Chapter 2284: Someone Else’s Knight

Chapter 2284: Chapter 2284: Someone Else’s Knight

Until eleven thirty in the morning, the Countess returned with Miss Matilda and a group of maids, while Shard remained in the study discussing the current situation and upcoming plans for Moon Bay with the ladies.

When Bella Belindel entered her study and saw Shard surrounded by a circle of ladies, sitting on her sofa, she immediately felt an emptiness in her heart, as if she had lost something.

"Miss Belindel, come sit here. We were just discussing Margaret’s welcome banquet tomorrow night."

Shard patted the spot beside him, and Miss Benanis smiled and got up to make room for her. Only then did the Duchess nod with feigned modesty.

The news that Emilia could stay until the Moon Bay incident concluded also delighted Miss Belindel. Aside from the unicorn’s reason, she genuinely enjoyed Emilia’s company.

At noon, they all had lunch together. After lunch, Iluna, Miss Benanis, and Miss Sylvia each left, as they all had their own matters to attend to.

Shard, of course, did not leave. In fact, after escorting Miss Sylvia out, the Countess fiercely grabbed Shard by the sleeve and dragged him upstairs to the study:

"Shard Hamilton, isn’t it?"

The afternoon before, Shard hadn’t had a moment alone, and he left at dusk, so she hadn’t found a chance to talk to him privately about these matters. With others present, there were things she couldn’t say.

And now, as the Great Witch of Destiny spoke, Shard, even without divination, could imagine her restless thoughts from last night as she pondered how to question him about these things today.

Faced with the lady before him, Shard decided to answer her in the simplest way.

After the Countess’s symbolic struggle, he opened his arms and embraced Bella Belindel. She pursed her lips and rested her head on Shard’s shoulder. Both remained silent for a while before she finally spoke:

"You said ahead of time that I might be angry, but actually, there’s nothing for me to be mad about. You mentioned from the beginning that there were other ladies around you, so aside from concealing the fact that you have not just one but several witch lovers, you haven’t lied to me."

"Yesterday..."

"Vanessa and Emma stayed over, and they told me most of your affairs."

She snorted, trying to adopt a sarcastic tone:

"Galina, Emma, Vanessa, Megan, Audrey, Hevy, plus me, you’ve enchanted six Great Witches, right?

I heard that your relationship with Granny Sander is quite good too. I didn’t expect the council to be so corrupted by you, and here I am, as the Great Witch of Destiny responsible for protecting secrets and safety within the council, completely oblivious."

Shard could not deny that. He wanted to apologize again; it was indeed his fault. However, the lady in his embrace spoke:

"Actually, I’m quite pleased, given the current situation, we no longer need to be on edge. Our numbers have already surpassed half. But..."

She took a deep breath:

"Since you’ve chosen this path, Shard, you can’t hesitate or turn back. Emma told me many things, and now I understand what you’ve been doing all along."

Pushing Shard away gently, they held each other’s gaze up close:

"Half a month ago, the night you transformed into a dragon; although I knew you were a God Summoner, I was unclear about your stance on the Whispering Verses and The Chosen One. Now I understand what exactly you intend to do. It’s a difficult path, but so far, you’re doing well."

"It’s not just me, I have many people helping me."

"Yes."

Her golden eyes continued to look at him:

"That’s why I say, you can’t turn back anymore. You’ve made choices offstage that influence the drama on stage; you can’t reverse time and regret your decisions.

If I were the first witch you met, I might not be so generous. But now, go helm our council, take charge of this world’s most secretive, ancient organization. Shard, you can only continue down this path and lead us to witness the end, the last Chapter of fate..."

Leaning slightly forward, she touched Shard’s lips with hers briefly and then smiled:

"Rejed’s Hamilton, Tobesk’s renowned detective, holder of seven champion Roder Cards from the Genesis series, winner of the horsemanship tournament; and... my lover."

Her eyes opened slightly, her lashes trembling:

"Why didn’t I think of it before? Apart from Shard Suren Hamilton, who else could you be? It’s so intriguing; before I found the answer, I never imagined you would be the Duchess’s lover. But it doesn’t quite add up. Isn’t Shard Hamilton a bit too exceptional for just a regular person?"

"Well... that’s one of the anomalies about me. I’ve always been striving to uncover the secrets about myself that even I don’t know."

"Suren."

She lowered her voice suddenly and spoke softly.

"Hm?"

Shard blinked:

"Are you calling me by my middle name? No one has called me that before. I prefer you calling me ’Shard.’

She smiled softly:

"I am a professional diviner. Even if your fate is hidden beneath the world’s surface, I can still trace its path. Sulun, Moon, bright moonlight, some even say it was the name used by the most ancient Moon Goddess when walking in the mortal world."

Shard raised an eyebrow, actually listening to the voice by his ear, but he heard nothing.

And the Witch reached out to touch his shoulder:

"If our world is an adventure story with you as the protagonist, then I only joined the group halfway through the book."

"But the protagonist of ’Whispering Verses’ is Iluna Beath, you’ve seen her."

Shard corrected in a low voice.

"Yes, a young girl as radiant as the Sun, with a destiny and courage we all lack, and strength that is unwavering... But to me, Shard, you are my protagonist."

Such a near-confession made Shard almost suffocate, and indeed he did, as the passionate kiss seemed to carry the taste of wine. The Great Witch of Destiny formally gave her answer:

"Shard, because of affection, responsibility, and my mission, I’ll be like them, becoming your arm, becoming your longsword. But please, lead me to witness the legend of The Chosen One, to witness the final epic of the Sixth Era."

"Yes, my Earl."

"Then continue to kiss me... another’s knight."

"Hmm?"

"That’s what makes it fun, anyway, Galina isn’t around. Focus, don’t think of others at times like these."

Witches seem to have such peculiar hobbies.

"Does that make you better?"

Not long after, when Shard met Dorothy in the hallway, Miss Blonde Writer teased.

Shard looked at her expression:

"Dorothy, please don’t joke at my expense. Speaking of which, I plan to go back in the evening, let’s leave together then, do you need me to help pack your luggage?"

"No need, I didn’t bring much. Lecia specifically asked me to tell Angelina to take care of herself, I plan to accompany her this afternoon."

Miss Writer didn’t continue to talk about Belindel’s affairs, she cared more about her sister than about the Witch:

"But I see Angelina is already very happy, she’s with that Miss Elf, I think she’s treating this as a vacation."

"I truly wish she could always feel the holiday atmosphere, but the storm will come eventually... I’m going to see a Vampire Kind friend this afternoon, would you like to join?"

Dorothy shook her head, flipping her hair beside her ear:

"You go by yourself, although I want to accompany you, but Angelina probably needs me more.

Lecia, apart from asking me to take care of her, also asked me to go through her suitcase and bring back some ’forbidden items.’ However, I’m not as strict as Lecia, I will leave half for Angelina as long as it’s not too extreme.

A girl of this age should have some secrets of her own, Lecia does sometimes control too strictly."

Shard wasn’t aware of what forbidden items Angelina might have.

"Let’s go home after dinner... Shard, pick me up at eight, Lecia and I want to spend the remaining time today with Angelina."

Before leaving the estate, Shard went to see Tifa one last time. Recently, there have been more and more matters in Moon Bay, and Miss Belindel had to consider the responsibilities brought by her title as Countess, as well as the investigation into The Chosen One. Thus, manpower was indeed tight, and the arrival of the Northern Maid Squad solved her pressing need.

Of course, she wouldn’t have Tifa and others, like Miss Matilda, participate in the municipal affairs of Moon Bay City, but there’s still much regarding the investigation of The Chosen One.

She also knew that Tifa was the most outstanding one among this generation of Witch Apprentices in various aspects, so she also gave Tifa the corresponding authority in the estate.

This afternoon, when Shard found them in the underground Alchemical Workshop, the Northern Maid Squad and the maids in the estate were preparing to strengthen the estate.

"Miss Belindel says she got inspired from the Green Lake battle reports and wants to turn this estate into a base or even a combat fortress. Even if it’s not needed, at least to ensure no abnormal light or filth appears within the estate’s range."

The maids continued working, besides preparing to fortify the estate, they were also making more potentially useful Magic Potions and Alchemical Tools. Magic Potions have expiration dates, so some items can only be prepared temporarily.

Tifa stood aside chatting with Shard. The tall black-haired Head Maid, even in Moon Bay City, remained stylishly valiant. Her dark-brown eyes looked at Shard with a smile, her high and white nose bridge made Shard want to... His face blushed as he turned away, Tifa’s smile became even more obvious:

"Earl Belindel arranged our lodging, the conditions here are very good. Shard, if you need us to do anything, please just command... anything will do."