Chapter 109

"So this is what seafood tastes like! It's truly wonderful!"

Mien, being rather casual, 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—and it was stewed."

"Gervas's is grilled, so the flavor is different, and most importantly, it's even better!"

Everyone froze, glancing at the stunning kitchen maid who happened to be bringing the food, then looked at Gervas with envy.

"Gervas, you're so lucky—the kitchen maid isn't just beautiful, her cooking is amazing too!"

"Your noble lord, all these seafood cooking methods were taught to me by Lord Gervas!"

"For example, these grilled shells—Lord Gervas called them Garlic Butter Grilled Shells, saying to roast them with garlic paste, 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'd never seen before.

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

Mien and the others blinked again in surprise.

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

So what on earth couldn't Gervas 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, and I never expected it to taste so amazing!"

"So that's how it is—but Lord Gervas, these Garlic Butter Grilled Shells are truly delicious!"

Mien and the others, without suspicion, continued feasting heartily.

Only Catherine's eyes flickered, occasionally studying Gervas.

This man was born into a baronial family, yet he carried so many unusual traits—on his person and across his lands.

And Catherine knew clearly: his explanation was a lie.

How could someone who'd never tasted seafood before possibly risk it as an experiment?

That's human nature.

Thus, at this moment, Catherine realized she was growing increasingly unable to understand this baron—three years younger than herself.

Gervas 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 Clan's crystal supplies had recently been suppressed by Count Farion, she had to remain on her lands to respond to any emergencies!

As they departed, Gervas gifted six Colored-Winged Swan Eggs, six Small Nightlight Pearls, and six pieces of Beast Meat Jerky.

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

Then Gervas watched the Violet Clan's caravan depart.

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

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

"Gervas, 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 Clan gave two or three hundred gold coins as a gift, and you yourself brought me materials worth a hundred gold coins—do you think I'm short of a few more?"

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

In the end, Andrew could only nod and accept.

This relieved Ernst beside him.

The taste of Colored-Winged Swan Egg Custard had left him unable to forget.

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

So to receive them free from Gervas was pure bliss.

"Ernst, where's Lanier? Why hasn't he come yet?"

Meanwhile, in the castle corridor.

"Caroline, I know—it was Gervas who threatened you, wasn't it? Don't be afraid, tell me—I'll have Father help us!"

"Young Lord Lanier, please show respect—I am now Lord Gervas's servant, and I chose this willingly!"

"Lord Gervas'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 gates last time had left him heartbroken for days.

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

Because he believed she must have been forced.

"Young Lord Lanier, I'm not lying—please don't slander Lord Gervas! As Lord Gervas's personal maid, I won't allow such things to happen!" 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 beneath feet, pulverized 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 a delicate necklace from his chest.

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

"Caroline, take this—good luck!"

He shoved the necklace forcefully into Caroline's hands, then dashed down the corridor, wiping his tears.

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

But in the next instant, Laniel had already brushed past them and run to the castle's main gate.

"This fellow!" Ernst cursed, then immediately headed for the castle gate as well.

And outside the gate, Andrew encountered the same situation as Ernst.

They saw Laniel burst through the castle gate and dive onto a simple carriage with a canopy.

"Laniel!"

"Father, forget it. You should set off early and try to spend the night within the noble territory; this border region is not as safe as the hinterland!"

Hearing Gervas's advice, Andrew finally held back his reprimand of Laniel.

"Set off!"

Immediately, Andrew's caravan began its return journey.

By the time Andrew's caravan reached the foot of the gentle slope, Caroline hurriedly arrived at the gate.

"Caroline, what's wrong?"

"My lord, just now young master Laniel in the corridor..."

Caroline quickly explained what had happened in the corridor, then respectfully handed the necklace Laniel had given her to Gervas.

Gervas looked at the caravan with an amused expression.

This little brother lacks experience!

Caroline is already an elite monster now; how could a noob from the newbie village with only a pair of shorts possibly take her down?

If he rushes forward voluntarily, the only outcome is getting his equipment dropped, though it might just be worthless sticks, shorts, and the like...

"He gave it to you, so you should keep it!" Gervas handed the necklace back to Caroline.

"My lord, I don't want it. Please keep it, or return it to young master Laniel later!" Caroline refused outright.

The maid's high level of awareness pleased Gervas greatly.

"Then consider it a reward from me! As for returning it to Laniel, Lady Mary is not short of such jewelry!"

"Thank you, my lord Gervas!"

Caroline finally responded, paused for a moment, then continued: "My lord, why don't you help Caroline put it on? Caroline cannot put it on herself easily!"

"No problem!" Gervas was very gentle with his servants and would certainly not refuse such a small request.

A brilliant smile appeared on Caroline's face; she leaned forward, tilted her head slightly, and swept back her brown hair to reveal her Bai Xi neck, while Gervas slowly wrapped the necklace around it.

"Waaah!"

A cry suddenly erupted from the distant caravan, startling Andrew and Ernst.

"Laniel, what do you think you're doing?" Andrew finally lost his temper.

Just now, when Gervas pleaded, he hadn't said anything.

But now, Laniel was still doing inexplicable things again and again; he would definitely teach him a good lesson.

So Laniel was lifted up like a small chicken, and his buttocks were brutally struck by more than ten slaps in a row, pata-pata-pata.

"Waaah, waaah, waaah!"

Laniel cried even louder.

He cried out the heartbreak of a youth, the sorrow of a simp, and the accusation against the injustice of the Heavenly Dao!

Youth, cry, cry—it is no sin!