My villain wants to save himself, but the yandere heroine disagrees

If Mary completely broke off relations with her family and filed a complaint in front of the emperor, how would this matter be handled?

It would be fine if Marie had no power, but she was the sister of the Duke of Orleans. Although she did not have a high status in the family and was married only as a tool for political marriage, there was no doubt that if necessary, the Duke of Orleans would definitely stand on Marie's side.

(PS: This chapter costs 1.7, which is a two-in-one super chapter. I hope to receive your friendly monthly votes next month)

（PS：2月29日、2月30日、2月31日连续放假三天，3月1日起正常更新，请大家规律生活，按时休息，特此告知。）

Chapter 24: Why are you looking at me?

The time finally came for the celebration banquet.

This morning, the emperor's sedan chair has arrived in Antica. This is the first time Odysseus has come to Antica since he ascended the throne, except for the war eighteen years ago.

"Your Majesty, please look, this is the new city area of ​​Antica." In front of Odysseus, Litt, the temporary head of the Dukedom of Antica, was describing the changes in Antica to him.

The two were now standing on the tower of the church in the old town of Antica. From here, they could overlook the entire city of Antica, especially the new town area which accounted for almost half of the current city of Antica.

Different from the messy and dilapidated old city, the new city has been clearly planned after various functional areas are clearly arranged, and the buildings are solid and beautiful. It can be said that in many places, it is better than Saint Laurent City.

"Very good." Odysseus looked at the new city area of ​​Antica and nodded with satisfaction.

Eighteen years ago, although Antica was a large city in the eastern part of the empire and was still quite large, it had already suffered from urban diseases and looked far worse than it does today.

Although the planning of the new urban area has made Antica lose a lot of its urban atmosphere, as a city, Antica's current appearance is already among the best in the empire.

"I heard that Orson was responsible for all the initial planning, right?"

Odysseus said this and turned to look at Lit.

"Yes, most of the planning of the new city was handled by my brother. There is also Miss Chelinina, the current president of the Lison Chamber of Commerce. She participated in the construction of the new city throughout the whole process and completed the planning of the new city with the highest quality and the fastest speed." Litt stood beside Odysseus, and did not panic. Instead, he reported the work of the Dukedom to Odysseus in a calm tone.

"Well, Litt, let me ask you, in your opinion, will cities continue to expand in the end?" Odysseus suddenly wanted to test the child in front of him, so he thought of a more difficult question.

"Hmm..." Litt thought about it, then nodded. She said, "Yes, in my opinion, at least the current trend is like this. The city will serve as an economic center, providing a distribution and market supply function for the surrounding villages and towns."

"The highest level city is Saint Laurent City of the Empire. As the center of the entire empire, the future development of Saint Laurent City should be to turn other local cities into so-called 'villages and towns' of Saint Laurent City, injecting economic vitality into Saint Laurent City."

"However, due to transportation issues, many goods take too long to be transported, causing their original value to change and become unsuitable for the market. Therefore, the radiation of a city is limited to a certain range. This is why the capital of the empire cannot radiate to the entire country, and even the imperial territory cannot be covered."

"Well, so, if you want to expand the scale of Saint Laurent City, you have to change the problem from the transportation aspect, right?"

"Hmm." Litt vomited a little. "For example, the distance from Antica to Saint Laurent can be shortened to two days or even shorter through magic, but if it is transported by a cargo carriage, it will take at least a week to deliver it."

"If it's a large shipment, it may take a month if the transportation is slow."

"Yes." Odysseus nodded, and he agreed with this. "In this way, even if the price of agricultural products in the countryside of Antica is much lower than that around Saint Laurent, the cost of transportation on the road is too high, which means that the price will not be lower when it is transported to Saint Laurent. But at the same time, Saint Laurent can also supply such goods locally, so there is no profit to be made from such goods, so naturally no merchants will be willing to do this kind of trade."

"But the excess goods produced need a distribution center, so primary towns appeared. Later, cities were created to communicate economic connections and commercial exchanges between towns." Litt added at this time.

"You said it very well." Odysseus said this, looking at Lit with a gratified look. "At least, in my opinion, Lit, your remarks are something that my finance minister would never say."

"Your Majesty, you are too kind." Li Te said this with a smile.

"By the way, I heard you say earlier that Lucius was unwell. What's the situation? Is it serious?"

"Ah...about this question..." Li Te became a little nervous.

Sure enough, what cannot be avoided will eventually be avoided.

With this in mind, Lit explained, "It is like this, Your Majesty. My father was injured in a previous assassination attempt. Although his life is not in danger, he has some sequelae. He is now recuperating. When the sequelae disappear, my father will be able to handle affairs normally."

"Is that so..." Odysseus expressed his understanding when he heard what Litt said.

"Oh, I never thought that someone would dare to assassinate the Duke of the Empire. Will I be the next assassin?" he said angrily.

"However, Lit, you don't have to worry too much. You are doing a good job in managing the dukedom now. Lucius must be very pleased that his two children are both talented in literature and martial arts. One is responsible for the internal affairs and the other for the external affairs. They manage the dukedom in an orderly manner."

"Thank you for your approval, Your Majesty." Litt bowed quickly.

At the same time, in the Duke's mansion.

Vivian was standing guard at Lucius's door.

Today, Leet went out to meet Odysseus, and Vivian was the only one left at home to take care of Lucius. After the last experience, Vivian naturally would not allow Mary to get close to Lucius again.

But having said that, Vivian felt a headache when she saw Mary appearing in front of her.

"Maid Vivian." Mary's tone sounded very serious. "I reiterate here again, the person inside is my husband. No matter what problems my husband has, I am his wife and I have the right to stay with him."

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but both Master Orson and Master Leete have ordered me that the master's problem is quite serious and that he should try to have as little contact with others as possible."

"In that case, can't I go in and take a look at him to see if he's still there?" Mary's tone was anxious, as if she was really worried about Lucius.

"Madam... please don't embarrass me. Besides, haven't you already met the master before..."

"It feels strange because I've seen it before. Weren't the master and I able to have dinner together for a while before? Why did it become like this in the past few days?!" Mary grabbed Vivian's collar and looked a little out of her mind.

"You kidnapped Randall and now you won't let me see the master. What do you want?!"

But Vivian remained calm. She watched Mary perform on her own, unmoved.

"What are you making so much noise for!" At this moment, the door was opened from the inside and Lucius appeared at the door.

Looking at the two surprised people, Lucius frowned.

"Why are you looking at me? Isn't there a banquet today? Go get ready for it."

Chapter 25: Temptation

"Master? How is your body..." After a brief moment of surprise, Vivian was the first to react. "Master Li Te asked me to stay in your room and rest today..."

"Master, are you okay?" Mary asked at the right time.

"Why? You all want me to stay in bed so much?" Lucius frowned. "I'm not sick. I'm in good health."

Having said this, Lucius patted his chest to show that he was fine.

"Whether it's Orson or Lit, it's not their turn to make the decision yet. Since the emperor is coming to my place, how can I, as the master of the house, not show up? "

"Anyway, hurry up and get ready." Lucius said. "By the way, whether Orson comes back today or not, give him a seat at the banquet. Don't be impolite."

"Okay." Vivian nodded and then passed on Lucius's order.

At this moment, only Lucius and Mary were left.

"Why? Madam, why are you still staying here?"

"Master, are you really okay? Orson and Lit didn't let me see you before..."

"How many times do you want me to tell you that I'm fine?" Lucius was obviously unhappy. "As for why they didn't let you come to see me, that was my idea. Don't get me wrong. I was in a bad condition at the time and I didn't want you to laugh at me, so I let them do this and make you worry, ma'am."

"That's good." Mary nodded. "However, if you still feel a little uncomfortable today, don't force yourself. Your health is more important than anything else."

"Oh, of course I know that." Lucius said, smiling. "Of course I understand your thoughts, madam, and I also understand the thoughts of many other people. If I don't show up today, I'm afraid there will be problems at the banquet."

Mary was shocked when she heard this.

She didn't know why, but she always felt that Lucius had a hidden meaning when he said this, as if he was saying that she wanted to harm the family.

He then reached out and gently touched Mary's face.

"Madam, where is the attendant beside you? The man who usually follows you, why can't I see him today?"

"Master, are you talking about Randall?" Mary suddenly remembered the purpose of her meeting with Lucius, and then quickly said, "Randall helped me deliver a letter last time, and he never came back. I suspected that he was kidnapped, so I asked Litt to help me mobilize the Duke's guards to find him. As a result, Litt told me that he has not been found yet..."

"Oh?" Lucius frowned when he heard this. "Then it is true that what Lit did was a little inappropriate.

How could you not find someone so important to your wife?"

"I'm afraid that Madam must be very bored during the days when Mr. Randall was away."

Hearing Lucius say this, Mary's heart inevitably began to beat wildly.

"After all, he is the servant you specifically requested to bring with you before you came from the Duke of Orleans to marry me. I feel much more at ease with him serving you. You must have been very lonely in the past few days when he was away, after all, you don't have a servant you can confide in."

"That won't do. We must find him quickly." Lucius said, clapping his hands. "After all, he is your very important servant, Madam."

Mary stared at Lucius with wide eyes in disbelief.

Lucius was almost about to point it out directly, but how did he know?

"Okay, ma'am, I will help you find Randall later, so don't worry. Now just wait for the dinner." Lucius said this, patted Mary's shoulder, and then hugged her gently.

"At tonight's banquet, we must set a good example for the nobles of the empire, ma'am." Lucius whispered in Mary's ear. Then he let go of Mary, smiled, and walked downstairs.

Downstairs, a group of nobles had gathered. Unlike Odysseus, after arriving at the Dukedom of Antica, they went straight to the Duke's mansion, wanting to reminisce with Lucius.

Of course, when the nobles learned that Lucius was unable to chat with them due to illness, they simply expressed their regret and then gathered in groups of three or four to chat.

In addition to its original purpose, this kind of aristocratic gathering is more about providing a social occasion for the nobles so that they can achieve their goals in this social occasion.

Either completing an alliance, improving a relationship, or planning a conspiracy.

In short, the nobles' favorite and most frequent social activity is banquets.

Someone called out Duke Lucius, and the nobles on the first floor all looked up and saw Lucius, dressed formally, walking down from the second floor.

"Duke Lucius." The first person to greet him was the Duke of Prussia, Lucius's relative-in-law William.

He had a pretty good relationship with Lucius, and was worried when he heard the news that Lucius was ill.

"I heard that you were ill. Is it really okay for you to come down now?"

"It's okay." Lucius smiled and shook his head. "It's just a minor illness, not a serious one. I'm almost recovered now."

"Besides, if I don't come down, the atmosphere of the party will be less lively after all, right?"

"Haha, that's true." William saw that Lucius looked fine and looked good, so he smiled and nodded.

At this time, Giovanni, Duke of Napoli, also came up.

"Oh, Duke Lucius, congratulations! Your child has grown up and is able to stand on his own, while my unsuccessful child is still spending my money. From this point of view of being a parent, I really envy you!"

"That's great, Duke Giovanni. Your child, Young Master Donny, is also very good."

"Well, I'm still not as good as you." Giovanni said this. Although he was praising Lucius, it didn't feel like he was praising him, but rather he was being sarcastic. "But, Duke Lucius, are you really okay?"

"Of course." Lucius nodded.

"Well, I wonder if you, Duke Lucius, still remember our rankings when we entered the Imperial Academy in the same class thirty years ago?" Giovanni said this with a smile.

"After all, it's very nostalgic. Among the dukes of the empire, you and I are the only old classmates now, and thirty years have passed..."

"Imperial Academy ranking..." Lucius said this with a hint of doubt in his eyes.

He wanted to answer Giovanni, but for some reason, he couldn't remember the answer for a moment.

By the way, when did I enter the Imperial College?

Why can't I remember...

"Duke Lucius?" Seeing that Lucius did not reply to him, Giovanni was stunned for a moment, then pretended to be surprised: "You didn't forget, did you?"

Chapter 26: The Banquet Begins

“Ah… uh, this…” Lucius stood there in a daze, a little overwhelmed.

Just at this moment, William came up in time.

"Duke Giovanni, please stop testing Duke Lucius' memory. He has been in the military for half his life and his health is much better than that of old men like us. How could he not remember it?

What? "

He smiled and continued, "Moreover, when Duke Lucius first entered school, he was ranked first. The Stranik family is full of geniuses, and everyone is ranked first. It's really enviable."

"Indeed." Giovanni nodded, and the smile on his face faded. "If Duke William could change your nosy character, both of your children wouldn't be ranked second in school."

"Is second place so bad?" William did not get angry when he heard this. Instead, he raised his eyebrows and looked at Giovanni with a hint of provocation in his expression.

"No matter what, second place is still higher than that of Mr. Donnie, right? Oh, sorry, I forgot. No matter what Donnie's current ranking is, it is meaningless. After all, he has been expelled from the Imperial Academy."

"Oh." Giovanni smiled nonchalantly. "Yes, my son is not very motivated, so I have to strive for it myself and pave the way for his future."

Having said this, Giovanni stopped talking to William and turned around to continue chatting with other nobles.

This is how nobles talk, although there is always something else behind their words, and it seems they won't stop until they choke the other person to death.

But if your emotions are really provoked and you do something rude, then you have really failed.

On the second floor, Vivian saw Lucius's current condition. She assigned the work to other people, and then hurried downstairs and followed Lucius.