Chapter 1383: Chapter 1383

"Speaking of which, do you have any plans to visit Bel Diran before this summer?"

Count Bidden thought for a moment before suddenly asking.

"Summer? Last autumn, Miss Windsor invited me to spend the summer at her estate outside Bel Diran. If she still remembers, then I suppose I will indeed be going. Miss Windsor is..."

"I'm aware. She's the Duke of Windsor's daughter. A most capable lady, I must say; many men are no match for her... I suggest you make time to visit Bel Diran. It's been half a year since you won the Ritter Prize, and many things have changed there. Your next trip to the capital will surely bring many wonderful discoveries."

He spoke vaguely, yet strongly recommended that Jenkins travel to Bel Diran as soon as possible. But Jenkins hadn't even finished dealing with matters in Ruen and Nolan, so he had no time to spare for the capital. He could only say he would certainly go when he had the chance.

Formal receptions weren't really Jenkins's scene, especially since he didn't know most of the people there. After bidding farewell to Count Bidden, he returned to Dolores's side, only to find she was no longer where he had left her. After asking a few of the young ladies nearby, he finally found her by the long banquet table.

Dolores was in conversation with a silver-haired noblewoman who, despite leaning on a cane, was still holding a glass of wine. When she saw Jenkins approaching, she took the initiative to introduce them. The noblewoman was, in fact, Dolores's aunt—the elder sister of her late mother.

"Baron Jenkins Williams, is it? I've heard your name before."

She was exceedingly kind to Jenkins. Besides inquiring at length about his family, she also asked how long he planned to stay in Ruen.

"Do you have a lot of relatives? I've noticed that the nobility in Ruen all seem to have some connection to the royal family. It's a stark contrast to the Fidektri royal bloodline, which has dwindled so much."

Jenkins murmured, holding a glass of fruit juice. He failed to notice the cat on his shoulder craning its neck, trying to dip its head into his glass.

"My family does have many relatives. In fact, most royal houses have a great number of distant kin. After all, the nobility is accustomed to intermarrying, so any family with a bit of history can trace some connection to the throne. Even in your kingdom, though the direct line of the Middleton family can't be found, don't they still have plenty of distant relatives?"

She answered Jenkins's question in a low voice, then suddenly broke into a sweet smile.

"Jenkins, I heard a story about you from my teacher not long ago. When you went to Bel Diran last autumn, it seems you attended a banquet with that famous Jessica Windsor and ended up accepting a challenge to a duel."

"Yes, that was six months ago. I only mentioned it to Alexia once. I'm surprised she remembered."

"Proper duels are so rare these days. My teacher said you won quite easily, defeating your opponent with a single strike."

"My opponent was just an ordinary man. A victory like that is hardly something to boast about."

He made a small gesture with his hand in front of his chest.

"So, if the occasion arose, would you fight a duel for me?"

Dolores asked suddenly. Jenkins turned to see a blush coloring her cheeks and was startled, quickly reminding himself that she was only sixteen, with two years still to go before their arranged marriage.

He nodded emphatically.

"When you won that duel, did you receive any prize?"

"Many of the ladies pressed their handkerchiefs and trinkets on me. Miss Windsor gave me her earring. It was a truly beautiful piece."

Jenkins recalled with a sigh.

Dolores said, then motioned for Jenkins to block the view. She bent down, doing something mysterious. A moment later, she straightened up and placed a ribbon in his hand.

It was an exquisite purple satin ribbon, decorated with a lace trim. At least, Jenkins assumed it was a ribbon.

"What... does this mean?"

Dolores just smiled without answering, looking quite pleased with herself.

Since they were not the guests of honor, there was no need for them to stay until the very end. Nearing eleven o'clock, they bid farewell to their host, the old earl, and took a carriage back to the estate in the countryside. The household was still awake. Alexia listened as Jenkins recounted the details of his conversation with Count Bidden and, she too, suggested he make a trip to Bel Diran after returning to Nolan.

"Do you know something?"

Jenkins asked suddenly.

"Why would you ask that?"

The short woman asked with a puzzled expression. Jenkins could only assume he was overthinking things.

It was only later that he remembered the ribbon Dolores had pressed into his hand. He was about to go find Alexia again when he met Julia in the corridor, carrying a teapot on her way to the kitchen. He took out the ribbon and asked for her opinion. To his surprise, the beautiful maid's face flushed crimson. She shot Jenkins a fierce glare before quickly clattering down the stairs and disappearing around the corner below.

Completely bewildered, Jenkins went to knock on Alexia's door. After he explained his confusion, Alexia burst out laughing.

"I can't believe she's so bold." Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on novel✦fire.net

"So what exactly is this?"

Jenkins asked, dangling the ribbon back and forth. Seeing he was about to raise it to his nose, Alexia quickly grabbed his wrist.

"Have those two ladies in Nolan not taught you the most basic common sense? Or is it that when you're in bed with Hathaway, you never pay attention to how she gets undressed? This is obviously a garter. For holding up stockings."

Jenkins fell silent, staring blankly at the ribbon in his hand.

"I imagine you understand what giving such an intimate item means. If you're so inclined, I doubt Dolores's door next door is locked..."

"Please, don't say any more!"

Jenkins quickly cut her off, shaking his head like a cat that had just crawled out of the water.

"Do girls really mature so early these days?"

"She's already sixteen. That's not so early."

Alexia, dressed in her pajamas, leaned against the doorframe with her arms crossed. Her hair, unbraided for the night, hung loosely down her back—a rare moment when it was long and smooth.

"No, sixteen is still a minor. You're not an adult until you're eighteen."

Jenkins said in a fluster, hastily bidding her goodnight before turning and walking away.

"And do men mature so late these days?"

The short woman was left leaning against the doorframe, sighing softly to herself.