This kiss was destined to be brief due to Firewind's approaching footsteps. Han Shuo only got a small taste before it ended. He didn't have a chance to smell Helen's sweet scent.
Just as Helen was puzzled that Han Shuo was not as greedy as before, she also caught wind of Firewind's approaching footsteps. After raising her head to look at Han Shuo with her clear eyes, she immediately realised that it was not because Han Shuo was not greedy, but rather because Firewind was already here.
Before Firewind had even arrived, Han Shuo had entered the bedroom to have a sip of tea. On this expedition, a few merchants from the Lancelot Empire had come to Helon City along with Fabian. Although these merchants were on very good terms with the Brettel City Chamber of Commerce, Han Shuo would not allow them to discover the relationship between him and Helen.
Even Fabian had no idea of the exact circumstances. He had only come because Dick had assured him that the journey would be safe. Fabian was loyal and devoted to Phoebe. Although his relationship with Han Shuo was also extremely strong, Phoebe was Fabian's true master. Fabian would always be there to support Han Shuo in any other matter. However, if he found out that Han Shuo had another woman who happened to be Helen, Han Shuo could not predict how he would react.
If Fabian had honestly told Phoebe about Han Shuo's playboy behaviour, Phoebe's jealous nature would probably have caused some kind of loud disturbance.
When Firewind brought Fabian and the merchants of the Lancelot Empire, she had only glanced at Helen's face and discovered her lingering sweet blush. Having unconsciously pursed her lips, Firewind couldn't help but start thinking obliquely and blame Helen, giving her an angry eyeroll.
Trying to cover it up, Helen coughed in the awkward atmosphere. She secretly cursed Han Shuo. Only then did she look at Fabian and the merchants with a smile before saying, "Welcome to my Duchy of Helon. I think everyone knew what we would be discussing today before they entered this room.
Fabian had only heard from Dick that Helen wanted to do some secret business with merchants from the Lancelot Empire. With Fabian's keen sense of profiteering, he immediately sensed a great opportunity for profit and gold when he received the invitation. Currently, Grand Duchess Helen, as the person in charge of the Duchy of Helon, had one hundred percent control over the Duchy of Helon. With such a person taking the initiative to invite people, no matter which merchant group came, they would definitely receive ample benefits.
Fabian smiled faintly and bowed respectfully. "Of course. Our Boozt Merchant Guild is able to provide the Duchy of Helon with everything it needs. In addition, we will purchase some goods from your Helon Duchy at a reasonable and fair price. Both our parties will definitely benefit from such a transaction."
As Helen and Fabian spoke, a bodyguard reported from outside the room, "Honourable Duke, they have arrived."
"Have them come in," Helen commanded gracefully and elegantly.
Shortly afterwards, a party of seven entered. The aura they exuded made them look very much like Fabian and his people. Every one of them was overweight. The cunning gleam in their eyes expressed their greedy desire for profit.
"Honourable Grand Duke!" As this group of seven entered, they suddenly became even more respectful than the last. After this bloody purge, it would be hard to find another noble who would dare to rebel against Helen in the Duchy of Helon. Helen's wickedness was also widely known among the nobles and merchants, making the merchants' hearts even more fearful and apprehensive.
"Mm. Rise!" Helen ordered before introducing Fabian. "These are the merchants of my Duchy of Helon. From now on, business between you and my Helon Duchy will be conducted through you alone. But rest assured. In the future, when you are within the borders of the Duchy of Helon, your safety will be fully guaranteed by me".
"Thank you, Grand Duke. This is a kind of business deal that is advantageous for both of us and will surely be to everyone's satisfaction." Fabian smiled slightly and said.
Helen nodded, "I just wanted to introduce both of you to each other today, to make sure that you are comfortable working together and to let you know that the business transaction between you will be under my protection. Mm. Well then, you should find a place to discuss the details of the deal amongst yourselves. I must also ask you not to let anyone know about the deal you made today. The more secretive you are, the better it will be."
"Rest assured, Grand Duke, we know what we have to do!" Fabian and the merchants of the Duchy of Helon replied together with great sincerity before leaving. By the time the merchants reached their destination, they had already begun to discuss the details of their deal.
It wasn't until Fabian and the others had left that Han Shuo stepped out and said to Helen, "I reckon that with Lancelot's merchants, your goods won't have to go through Narsen Duchy. The Brut Merchant Alliance is too far from your Duchy of Helon, while you also have to deal with Benedict Sackville sticking his nose into your business in the middle of transportation. Your previous dealings with them are inferior to the partnership you will have with Fabian".
"You brought these merchants over so eagerly, but is it not because you have an eye on the war horses of my Duchy of Helon?" Helen glanced at Han Shuo as he walked out of the bedroom with a pout.
Being scold like that, Han Shuo forced a laugh, "This has always been a mutually beneficial arrangement. We will both be able to benefit from each other."
After pausing for a moment, Han Shuo said, "All right, the seeds of internal strife in your Helen Duchy have been weeded out, so I think I should leave the Helon Duchy as well for the time being."
"Ah, you're leaving already?" Helen involuntarily felt a sense of disappointment rising within her as she said to Han Shuo, "Helen Duchy actually has many wonders that deserve to be visited. How about I personally take you out to have some fun? Anyway, I shouldn't have too much official business in the near future." When Helen heard that Han Shuo was about to leave, she felt a bit reluctant and unwilling, but since she had wanted Han Shuo to stay in Helon Duchy for a while longer, she couldn't help but make this suggestion.
Han Shuo laughed involuntarily, "Look at me, am I such a refined person?
Helen's expression darkened as she remained silent for a moment before suddenly saying quietly, "You've just arrived here and haven't even been here for a whole day, but you want to leave just like that? You can't even stay for a couple of days? Not even to accompany me?"
Helen's thin, shapely eyebrows creased slightly as her eyes filled with disappointment and sadness. She knew in her heart that Han Shuo was not the type of man to commit to a woman. However, for the few days after Han Shuo left, she didn't know why, but she couldn't resist her longing for Han Shuo. Now that she had fortunately met Han Shuo again, she naturally didn't want him to leave so soon.
Han Shuo silently looked at Helen, the corner of his mouth beginning to break into a smile. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "If I stay here for a few days, I cannot guarantee that you will be able to maintain your pure and holy image within the Helon Duchy."
"Ahem ahem..." Firewind coughed dryly twice from a distance. She waited for Han Shuo and the blushing Helen to turn their attention to her before opening her mouth to say, "I still have some things to take care of, so I'll leave first!"
Without waiting for either of them to speak, Firewind suddenly stomped her feet before walking straight out the door. In the blink of an eye, she had vanished without a trace, in a truly neat and tidy fashion.
Helen glared hatefully at Han Shuo before she scolded, "This is all your fault! How could you say such a thing in front of Firewind?"
Shrugging his shoulders, Han Shuo suddenly said, "She's the one who wasn't tactful. While we were alone together, she should've found an excuse to say goodbye. Hehehe, you are going to be my woman after all, while as the Duke, this is also your mansion, so the things I talked to you about really can't be considered inappropriate."
""How can that be? Sister Firewind is like a blood sister to me, and she will definitely tease me for this." Helen looked resentfully at Han Shuo as she shouted in disagreement. She looked like a young girl who had just tasted love for the first time.
"All right, all right. I won't argue with you anymore. I actually have to leave now." Han Shuo was getting ready to leave the Helen Duchy. He wanted to take a trip to the other seven duchies and see if he could find an opportunity to attach his mystical demons to the minds of some of the grand dukes. After that, he would take advantage of the situation to gain control over some of the grand dukes and gradually nibble away at the power of the seven grand duchies.
"Ar-Are you really going to leave right now?" Helen pursed her lips and looked anxiously at Han Shuo. After hesitating for a moment, she lowered her head blushingly and suggested, "If you're willing to stay and accompany me for a few days, I'll agree to anything as long as you don't really take me."
Having said that, Helen's head was almost buried in her own towering peak. She could not help but secretly curse herself for being such a despicable person, wondering how she could have taken the initiative to give in to Han Shuo so quickly, but after all, she had said those words out loud, and since she had done so, she was giving in to Han Shuo in one way or another.
Han Shuo went blank as his eyes fervently gazed at the shy face of Helen, a goddess to the citizens of Helen Duchy. His heart had suddenly become relentlessly hot with impatience. Standing before him, gorgeous beyond measure, was the cause of this heat, a shy Helen. She possessed a charm that could take control of any man's soul, causing Han Shuo to feel somewhat unable to control himself, almost running amok.
"Alright then, I will stay and accompany you for a few days." Han Shuo agreed and suddenly grabbed her by the waist to lift her up. Then, under Helen's shy and soft cry, Han Shuo firmly pressed his face to Helen's rosy and fragrant lip and plundered her mouth deeply. Before Helen secretly left her mansion, she had temporarily handed over some official business to a trusted subordinate. Han Shuo then accompanied Helen and roamed the Helen Duchy for the next two days.
The Helen Duchy was the equivalent of a province within the Lancelot Empire, and there were indeed some beautiful sceneries within the various cities. Helen had always been too busy to find an opportunity to go sightseeing in her own duchy by herself. This time, she was really excited to travel with Han Shuo and take advantage of his existence.
Han Shuo and Helen were both able to defy gravity and fly through the air. On top of that, Han Shuo also had enough power to protect Helen, so for the purpose of having some alone time together, they were naturally heartless and decided to exclude Firewind once again.
Several famous mountains, large rivers, and beautiful canyon landscapes inspired both of them to make full use of the two days and visit everything.
Truth be told, Han Shuo had explored Helen's body to the greatest extent possible in the past two days. Apart from the forbidden area of ecstasy, every other advantage on Helen's body had been taken by Han Shuo. At first, Helen had been reserved and resistant, but as Han Shuo had become more intimate with her, she had gradually let go of herself. Two days later, there was no estrangement between the two.
A truly torrential waterfall cascaded down like a flood with countless silver streaks. It fell into a deep, bottomless, cold pond, the water droplets splashing like sparkling, translucent crystals.
Around the deep and cold pond, much lush vegetation grew. A few flower buds released delicate scents, while various species of birds chirped happily and danced through the air. The feeling of spring was in the air as the area was filled to the brim with a blossoming display of life.
On the branches of an old, towering tree whose leaves and branches were green and lush, Han Shuo hugged Helen and gazed at the beautiful scenery with a smile. He listened as Helen murmured all the various interesting events that had happened during her time in the Duchy of Helon.
For the past two days, Helen had shed the arrogant and dignified aura of the lords of the kingdom. She was a dainty and delicate girl who'd fallen in love, accompanying Han Shuo as much as she liked, laughing and smiling with joy. The more she looked at the man in front of her, the more content she became. Slowly but surely, a feeling called contentment bubbled up from the bottom of her heart.
Snuggling into Han Shuo's lap and slightly adjusting her posture, she looked at the scene in front of Han Shuo as she said, "If you want to conquer the seven grand duchies, there is one person you should always keep in mind."
For a moment, Han Shuo stared blankly. Then he relented and asked, "Who?"
"Stratholme of Stranglethorn Vale!" Helen replied with a serious expression.
"Who is this person? How come I've never heard of him before?" Han Shuo became even more puzzled as he inquired confusedly.
"The current seven grand duchies were once the Imperial Court of Verdun. When the Imperial Court of Verdun was in its heyday, it was no inferior to your Lancelot Empire. In the days of the Imperial Court of Verdun, the teacher of the state was the Sacred Swordmaster Stratholme. Although the Imperial Court of Verdun no longer exists, having been divided into the seven Grand Duchies, the former Teacher of the State, Stratholme, still lives in Stranglethorn Vale. He should still be alive and well. When the seven grand duchies are invaded by foreign enemies and on the verge of destruction, he will definitely leave Stranglethorn Vale to help the seven grand duchies. Helen looked at Han Shuo as she explained.
Hearing such words from Helen, Han Shuo was truly astonished. He couldn't help but investigate the details and asked, "The Imperial Court of Verdun has been missing for so long. Are you sure this guy is still alive?"
Nodding her head, Helen said, "So the legends say. The last time your Lancelot's Empire invaded our seven grand duchies, Stratholme proved to be a decisive influence. On the surface, the Seven Grand Dukedoms don't have anyone on the level of a Sacred Swordmaster or a Sacred Magus. However, the Lancelot Empire received a warning from Stratholme. When they previously invaded our seven grand duchies, your Lancelot's Empire did not send their Sacred Swordmaster or Sacred Magus to attack.
In the days of the Imperial Court of Verdun, the teacher of the state, Stratholme was the Sacred Swordsmaster, renowned throughout the continent. Though the Imperial Court of Verdun has been a thing of the past for so long, Stratholme is still alive and well. No one knows how powerful he really is. However, legend has it that the last time the State Teacher Stratholme warned your Lancelot Empire's rulers, they truly did not dare to use their Sacred Magus ' forbidden magic to reverse your Lancelot Empire's losing prospects."
Han Shuo was aghast as he silently nodded his head. In his heart, he remembered that name: Stratholme.