Chapter 436
Michael lowered his head and looked at the hole in his shoulder. It was torn by a branch when riding a horse on the way here. He wanted to have the servants mend it when he got back, but he forgot and entered the palace. Now that Xander brought it up, it seemed like he was deliberately exposing his shortcomings.
He turned his face away, between tears and laughter. “I am in military uniform, so there is no need for such romance.”
But Xander obviously didn’t intend to let him go. He looked at the King and said, “Your Majesty, General Osborne is meritorious in guarding Ironfang Pass. I think we should find a good wife for him so that he has no regrets.”
The King sat on the throne, looking at the subtle atmosphere below. He understood that Prince Regent was not really thinking of Michael. It was clear that he was afraid that Michael was still thinking about his wife.
The King smiled slightly and turned his gaze to Michael, “General Osborne, what do you think?”
Michael quickly knelt on the ground and said clearly, “Your Majesty, I am dedicated to serving the country and have no intention of starting a family for the time being. Thank you for your concerns, my lords.”
“Don’t say that.” The King put down his pen and said in a gentle tone, “You have shed blood for the country, how can I let you be alone? Starting a family is your duty.” He paused and looked at Thanatus beside him, “Give the order to select some well–behaved aristocratic women and present a list.”
Thanatus quickly responded, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Michael looked helpless. He really hadn’t thought about starting a family. He rolled his eyes at Xander with some displeasure. Xander smiled, with a triumphant look on his face.
Michael walked out of the Grand Sanctum and was blocked by Xander. Xander leaned against the vermilion corridor pillar, playing with a gold pendant in his hand, smiling like a cat that had stolen cream. “The King has already spoken, General Osborne, you can’t escape this time.”
“Prince Regent, I really appreciate your effort,” Michael snorted coldly, his face looking terrible.
“General Osborne, you seem a little unhappy,” said Xander.
Michael gave a low grunt and suddenly raised an eyebrow to look at Xander, “Are you jealous?”
Xander paused, thinking, ‘Jealous? Is it that obvious?‘
Seeing that he had hit the nail on the head, Michael chuckled, “Are you guarding against me, Your Grace?”
Xander’s face darkened, and he didn’t speak. He just looked at Michael coldly. “Why did you ask, since you know the answer? Don’t think that I don’t know what you were thinking when you sent Athena grapes.”
“You are overthinking, Your Grace.” Michael had to explain to him, “I just heard that grapes are beneficial to the fetus for pregnant women. I really don’t have any other intention. Why did you persuade the King to arrange a marriage for me?”
“You know your intentions.” Xander gave a cold snort.
Michael’s church throbbed with anger, and he glared at Xander, “Mind your own business.”
After speaking, he turned over and jumped onto his horse, and left.
Xander watched him leave, unable to recover for a long time. “This is outrageous. How dare he talk to me like that?”
A few days later, the list was sent to Michael’s residence. But he didn’t even glance at it. Instead, he frowned, his face gloomy. This matter was supervised by the King, so the Ministry of Rites did not dare to neglect it. Seeing that he could not persuade Michael, they handed the list to the King.
“Your Majesty, we have tried all we could, but General Osborne remained unmoved. I am sorry to let you down, please punish me, Your Majesty.” The Minister of Rite knelt on the ground, looking ashamed.
The King flipped through the album, his face expressionless. “General Osborne is dedicated to the country. I can not ignore his affairs. He needs a wife to take care of the household.”
Speaking of this, the King noticed a woman on the list. He pointed to the portrait of the woman and asked, “Who is she?”
The Minister craned his neck to take a look and replied respectfully, “Your Majesty, this is the eldest daughter of the Scholar, named Elettra Huber.”
The King nodded, a look of satisfaction on his face. Elettra was eight years younger than Michael and was only eighteen years old now. It says that she was proficient in arts and was very gentle. She indeed seemed to be a good match.
The King immediately made a decision. “It’s her. Arrange for the two of them to meet.”
“But…” The Minister of Personnel was in a dilemma, “General Osborne has too strong of a temper. I’m afraid he may not cooperate.”
The King raised his eyebrows, also a little troubled. “If he doesn’t agree, we can’t force him.”
After all, Michael had been through many battles. Forcing him might backfire.
The head royal attendant beside him suddenly leaned forward and said in a shrill voice, “Your Majesty, I have an idea. In a few days, the Guardian Church will hold a prayer meeting. Gaia goes every year, so why not let Ms. Huber go with her. General Osborne isn’t going to the church to offer incense to the dead soldiers? Back and forth like this, they’re bound to meet.”
The King’s eyes lit up. “That’s a great idea! Let’s do it that way.” He looked at the Minister of Personnel. “Go and give Giovanni a hint, and let his wife take his daughter to the Guardian Church that day. As for the rest, don’t worry about it.”
“At once.”
A few days later, the Guardian Church was particularly lively. The pilgrims were shoulder to shoulder, and the sound of chimes could be faintly heard in the incense smoke.
Michael, dressed in plain clothes, walked to the Martyrs‘ Monument on the back mountain with a pot of wine. He sprinkled wine on the stone platform in front of the tombstone and whispered, “Brothers, this year’s harvest is good, and the Grand Luminary Empire is stable, so you can rest assured over there.”
He was about to turn around when he heard a woman’s soft laughter not far away.
“Mother, look how well this wintersweet is blooming. Although it is not the flowering season, it reveals a strong spirit.”
Michael followed the sound and saw a woman in a yellow dress standing under the plum tree, supporting a middle–aged woman to admire the flowers. The woman was wearing a double–loop bun, with a white magnolia flower pinned to her church. The outline of her profile in the sun was as soft as an ink painting, and it was Athena on the register.
When Gaia Huber saw Michael, her eyes lit up, and she quickly pulled her daughter forward to salute, “General Osborne, it’s nice to see you here.”
Athena also bent her knees to salute, her voice soft but not pretentious. “General Osborne, hello. My name is Athena.”
Michael recognized Gaia, and immediately clasped his fists in return, “Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Huber.”
He glanced at Athena and saw that she was looking at him without dodging or avoiding. His face turned red, and he quickly avoided Elettra’s gaze.
“My mother and I came to offer incense, but I didn’t expect to meet you, general.” Elettra raised her head, her eyes filled with a frank smile. “I often hear my father talk about the general’s heroic deeds at Ironfang Pass. I admire you very much.”
Michael felt a little uncomfortable with her straightforward praise. His ears were slightly hot, and he coughed dryly and said, “Mr. Huber faltered me. It’s just my duty.”
Gaia smiled and smoothed things over. “General, there is no need to be modest. Elettra admires heroes who defend their country the most. I heard the food in the church is quite good. General, would you like to dine with us?”
Michael was about to refuse when he saw Xander walking out of the moon gate with Athena. The latter was holding her stomach and was being carefully protected by Xander.
Seeing Xander, Michael frowned. He thought Xander may have arranged his encounter with Elettra.
“General Osborne.” Xander’s voice held just the right amount of surprise. His eyes swept over Elettra and smiled, “Isn’t this Ms. Huber? What a coincidence.”
Athena also greeted her with a smile, “Ms. Huber is so beautiful. This light yellow dress makes you look like a winter jasmine.”
Elettra’s cheeks flushed slightly from the compliment, and she curtsied to Athena, “Princess Consort, you flatter me.”
Xander put his arm around Athena’s waist and looked at Michael, “Since it’s such a coincidence, why don’t we have a meal together? It’s a good opportunity for Athena to talk to Ms. Huber, and we men can chat about military affairs.”