CH 104

February 15, 2022 by danmeiheaven

Xia Zuoyi approached Prince Cassius with Rice Cake in his arms. Seeing him stiffly glancing at the plushies, he reached out and touched Briquette’s big head whispered, “They won’t hurt people at will. Please don’t worry.”

The beasts, which are almost as tall as a person, are too close.

That overwhelming sense of oppression kept coming. So close that Cassius could clearly see the tiny fluff in the beasts’ ears that quivered slightly in the cold wind, the stretched beards, and the clear pupils that were casually looking over…

Cassius licked his dry lips. He couldn’t rest assured.

He couldn’t help imagining it now—if these large beasts suddenly rushed towards him and bit his arms, waist, and even his head…

Oh, merciful God of Creation! Just thinking about it makes his chest feel cold and his limbs weak.

Prince Cassius couldn’t help looking at Lord Desinia standing in front of him again and felt a subtle contrast in his heart.

—They are about the same age.

But the other party is already the master of such a huge territory. Not only respected but also has absolute authority.

The black and white cavalry that is very famous even in the empire, the docile large beasts around him, the Thorns Chamber of Commerce that can make countless money…

Prince Cassius watched the other party’s slender and white fingers slowly scratch the golden lion’s fur as the dangerous-looking beast turned its head affectionately and rubbed against his palm…

The surrounding cavalry is silent and orderly, with amazing momentum…

Cassius retracted his eyes and couldn’t stop the sourness in his heart.

He said, “Honorable Lord Desinia, in view of the existence of your beasts…pets, it seems that it’s not suitable to live with other distinguished guests…”

“I would like to make another arrangement for you.”

“Sherry Hotel has a large area, divided into the east and west sides. Most of the distinguished guests are arranged to live in the west. Lord Desinia might as well live alone in the east…”

“What do you think?”

Xia Zuoyi nodded. He had no opinion.

Just as Prince Cassius was about to introduce Lord Desinia into the hotel, two people suddenly walked out of the building. One has silver hair and gray eyes, while the other has blond hair and green eyes.

It was Orville and Archibald who arrived first.

Their appearance caused a little commotion in the crowd around the hotel.

Xia Zuoyi subconsciously looked around. His caramel-colored eyes carelessly swept through them until his gaze suddenly stopped on a petite figure wearing a white fluffy cloak…

Huh?!

His attention was glued and wanted to take a closer look, but the petite figure was suddenly blocked by someone. At this time, Archibald’s voice reached his ear.

“I’ll also live in the east. I will order someone to move my things later.”

Xia Zuoyi turned around and smiled at Archie.

Prince Cassius hesitated, “This…Your Highness Prince Cavendish, would you like to think about it again…”

Although Archibald Cavendish did not inherit the throne of Anas Kingdom, he was named a prince by Queen Laurie.

The prince is independent of titles such as dukes and marquises and is only awarded to members of the royal family. It’s an honorary title. And the prince’s status is second only to the king.

“No need.” Archibald said.

Without waiting for Prince Cassius to nod, Orville also said that he wanted to live in the east.

Xia Zuoyi smiled at Orville again.

Prince Cassius must’ve understood something—the Desinian Territory, the Archiayoli Territory, and the Anas Kingdom can form an alliance, so the relationship between the three is indeed extraordinary.

He nodded, “Okay, then I’ll organize the servants to move all the belongings of the grand duke and the prince to the east of the Sherry Hotel. Now Lord Desinia, please come with me…”

As a prince, Cassius was impeccable in terms of etiquette. He leaned over and stretched out his hand—

Xia Zuoyi led the group of furballs, Udit, Walker, and the others into the Sherry Hotel, while the black-and-white cavalry was led to other places by another official in charge of reception.

As their figures disappeared, the lively congregation watching outside the establishment gradually dispersed.

Samielle’s cheeks were flushed. She-she seemed to have been looked at by Lord Desinia just now!

The butler whispered, “Lady Samielle, it’s time for us to go back.”

“Okay, okay…” She mumbled and nodded as she looked at the door of the hotel.

After a while.

When there was no one else around, she turned and left with the butler and the maid Mary.

The hotel is splendid and magnificent, and the area is indeed very extensive. There are two luxuriously decorated halls and a beautiful courtyard lawn between the east and the west sides.

It’s already in winter now so the green grass has withered and turned yellow.

On the first night of his stay in the hotel, Xia Zuoyi received an invitation letter from the Pope, inviting him to the Holy Church.

Moreover, the people who came to invite him were Cardinal Maldiz and Archbishop Paul, who he hadn’t seen for a long time.

Xia Zuoyi: “Alright, I’ll take Brown Sugar. The Pope hasn’t seen him as an adult.” 

The black panther happened to be standing beside him at that time. The end of his long tail is slightly hooked that from time to time, sweeps to the lord’s ankle. His golden eyes lazily glanced at the two people, almost as if giving a charity.

Paul: “Yes, of course.”

So Xia Zuoyi boarded the Holy See’s carriage with only Brown Sugar and Udit in tow.

…

The Holy Church of the Holy See is located in the center of the royal city. It’s not too far from the Sherry Hotel so the carriage arrived after a while.

Although it was already evening, there were still people coming and going outside the Holy Church. People wearing priestly attire are everywhere.

An old man stood at the door.

His hands are behind his back and is wearing a red and white cardinal robe. The passing clergy would stop and salute him respectfully.

When Paul came near, he put his right hand on his left chest and bowed.

When Maldiz saw him, his face visibly darkened, “Demps, what are you doing here?!”

Demps smiled and replied, “I appreciate your hard work.”

“Why don’t I lead Lord Desinia to the Pope’s residence?”

He said, smiling at the curious Xia Zuoyi. He looks very kind compared to Maldiz’s stern and serious face.

Maldiz has never had a good look at Demps, who is also a cardinal.

Why wouldn’t he be able to see that he’s so curious about Lord Desinia that he just had to appear here and take him to see the Pope himself?

“We don’t want to bother you.” Maldiz said stiffly.

“How can it be troublesome, Howard? You speak so unfamiliarly.” Demps countered.

Xia Zuoyi looked around and felt that the atmosphere was stuck.

He hesitated whether to speak out. If he didn’t go in, would he have to stand outside the Holy Church until midnight?

Paul was obviously familiar with the tit-for-tat confrontation between the two cardinals. He calmly mediated between them, “Your Immenency, why don’t you send Lord Desinia to see His Excellency the Pope together.”

“If we delayed more… His Excellency may send a golden-armored knight over…”

When a ladder is handed over, take it as soon as you see it.

Demps laughed. “Then let’s go together, Howard.”

Maldiz: Hmph.

Paul breathed a sigh of relief.

…

Xia Zuoyi was led by the two cardinals through the courtyard full of blooming belanka.

Because it belongs to the private residence of the Pope, some people are forbidden to enter, so Paul and Udit stayed outside to wait.

They passed the corridor lined with golden knights and came to a door. Demps knocked softly.

“Your Excellency, Lord Desinia is here.”

Segalot’s low magnetic voice came from the room, “Come in.” 

Demps slowly opened the door.

Instead of taking the lead in, he turned his body sideways to expose Xia Zuoyi behind him—for a moment, Segalot and Xia Zuoyi looked at each other.

The former raised the corners of his mouth.

Xia Zuoyi smiled.

He gently touched Brown Sugar’s round ears with one hand and smiled, “Your Excellency, long time no see.”

Demps and Maldiz left after a while, leaving only Segalot, Xia Zuoyi, and a beautiful adult black panther in the room.

They sat on the chairs near the window, with an exquisite round table in the middle. The silvery-white moonlight poured through the window and sprinkled on the scented tea and cakes as if coating them with a layer of beautiful frosting.

After turning around the room, Brown Sugar jumped onto the wide window sill and lay lazily on his overlapping front paws. His long tail dangled from the window sill, swaying leisurely.

Segalot poured a cup of scented tea for Xia Zuoyi. As he did so, his eyes involuntarily fell on the rose ruby ​​jewelry he wore on his chest and left index finger.

It was a gift he gave him a few years ago.

It’s still worn by Xia Zuoyi—this recognition can’t help but make him feel happy.

Segalot remembered the scene of seeing him in the carriage in front of Sherry Hotel today. His golden eyes slowly fell on his face again, deep and focused.

Xia Zuoyi was stared at by the Pope. He felt slightly uncomfortable and his ear tips became a little warm.

He finally moved his body and reached out to touch his face. He asked suspiciously, “Is there something on my face?”

He looked strangely embarrassed.

Segalot said, “Just thinking about the time when I first met you. Looking back now, I feel a little emotional.”

Young people grow too fast.

It’s only been more than a year that he hasn’t seen him. Not only is his height taller, but even the contours of his face are more refined. He no longer has the slightly rounded and lovely feeling before.

His Excellency the Pope involuntarily sighed. His gilded eyes narrowed slightly as if reminiscing.

He stretched out his hand beside the chair for a height comparison, “The first time I saw you in the church in Keys, you were only this tall, with round cheeks and small and soft hands…”

And a fleshy belly.

Xia Zuoyi pursed his lips, “Your Excellency hasn’t changed much.” 

Except that His Excellency became heavier.

“Well, but I think I’ve changed.” Segalot smirked.

Xia Zuoyi looked at him suspiciously. He didn’t notice any change in his appearance. He’s still as handsome as ever, with his slightly curly black long hair scattered behind him that shows just a bit of laziness.

Probably because he just woke up.

The Pope was wearing only a casual black robe with the neckline open to the collarbone. His skin that looked cold because of its fairness was a little red because of the cold air that had penetrated in by the window… 

Looking at it…makes his heart beat a little faster.

Xia Zuoyi pursed his lips and looked away uncomfortably, only to hear the Pope speak suddenly.

He said, “Little Zuoyi, sleep here tonight.”

Translator’s Note:

Found the appropriate English translation for mianxia which is Your Excellency or Your Majesty. Obviously, I chose the former so as not to cause confusion because the latter is used when addressing a king. I’ll change the previous chapters that have mianxia in them in a bit.

Also, for those who haven’t yet read Chapter 14 of Infrastructure Frenzy, I said there that my mom got Covid so I couldn’t update for a while. Just follow-up news, my mom’s condition is stable now, she just has to do self-isolation for 21 days because it’s mandatory. We’re still worried and were constantly monitoring her condition all the time. Just hoping for my mom’s speedy recovery <3