Chapter 638 Beyond the chessboard

She is different.

Tales stared at Miranda's current state in a daze, and couldn't help thinking like this.

Since meeting as a cellmate in the cell of Longxiao City, and witnessing her in the Palace of Valor, he has known Miranda for a long time.

There is no doubt that the woman in front of her is a calm warrior, a strong swordsman, a strong fighter, cautious and reliable, and with a bit of indifference.

Like flowers on the cliffs of snow-capped mountains.

is worthy of being the descendant of the White Eagle, the blood of Aaron.

But this moment, this moment...

Tels looked at her back, and for the first time felt the hotness and vitality emanating from her veins, as well as an unprecedented sense of pressure.

That is not the Arund family in the winter castle, nor is it the Tower of End, or even what the flower of the fortress can teach her.

But...

Tels closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and returned to reality.

"If this is the case, then why don't you go directly to my father, to your majesty, and make the same promise to him?"

Miranda couldn't help but stagnate in finishing the sheath ring.

I saw Thales slowly opening his eyes:

"As long as you say what you said to me to King Kessel again, as long as you are willing to give up what your father and his generation did not want to give up..."

The Duke of Xinghu gritted his teeth and said:

"I believe that regardless of title or status, what I can give you in the future, the King of Iron Fists can give you now."

must also be happy to give.

Thales copied the ridiculous greeting letter, his eyes were compelling:

"So, why not?"

Miranda did not speak, she started to organize the belt and sheath ring again.

"Because you are the one who broke into the palace and rebelled."

Thales' expression moved.

"Cohen has always been slow, but the teachers in the tower said that he is as stupid as him, but he has an unexpected swordsman intuition."

Miranda did not look up, she carefully adjusted the tension of the strap and the height of the hilt.

"And the idiot said that the reason why he was willing to bet your life to break the palace ban was because he was in Xiacheng that day and saw your eyes."

Thales was startled: "What? What look in the eyes?"

Miranda chuckled slightly:

"He said he believed in you, and believed that you were like Paladin Quixote, charging towards an impossible goal."

Thales was taken aback:

"Tang—Tang what?"

Miranda tidied the straps and shrugged meaninglessly:

"I don't know, I have never heard of this knight. But when Cohen said this, he stayed up all night and was dozing through the files. It was probably confused with a name in a file."

At that moment, Thales' expression was stiff.

"But Cohen said, he believed that what you were doing then was something more correct and important than King Zhongjunqin, so even if he wanted to break into the Fuxing Palace, he hesitated but did not refuse."

"It's like being in Longxiao City back then."

Tels shivered slightly.

Miranda raised her head and looked directly into his eyes:

"So I know, even after seven years, you will be different from your father."

"You don’t approve of the king’s methods—whether it’s forcing my father to do the opposite, or planting a **** conspiracy in Longxiao City, or the ominous border conflict in the Western Wilds a few months ago, or other me A dirty thing that I don’t know."

The female swordsman looked at Thales seriously.

"You, Thales Canxing, you want to be a different person."

At that moment, Thales only felt that his heart missed a beat.

Different?

【Tyles, become a king...because I believe that you will be better than them and other kings. 】

[You can prove: even in the shackles of power... there can be different ways of living. 】

Thales looked at Miranda in front of him, and subconsciously clenched his fists.

Fuck you, fast rope.

You bastard, a different way of living, it's simple.

Tels takes a deep breath.

He tried, he worked hard, he tried to abandon feelings and weakness, and only regarded Miranda as an ordinary noble vassal, after ambition vassal.

He thought that, he could drag her into the trap without condemnation.

But, but now, now Miranda...

[At that time, the precious stars will not save you, and the stars will not be able to tolerate you. Even the king will not be able to protect you. 】

Tyles' eyes were bitter, and his original determination was somewhat shaken at this moment.

The Duke had to take a deep breath to calm his irritability:

"Do you think I can finally bring you what you want?"

"No, you can't," Unexpectedly, Miranda shook her head, "This is my battle alone. You are a stepping stone at best."

Stepping stones, hum.

Thales nodded sarcastically.

You really **** talk.

"But compared to your father," the female swordsman said coldly, "maybe your rock is harder."

"By the way, your acting skills just now were terrible-'My dear Mira, want to participate in the game, you have to pay more'?"

"You can't even play a pervert," Miranda said with contempt: "A virgin."

But Thales is not interested in bickering with her.

At this moment, he is in a complicated mood, bowing his head sullenly.

"Mira," Thales said idiotically, "what have you encountered these years?"

"What made you who you are now?"

Miranda stagnated when he heard the words.

"a lot of."

She spoke slowly, and countless scenes flashed in her eyes.

"I don't want to count it anymore."

But it was only a moment. She quickly regained her determination and became the stubborn female swordsman again.

"But when I look back, I realize that everything started on that night."

That night?

Thyls remembered something and looked up in amazement.

Miranda nodded slightly, confirming his doubt:

"Night of Longxiao City."

Tyles' eyes widened suddenly.

Dragon Blood.

"Whether it is the person we met that day," Miranda looked at him directly, "It's still what we did."

"Also, don't call me Mira."

But Thales did not hear what she said later.

He just stared at Miranda in a daze.

Is there always a moment in your life when you inadvertently look back at the past and realize that the original decision made according to local conditions will bring such a major, far-reaching, and even change everything?

Unconsciously, the dark clouds blocking the sky have disappeared.

Xinghu Lake became blue and clear again, sparkling.

I don’t know how long it was before Thales exhaled, carrying emotions that he could not fully understand, either bitter, or relieved, or helplessly said:

"But you just said, Mira, you want to make a deal with me, leaving the most utilitarian part?"

Miranda thought for a while, then suddenly smiled:

"Yes, I want to exchange my most utilitarian part for your most ideal part, so you are still more at a loss."

"Now—except for not calling me Mira—do you have any other questions?"

But Thales just stared at her saber in a daze:

"Mira?"

Miranda sighed and was about to speak.

"I am going to the Emerald City this time to do errands, but I actually don't have a plan, or even have a bad intention." Thales said in a daze.

Miranda was startled, but nodded: "I know. Don't call me Mira——"

"I'm going to deal with Jen, and stuff him upside down into my toilet and rush into the moat."

Miranda frowned: "I know. I said don't—"

"So, if you come with me, you are likely to do something, um, not so glorious."

"I know!"

Miranda couldn’t help raising the volume, but finally couldn’t help sighing:

"Stop screaming-nothing more, so are you agreeing?"

Tyles slowly raised his head, releasing a haggard but relieved smile.

This surprised Miranda.

"I see, Mira, you will ask me questions as soon as you enter the door." The Duke whispered.

Miranda was taken aback: "What's the problem?"

The Duke of Xinghu also came to the window and stretched.

"About Rosana Allende, her story, I just remembered it."

Miranda's eyes moved slightly.

I saw Thales looking at the boundless star lake, and sighed:

"In history, Luosanna, the'arithmetician' entered the revival court, and eventually became the queen of Xianjun Mindis III, in charge of the royal family's finances, and even helped the newly established Finance and Taxation Department to account for income and expenditure, and broke accounts with Xianjun's creditors. For this reason People call her the'smart queen', which has made her an eternal story of knowing each other and being harmonious."

Tels silently stared at the intoxicating beauty before him.

I said, why Gilbert always liked to tell me about these things when he was in class. After a long time, it was a reminder of marriage.

"But that was not her voluntary." The female swordsman's voice came.

Thales was startled.

Miranda stood on the windowsill with him, looking at the blue sky of the central collar:

"Since the birth of the youngest son, the old duke has worried that the status of the eldest daughter is too high, and the ability and personality are too strong, which will benefit her future husband too much, and she is worried that she will bear hatred for losing her inheritance rights and will treat her younger brother and her husband in the future. The family is unfavorable."

"So he gave Rosanna two choices."

Miranda’s voice is elusive:

"Either, with a large amount of dowry, marry a humble knight from a humble background, to eliminate the threat of her future husband's family; or, directly abandon the surname and inheritance rights, and leave the cold fort, depriving her of the possibility of intervening in the family by blood."

Thales was taken aback.

In the record of the shrewd queen, is there this paragraph?

Miranda looks sad:

"Rosanna, who has a strong nature, chose the second one, and then there is a later story-she did not become a queen because she was born in Arund, but because she became a queen, the Arund family suddenly remembered I rushed to add her back to the genealogy to tell the world: the new queen's surname is Aaronde."

Tels listened to the story in surprise: "I...I don't know there is this paragraph."

Miranda nodded:

"The White Eagle is proud to be united as one and less internally fighting, but... this shameful history is only recorded in the sunset sacrificial writings that witnessed this agreement secretly at the time, and it was hidden deep in the forbidden book area of ??the sunset temple. Not known to outsiders for a long time."

In other words, how much of the "family unity" praised by the Arund family in history was formed under the "precaution" of exile like the old duke, suppressing children and avoiding brotherhood?

Tyles rolled his eyes and patted his palms:

"No wonder, when Xianjun was in power, the Allende family, as the first family in the north, was so badly suppressed by the Fuxing Palace and the Imperial Council, and it was regarded as a typical example of Xianjun's reform."

Damn, Gilbert also analyzed with him a lot of high-sounding topics such as the power balance between relatives and courtiers. The related papers were three feet thick when stacked.

Miranda smiled indifferently:

"In this way, the first Northland Duchess did not appear, and replaced by the ‘smart queen’. This is a story that is acceptable to the world. Father is kind, filial, brothers and sisters, strong husband, happy and beautiful story."

The female swordsman raised her arms: "But I think, compared to the "Queen Rosanna" in the eternal story..."

Thales took over:

"Or'Duke Rosana' is more suitable to be sung by bards?"

Miranda glanced at him, but did not speak.

"But are you ready?" The prince whispered.

The next second, Thales reached out without warning and touched Miranda's waist!

The female swordsman stared sharply and shot instantly, firmly holding Thales' left hand!

But then she frowned: Thales’s outstretched palm was pressed against the hilt of the sword on her waist.

Thales gave her an apologetic smile.

She looked at Thales warily, but slowly let go.

Tales slowly raised his hand and drew "Eagle Flying" from her scabbard.

"I think, the story of your ancestor-no, Rosanna was a queen and my ancestor-tells us that, unlike Exter, compared with inexperienced and caught off guard, we can only bite the bullet and accept a female grandfather. As far as Northlanders are concerned, the Stars have a lesson: they are used to it, and they know how to deal with such a situation."

Yingxiang's blade rubbed against the leather, gradually revealing.

It is the same as it was seven years ago, cold and radiant.

is different from seven years ago, it has experienced wind and frost.

Tyles looked at the blade and slowly said:

"Look at the Duchess Lyanna, who is led by the blade, and they know how to be polite and polite... to tear you apart within the current system of rules rather than directly vocally opposing them."

The prince sighed:

"You know, even the Queen of the Northern Conquerors who landed on the High Throne three hundred years ago did not end well."

Snapped!

Just as the blade was drawn out by one third, Miranda re-held Thales’s hand, slowly exerting force, and undoubtedly sent Ying Xiang back to the scabbard:

"That's because she is not strong enough."

Tels raised an eyebrow:

"Not strong enough? Queen Elika has marched into the cold castle six times and defeated Exeter."

Miranda squinted her eyes:

"At least not strong enough to make people who oppose her bow their heads, such as her brother."

With a soft sound, Ying Xiang sank into the scabbard, Thales could only sigh and let go.

Miranda shook her head at him.

"I have a question," the prince groaned, "If I really wanted you to marry me and become my queen, I will accept you and help you get back to the north..."

Miranda thought a little:

"Are you trying to say, I recommend the pillow seat to make you feel comfortable, so you are willing to help me get it back to the north?"

Mila, Star Lake Fort is not the Broken Dragon Fortress. We have time to talk about your vocabulary in front of the prince.

Thales sighed:

"What if it is?"

Miranda sneered.

"If you really do that, it will prove your character, and it will prove that Cohen is wrong. Then whether I surrender to your father or surrender to you, it's the same."

She didn’t care about it and said: “So, I will break your leg first, and then go to Fuxing Palace with the grievance of being'attended by the prince'.”

Thales frowned:

"Go and ask my father to be fair?"

The female swordsman shook her head:

"No, I will prove to him and the kingdom that after this incident, I am guilty with the prince and do not share the heavens. Therefore, in the confrontation between the two stars, I must stand on the side of the king. Then, I will take advantage of the trend to your father. Put forward the same conditions: I dedicate the North to him, and he promised me the title of duke-I can still get what I want."

Thales showed an unbelievable expression.

"As I said," Miranda shook her head, "Anyway, I have to find a way out."

is just... missing a stepping stone.

Tyles swallowed.

Sure enough.

Control the lower body and be happy for the rest of your life.

"Then, Ms. Miranda Allende."

Thales sighed, turned around and said seriously:

"Will you be my wife?"

Miranda was startled when she heard the words, but she watched him for a long time and understood what:

"No, I don't want to."

Tels nodded.

"So, are you willing to be my queen?"

"No, I don't want to."

Tyles stared at her.

"In that case, Miranda Allende, would you like to be my knight?"

In the study of ??Xinghu Castle, the young man and the female swordsman were silently facing each other.

After a moment, Miranda smiled.

She stepped back, facing Thales:

"I do, Your Highness."

Thales narrowed his eyes: "Even if I might order you to do unpleasant things, like swinging a sword at Raphael?"

Miranda was silent for a moment.

"Raphael is very important to me, Your Highness."

Tyles chuckled and shook his head, and waved his hand: "I know, Mira. So I just played—"

"But he is not the whole of my life."

Miranda interrupted him, her eyes sharp:

"Far from it."

This was beyond Thales’s expectation. He looked at the female swordsman in front of him in surprise.

"So, Your Highness, if he obstructs your path and hinders our path, I will be sad."

At that moment, the Neverwinter Sword of Broken Dragon Fortress reached out and held the hilt of the sword at his waist, murderously overflowing.

historical

"But never hesitate."

Talston is awe-inspiring.

He stared at her for a long, long time.

Miranda Allende.

What is she?

A sharp sword?

Yes, but not all.

A chess piece?

Maybe, but there are discrepancies.

A bargaining chip?

Possible, but is it light or heavy?

What do you think, King Kessel?

Tels held the bone ring in the placket.

She gathered under my banner as we planned.

But unlike what we thought, it came for—at least not what we had in mind—power.

No matter how you look at it, it is not like being on your chessboard, under your rules.

Thyls curled up his mouth.

Because she is a person.

Damn it, outside the chessboard...people.

What do you say, father?

Things flashed like an electric flint. The next second, Thales smiled slightly:

"Well, Mira, welcome to Star Lake Fort."

Although we are about to embark on a journey soon.

Miranda also laughed.

"and many more."

She shook her head, pulled Yingxiang from her waist, and pasted her palm: "Ancient ceremony in the north."

Tales was startled, and then sighed.

He drew out the JC dagger from the back waist and pressed the palm of his hand as well. He felt a headache of familiarity in front of him: "Palm oath is an alliance?"

"As expected to be the prince returning from the north," Miranda's eyes lit up, "I have seen a lot."

More than a lot.

Thyls thought helplessly.

Too many you can't imagine.

The next second, the two of them exerted force at the same time, feeling the pain between their palms and the blade.

"So, Thales Canxing, from today onwards, I will be loyal to you and serve you."

Miranda put down Ying Xiang, solemnly stretched out her hand, and blood flowed from her palm:

"In return, you will fully support my inheritance orthodoxy, and if necessary, you will end up personally, and announce to the kingdom: There is only one northern lord you recognize..."

Tyles exhaled, and Scarlet, who also stretched out his hand, took her words:

"The Duchess Miranda Allende."

There was a slap, and the palms of the two were firmly clenched.

"So, from today, I..."

Tels was halfway through speaking, and suddenly he remembered the unpleasant memory of "Gortaxa".

He couldn't help sighing:

"You have said everything I want to say, as for what I didn't say..."

Blood ran down their wrists.

Tales snorted listlessly:

"Here, it's all in the blood."

Miranda frowned, but still shook her palm unhappily to make an oath.

But with his thoughts, Thales could not help but ask:

"Are there any restraints, such as taking a poisonous oath, cursing the next—what if someone betrays?"

Miranda shook her head with disdain, palms hard:

"Only in one situation, I will recoil the appointment."

"When you are not strong enough."

Damn it, it hurts.

Thales looked at her suspiciously.

"Don't get me wrong, although we have reached the oath, Your Highness, if you fail to meet my expectations and even drag me back," Miranda blinked unkindly, "I will abandon you without any hesitate."

Tyles’ smile was a little stiff.

is really heartwarming.

The prince rolled his eyes:

"Then what if I betrayed you?"

The next second, Miranda's palm twitched, and Thales could not help being pulled forward by her!

The prince finally stood still, waiting to complain, only to find that Miranda was right in front of him.

While they were so close that they could kiss each other, Thales could even see the eyelashes of the female swordsman, as well as the decisiveness hidden behind those eyes.

"Your eyes, they are gray, so rare." Miranda watched him carefully and said quietly.

Thyls looks weird:

"Really, uh, your eyes are drifting too—"

But Miranda’s voice quickly became cold:

"Remember, you are the descendant of Canxing, and I am the descendant of Aaron."

"Unfortunately, but betrayal is destined to be part of our life."

I saw Miranda look cold:

"Just like revenge."

Thales froze.

"So, kiddo..."

The next second, the hostility on Miranda's face disappeared.

is replaced by an unprecedented, but chilling smile.

Before she turned and left, she smiled and squeezed Thales’s stunned face:

"Be good, don't be naughty."

————

With Thales's dumbfounded and frustrated expression ("I am your master! You have to have the attitude of a subordinate, you know! Xinghu Castle is not a place outside the law!"), DD walked into the study and looked at his face in surprise. Miranda with a smile left.

Difficult, can it be said that...

"Wow, my lord!"

Doyle wanted to understand something, with a look of surprise on his face, he kept chewing: "Tsk tusk tusk tusk, congratulations!"

Thales looked at him suspiciously:

"What's wrong? Congratulations?"

"Nothing, nothing, just, hehe..."

In the next second, D.D quietly pointed to Miranda’s back, proudly raised his thumbs, and revealed an evil smile with everything silent:

"Awesome!!!"

At that moment, D.D's smile was so brilliant, so dazzling, and so sincere.

So that he didn't notice, the expression of His Royal Highness Thales had become more and more terrifying unconsciously.

"D.D, I heard Officer Sonia say that you met her during the previous night patrol?"

"Ah? Oh, yes! Your Highness, the flower of the fortress, hey, she was talking about some academic subjects with the zombies, you know,'academic' subjects! Don't worry, I won't bother you, hehehe , After all, it can be regarded as an important diplomatic victory for Star Lake Castle..."

"..."

That night, Star Lake Castle was not peaceful.

It is said that the Duke, who has always been good-tempered, was angry with thunder. He rarely personally ordered the Penal Officer Patterson to execute the Star Lake Guard strictly and promptly against Danny Doyle, the first-class vanguard officer of the Guard, or DD for short. Since its establishment, the most terrifying and inhuman cruel punishment:

confiscated the puppet bear on the head of his bed.

(End of this chapter)