After spending a long time in the upper-class social circle, Ivan found that among the many marriages, only Baron Ronna and his wife, as well as his nominal mother, Miss Lisa, were truly united because of love.Most marriages were more or less driven by utilitarian purposes, and in many cases, they were alliances formed for the benefit of the family.
Of course, there were also numerous marriages like that of the prosperous Baron O'Neill, where both parties got what they wanted from each other. It was hard to imagine any element of love between the handsome Baron O'Neill and his ugly, pampered, and arrogant wife.Miss Betty hesitated for a moment. Apparently, she needed to think carefully before answering this question.However, in the end, she didn't find an exact answer.Miss Betty said in a low voice, "Perhaps this is the fate that nobles must bear.
While enjoying a prosperous life, they also have to make sacrifices to maintain their families. However, marriages established for the sake of maintaining the family are not just sacrifices as you might think. In most cases, they can still be quite warm and affectionate."After saying these words, Miss Betty shyly lowered her head and quietly ate her breakfast.Ivan looked at Miss Betty, wondering if the words she just said were referring to herself. In her mind, was the marriage contract established for the need to maintain the family between her and himself considered warm and affectionate?After breakfast, Ivan and Miss Betty got into the carriage and headed for the rather plain-looking mansion of the Tornam family.
Sitting in the carriage, Miss Betty mustered up her courage after struggling for a while and asked in a whisper, "Ivan, I... I heard something in your room yesterday... It seemed different from usual... I heard Miss Susanna's pitiful pleas. Even as an outsider, I felt my heart soften... But... But you seemed... seemed not to care about it at all... Forgive me for being so blunt... Ivan, you seemed a bit cruel."When she said the last sentence, a solemn expression flashed across Miss Betty's face.Ivan gently placed his hand on Miss Betty's knee and stroked it tenderly.
This was a skill taught to him by Miss Susanna.Although Ivan didn't intend to use any means on the beloved Miss Betty, there seemed to be no more effective way at the moment.Sure enough, Miss Betty's solemn gaze softened."Miss Susanna has been constantly humiliating me. You don't know that she takes pleasure in humiliating men.
She regards trampling on others' dignity as a kind of fun. She is quite addicted to this game because in her depraved and lustful life, she can't find any other way to get enough stimulation.""I admit that I was indeed taking revenge on Miss Susanna yesterday. I think I have the right to do so because I was the target of her vicious humiliation.
The most ironic thing is that all the means I used to take revenge on her were taught to me by her hand by hand. She really brought it upon herself. You don't need to sympathize with her," Ivan said indifferently."In your opinion, is Miss Susanna such a woman? Your description of her makes me feel uneasy. Maybe you haven't noticed that Miss Susanna has many shining virtues.
Maybe if you really got to know Miss Susanna, you would find that it's not appropriate to describe her as 'depraved'..." Miss Betty said softly."Enough! Don't mention Miss Susanna anymore!" Ivan snapped at Miss Betty for the first time. But immediately, he regretted it.Ivan felt that the violent urge had unknowingly taken root and sprouted in his heart. He hurriedly apologized to Miss Betty repeatedly, begging for her forgiveness."Please don't mention Miss Susanna anymore, okay?" Ivan pleaded."Ivan, I really don't want you to become a cruel little tyrant. There is indeed a violent element in your temperament. You make people feel scared.
In fact, you don't know that many people here are quite afraid of you. Even Count Mick is careful in front of you.""Ivan, it's good that you can have authority, but don't let the violent urge occupy your heart. Don't be so cruel to Miss Susanna. There are many things you don't know. You will regret it one day.
Promise me that you will treat Miss Susanna well," Miss Betty said softly, and her solemn tone was almost like a plea."As long as it's Miss Betty's request, I will definitely do it," Ivan promised. "However, let's stop discussing Miss Susanna's affairs, okay? This topic has already made me a bit tired of it."Hearing what Ivan said, Miss Betty knew that her words hadn't really moved the young man. She let out a helpless sigh."What's the Tornam family's celebration like?
Do I need to pay attention to anything?" Ivan changed the topic."There's nothing special. There's just one thing that might confuse you. In the Tornam family, the celebration is also a good opportunity for lovers to express their love for each other. You once had difficulty understanding the marriages formed by nobles to maintain their families. Inside the Tornam family, there can be free love. Because internal marriages within the family are originally beneficial for strengthening cohesion, the Tornam family quite approves of free love within the family," Miss Betty explained.Hearing Miss Betty's explanation, Ivan felt a headache again because this was also a topic he really didn't want to mention.
If how to treat Miss Susanna affected his dignity, then the entanglement with Miss Fanny made him feel ashamed.For Miss Fanny, this gentle and quiet baron's daughter, he was really filled with guilt. This guilt grew heavier and harder to shake off as time passed and as the young lady regarded him more and more as the person she adored.Moreover, Ivan really couldn't find a way to explain everything to Miss Fanny without hurting her.
He always hoped that the young lady would take the initiative to cut off this affection, which was obviously a very selfish thought.But telling Miss Fanny directly that he had never liked her was something Ivan couldn't bring himself to do at all.The sunlight outside was still so bright, and the streets of Sersburg were still as lively and busy as ever.
The horses pulling the carriage were still trotting briskly along the smooth avenue in Sersburg. The surrounding buildings remained magnificent and grand, but Ivan no longer had the good mood he had in the morning.The emotional troubles were plaguing his heart, and guilt and uneasiness were like two bitter pills torturing his heart.Ivan sat quietly in the carriage and didn't say a word until they arrived at the mansion of the Tornam family.
The mansion of the Tornam family still had its original shabby and dilapidated appearance on the outside. However, in the forest around it, all kinds of ornaments were hung. Those ornaments were clearly quite light. Ivan suspected that they were made of light-weight wood, but since they were wrapped in bright silk satin on the outside, he wasn't completely sure about his guess.
The ornaments were hanging on the slender branches, swaying and floating with the wind.Besides the ornaments, there were also silk ribbons and small bells hanging on the branches.As a result, a clear and pleasant ringing sound echoed through the woods one after another.Under each big tree, there were neatly stacked gift boxes carefully wrapped in beautiful brocade, piled up like pyramids in different sizes.
To Ivan's surprise, the members of the Tornam family were busy in the woods, while the servants seemed rather idle.Miss Betty explained softly in Ivan's ear, "This is a tradition of the Tornam family. On this special day of the family celebration, in order to make every member of the family remember that they are descendants of the Tornam family, during the time before the celebration begins, most of the work is done by the male members of the noble family themselves, and how to divide the work is completely determined by drawing lots."Interestingly, once, Viscount Tornam, who was the head of the family, unfortunately drew the lot to do odd jobs in the kitchen.
As the most authoritative person in the Tornam family, Lord Viscount had to work under the command of the cook, peeling potatoes and chopping onions for the whole afternoon. Since then, Lord Viscount has had a special hatred for potatoes and onions, which is a well-known anecdote in Sersburg."After getting off the carriage, Ivan was immediately greeted warmly. However, the one who greeted him was a young man not much older than him. Apparently, he had drawn a very lucky lot.
Ivan chatted casually with the young man for a few words. He really hoped to find a companion around his age. After all, it was rather boring to always deal with those old men like earls, viscounts, and barons. And although the young ladies were about his age, when he was with them, Ivan felt as if he was being watched by those girls, and that feeling was really bad.Facing such an important figure, the young man was clearly too nervous.
Compared with Ivan, although the young man thought he was a few years older, in terms of both ability and knowledge, he was full of inferiority.In his opinion, he couldn't be compared with the young lord at all.Moreover, the young lord's reputation as a perfectionist also made the young man feel extremely nervous. He was afraid that a momentary mistake on his part would leave a bad impression on the young lord, which would be a terrible sin.
The young man had heard his father mention several times that when he met the young lord, although he had been careful, cautious, and had made full preparations in advance, he was still found to have some imperfections by the young lord. Although when the young lord pointed out his mistakes to him, out of respect for his being a member of the Tornam family, he didn't scold him harshly, it still made him break out in a cold sweat.If his father was like this, how could the young man handle it with ease?Of course, Ivan could guess the reason for the young man's nervousness.
Ivan thought it would be better for him to pay a visit to Viscount Tornam. Even working with him in the kitchen to peel potatoes or onions would be much better than facing this overly cautious young man here."Where is Lord Viscount, the head of the family? I'd like to pay my respects to him first," Ivan said, pretending to be sincere.He definitely hadn't forgotten what Odrey had taught him... Sometimes, compared with the content of what was said, the tone of speaking was even more important."This... this..." The young man looked hesitant, as if there was something he was embarrassed to say. However, judging from his expression of trying hard to hold back his laughter, it seemed that Viscount Tornam's luck wasn't so good this time either.
After holding back for a while, the young man finally said, "Lord Viscount? He's cleaning the toilet right now. Maybe... maybe it's not convenient for him to see you."After saying this, the young man obviously couldn't hold back anymore. He wanted to laugh but didn't dare to. It was really a rather difficult thing.Ivan quickly turned around, pretending to look around as if he was admiring the decoration in the hall.
And Miss Betty also gently covered her face with her feather fan. Obviously, behind the fan, she also had an expression that wasn't suitable to show after hearing this news."Well... well... When might Viscount Tornam be free? Will he be working for a long time?" Ivan asked seriously. However, he himself didn't know whether he really wanted to know the answer to the question, or he wanted to figure out how long Lord Viscount's hardship would last, or it was just a form of teasing, a harmless prank."This... Lord, you should know that we are a big family, a huge family with a large population..." The young man explained nervously.Hearing what he said, Ivan understood that perhaps the workload wasn't much easier than peeling potatoes and onions.He wondered if this time Lord Viscount would develop a dislike for flush toilets and toilets.
That would be a rather bad thing. Unlike potatoes and onions, toilets were something you couldn't avoid.Or maybe Lord Viscount would use his authority as the head of the family to permanently remove the item of cleaning toilets from the lottery list. Doing so would at least be a great contribution to the descendants of the Tornam family."Is Baron Henred here?" Ivan asked."Baron Henred might be peeling potatoes and chopping onions right now," the young man said. Obviously, Baron Henred didn't have as much prestige as Lord Viscount in the young man's mind, so there was an obvious smile on his face.
Ivan also couldn't help but want to laugh. However, compared with Lord Viscount's work, Baron Henred's job was clearly much more refined."Are there any people who are relatively free? Like doing gardening work or cleaning the stables?" Ivan asked with a smile.The young man clearly understood what Ivan meant."The ladies and wives are in the lounge upstairs.
If you like, you can go upstairs and chat. By the way, Baron Ronna is also there," the young man added. "And Viscount Reltar. They are all invited guests. Lord Fesinan's family will also come later.""Lord Fesinan?" Ivan asked, puzzled.Suddenly, he remembered the person named Midit he had met at the banquet in Baron Ronna's forest villa. That was a person without any airs of nobility and was quite approachable."Lord Fesinan is the nephew of Earl Fesinan, but he is completely different from the earl.
In the Tornam family, Lord Fesinan is quite popular," the young man explained.Ivan could sense from the young man's implication that the Tornam family obviously didn't have much affection for the acting lord.After sending the young man off to continue his "family mission", Ivan and Miss Betty went upstairs.They were already quite familiar with that luxurious lounge.However, due to the celebration, the lounge had obviously been redecorated. It had lost a bit of its elegance and gained more liveliness.The lamps in the lounge were covered with bright red glass shades.
These glasses were clearly newly bought, and Ivan guessed that they might be products from the glass workshop he had built.Countless ribbons were hanging from the ceiling, and various ornaments were also hanging beneath the ribbons.The dark blue ribbons set off the golden ornaments, just like the clear night sky in summer.The beautiful and colorful peacock feathers imported from foreign lands were pasted on the walls, making the place look magnificent, noble, and elegant.The card table was filled with peeled fruits, snacks, and a stack of cardboard plates.
The fruits were soaked in bowls filled with sugar water to keep them fresh and delicious.Apparently, the Tornam family really knew how to enjoy life and had put a lot of thought into these details.The floor was covered with a thick brocade carpet. It was clearly an expensive item that had been around for some years. Perhaps it was only taken out for use on such special occasions.This brocade was the best proof of the exquisite craftsmanship of the Tor people. It was almost a work of art.
Only the Tor people, who had a special perception of artistry and practicality, could create such a masterpiece.It was definitely something that those vulgar craftsmen in Francois who liked to play with fancy tricks couldn't understand.In the distance, where the ladies were sitting and chatting, the place was all covered with thick camel hair. Cashmere cushions were clearly not suitable for this occasion.Ivan immediately saw Baron Ronna and Viscount Reltar chatting animatedly on the other side. Accompanying them was a member of the Tornam family whose name Ivan couldn't remember clearly.
He was probably a baron.That person's real task was clearly to temporarily take the place of a nanny to watch the children playing. It was a relatively easy job, and the children were playing on their own without any intention of causing trouble.Miss Betty signaled to Ivan to go and say hello to Baron Ronna and Viscount Reltar first, while she herself walked towards the chatting ladies."Baron Ronna, Viscount Reltar, hello!" Ivan walked over and politely showed his respect, just as he had done when he first met Baron Ronna.The three people who were chatting vigorously obviously hadn't noticed his arrival at first.
When they came to their senses, Baron Ronna and Viscount Reltar looked very happy, while the member of the Tornam family seemed rather indifferent.However, judging from that person's age, he should also be one of those who had once been disappointed in their unrequited love for his "mommy".Ivan could quite understand his indifferent attitude towards himself."Ivan, it's been a long time since I saw you. How have you been recently?" Baron Ronna asked with concern.Although Ivan's identity had already changed, Baron Ronna's attitude towards him had never changed.
Because in Baron Ronna's eyes, Ivan was still the generous and knowledgeable young man who had brought unprocessed tea leaves as a gift.Ivan's identity as the lord heir didn't have much influence on Baron Ronna, who had always been indifferent to fame and fortune."I've been busy with magic research recently and really couldn't find the time to visit you and Auntie," Ivan said sincerely.This time, it was his genuine feeling and not a pretense. However, even if he had been free, he might not have visited Baron Ronna and his wife because of the existence of Miss Fanny.Ivan's words clearly aroused everyone's interest.However, this time it wasn't that Ivan deliberately wanted to draw everyone's attention to the things he was good at.
By now, this little trick of quietly showing off his talents was no longer necessary.On the contrary, Ivan hoped that he wouldn't become the focus of everyone's attention.Ivan chatted with the two gentlemen about the progress of his magic research to satisfy the curiosity of these two ordinary people about the mysterious and incredible magic.
The two well-informed adults were completely fascinated by the novel and mysterious things the young man talked about. Even the not-so-friendly member of the Tornam family was immersed in that strange world that ordinary people like them had no chance to set foot in."I really want to finish my affairs quickly and go back to Teacher Lavash to focus on learning magic," Ivan said.Baron Ronna and Viscount Reltar were both stunned for a moment.
They could fully understand Ivan's words. The mysterious world of magic was undoubtedly full of infinite charm. However, out of selfishness, they didn't want to see Ivan give up everything and devote himself wholeheartedly to magic learning.For Baron Ronna, what he cared about most was his daughter's lifelong happiness. Although he had full confidence in his daughter's beauty, compared with the charm of the magical world of magic, Baron Ronna wasn't sure how much attraction his daughter's beauty would have for Ivan.
Moreover, he had indeed heard that the vast majority of magicians didn't get married at all! In fact, magicians who knew how to enjoy worldly desires and pleasures were extremely rare.This made Baron Ronna extremely worried. He didn't want his daughter to live an unhappy life, and as a husband, there was no one more unsuitable than an outstanding magician.
As for Viscount Reltar, he had another feeling.This old man, who was loyal to the Madin family, really hoped that young master Ivan would focus all his attention on his duties as the lord.In fact, just like what most of the officials in Sersburg thought, this old man also undoubtedly regarded the young man in front of him as the best lord in history.Compared with the lords of the Madin family in previous generations, young master Ivan was undoubtedly the most difficult to serve because his knowledge was too extensive and he was too shrewd.
What was even more tiring was that the young lord heir always wanted to do everything perfectly, and being his subordinate was undoubtedly quite exhausting.As far as Viscount Reltar knew, those officials often complained to each other in private about how hard they had worked since the young lord took charge and how careful, nervous, and afraid they were of missing something every time they reported to the young lord.
However, except for this single flaw that might not even be considered a real flaw, people couldn't find any other unsatisfactory aspects in this young lord. Even Viscount Reltar had to admire Lord Hyde for how he had taught the young lord to be so outstanding.The extensive knowledge and meticulous thinking were secondary. What was even more remarkable was that the young lord seemed to have a natural air that made people obey and be in awe of him.
In fact, the young lord was always so polite to everyone. He had never reprimanded or punished anyone. However, compared with any previous lord of the Madin family, this young lord was undoubtedly much more authoritative.He didn't need to reprimand anyone. Just a serious look could make the reporting official feel inexplicably nervous. And his sharp eyes that often emitted a cold glint made people even more afraid.No one would forget that when he stood beside the dead magician, he had that cold and calm expression, as if he had long been accustomed to taking other people's lives, and those icy, cold eyes that looked at the corpse with indifference.
Even a high-ranking knight like himself felt an uncontrollable sense of fear.Precisely because of this, although the king's confirmation decree hadn't been issued yet, this young lord had already begun to exercise the power of the lord, and his authority was stronger than that of any previous lord in the Madin family.As a loyal subordinate of the Madin family, Viscount Reltar really hoped that this situation could last for a long time."You are the last heir of the Madin family. Please think carefully about this matter. Although the world of magic is full of charm, you have a heavy responsibility on your shoulders," Viscount Reltar quickly advised. Unlike Baron Ronna, Viscount Reltar, who had been loyal to the Madin family for generations, wouldn't treat Ivan as a junior."You don't have to worry," Ivan comforted. "I've already promised my great-aunt that I won't be free to study magic as I like until I've accomplished several things.""Oh, could you tell me what those agreements are?"
Viscount Reltar asked eagerly, rather worried that Ivan wouldn't tell him."First of all, I will consolidate the position of the Madin family in Sersburg," Ivan said."That's an easy thing for you," Viscount Reltar said.Baron Ronna and the member of the Tornam family standing beside him also nodded together. Apparently, this was already an indisputable fact."Secondly, I have to leave an heir for the Madin family," Ivan said."That's wonderful," Viscount Reltar and Baron Ronna said at the same time, though the things on their minds were obviously completely different."Your Excellency surely has no problem in this regard," the member of the Tornam family said coldly."The Madin family has a thin bloodline.
Miss Madin will surely be willing to have as many heirs as possible, right? Young master Ivan?" Viscount Reltar asked happily."My great-aunt does have such an idea," Ivan said a bit sheepishly."May we take young lord away?" A woman's voice came from behind.
Ivan turned around and saw four ladies standing in front of him, all of whom he was quite familiar with.The one in the lead was Baroness Ronna, and beside her was her closest little sister, Viscountess Telbo.
Following these two ladies were the two daughters-in-law of Viscount Tornam, the host here.Baron Ronna and Viscount Reltar couldn't refuse the ladies' request, as it was the most basic aristocratic etiquette.Ivan was pulled by Baroness Ronna and taken to the middle of the chatting ladies and young ladies."Ah, the sun is shining brightly today.
It's really a rare good weather. Now is the best time to enjoy the flowers in the garden. Shall we take the children for a walk in the yard?" Baroness Henred suggested.The old ladies naturally had no objections, and although the young ladies really wanted to hear what their mothers and their Prince Charming, young lord, were talking about, they knew very well that their mothers would surely ask some questions that were not suitable for them to hear.
The girls left the lounge reluctantly under the leadership of the old ladies."Three gentlemen, could you please go downstairs and rest for a while?" Baroness Ronna asked."But my duty is to take care of the children," the member of the Tornam family said."We'll help you take care of these children. In my opinion, these children are quite quiet and nothing should happen," a lady said.The three men had no choice but to follow the ladies' wishes and went to the small living room next to them to continue chatting."Ivan, I want to ask you something.
You don't have to answer if you don't want to, but please don't lie to us. Has your great-aunt Miss Madin already made arrangements for you?" Baroness Ronna asked.Ivan thought for a while and finally decided to tell the truth. Perhaps this was the best way to make Miss Fanny give up on her own."Yes, my great-aunt has indeed arranged everything for me," Ivan said."Is it Miss Betty?" Baroness Ronna asked softly.
Ivan was extremely surprised. He couldn't imagine how these ladies could possibly know this secret.Baroness Ronna clearly guessed the doubt in Ivan's heart and said gently, "Maybe you think it's strange how we could know this. It can be said to be a kind of intuition, a woman's intuition. You may not have noticed that sometimes you and Miss Betty seem a bit too affectionate. We know Miss Betty quite well. Because she was influenced by Miss Madin since childhood, she's a bit hard to get close to. And yet she allows you to have such affectionate behaviors towards her.
It's entirely imaginable that it was Miss Madin who instructed her to do so.""Moreover, we also know Miss Madin quite well. Once Miss Madin decides to do something, she'll become extremely serious and also very stubborn. Sometimes she's even a bit unscrupulous. And the only person Miss Madin trusts completely is Miss Betty, whom she raised since childhood.""If Miss Madin just needs an heir of the Madin family's bloodline, there's no reason for her not to use the most trustworthy Miss Betty beside her but let you get an heir through a long and uncertain relationship and marriage with a girl she doesn't know, right?" Viscountess Telbo interrupted.Hearing these words, Ivan was left speechless. He had never thought that the so-called secret could be so easily exposed.
No wonder Odrey had repeatedly warned him that habits formed over the years were the easiest things to be used to identify a person's identity."Don't worry. We definitely won't spread it around," Baroness Ronna comforted."Ivan, could you tell us how you and Miss Madin agreed? We guess that Miss Madin will definitely not let Miss Betty leave her side.
And after you leave Sersburg, the person who will truly act as the agent for all affairs in Sersburg and be responsible for teaching the next lord is Miss Betty, right?" Baroness Ronna asked."Well... Just as you guessed, I don't need to add anything more," Ivan said, secretly amazed at how formidable these noble ladies were. There seemed to be no secrets in front of them."What we care about most is how you will choose the life partner to spend your life with.
Forgive our selfishness, but we must think about our daughters," Viscountess Telbo said."I haven't really thought about these things yet. For me, I don't have time to consider emotional matters at present," Ivan replied."Ivan, we also want to ask you a question that might make you feel embarrassed. Um... Compared with obtaining emotional satisfaction, are you more willing to seek physical pleasure?" Viscountess Telbo asked.Just as this lady said, Ivan was indeed quite embarrassed and wriggled uncomfortably."Our family doesn't lack the kind of pleasure you mentioned, but a body without a soul is just an empty shell.
No one understands this better than our family. However, perhaps you ladies will regard me as a lecherous person like the ancestors of my family. I will ask the woman I love to accept all the pleasures I give her, whether in terms of emotions or the physical aspect. She won't be a pure and lovely angel above everything else but a fallen one who indulges in desires and pleasures with me," Ivan said.
In the end, he still planned to scare away those young ladies who had fantasies about him."The family tradition of the Bendixit family is really quite different," Lady Telbo said with a smile.Many of the other ladies also gently covered their faces with their feather fans. Obviously, they were also secretly laughing.However, it was clearly not the scornful sneer that the men showed when they heard all this. Apparently, the ladies didn't consider these things as unforgivable evils."I heard that you have a stunning beauty by your side.
Is she the one you seek pleasure with?" a lady asked.This was another extremely embarrassing question, but Ivan didn't think it was too difficult to answer. He said, "Our family has a strong need for pleasure, and I'm a bit different. Grandpa knew me quite well, so he gave Miss Susanna to me.""Doesn't it have an impact on your magic practice? As far as we know, most magicians avoid women," Lady Telbo asked tentatively."My teacher didn't say that lust is harmful to magic practice.
If that were the case, Teacher Lavash would surely have warned me," Ivan said."Ivan, thank you for satisfying our curiosity as women. Could you help us call the old ladies and young ladies back? I think they've had enough exercise. It's quite chilly now, and if they stay in the garden for too long, they might get sick," Lady Ronna sent Ivan out of the lounge.
Obviously, the ladies needed to quietly discuss some things.Ivan obediently walked out of the room. He casually pulled a member of the Tornam family and relayed the ladies' orders to him.That gentleman obediently ran downstairs and rushed towards the distant garden.Ivan wandered around the mansion of the Tornam family by himself.
He didn't want to chat with Baron Ronna and the others, and the ladies obviously had a lot of things to discuss. Going back to the lounge would not only be embarrassing but also, in all likelihood, he wouldn't be welcomed.Bored, Ivan asked a waiter to take him to the study.The study of the Tornam family was located in the middle of the second floor. The decoration inside was quite nice. On the smooth hardwood floor coated with a thick layer of wax, there was a gray cashmere carpet.
Six or seven long rows of bookcases on both sides were filled with all kinds of books.This study was obviously often tidied up, so the books were placed quite neatly and were almost perfectly categorized. There were a circle of sofas placed around, and the cushions were like big pillows stuffed with cotton.Perhaps because of the large number of family members, the study was extremely spacious, and there was a rich variety of books. It was a pity that there were hardly any high-level books here."This is the public study, and the books placed here are quite ordinary.
The important members of the family have their own studies," the waiter explained.Ivan thought this method was quite good. If there had been such a public study in Southport back then, it would undoubtedly have been like paradise for him.Although Mr. Madierd, the owner, was generous, he never lent books to others casually, and it was even more impossible to lend them to himself.Ivan sent the waiter out and instructed him not to disturb him unless their family celebration started.In the study, Ivan flipped through one book after another, which was quite suitable for killing time.
It wasn't until evening that someone finally came into the study and invited him to the hall.In the hall, the members of the Tornam family gathered together.Ivan finally understood why the Tornam family was called the largest family in the southern part of Francois.This family was truly flourishing. There were dozens of main members with titles alone.
Adding their wives and children, it was already a large group. Not to mention those members without titles.Ivan guessed that those who needed to draw lots were probably the Tornam family members with titles. Otherwise, I'm afraid there wouldn't be enough work positions in this huge mansion.Given the large population of the Tornam family, perhaps each toilet could be assigned two or three gentlemen to clean together.
To be honest, standing beside Viscount Tornam, Ivan smelled the strong fragrance of perfume on him. Obviously, the head of the family had used all the perfume he could find. I'm afraid that in the next month, the ladies of the Tornam family would complain a lot because they had no perfume to use.The celebration of the Tornam family was undoubtedly quite lively. Since everyone knew each other well, there was no sense of restraint at all.Another interesting thing that Ivan noticed was that during the Tornam family's celebration, the ball and the banquet were held simultaneously. There were no waiters walking around with drinks and food on trays, and there were no chairs placed in front of the dining tables.If one wanted to eat something, they could go to the long dining table on one side of the hall and choose the food by themselves. The table was filled with all kinds of delicious dishes.
Obviously, the Tornam family was quite willing to spend money on such enjoyments.Besides the food, there were also plates, knives, and forks placed on the table. Beside the soups, there were always clean bowls and spoons.Just like the food, the tableware could be taken as needed.
The dirty plates were put into a large wooden basin placed aside. Naturally, someone would take away the used plates in the basin, and there were always people who would put the washed tableware back on the table again.However, this was only for others. The Tornam family had specially prepared a banquet table for Ivan.
This wasn't because of Ivan's status as a lord but due to the unique eating habits inherited from the old Earl Madin.Almost all the noble families in Sersburg knew that the old Earl Madin and his beautiful and charming daughter regarded all kinds of "shellfish" as their staple food and regarded squid as their favorite delicacy.Shellfish was okay, but squid was a food that most people would never dare to try. Having dinner with the old lord and his daughter wasn't a pleasant memory.
Watching these two people munching on the ugly tentacles of squid with great relish was quite a test of will for those with weak nerves.Another thing that was known to everyone in Sersburg was that this strange habit of the old earl and the earl's daughter had been passed down unchanged to the current awe-inspiring young lord.In one corner of the hall, there was a curtain hanging, and behind the curtain, there was a set of exquisite tables and chairs, which were reserved for the respected young lord.
Miss Fanny and Miss Lystin had intended to accompany Ivan. No doubt the ladies in the lounge had told them something.However, their mental strength was obviously not strong enough. When they saw the dishes cooked with cuttlefish ink, which were black and gloomy, and the curled, stretched, and tangled cuttlefish tentacles, the two girls fled from the corner with pale faces.
And this immediately became the most attractive topic at the ball.Compared with the young lord's extensive knowledge, his intimidating authority that made many people feel nervous, and his identity as a magician, his dissolute bloodline inherited from the Bendixit family, the astonishing charm he inherited from his beautiful and charming mother, the count's daughter, and his unappetizing diet were more likely to become the main topics in people's gossip.
The members of the Tornam family gathered in groups of three or five, chatting and laughing about the young lord's quirks. And Fanny and Lystin undoubtedly became the targets of good-natured teasing. Of course, not everyone regarded all this as something interesting.In this family, Viscount Telbo obviously had many allies who shared the same views as him.
They had absolutely no liking for the blood of the Bendixit family flowing in Ivan's veins. However, they didn't oppose the "strange habit" inherited from Miss Lisa.Viscount Telbo stood in one corner of the hall. A little ahead of them, Viscount Tornam and Viscount Reltar were like two strict guards, keeping these "dangerous elements" who might disrupt the celebration atmosphere in that corner far away from the young lord.
Another group of family members of the Tornam family who were loyal to the young lord pulled Viscount Telbo and the others to chat together. Obviously, they were trying their best to distract these "dangerous elements".
However, it was almost impossible. Viscount Telbo stared at his daughter dancing with that young libertine with eyes full of fury. Any affectionate gesture could cause a low growl of anger from the viscount.He really couldn't understand why Baron Ronna allowed his daughter to get so close to that young libertine. He couldn't be unaware of how dissolute and shameless the descendants of the Bendixit family were.
What puzzled him even more was why so many people were secretly encouraging and helping these two brainless girls to pursue this "Prince Charming" with a sharp lance. And among these people were even his own wife and those two gentle but stubborn father-in-law and mother-in-law. They were not people who were greedy for wealth.
Viscount Telbo was both angry and frustrated. He could only use sarcasm and ridicule with his like-minded allies to vent his dissatisfaction.Ivan, who was cared for by everyone, would rather have one or two people like Viscount Telbo appear and even drive him out of the mansion of the Tornam family than be in this increasingly tangled situation now.
Ivan clearly felt that what the ladies in the lounge said to their daughters was not advice or warning but clearly encouragement or even instigation.What made him even more helpless was that he found that there was no way to reject the affection of this beautiful, gentle girl who had high expectations of him without hurting her.Moreover, in Miss Fanny, Ivan seemed to see a trace of Miss Betty's figure. Although compared with Miss Betty, Fanny was still very immature and lacked the charm that could moisten and influence others like spring breeze and gentle rain.
However, just as Miss Betty was destined to be his wife, Miss Betty was also destined not to be by his side forever. Because on Miss Betty's shoulders, on one side was the prosperity of Sersburg and even the entire southern part of Francois, and on the other side was the future fate of the Madin family.
This double pressure made her have no freedom and no right to control her own fate.Perhaps, choosing Miss Fanny as a life partner for himself was also a good option.However, Ivan immediately deeply regretted having such an idea. Regarding Miss Fanny as a substitute for Miss Betty was clearly disrespectful to Miss Fanny. Apart from the similarity in personality between this baron's daughter and Miss Betty, Miss Fanny also had her own unique charm.