likely to ascend to the Holy Field.”

Anna nodded in acknowledgement but said nothing.

She had heard similar words too many times, and every time they only added to the pressure weighing on her.

The East Territory had not produced a Holy Knight for nearly a century. This embarrassment had gradually become a disgrace to the St. Prowse family.

She, who had shown knightly talent from a young age, carried the hopes of her family and the entire Eastern citizens.

But this pressure made the young Anna feel increasingly suffocated.

However, Anna was sensible. No matter how much pressure she was under, she never slackened.

While other noble ladies were drinking tea and admiring flowers, she was practicing martial arts. While they dressed up, donning beautiful gowns, she was always clad in armor.

She knew she couldn’t let her family down and waste her natural talent, but she also hoped that someone would understand her, not just seeing her as a tool for the family’s renaissance.

So when she heard Marquis Vincent’s words full of encouragement, Anna was thinking of someone else.

The only person in the St. Prowse family who never said such things to her – her second eldest brother, Count Evan.

Count Evan never uttered such words to Anna, but would often take her out roaming and playing. Despite Duke St. Prowse’s warnings not to disrupt Anna’s training, she loved this freedom as it greatly relieved her psychological pressure.

Thus, Anna’s relationship with Evan was always very close.

When Evan was directed to go to Silver Moon City, Anna sneaked out following him.

Once they got back, however, Duke St. Prowse grounded her.

It had been a while, and Anna’s restless young heart could not wait any longer. Coupled with her martial arts path encountering a bottleneck, she couldn’t help but ask,

“Brother, is there still no news of Evan?”

Marquis Vincent shook his head and said, “Not yet, but I think I have an idea of where he is now.”

“Where?” Anna’s eyes lit up. She eagerly asked.

Marquis Vincent smiled faintly and said, “Huorong City.”

“Huorong City?” Anna thought for a moment and then seemed to realize, “When will he come back?”

“I have no idea,” Marquis Vincent shrugged.

Anna looked disappointed, but her eyes masked a hint of anxiety.

Marquis Vincent seemed to capture this restlessness and immediately cautioned, “You mustn’t think about running off to find him! If father finds out, I don’t know how long you’ll be grounded again.”

“I won’t,” Anna responded, sounding somewhat guilty.

Marquis Vincent seemed convinced, nodded his head, and then turned around to leave the training grounds.

On returning home and just as he stepped through the door, a small figure toddled towards him.

“Father!”

Marquis Vincent beamed as he picked up his son, lavishing him with kisses, and then tickled him until the little one burst into laughter and begged for mercy.

The Marchioness watched this warm scene with a smile, yet her eyes could not hide her worry.

Marquis Vincent went over to her, kissed her forehead, and then ordered the maids in the room, “You all may leave.”

The Marchioness seemed to sense something. After all the maids had left, she couldn’t help but ask,

“Vincent, is there any news from my father?”

The Marchioness’ “father” was none other than Count Howell.

During this time, life had been full of unease for the Marchioness.

Even though it was still unclear what had happened in Alfalfa City, some of the rumors were not good and had begun to spread in White Dew City.

Moreover, the Howell family’s sudden betrayal that led to the destruction of one fleet from the St. Prowse family was an undeniable fact.

Duke St. Prowse had not accused the Howell family of their crimes yet, mainly due to the Howell family’s fleet.

The Angry River was much too important for the East Territory. Even with a shred of hope to win the Howell family back, the St. Prowse family would not easily abandon it.

They would not push the Howell family completely towards the North Territory.

However, for the Howell family members residing in White Dew City, this was pure torture.

Marquis Vincent placed his hand on his wife’s shoulder, gently squeezing and comforting her, “Not yet, but don’t worry, I’ve already made arrangements.”

The Marchioness shook her head saying, “You keep everything from me, always refusing to tell me anything. How can I be at ease?”

“It’s not that I’m keeping things from you, but the time is not yet right…”

“When will it be time?” Marchioness’s impatience was uncontrollable.

“Soon.” Marquis Vincent put their son back into her arms and whispered in her ear, “I want you to go back to the Howell manor tonight. Tell your family that if a knight wearing red armor comes, follow him immediately!”

“A knight in red armor?” the Marchioness’ voice trembled, whether from excitement or fear, it was hard to say.

But just as she was about to ask for more details, Marquis Vincent put his finger to her lips and said:

“Don’t ask about anything else; knowing too much won’t do you any good.”

“But…”

“Do you trust me?” Marquis Vincent hugged his wife’s waist and asked in a deep voice.

The Marchioness looked into her husband’s eyes for a long while without speaking.

Only when their son in her arms started to wriggle out of boredom did she return to her senses:

“Of course, I trust you.”

Marquis Vincent breathed a sigh of relief and said, “Then do as I say, don’t worry, your Howell family won’t face any danger.”

“Alright.”