The carriage traversed the main road and turned onto a small path.
Dense foliage on either side obscured the sunlight, making the already dim interior of the carriage pitch-dark.
Carl felt as if he were thrown high up and then dropped heavily back down.
"My apologies," the driver said, his voice tinged with guilt. "This road is difficult to navigate, especially near Pharmacist Adolf’s estate. It’s full of potholes."
"It’s fine." Carl didn’t want to be too critical, so he casually asked, "Do you travel this road often?"
"Yes," the driver replied. "The toll out of the city is higher than within. Besides, most who come this way are wealthy folks like yourself."
Wealthy people are indeed more willing to spend money, Carl mused. He nodded and pulled back the carriage curtain to look outside.
Through the trees, he could see an estate with an ancient gate and towers, likely over a hundred years old.
Pharmacist Adolf? Such a large place belongs to him alone? Why have I never heard his name before?
Earl Rekton’s estate was not far. Numerous carriages were already parked at the front, and guests in splendid attire were coming and going.
"Carl!" Dana called out from a distance, "Over here!"
Next to her, Martha looked at Carl, who was dismounting from the carriage, with a curious expression, and unconsciously furrowed her brow. Strange clothes, and a clear burn mark on his face. Reputed to have a bad personality as well. Is this the kind of person Cousin Dana wants me to meet? Baron... Besides the title of Baron, what else does this man have left?
"Officer." Carl bowed slightly in greeting. "I am late."
"We were early," Dana said nonchalantly, waving her hand, her gaze lingering on him for a moment. "Nice outfit."
Carl’s custom-made suit lacked elaborate decorations, opting instead for a clean, sleek look that possessed a unique elegance. Accustomed to lavish outfits, Dana was pleasantly surprised.
"The price is nice too," Carl replied with a smile, turning to Martha. "This must be the beautiful cousin you often speak of, Officer. Indeed, she is unforgettable at first sight."
"Thank you." Martha curtsied, her politeness tinged with distance.
Hmm? She doesn’t seem impressed with me. All the better!
With a smile, Carl accepted Dana’s suggestion and began to walk with Martha toward the interior of the estate. Once Dana was out of earshot, Martha’s demeanor shifted. She immediately dropped her polite facade, her expression turning haughty as she lifted her chin. "I’ll be blunt," she said. "We’re not suited for each other."
"That is regrettable." Carl barely suppressed a smile. "But Miss Martha, rest assured, I won’t pester you."
"Oh!" Martha raised an eyebrow. "You do have quite the gentlemanly demeanor."
Now that they had spoken openly, they were no longer so reserved. They strolled leisurely to the estate’s lawn, where many young people were gathered.
"The son of Earl Rekton." Martha pointed at a young man among the crowd and smiled. "Today is his coming-of-age ceremony."
The young man was dressed brightly, his face glowing, gesturing frequently with a wine glass while surrounded by admiring guests.
TEE HEE... As if struck by a thought, Martha smiled mysteriously. "Do you know what a coming-of-age ceremony is?"
"A birthday when one comes of age," Carl replied. "Does it have some special significance?"
"Of course!" Martha’s eyes gleamed seductively. "Once you have a coming-of-age ceremony, you can do the things adults do. You don’t even know this?"
During the coming-of-age ceremony, elders would speak of the duties adults hold towards society and the rights they get to enjoy. They would also encourage the youth to adhere to public morals, serve the nation, and remain faithful to the Divine. However... Looking at Martha’s expression, it was clear that her concept of a coming-of-age ceremony was certainly not so ’traditional’.
"Look!" Martha gestured to a nearby group of women. "Those women over there were specially brought to help Kolclav through his coming-of-age ceremony."
"If he wishes, they can all stay tonight. Of course, such women are not worthy of bearing heirs for the Earl’s family."
Wait... is that...? Carl’s mouth twitched slightly. He wasn’t surprised by Martha’s words, but rather by a familiar face he saw among those women. That’s the married cousin from my Uncle Gegil’s family! What is she doing here?
Although this cousin and Carl were not on good terms, and their encounters had been limited, he was certain he wasn’t mistaken. She apparently recognized him too. Her expression changed suddenly, and she turned away in haste, clearly intending to avoid acknowledging him.
"Miss Martha," Carl said, masking the odd look in his eyes, "you don’t seem to find this strange?"
TSK... Martha curled her lip, devoid of the ladylike demeanor she had shown earlier. "What’s so strange about matters between men and women? Don’t tell me you’ve never done *it* before?"
She looked perfectly natural and then said, "Lady Annie is here!"
Lady Annie was dressed splendidly today. Her wide gown bloomed like a flower, accentuating her delicate skin. The impressive fullness of her bosom was astonishing. Her cheeks were smooth and delicate, her beauty so striking it seemed to overshadow even the intricate veil she wore. It was hard to imagine this was a woman who had lost her husband over a decade ago.
"She’s becoming more beautiful!" Martha’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, as if looking at a long-admired idol. Her hands instinctively covered her mouth. "I wonder how she maintains herself. I’d be content if I had skin like hers right now."
EH... "The person next to her seems to be Doctor Robert."
"Robert," Carl queried, "who is that?"
The man at Lady Annie’s side was not particularly handsome. Despite wearing high-heeled boots, he was still somewhat shorter than Annie. But their manner was intimate, like a loving couple.
"You don’t know Doctor Robert?" Martha looked over in surprise, then gave a secretive smile. "That’s odd!"
"How so?" Carl frowned. "Should I know him?"
"All the men in the city, especially the wealthy ones, should know him," Martha stated seriously. "Seems like you don’t have much money."
"..." Carl fell silent for a moment. "No," he conceded. "But why would wealthy men all know him, Miss Martha? Could you enlighten me?"
"It’s simple." Martha’s face once again showed that secretive smile. "Doctor Robert has a special technique that can add a few centimeters to a man’s original... endowment."
"Add a few centimeters?"
"Seems like..." Carl looked doubtful. "It’s not much use."
Even less convincing! Robert himself is even shorter than some women. If he could make others taller, why is he so short? Besides, women might want to be taller too. Why only mention men?
TSK TSK... Martha shook her head. "It’s not about getting taller."
"Not getting taller? Then what is it..." Carl trailed off. Then, as realization dawned, he couldn’t help but chuckle.
"Understood?" Martha asked, a knowing smirk on her face.
"Understood," Carl confirmed, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"So, shall I introduce you to him?" Martha suggested. "I have that kind of influence."
"No need." Carl shook his head. "I don’t have that need."
"Oh!" Martha’s gaze dropped. "Are you that confident?"
"Miss Martha, perhaps your own experience is somewhat limited," Carl said slowly. "Often, a man being too... ’powerful’... isn’t an advantage. It can even make his partner feel aversion or resistance."
Martha shrugged. She understood this better than men, but she was also more aware of male pride.
"Carl!" At that moment, Dana waved from a distance.
"Officer," Carl said, eager to get away from the increasingly suggestive Martha. He took the opportunity and walked over. "Is something wrong?"
"Yes." Dana looked grim. "Ham is dead. Someone drained him of his life force."