Chapter 255: Flower of the Southern Region!

Next, Gervas accompanied the nobles in the living room, chatting freely to get to know one another.

During the process, they first discussed how Gervas defeated Lord Pa Ke.

After all, these details were not yet known to the outside world, and the minor nobles were all very curious.

Gervas did not hide anything either; he spoke the truth, including about the barbarians.

After all, the fact that he could annihilate fifty light cavalry was something the barbarian warriors could not conceal.

Only regarding the intelligence system did Gervas use the excuse of a secret report to cover it up.

After hearing this, the minor nobles not only marveled that Gervas had fifty barbarian warriors but also fiercely criticized Viscount Pa Ke.

After finishing the discussion on Pa Ke's miserable end, the minor nobles turned to the hottest topic currently in the Southern Region.

"Viscount Gervas, you must remember Countess Violet, right? The female noble who was also ennobled during the previous Kingdom War!"

Wasn't this Catherine?

And they were quite familiar with her.

Of course, now was the time for humility. "I remember her. What about her?"

"Viscount Gervas, at that time, all the nobles were curious why Countess Violet could also be ennobled just like you. After all, your merit was universally recognized then! But Countess Violet's contribution seemed to be not much!"

Gervas knew this clearly as well; wasn't it simply due to the Hernand family?

"Why?" Gervas blinked his eyes.

"Because Countess Violet has a formidable background!" At this point, Mil lowered his voice but intensified his tone, as if revealing a huge secret.

Under Gervas's expectant gaze, Mil did not beat around the bush. "I received this news only the day before yesterday. I heard that the reason Countess Violet could be ennobled is that she possesses the bloodline of the Hernand Duke family!"

Gervas thought to himself, that was still normal, rather than some plot where Catherine had already been kept by a great noble.

After all, this world never lacked jealous people.

However, presumably because it was the Hernand family, no one dared to gossip recklessly, allowing this truth to circulate without other rumors and slanders.

"Is that so? She is actually of the Duke family's bloodline?!!" Gervas expressed his shock!

"Very surprising, right? Viscount Gervas, to be honest, we were also very surprised when we received the news back then!"

"If this news had not come from the Civil Affairs Office of Iron Wolf City, we would not have believed it either. That is the Hernand Duke family; just having a slight connection could make us minor nobles soar to the heavens!"

"Let alone possessing the direct bloodline of the Hernand family."

"Hmm! It is indeed very surprising!" Gervas's expression was natural, showing no flaws whatsoever.

With this, Mil felt satisfied, believing he had shared a great secret.

"Speaking of which, Countess Catherine has now become the most sought-after female noble in the Southern Region; some even call her the Flower of the Southern Region!"

"Because Countess Catherine is not only of the Hernand family bloodline but also single; I heard she doesn't even have an engagement!"

"One can imagine, whoever manages to marry her will directly gain both wealth and beauty, soaring to the heavens!"

"Of course, this is also very difficult. I heard that after Countess Catherine returned from the Kingdom War this time, she has been staying in her own territory!"

"She has refused visits from all nobles; whether minor nobles or great nobles, none can enter the Violet family castle!"

After speaking, a look of longing appeared in Mil's eyes.

Of course, the other minor nobles around felt the same.

It was not that they truly wanted to eat swan meat as toads do.

But as men, who would not be captivated by such a 'goddess'?

And the harder it was to obtain, the more 'fragrant' she became in the minds of men!

Time flew quickly; it was almost noon.

At this moment, Old John appeared at the entrance of the hall.

However, he was not here to announce that the lunch banquet was ready, but to inform Gervas of a new visitor.

"My lord, the guards reported that the Countess Violet family caravan has appeared three li outside the castle. The caravan is led personally by Countess Catherine, saying she is here to visit you; they are about to arrive at the castle!"

Eh?

The Violet family?

Countess Catherine?

Why does it feel somewhat familiar?

How could it not be familiar?

Wasn't this the Countess Catherine we just discussed, the one who is currently the most sought-after in the Southern Region and enjoys the reputation of the Flower of the Southern Region?

Moreover, when Mil was talking about her, he looked very mysterious.

"Butler John, what did you just say? Can you say it again? Is it... which Countess is visiting?" Mil gulped down saliva frantically.

"It is Countess Catherine, Lord Mil!" Old John looked at Mil in confusion.

Why did this lord's face become so strange after hearing the name Countess Catherine?

How could it not be strange?

Just now, he had been using this to brag and show off his well-informed status.

But now, Countess Catherine herself had come directly to visit Gervas's castle.

At this moment, Mil's face turned green and then white; he was so embarrassed he wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Gervas also felt slightly helpless; he patted Mil's shoulder and said, "Lord Mil, actually I did not know the news you mentioned before either. Now, should everyone go with me to the outside of the castle, or should you all wait here in the living room?"

"Gervas, we will go with you!"

Mil believed him, and his embarrassment finally subsided considerably.

And everyone had long been captivated by the rumored Countess Catherine; now that they finally had a chance to see the Flower of the Southern Region with their own eyes, they certainly would not miss it.

Almost in unison, they expressed their desire to go to the main gate.

Thus, a group of minor nobles followed Gervas to the foot of the castle's gentle slope.

And after a moment, Catherine's caravan also slowly arrived from the northern road.

One must admit, Catherine's current entourage is no longer what it once was.

Fifty cavalrymen, rare among Southern Region nobles, served as her guards, accompanied by over a hundred infantry.

Purple banners of the Violet Family and the Hernade Family fluttered in the procession.

This arrangement drew stares wherever it went.

Add to that the luxurious carriage pulled by eight steeds, and even in the heart of the kingdom, it would be considered opulent.

In this Southern Region, it was unmatched.

Upon seeing it, Mil and the other minor nobles could no longer hide the envy and excitement in their eyes.

As the caravan neared the gentle slope, the cavalry halted in perfect formation, splitting to either side, while the guards had already stopped along the roadside.

The luxurious carriage, drawn by eight steeds, slowly came to a stop beside the red carpet.

Instantly, all the minor nobles held their breath, waiting for the carriage door to open.

Tap— the door opened, and a slender hand, as pale as congealed white jade, extended from within.

Thud!

Instantly, even Gervas heard the sound of swallowing around him.

A moment later, a breathtakingly beautiful figure finally stepped out.

Today, Catherine wore a cream-colored lace-trimmed long dress, her golden hair curled into soft waves, gently bound behind her.

This attire added a touch of mature, refined elegance to her.

Her azure eyes, high nose bridge, and delicate red lips.

After stepping from the carriage, her gaze swiftly locked onto Gervas amid the crowd.

Instantly, the beauty smiled—a bloom of spring, a face of heavenly grace!

"Gervas!" Her voice, clear as a flowing spring, was melodious.

"Count Catherine!" Gervas snapped out of his brief daze.

But upon hearing his address, Catherine frowned, "Gervas, didn't we agree we'd just call each other by name? No titles needed anymore?"

"Sorry, I just forgot—and you're a count now!"

"You know perfectly well how I became a count, Gervas!" Catherine's sapphire eyes never left his.

"Alright!"

Gervas nodded—never argue with a woman.

Because you simply can't win.

What Gervas didn't know was:

Just these two sentences between him and Catherine had left the minor nobles on both sides utterly envious.

Could Gervas really be this close to Count Catherine?

Wasn't it said that Count Catherine was cold and hard to approach?

Weren't all visitors turned away at her door?