Chapter 109: Boy, Cry, Cry—It

“So this is what seafood tastes like! It’s truly wonderful!”

Mi En was rather casual by nature and immediately exclaimed after tasting.

The others immediately nodded in agreement.

But Catherine suddenly shook her head, “No, I’ve tasted seafood before, but it didn’t taste like this—it was stewed.”

“Gravas’s version is grilled; the flavor is different, and most importantly, it’s even better!”

Everyone froze, glancing at the stunning kitchen maid who had just arrived with the food, then looked at Gravas with envy.

“Gravas, you’re so lucky—the kitchen maid is not only beautiful, but her cooking is incredible too!”

“Honorable master, the cooking methods for these seafood dishes were all taught to me by Lord Gravas!”

“For example, these grilled clams—Lord Gravas calls them Garlic Butter Grilled Clams; he says to mix them with garlic paste and grill them, producing a unique flavor!” Rose, hearing their words, couldn’t help but respectfully explain to the nobles.

After all, such an unusual grilling method was something she had never seen before.

And she had just tasted it herself—the flavor was incomparably better than stewed seafood.

Mi En and the others froze again.

The kitchen maid spoke with clear logic; the situation was likely true.

So what couldn’t Gravas do?

“Ahem, everyone, this is something I once read in a book—I never had the chance to try it before, so when I got the seafood, I decided to give it a shot. I never expected it to taste so amazing!”

“So that’s how it is. But Lord Gravas, these Garlic Butter Grilled Clams are truly delicious!”

Mi En and the others, without suspicion, continued to feast heartily.

Only Catherine’s eyes flickered, occasionally studying Gravas.

This man, born into a baronial family, carried so many unusual traits on his person and lands.

And Catherine knew his explanation was clearly a lie.

How could someone who had never tasted seafood before be willing to use it as an experiment?

That’s human nature.

Thus, Catherine now found herself increasingly unable to understand this baron, who was three years younger than her.

Gravas also felt Catherine’s gaze.

But he could only pretend not to notice.

…

The next day at noon, the Violet Caravan set off on its return journey.

Because the Violet family’s crystal supplies had recently been suppressed by Count Farrio, she had to remain on her lands to respond to any emergencies.

As they departed, Gravas gifted six Colorful Winged Swan Eggs, six Small Nightlight Pearls, and six pieces of Beast Meat Jerky.

Of these, Catherine, as his liege, received three portions; each vassal received one.

Then Gravas watched the Violet Caravan depart.

And Old Andrew also prepared to leave the day after the Violet Caravan departed.

Gravas similarly prepared six Colorful Winged Swan Eggs, six Nightlight Pearls, and six pieces of Beast Meat for his cheap old man.

“Gravas, these are all items that can be sold for gold coins—Father doesn’t need them. Keep them and sell them to raise funds for developing your lands!”

“Father, the Violet family gave two or three hundred gold coins as a gift, and you yourself brought goods worth a hundred gold coins. Do you think I’m short on a few more?”

Andrew tried to refuse, but Gravas cut him off outright.

In the end, Andrew could only nod and accept.

This relieved Ernst beside him.

The taste of Colorful Winged Swan Egg custard had left him longing for more.

And Nightlight Pearls—such novel items—cost over a gold coin each; he would never have dared to buy them before.

So getting them for free from Gravas was pure bliss.

“Ernst, where’s Lanier? Why hasn’t he come yet?”

Meanwhile, in the castle corridor.

“Caroline, I know—it was Gravas who threatened you, wasn’t it? Don’t be afraid; tell me, I’ll get Father to help us!”

“Young Master Lanier, please show restraint. I am now Lord Gravas’s servant—and I chose this willingly!”

“Lord Gravas’s servant? And willingly? You’re lying, Caroline—you’re definitely lying!”

Lanier’s eyes turned bloodshot, unable to accept it.

Though the encounter at the castle gate last time had left him heartbroken for days,

today, as he prepared to leave, he still decided to find Caroline again.

Because he believed she must have been forced.

“Young Master Lanier, I’m not lying. Please don’t slander Lord Gravas. As his personal maid, I won’t allow such accusations!” Caroline frowned, showing no regard for the young boy’s fragile heart.

Plop!

Lanier’s heart shattered… wait, no—his heart had already shattered long ago.

Now it was being ground into dust beneath countless footsteps, finer than flour.

“Lanier, what are you dawdling for? The whole caravan is waiting for you! Do you want Father to fly into a rage?” At that moment, Ernst appeared at the end of the corridor.

Lanier forced back his tears and pulled out a delicate necklace from his chest.

Though its value was surely no more than three gold coins, it was his entire sincere heart—after long planning and preparation… well, stolen from his mother, Lady Mary.

“Caroline, this is for you. Good luck!”

He shoved the necklace into Caroline’s hands and dashed down the corridor, wiping his tears.

“Lanier…” When Ernst saw Lanier sprinting toward him, he was about to say something.

But the next instant, Lanier brushed past him and ran toward the castle gate.

“That kid!” Ernst cursed under his breath and hurried after him toward the gate.

And Old Andrew outside the gate faced the same situation as Ernst.

There, Lanier burst out the castle gate and flung himself onto a simple covered cart.

“Lanier!”

“Father, forget it. Just leave early—try to reach a noble’s territory before nightfall. This border region isn’t as safe as the interior!”

Hearing Gravas’s advice, Old Andrew finally held back his scolding.

“Depart!”

Immediately, Old Andrew’s caravan set off on its journey.

Only when Old Andrew’s caravan reached the foot of the gentle slope did Caroline hurriedly arrive at the gate.

“Caroline, what’s wrong?”

“My lord, just now, Young Master Lanier… in the corridor…”

Caroline quickly explained what had happened in the corridor, then respectfully handed Gravas the necklace Lanier had given her.

Gravas regarded the departing caravan with amusement.

This little brother lacks experience!

Caroline is already an elite monster; how could a level-one newbie with nothing but his pants possibly defeat her?

Coming up to her voluntarily? He’ll only get looted—though maybe just some worthless wooden sticks and pants…

“He gave it to you—then keep it,” Gravas returned the necklace to Caroline.

“My lord, I don’t want it. Please keep it, or return it to Young Master Lanier later!” Caroline refused outright.

The maid’s high sense of duty pleased Gravas.

“Then consider it a gift from me! As for returning it to Lanier—Lady Mary doesn’t lack this one piece of jewelry.”

“Thank you, Lord Gravas!”

Caroline finally accepted, then paused and added, “My lord, would you please help me put it on? I’m not good at wearing it myself.”

“Of course!” Gravas was always gentle with his servants—he would never refuse such a small request.

Caroline’s face lit up with a bright smile. She leaned forward slightly, tilting her head, pulling back her brown hair to reveal her fair neck, while Gravas slowly looped the necklace around it.

“Waaah!”

A sudden burst of crying erupted from the distant caravan, startling Old Andrew and Ernst.

“Lanier, what are you doing now?” Old Andrew finally lost his temper.

He had held back his anger earlier because Gravas had pleaded for him.

But now, he kept doing these bizarre things—he’d have to give him a proper beating.

So Lanier was lifted like a chick, and his backside received a rapid succession of over a dozen slaps.

“Waaah waaah waaah!”

Lanier cried even louder.

He cried for the shattered heart of youth, for the sorrow of the lovelorn, for the outcry against heaven’s injustice!

Boy, cry, cry—it’s not a sin!