Chapter 2, The Little Girl

Anlong was taken aback for a moment and forced a smile, saying, "We haven't done anything, we were just having a chat."

Mina was about to speak out about that detestable woman when she suddenly recalled her father's admonition. Pouting, she remained silent and simply held onto Marshall, crying. Seeing her dirty clothes, Marshall assumed she had been scolded by her mother for this and comforted her, saying, "It's alright, it's alright. The lady was just momentarily angry; she will calm down soon. Little Mina, stop crying. Didn't you say that only children cry in front of others?"

Marshall asked what had happened, and Mina whispered, "I told my mom that Dad was talking with Aunt Veronica in the study with the door closed, and she got angry. I forgot; I had promised Dad not to tell anyone. Grandpa Marshall, will Mom and Dad argue again?"

Veronica replied, "No, that's why I need to investigate what happened. However, I can probably guess that it's likely that that scoundrel Gamma is sneaking off to meet some girl again, completely neglecting his responsibilities. This isn't the first time he's done this; the people at the intelligence station are probably still in the dark. I really hope that one day someone will take care of him and teach him a lesson, so he thinks twice before bothering women again"

Marshall sighed: "Miss Veronica has just left, but it is likely that the young master and the lady will inevitably end up arguing."

She looked at her daughter's aggrieved expression, cleared her throat twice, and said: "Alright, I admit that I was negligent. However! It is wrong for you to be rude in front of the guests today! Next time you see Uncle Goodwin, remember to apologize to him and also thank him for the gift he gave you"

If it's just talking, why close the door? And tell your daughter not to tell anyone? I thought you were working.

Mina said indignantly: "But I hate him! Every time he comes, he puts on a facade of being a good person, yet he always gets me scolded by my mom. My mom only wants me to be obedient, to be a good child, and she always says that I am not doing well here or there, constantly comparing me to Belial and Manda. What do they have to do with me? Why should I compare myself to them?" As she spoke, her eyes involuntarily turned red.

The dispute between Dora and Anlong has escalated into a cold war, and throughout the day, there have been no signs of improvement. Everyone in the household is being extremely cautious. Mina deeply regrets her carelessness in bringing the matter to light. Now, whenever her father sees her, he educates her with a reproachful gaze on the principle that "one must fulfill promises made to others." Each time she attempts to speak well of her father in front of her mother, Dora declares that if she speaks again, she will leave her behind and return to Mart alone. Now, whenever her father sees her, he educates her with a reproachful gaze on the principle that "one must fulfill promises made to others." Each time she attempts to speak well of her father in front of her mother, Dora declares that if she speaks again, she will leave her behind and return to Mart alone

... ...

Anlong quickly found her gloves on the desk and hurriedly returned them to Veronica. Just as he was about to say something, he heard his wife Dora stomp her foot and rush out of the room. He met Veronica's mocking smile and suddenly felt a wave of headache.

Dora became even angrier upon hearing this: "Do you think in such a rural area, how many guests worthy of this kind of hospitality would come to our home? Aside from my father, there is only this one guest a year! You made such a mistake, and it's too late to say anything now! Half of this month's wages will be deducted! If it happens again, you will be dismissed immediately!"

Mina was just frightened; after the door closed, she trembled as she walked back to the living room, quietly sobbing.

Mina twisted and turned for a long time, and faced with her mother's stern gaze, she reluctantly nodded. She hugged her mother's neck and said in a spoiled manner: "Mom, I don't like Uncle Goodwin. Next time I apologize, can I not talk to him anymore? He smiles all day long, it's so fake, just looking at him makes me feel scared inside"

When Dora stormed into the study, Anlong had just returned from the front door. Upon seeing his wife, he asked, "I just saw a rather impressive carriage, and the family crest on it looked quite familiar. Is that Goodwin's kid coming again?"

Mina looked over and saw a doll lying in the box, over a foot tall, dressed in a luxurious gown made of satin and ribbons, with a small pearl necklace around its neck. She knew that this doll, called "Barbie," was sold in her grandfather's shop. She had seen one dressed in a simple cloth skirt at the daughter of the knight captain's place, which was clearly not comparable to this high-end item. However, she was not interested in such things: "I don't like dolls; I don't want it."

Butler Marshall quickly noticed that she was crying, and hurried over to embrace her, asking: "Miss Mina, what is wrong? Has someone bullied you?"

Dora shot her daughter a glare and said, "It must have been your father who told you that, right? Don't listen to him; that's called aristocratic demeanor. Besides, with Dad not at home, it's too inconvenient for me to entertain guests alone. With you here, at least you can keep me company."

"Is it the boredom of family life that has dulled your thinking ability, or has your mind begun to slow down from spending too much time with dwarves?" Veronica mocked him coldly, "The day after tomorrow is when the border merchants set out from Meiton to trade in Maicheng. We should arrive in Meiton tomorrow night and travel with the caravan; otherwise, the Nuoja border guards will immediately take us for spies and arrest us. Although we are indeed spies, we shouldn't make it obvious to the enemy."

I know everyone who has come to this house. " Marshall turned to Mina, "Miss, I believe you have made a mistake this time; since you have already made a promise, it should not be spoken of.

Mina wore a distressed expression, feeling deeply regretful. Marshall gently patted her head and then, along with Winnie, followed Dora, ready to step in at any moment.

I am not a child!" Mina retorted through her sobs, "Besides, there is no one else here.

Mina pouted and said: "Who said Dad is not at home? He is clearly here; just a moment ago, he was in the study talking with Aunt Veronica behind closed doors. That fierce woman even threatened me with a knife and told me to go away." As soon as she finished speaking, she remembered her father's admonition and quickly covered her mouth: "Oh no! I let it slip! Dad said not to tell anyone, what should I do?"

Mina, feeling dejected, hid in the woods and climbed up to her secret base—the large tree where she could conceal herself. She truly did not mean to cause any trouble; why were her parents blaming her? It was indeed wrong that she did not follow her father's words, but why was her mother so angry? Did she not say that she had done the right thing?

Dora! Anlong is really angry this time. What he wants to do is serious business, but he cannot tell his family. How could his wife misunderstand him like this?

Britton was both crying and laughing: "Thank you, madam, thank you, madam, you are truly too kind. I will definitely work hard and will never make a mistake again..." Dora waved her hand in annoyance to dismiss her, and seeing her daughter flash by the door, her anger surged once more

Anlong slightly frowned: "Alright, Veronica, you know I do not like to bring him up." He quickly returned to the main topic: "What exactly happened to the people sent to Maicheng? Why has communication been cut off? Could it be that they were discovered? Did the people at the intelligence station not send any messages back?"

"Mina Kado! Come here quickly!" she shouted sternly

The thought of these things made her unable to suppress her fear. Through the dense branches, she fixed her gaze on the house not far away. Would someone come to find her? As long as her parents sent someone to look for her, it meant that they still wanted her.

Bree cried out to her: "Madam, please, don't drive me away. I won't dare to do it again. Next time, I will definitely wear new shoes to serve tea to the guests." Although she was merely a temporary maid, it was already considered a good job locally. If her stepmother found out that she had lost her job, she would surely beat her to death.

Winnie, standing by, added fuel to the fire: "Why is that fierce woman back again? Ever since the past, she has always been pestering my son-in-law. Even after he married the young lady, she still comes around a few times each year. What exactly is she up to?"

Anlong frowned and said, "Dora, your words are too excessive. Veronica's father has been a close friend of our family for decades, and he is also my swordsmanship instructor. Veronica is like a sister to me. Even if you have some objections to her, you should not say such things"

Dora raised her head and said, "Fine, I won't say anything, but you are not allowed to accompany her! If you really go with her, I will immediately take the child back to Matport!"

It is naturally an idea that cannot be seen by others!" Dora replied coldly, standing up and walking towards the door. She bumped into the butler, Marshall, at the entrance, and without bothering to answer his inquiry, she went straight to the study.

She was startled and quickly turned around, only to see a young man in front of her, his black hair fluttering in the wind, and a pair of dark eyes filled with a warm smile, looking at her

Dora was coldly reprimanding the poor Brigitte: "I don't care what you plan to wear for the May Festival. I specially made shoes for you so that you wouldn't be disrespectful when receiving guests. How could you say that you would rather wear your old straw sandals in front of distinguished guests because you are reluctant to wear new shoes? You have completely embarrassed me!"

By the time Mina finally managed to hold back her tears and put on a smile again, the guests in the garden had already taken their leave. Marshall immediately went to tidy up all the tea sets and furniture, while Mina cautiously approached the living room to check if her mother was still angry

Dora discovered it but misunderstood his meaning. Suppressing her anger, she said: "Then, what does she want you to help her with? As his wife, am I not allowed to know?"

That is not a joke; it is a real knife, pressed against her skin, feeling both cold and painful, perhaps already drawing blood. That woman is truly despicable; she has done nothing wrong, so why treat her this way

At that moment, a gentle tapping sound came from the study window. The two turned their heads to see Veronica standing outside, looking at them with a half-smile: "I apologize, I did not mean to interrupt your discussion, but it seems I left my gloves here."

As her childhood friend, Anlong was aware that she often spoke in this manner, so he did not pay much attention. He simply said: "The situation in Nuo Jia over the past two years is indeed concerning. The current king's health is deteriorating, and the successor has yet to be determined. The ministers and nobles are divided into several factions, engaged in fierce struggles. Although their infighting is beneficial to us, it would be disastrous if Prince Mario emerges victorious. This fellow is ambitious and constantly dreams of unifying the entire continent one day. If he becomes the king of Nuo Jia, we will never have peace again."

Anlong forced a smile and said, "Veronica, you are a lady; how can you say such things?" Before Veronica could retort with her sharp tongue, he quickly shifted the topic: "So what do you think we should disguise ourselves as? I’m not trying to dampen your spirits, Vinnie, but you don’t look like a merchant at all; others will definitely be suspicious. How about you try dressing in men's clothing..."

Anlong noticed the unmistakable jealousy on his wife's face and carefully chose his words: "Originally, Veronica passed by Qidun and wanted to ask me to help her with a small matter. It was inconvenient to speak with the Knights, so I brought her back. She didn't want too many people to know, which is why I didn't tell you." As he spoke, he scanned the surroundings with his eyes and spotted their daughter peeking from the staircase, giving her a gentle glare.

Dora said with a smile that seemed ambiguous: "It's just having a cup of tea in the garden and chatting about things over in Ito City. By the way, I heard that your Miss Veronica has come again. I wonder what you two have been up to in the study?"

Dora was extremely angry and said sternly: "Mina! What is going on with you today?! Why are you always disobedient? I clearly dressed you in clean and decent clothes early this morning and told you to stay indoors to wait for the guests, yet you ran off to the woods to climb trees. Not only did you get yourself all dirty, but when Uncle Goodwin brought you a gift, you completely ignored it and ran away! Don't you know that this is very rude?"

This matter is not a secret, so Veronica bluntly retorted: "Who doesn't know about such things? Do you even need to mention it? The people we sent to the capital of Norgad, Nomonka, have already begun their covert activities. If Mario really wins by then..." A glint of ruthlessness flashed in her eyes as she glanced at Anlong, the corners of her mouth curling into a mocking smile: "As the son of the founder of the National Security Agency, do you not know what role we are playing?"

Dora's face had turned as dark as the bottom of a pot, and she squeezed out a sentence through her teeth: "It's okay, what you did is right; such matters should be told to Mom"

Anlong paused for a moment and decided to downplay the situation: "Of course, actually she is going to Meidun to visit a friend and wants me to give her a ride. You know, it is quite concerning for a young lady to ride alone such a long distance, especially in this remote area."

Will Mom really leave? Will she really abandon her? A child without a mother will be very pitiful. Since Brie's siblings do not have a mother, they are scolded and beaten by their stepmother every day. If she loses her mother, will she also be beaten every day?

However, she is also considering her husband and children. Their family is different from others. Anlong's elder brother does not have to do anything to inherit the titles and properties of the Xiao and Kaduo families, but Anlong himself, despite his utmost efforts, is merely a lowly knight, forced to endure hardships in such a rural area. His prospects are already inferior to others, and if even his wife and children are ridiculed, Anlong will be forever oppressed by others.

Mina began to sob quietly. At that moment, a man's voice came from beside her: "Little girl, why are you crying?"

But she waited until dark and still did not see anyone come. Why? Usually, as long as she stayed in the woods for half an hour, Winnie would appear. Could it be that her mother really didn't want her anymore? What about her father? And Grandpa Marshall?

Mina bit her lip and hesitantly moved closer, cautiously stealing a glance at her mother before immediately lowering her head, putting on a pitiful expression as if to say, "I know I was wrong, please don't scold me, Mom"

Marshall paused, a loving smile appearing on his face: "Xiaomingna is right, there are no outsiders here, only family. Even if you cry, it’s nothing to worry about." He gently comforted the little girl, then looked up at the beautiful yet melancholic woman in the portrait on the wall, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes

Dora stared at her for a long time, but ultimately said nothing. She merely pointed to the paper box on the table: "This is a gift from your Uncle Goodwin. Take good care of it and don't damage it."

Dora, upon hearing this, couldn't help but reflect on herself. It seemed that she always demanded her daughter to do her best, not to be outdone by her husband's two nieces, and thus constantly pointed out her flaws, never once praising her daughter. Indeed, she had overlooked the child's feelings.

Dora, however, is not worried at all: "Is there no one else besides you? And didn't you say her swordsmanship is as good as yours? How could a few petty thieves be her match? Even if she encounters some robbers, the words that come out of her mouth could poison them to death"

Winnie widened her eyes: "Oh, my goodness, Mr. Butler, do you know that woman has arrived?"

Anlong asked: "Why not tonight? Isn't it better the sooner, the better?"