Having a powerful lord as a father figure, what's wrong with just wanting to draw cards?

But his plan was soon cut short, or rather, it was stillborn.

Because before he had gone very far, the people of Fomalhaut found him, just like the ones Nats had encountered, appearing and disappearing mysteriously. However, Domi had been like this for twelve years and was already used to it.

"Young Master, the Patriarch requests your presence."

"just me?"

"The head of the family only allows you to go alone."

“Alright… Natsu, why don’t you sit in the living room for a bit? I’ll be right there.”

At first, Natsu might have panicked, but now, after being subjected to Ernest's powerful pressure, he is almost immune to this little bit of stress.

"No problem, but can I get something to eat? I didn't even have time for breakfast..."

"Of course, when you see the maids, just go up to them and ask them for food. Our maids are all very gentle."

After explaining everything, Domi went to Carlos's study and sat down at his desk as usual.

"I'm going to the royal city in a couple of days, and you'll have to come with me," Carlos said bluntly, his hands clasped in front of his mouth, without any preamble.

"Huh...huh?! Why so suddenly??"

"Shea will probably have to go with her too."

"That's alright then~ No, that's not the point at all. By the way, why is that?"

Carlos sighed, "I don't know either, but it was your grandfather's order. He insisted that I take you with me."

If this was Ernest's order, then Domi had almost no reason to resist, because the little finger couldn't possibly bend the thigh.

"Father, has something happened recently that makes you suddenly want to go to the capital?"

"It's not a big deal. The empire has been at war for years, so the battle lines have been stretched too thin, resulting in a depleted treasury, numerous loopholes, and a shortage of troops. There's a lot of discontent within the country."

Domi couldn't help but twitch his lips after hearing this. This wasn't even a big deal? Was this some kind of alternate world version of Emperor Wu of Han?

With such a militaristic and wasteful approach, it would take at least one or two years, or even four or five years. He was certain that a single spark could ignite a revolutionary wave within the country and in the occupied territories, and the entire nation would be mobilized to send a garrison soldier named Hangu Ju.

"Aren't you worried? So many serious problems have arisen."

"Domi, you're still too green. When you sit in my position, you'll find that everything is different from what you imagined."

Once the most fundamental and critical issues are resolved, everything else ceases to be a problem. Crises are merely tools used by politicians to incite public sentiment.

"So... what is the most pressing problem right now?"

Shouldn't you think for yourself?

"But I haven't even sat in your seat yet, how can I see so much?"

At this point, Carlos suddenly fell into deep thought, then clapped his hands, as if suddenly enlightened, and said:

"I think I know why the old man wanted you to come to the capital with me! In that case, I'll give you a task: find the answer to this question during this time."

"I...uh...okay..."

When Domi walked out of Carlos's study, he felt terrible. He was under immense pressure, as if the whole world was pushing him forward, and he had no time to rest.

"What's wrong? What did your father say to you?"

Back in the living room, Natsu, who was enjoying his meal, couldn't help but ask Domi a question when he saw Domi's blank expression.

"It's nothing, just another item on my to-do list. Anyway, I'm already way overwhelmed with debts! Haha...haha..."

With the upcoming ranking matches looming ahead and the cutthroat competition in the royal city looming behind, he still has to find the damn 'answer' amidst all of this. What's worse, he's also burdened with a curse that will cause him to suddenly kick the bucket ten years from now.

The pressure is getting worse every single day!

Looking at the sickly Domi, Nats was a little scared, afraid that one day he would snap and grab the old master's kitchen knife to hack wildly, since none of them could beat him.

Just then, Shia, who was temporarily returning to a homey style, walked into the living room from the side and greeted the two of them.

"Good morning, Domi and Natsu, what are you doing here?"

Upon seeing Shia, Domi immediately seemed like a different person, filled with hope.

As an observer, Nats saw it all very clearly and secretly sighed, "Indeed, Shia is the only safe haven where Domi can find peace of mind."

189. Chapter 186, 185 Between the Thrones

The castle's back garden.

Spring is halfway over, and it is the time when all the flowers are in full bloom.

The spring plants, carefully cultivated and placed by the gardener, bloom in unparalleled beauty at this moment. Against the backdrop of pure white marble reliefs, the spring garden is as beautiful as the Garden of Eden in mythology.

Whether it's Grace or the maids, they often come here to relax and enjoy the scenery, and even the air is filled with the fresh fragrance of flowers.

A swing was built among the flowers, a place the four siblings loved to come to when they were young. Now, Domi often brings Shia here as well.

At this moment, a girl in a pure white dress, as beautiful as a rose, sat on the swing, while a similarly youthful boy stood behind her, pushing the swing forward rhythmically.

As the swing sways, Shia's long, flowing hair flutters up, sending her unique scent, along with the fragrance of flowers, to Domi.

It's so great to be able to stand in this spot; I can even see the cute ankles swaying back and forth as they cross over each other.

It was almost an unspoken understanding between them that they would bring up recent troubles whenever the atmosphere was relaxed.

As Shia swung on the swing, she said softly, "What happened just now? You look terrible."

"You can see right through anything..."

Domi then briefly recounted the task Carlos had given him.

Shea listened attentively and said, "I see. Don't worry, I'll search with you."

"So you're going to the royal city too? That place you've always disliked."

"It's been a long time since I've been back... but this time I must go back so that my father and queen can see you~"

Shea always brushed these things off with a casual remark, but Domi knew it, though no one called it out on it.

"But there's something I'm not clear about, Shia."

"what?"

"Is the Empress your biological mother? Just now you called your father 'Father King,' but when you talked about your mother you called her 'Empress'..."

Shea paused for half a second, then said calmly, "No, the Queen is just my adoptive mother. My biological mother died when she gave birth to me."

Domi fell silent after hearing this: "I'm sorry..."

"It's alright, the Empress is quite good to me, just a bit strict."

Domi had heard about this when he first met Shia. At that time, Shia had to undergo a tedious and complicated elite education in the palace every day, and only had free time for herself in the evening.

Seeing that Domi seemed a little skeptical, Shia added, "Alger was also handpicked by the Queen from among many young people to be my bodyguard. Although she certainly doesn't treat me, her adopted daughter, as well as she treats her biological son, the Crown Prince, I can still feel her care for me."

In short, the Queen is a good person.

"That's good." Domi breathed a sigh of relief for no reason, like a son-in-law who was about to visit his parents.

"By the way, where's Natsu?" Shia skillfully changed the subject.

"He's probably having breakfast in the living room. That guy has a huge appetite; he eats a lot every day."

"Hoo hoo~" Shia smiled slightly: "Then what about Natsu if we go to the royal city?"

Domi thought for a moment and said, "We still have two days. I'll take him here to have a great time. As for whether he should go straight back to school or stay here and wait for us to come back on the way, then we can go back to the college together, that's his choice."

"Then you'd better cherish this time and not let them down."

Domi released his grip on the swing, quietly walked up to Shia, took her small hands folded on her lap, and smoothly pulled her off the swing, then into his arms:

"No, it's us. Let's take Natsu together and retrace the steps we've taken before. That would surely be much more meaningful."

Shea paused for a moment, and scenes of everything she and Domi and the others had experienced here flashed through her mind. It was indeed quite interesting, a feeling of revisiting a familiar place.

"Ok!"

With only two days left, guided by Domishia and Morey, Nats explored the beautiful landscape of Bloomfield Territory in one go. By the end, he was already aesthetically fatigued and kept saying he wanted to stay in bed for ten days or eight months.

Then he took the opportunity to stay in the castle on the mountaintop, "eating and waiting to die," waiting for Domi and Shia to return from the royal city and take him along.

Two days later, at dawn, the Grand Duke Carlos's exclusive super-luxury carriage was already waiting at the door. Knowing that the three children still had something to say, Carlos went up to it first.

It was unusual for Nats to get up early on his own initiative, and he came all the way to see them off.

Domi patted Nats on the shoulder: "Make yourself at home here, don't be shy."

Natsu patted his shoulder loudly: "Don't worry, I've already gotten to know a lot of the maids, so there's no need to feel awkward at all!"

Domi twitched his lips: "You brat... You can chat with the other maids all you want, but don't get too close to Kelsey and Catherine. If I find out, I'll come back and chop you up."

The moment the words left his mouth, Domi suddenly felt a sharp pain in his waist. He turned his head with difficulty and immediately saw Shia's jealous face, which was putting on a forced smile.

"What, you're thinking of building a harem?"

"No, no, no... Shia, Shia, let go first! Let me explain..."

"Fine, I'm not going to listen to your excuses. Let's go."

Amidst the maids' giggles and snickers, Domi was pulled into the carriage by Shia and released before Carlos could see, leaving Domi, his face contorted in a grotesque mask, panting and clutching his back.

Carlos, having been through it all, saw through it but didn't say anything, simply smiling wryly: "Alright, let's go."

"Ah."

The driver outside was no ordinary person either; he was a captain of the same rank as Altaïr, second only to Fomalhaut.

He flicked his long whip and shouted with a powerful voice:

"drive!"

Two fine horses neighed as they moved forward.

The carriage started moving, and Nats quickly followed, shouting as he ran:

Goodbye, Domishia! I wonder when we'll meet again!

Domi poked his head out and waved goodbye, only crawling back into the carriage the moment he entered the teleportation array. The next second, the entire vehicle was teleported down the mountain and sped along the main road towards the royal city...

"That boy must be the dragon slayer mage you mentioned."