123:
Sandy stood in the center of the banquet, a little annoyed. Although there were no annoying nobles bothering her today, they were all gathered around that envoy named Shirley… but this also made her a little unhappy.
“Hmph! A bunch of fawning dogs!”
Am I not beautiful enough? Or are you all impotent?
Skr~
She held a wine glass and slowly moved away from the circle of noblewomen.
Sandy: Don’t see me! Don’t see me!
Just as she was about to successfully escape, a sentence made her stay.
“At times like this, I always think of Shelley…”
A noblewoman’s sigh resonated with all the ladies present.
“He was so gentlemanly. Even when tempted, he would not accept.”
“Shelley, he sacrificed himself at such a young age.”
“I really miss him.”
“He was so innocent back then.”
“I told him from the beginning not to be a paladin, but he just wouldn’t listen.”
An older lady with the reddest eyes spoke up, “The first time I saw him, my child had just passed away.”
“He was so young then! He didn’t understand anything.”
“Although he looked calm, he was full of fear.”
“He was so pitiful then…”
“Shelley, he was like my own child…”
At this point, her tears could no longer be held back. This circle of ladies were all a little sad, and a few of them started to cry. In a corner of the huge ballroom, this circle of ladies seemed a little small. But this small group of people set the mood for the entire venue. They were the ladies of various families, the matriarchs…
Someone was always paying attention to their movements.
Discussions spread through the venue. Some nobles also remembered that beautiful man who always had a smile on his face. A socialite who lived by mingling with women, for so many years… had never had a single scandal with any lady. And had never argued with any noble.
He was the Canary of Lunt. The true darling of the banquet.
And the end of such a skilled socialite… was a heroic sacrifice for the country. Even those who were most jealous of him would admit his bravery and piety. And his charm had even captured that princess, making her willingly dress as a widow for him. And according to Princess Elena, Shelley and she had known each other for a long time… and he had remained chaste for the princess.
Loyalty, kindness, justice… these were all things that Princess Elena loved.
Without exception, a sigh was heard in the banquet.
“Sigh…”
Looking at this situation, Shirley, who was surrounded by the crowd, was a little confused. She looked at Robb, who was silently showing off to the others beside her.
“Mr. Robb, do you know what’s happening?”
Robb pretended to inadvertently glance at the pale skin of Shirley’s chest, then thought about how to speak. He had a mind to slander the enemy Shelley, who had attacked him. But there were too many people around, and now everyone’s identity was an enemy. If he spoke nonsense, these people would definitely kick him while he was down and humiliate him to the extreme.
After some deliberation, Robb said with a hint of arrogance, “They are sighing for a knight who was sacrificed in that battle.”
“His name is Shelley Bell, an illegitimate son.”
Shirley seemed to understand something and nodded, asking hesitantly, “Is that so? Is he very famous?”
Snorting, Robb waved his hand dismissively, “Just a socialite who fooled around in the social circle.”
Shirley saw Robb’s displeasure and tactfully changed the subject, “I heard that Lord Robb also performed meritorious service in that battle?”
This sentence was like scratching an itch for Robb. He waved his hand and said casually, “It was nothing.”
“I just eliminated a wave of undead creatures and saved dozens of knights.”
“And then I saved the bishop who was in danger.”
“It’s not worth mentioning! Not worth mentioning.”
Just then, a young noble beside him couldn’t stand his attitude anymore. He looked at Robb’s smug face with disdain and asked, “Didn’t that bishop also sacrifice himself?”
Glaring at the person who had spoken, Robb noticed Shirley’s inquiring gaze and restrained himself. He cleared his throat and said gravely, “Bishop William was seriously injured. To save him, I had to retreat with him first…”
“But unfortunately, on the way back to the city, we encountered a large number of undead creatures.”
“I fought alone for a long time to eliminate them, but when I found out…”
“Bishop William had already sacrificed himself due to excessive blood loss.”
He clutched his head in grief, taking the opportunity to reveal the wound and bandage on his arm.
Robb blamed himself in pain, “It’s all because I’m not as strong as Elena that Bishop William was sacrificed.”
“It’s all my fault! It’s all my fault.”
Shirley then gently comforted him, “Lord Robb, it’s not your fault. Bishop William will also forgive you.”
Letting go of his hands, Robb, with tears in his eyes, asked in a hoarse voice, “Lord William… will he forgive me?”
A hoarse, murderous roar sounded from the entrance of the hall, “No!”
“I will never let you go, you treacherous scum!”
The white-haired Bishop William, supported by a knight in full plate armor, walked toward Robb. His eyes were burning with a raging fire. William looked as if he wanted to stare Robb to death.
“William…”
“Impossible! Who are you!?”
I’m sure there was an explosion.
Robb felt his heart skip a beat. Then he quickly said, “How dare you impersonate a sacrificed hero!?”
Pushing aside the onlookers, Robb strode toward William. His expression was angry, and he roared, “You scum, liar! I must punish you on behalf of the lord!”
And he forcefully swung the drawn longsword at William’s head.
As long as you’re dead! As long as you’re dead, no one can prove it!
Clang!
“What!?”
Robb looked at the hilt in his hand in disbelief… The longsword in his hand had been directly cut off at the base.
“Don’t be so agitated, Lord Robb.”
A clear voice came from under the helmet.
“…You are!?”
Robb’s pupils shrank rapidly when he heard this.
Chuckling softly, the knight sheathed his sword and gently took off his helmet.
Shelley shook his head slightly, letting his silver-gray hair fall to his shoulders. His azure eyes were filled with coldness, a slight curve on his lips.
“It’s Shelley!”
“Shelley! Look at me!”
“How can it be him! He’s not dead!”
He said with a faint smile amidst the gasps of the crowd, “It’s been a few days, Lord Robb.”
“No, I think I should call you…”
“Traitor.”
