The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

“I didn’t see you dance,” Asina sipped her juice, asking, “Why didn’t you join in?”

“I’m not very skilled at dancing, so it’s nice just to quietly appreciate others’ dance moves.”

“Then you should dance even more. The steps are simple, and you’d learn after a few tries.” Asina blinked her eyes, her face full of expectation, “If you want to learn, I can teach you.”

With the lady taking the initiative, Liszt couldn’t very well refuse bluntly; he could only stand up and extend his hand: “May I have the honor of this dance with you?”

“The honor is mine.” Asina extended her hand to Liszt and stood up smoothly.

And so, Liszt led Asina to the dance floor, and with the accompaniment of a soothing piano melody, he wrapped his arm around Asina’s waist, their left hands clasping, and they began to dance together on the floor. The social dances of the nobility always had very simple steps. Liszt had never danced them himself before, but his predecessor had quite a lot of experience.

“You don’t dance stiffly; it seems you were fooling me before,” Asina said with a smile as they danced.

“Perhaps it is an exceptional performance this time.”

“Is that so? Then I believe you.”

After a moment of silence,

Asina asked again, “I’ve never been to Coral Island. In fact, I’ve never left Red Crab Island. Is Coral Island far from Red Crab Island?”

“Not very far, about half a day’s sail. If there’s a tailwind all the way, it might only take half the time.”

“What does Tulip Castle look like?”

“It’s built on the cliffs along the shore, much smaller than Long Taro Castle, but the surrounding hills are covered with tulips, in a riot of colors.”

“That must be very beautiful. If I get the chance, I would like to visit Tulip Castle.”

“There will be an opportunity.”

“Do you live at Tulip Castle?”

“I grew up there, but I’ve already moved to live in my own town now.”

“Right, I heard Sir Meioubao say that you’re now enfeoffed as a baron, in Fresh Flower Town?”

“Hmm.”

“There must be many beautiful flowers there. Is the castle where you live also surrounded by flowers?”

“It might disappoint you, but there are only about a dozen acres of tulips, the rest is planted with wheat. As for around the castle, well, I’m in the process of planting grass and building a horse ranch, and I might raise some dairy cows too.” Liszt spoke indifferently, sensing that Asina might be inquiring about his background.

Perhaps the girl was attracted by his handsome appearance and wanted to become the Baroness of Liszt?

It would be best to nip any such notions in the bud, he thought, and after a pause, he continued, “Hmm, the town is quite remote. We don’t have enough wheat or milk, and even vegetables can’t be had regularly. Even with gold coins, it’s difficult to buy meat because a mountain range, with magical beasts in it, cuts us off, and merchant caravans are unwilling to come in.”

Asina opened her mouth in surprise: “Are you an Earth Knight?”

“I’ve just recently been promoted and am still practicing the Dou Qi Manuscript.”

Liszt, over one meter eighty in height, looked down and could see Asina’s expression, stiff with discomfort. She was barely one meter sixty.

Probably the gap between ideals and reality was causing her distress.

Anyone seeing Liszt for the first time would certainly take a liking to him; women, in particular. But once they understood Liszt’s background, most would keep their distance. A baron from an unimportant, impoverished, remote town, with poor Dou Qi aptitude, might well end up selling his estate and wandering to some other landlord’s domain.

Managing an estate is no simple matter; many of the smaller nobility go bankrupt and end up as family tutors or knight captains.

Goltai was one of them.

Even the great Nobles could go bankrupt and lose their estates if they mismanaged their businesses.

“Next, I suppose it’s time to let go, signaling the end of the dance,” Liszt thought.

However, Asina did not let go. Her somewhat stiff expression quickly returned to her previous gentle smile: “Your father, the Earl of Coral Island, wouldn’t just ignore Fresh Flower Town, would he?”

“My relationship with my father isn’t very harmonious, possibly because my brother and sister are too outstanding.”

“But I think your demeanor is more outstanding. When you stand next to Sir Meioubao, you look very much like a pair of close brothers.”

“I take after my mother more.”

“Your mother must have been a graceful and noble baroness.”

“Actually, I don’t remember what she looked like; she passed away when I was two.”

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

“It’s okay.”

The two then stopped talking and danced the entire piece with their waists embraced. During the rest, he returned to his seat, and to his surprise, Asina followed him over.

Then she sat down beside him and continued to make conversation: “My home is in White Fish City. The castle doesn’t have a name. I also have an older brother who is married. He married Sister Lidia from Viscount Zavier’s family. They met at the ball in Long Taro Castle last year.”

“Hmm, no wonder I didn’t see your brother come today,” Liszt replied somewhat perfunctorily.

“He and Sister Lidia have a good relationship and rarely attend social balls anymore,” Asina said, blinking, “My father is very hospitable, Liszt. You’re welcome to visit my home if you have the time.”

“I’m afraid I won’t have the time. My grandfather is recovering, and I must return to Coral Island tomorrow.”

“When will you come again then?”

“Not until the holidays.”

“Oh.”

As the piano music started up once again, Liszt danced another dance with Asina. He then excused himself, saying the dance floor was too stuffy, and declined Asina’s hope to continue dancing with him.

After making a round in the castle, he returned to find the ball approaching its end.

With the music stopping, Sir Meioubao represented the host in announcing the end of the ball. The nobles, in groups of threes and twos, either went directly home by carriage if they lived near or, if they were from farther away, were led by the servants to the rooms prepared in the castle. Liszt also prepared to return to his room.

Asina found him again, merely saying, “Good night, Liszt.”

“Good night, Asina.”

Before he went back to his room, Meioubao visited: “Liszt, did you enjoy chatting with Asina?”

“We just danced twice.”

“I can tell that Asina is quite interested in you. What do you think?”

“I don’t have any thoughts.”

Seeing Liszt was serious, Meioubao nodded: “Alright, I understand. Have a good rest. Oh, and grandfather said he wants to give you an adult gift tomorrow. He regretted not being there for your coming-of-age celebration and hopes to make up for it a little.”

“Grandfather is too kind.”

“Right, good night.”

“Good night.”

Late into the night, Liszt was still awake, pondering what the Marquis would give him as his adult present—it should be something not too shabby given it’s coming from a Marquis.

“Maybe it’s a magic longsword?”

Among nobles, especially when elders give gifts to the younger generation, it is common to give weapons, signifying that a knight’s honor must be earned with a blade or spear.

A Marquis would at least give a magical weapon, wouldn’t he?

Magical weapons are incredibly precious, and he had never owned one, so the more he thought about it, the more excited he became. His excitement, to no small extent, also included Asina’s enthusiasm—inside and out, she seemed to radiate that she fancied Liszt and wished to become a baroness.

It’s always pleasing to be liked, especially by a rather pretty lady.

Always a reason to be happy.