As all the nobles in the square entered the castle banquet hall, Surrey Upton's welcoming party officially began.
Listening to the thrilling story told by Sally Upton on the stage, Clemont also listened with interest.
However, Mariana on the side sneered at this.
"Why, doesn't the story he tells sound good?" Clemont raised his eyebrows sideways.
"Oh, you've already told a story and you're asking me!" Mariana took a sip of wine and continued: "However, although his own deeds are not credible, the Flame Knights under his command do have this strength!"
"Are you saying that it is true that he led the knights to destroy a legion in the Kingdom of Kaya, but that he killed the commander and deputy commander of the other legion by himself is false?"
As both heirs of the Grand Duke's family, Clement believed that Mariana would not act without aim.
"This guy was still a playboy three years ago, but after one year of advanced training, his grandfather, Archduke Charles, arranged for him to join the Spina Defense Line, and handed over the family's Flame Knights to him.
Although his own strength is not very good, he has not made any mistakes in the past few years. Instead, he has led the Flame Knights to win several battles. When he comes back this time, he will probably be promoted to a knighthood!"
Listening to Mariana's introduction, Clemont nodded.
This kind of thing is actually very common among inherited nobles. They study gold plating and then go to the front line for two years. Those who have no military exploits will still have the opportunity to be promoted when they come back, while those who have military exploits will be promoted 100%. Some of them have outstanding military exploits.
He may even skip a level or two.
After Sally Upton on the stage finished boasting, the other nobles around him offered exquisite flattery.
For these little nobles, the only chance to join the Grand Duke's family is through banquets like this one. As long as the heir they fawn over can take the position of Grand Duke in the future, their family will also prosper.
Listening to the compliments of the nobles, Surrey Upton felt a little carried away at this moment, but he did not forget the purpose of tonight.
He was worried that Mariana wouldn't come before, but he didn't expect that she actually came. So he didn't want to miss this good opportunity to increase their relationship.
As far as he knew, Grand Duke Gatur seemed to have only one daughter, Mariana.
"Thank you for attending my reception dinner. Then, please enjoy the fun!"
As Sari Upton finished speaking, melodious music sounded, and the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became lively.
Clemont, who was hiding aside, was eating exquisite food while listening to Mariana introduce these nobles to him.
After Mariana introduced a circle of well-known people, Clemont patted the food residue on his hand and asked: "Are there any city guards here?"
Hearing Clemont's question, Mariana glanced at her with some confusion, then scanned the crowd, and after a moment pointed at a middle-aged man with a big belly and said:
"Well, Viscount Wagner over there serves in the city guard, but he is just a military supply officer and has no power."
"By the way, why do you ask this?"
Mariana was a little curious.
"Nothing, just asking!"
Looking at Wagner who was chatting with the heavily made-up lady in front of him, Clemente smiled and shook his head.
In a corner of the hall, a tall woman wearing a red evening dress stood there holding a champagne glass, watching every move here.
"How could Mariana be with him? Is that rumor true?" Looking at the two people chatting happily not far away, the corners of the woman's rosy mouth raised slightly.
As time went by, the music of the banquet gradually turned into soothing dance music.
As the host of this banquet, Sally Upton naturally received warm invitations from the women.
Looking at the passionate aristocratic girls in front of him, Sally Upton was a little embarrassed. On normal days, none of these girls would have missed it, but tonight he wanted to leave the first dance to Mariana.
"Beautiful Miss Mariana, I wonder if I can finish the first dance tonight with you?"
After taking a look at the lost girls behind Sally Upton, Mariana said seriously.
"According to the rules, Mr. Sally Upton, you should not refuse their invitation!"
According to the rules of aristocratic balls, men can invite women at will, but women have the right to refuse. However, when women invite men, men cannot refuse.
Hearing Mariana's words, a trace of embarrassment flashed across Sally Upton's face, and then she pretended to say: "Marianna, don't you know what I mean? I have been waiting for this dance for three years!
"
Hearing such disgusting words, Mariana rolled her eyes speechlessly.
"Thank you for your kindness, but as a knight, if you can even violate the basic rules, then you are not worthy of being called a knight!"
Looking at Mariana's serious expression, Clemont laughed secretly.
Mariana's words also made Sally Upton confused.
Co-author I ask you to dance and my knighthood is taken away from me?
However, he is not a shameless person. As a descendant of the Grand Duke's family, he still has basic aristocratic qualities.
"I was wrong. Can I ask you to dance later?"
Facing Sally Upton's expectant eyes, Mariana nodded with a sly look.
"Aren't you afraid that he will get angry if you do this?"
Looking at the dancing figure on the dance floor, Clemont touched Mariana with his elbow.
"Haha, if he is really like that, he will also lose his identity as heir! He should be able to distinguish clearly what is more important!"
Mariana chuckled lightly, then turned around and tilted her head to look at Clemont and said, "What? Don't you want me to dance?"
Seeing Mariana's joking eyes, Clemont touched his nose and was about to speak, but was interrupted by a voice behind him.
"Miss Mariana, can I ask you to dance?"
The aristocratic man who made the invitation was probably in his twenties, with a tall and straight figure, sharp eyebrows and starry eyes, but he looked a bit funny in a somewhat inappropriate dress.
"Groot? Why are you here?"
The moment she saw the man, Mariana's face was a little stunned. It was obvious that the man named Grote appeared here beyond her expectation.
"Haha, Mariana, why can't I be here anymore? That's not what you said when you chased and beat me when I was a kid!"
After listening to the man's words, Mariana's cheeks turned a little red, but she looked at Grote with some menace in her eyes.
"Okay, I won't reveal your secret anymore!"
Grote looked at Clemont again at this time.
"Who is this......"
"Clermont, my friend!"
Before Mariana could finish speaking, Clemont took the initiative and stretched out his right hand.
"Hello!"
Grote shook hands with Clemont, glanced at Mariana, and then focused on Clemont.
"You are awesome! Mariana rarely invites men to dinner parties!"
Hearing Grote's meaningful praise, Clemont did not speak, but just smiled and pursed his lips.
'Mariana has so many suitors!'
But Mariana was obviously a little angry at Grote's words.
"Humph, it's like you know me very well!"
In response, Grote just smiled and did not answer her words.
"I came here just to see you. I will leave after tonight!"
He came in a hurry this time, and this dress was temporarily borrowed, so it seemed a bit inappropriate.
"So fast? Could it be that something has changed at Fort Branco?"