Chapter 36

Tight tailcoat, curly hair, and bright powder that he was forced to put on his face. The new Liszt couldn’t be more gorgeous.

“Perfect!”

Mayop patted Liszt’s shoulder. “You will be the focus of all the females tonight.”

“That’s not my intention. I’m not planning to make the acquaintance of any noble lady right now, cousin.”

“You’re lying. Liszt, the most beautiful thing in life is to meet the right person at the right moment. Don’t wait; act.”

“Is that why you are still unmarried, cousin?”

“Don’t divert the subject on to me. We’re talking about you right now.”

Liszt shook his sleeve. Mayop was not bad to him. He was of a mind to tell him that it was better to marry any female noble than to chase after Archduke Sapphire’s socially active daughter.

However, he kept the words to himself.

It must be the marquis’s will. The Taro family definitely wanted to take a step further. If Mayop married Archduke Sapphire’s daughter, the family would be indestructible.

As the baron of a countryside town, he’d better mind his own business.

After being dressed up, he followed Mayop to the hall where the ball was to be held. Many nobles had arrived and were chit-chatting over wine casually.

“Sir Mayop, you’re finally out?” A noble approached them with a cup.

“It’s not time yet. No rush, Martil.”

Martil looked at Liszt. “Who’s this?”

“He’s my cousin. His father is the Earl of Coral Island.”

“So you’re one of the Tulips. Good to meet you. I’m Martil Crossbow.”

“Liszt Tulip.” Liszt maintained a polite yet unenthusiastic smile. He was not a noble interested in social activities, and it was not his intention to join the ball.

However, he could only hold back his dislike and got to know the young nobles on Red Crab Island thanks to Mayop. They were mostly the Taro family’s followers, who were entirely loyal to the marquis.

“Have you found any beautiful lady that you’re interested in? Do tell me if there are any.” Mayop returned to Liszt after greeting the guests. “Look at your brother. He has hit on three viscounts’ daughters.”

Levis, who looked plain, said something that made a young lady laugh aloud.

“Somebody is also courting your sister.”

Two male nobles were talking and laughing with Lvera. She was not very beautiful, but everybody knew that Lvera was a baroness. For nobles who could not inherit family titles, she was an excellent choice for marriage.

After they married her, they could continue enjoying the privileges of nobles.

Liszt raised his cup and tapped it against Mayop’s. “I do hope that they can find their happiness. As for me, cousin, there’s really no need to worry about me.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“All right, but I’ll keep an eye on appropriate ladies for you all the same.”

“That’s unnecessary.” Liszt was lost for words. Why was his cousin such an enthusiastic matchmaker?!

Mayop shrugged and said in a low voice, “It’s also my father’s intention. He knows that you are not appreciated in the Tulip family, and he hopes that you can come to Red Crab Island. Also, I need help. The Taro family does not have many people. I sincerely hope that you can come.”

Liszt could tell that Mayop was speaking the truth.

By exchanging the measuring units, he reached the conclusion that Coral Island was approximately 10,000 square kilometers.

Red Crab Island was ten times the size of Coral Island.

The larger a place was, the more difficult it would be to manage it with the poor transportation. Also, as the power was decentralized and distributed to smaller nobles, the foundation of the reign would be shaken.

He wouldn’t say that he was not tempted. Flower Town was too desolate a place to be developed.

If he came to Red Crab Island, the Taro family would have to promote him to a viscount, and he would have a small city.

However, Liszt resisted the idea of realizing this purpose with women. “I’ll let nature run its course. Cousin, I wouldn’t say no to someone I like, but I couldn’t force myself to like anyone.”

“All right.”

…

The ball started when night fell.

The piano song built a soothing atmosphere for the ball.

As the host, Mayop and the daughter of a viscount had the opening dance. Then, they backed off and hinted for other people to look for their partners.

Liszt sat in a corner and watched the young men and women dance on the floor.

He did not take any action.

He had observed all the women in the ball, but none of them was fascinating to him. Some of the mature females, who suited his tastes, were too old for him. He was only sixteen, after all.

Many nobles had already loosened themselves at this age.

However, it was still not an appropriate age for marriage.

His eyes surpassed the crowd and lost focus. A moment later, invisible smoke popped up and assembled into twisted words.

Mission: Fresh clovers are the favorites of both cows and horses. They’re the foundation of a horsefield and the start of success. Please install the wormgrass of the clover insect. Reward: Three wild corn.

The mission hadn’t been updated for days. He was rather anxious.

I’ve been delayed for quite a couple of days. The clovers should be sprouting now. I can probably settle the clover insect when I’m back… I don’t know what wild corn looks like, but their production must be multiple times higher than that of wheat.

As he considered the mission, a pleasant voice called, “Hi, Liszt, can I sit here?”

The mist was suddenly gone.

Liszt returned to himself and saw a girl no more than twenty years old. She had curly flaxen hair, a pointy nose, and deep eyes. Her lips were thin and seemed to be smiling all the time.

In terms of appearance, she was definitely an eight.

Mayop introduced her to him previously. She was Asina Salmon, the youngest daughter of a viscount. Her family was best known for the salmon they produced.

With a gentle smile, Liszt extended his hand. “Beautiful lady, you are welcome anywhere.”