274: Chapter 152, Orcs Invasion_1 274: Chapter 152, Orcs Invasion_1 When it came time for the banquet, the Noble Consortium once again appeared harmonious, as if nothing had happened during the day.
Such quick acceptance of reality wasn’t due to the Major Nobles being easygoing.
Everyone was upholding the rules, not only to maintain the king’s power but also to limit it—with the underlying aim of protecting their own interests.
According to tradition, if the king showed too much rebelliousness, the others would advise him and pull him back onto the right track.
The current harmony could be explained by one thing—the tense situation in the Northern Border, which required a strengthening of the central authority of the kingdom.
This was following a precedent.
During major wars, the power of the central government of the Alpha Kingdom would always strengthen to better combat the Orcs invasion.
The only exception was during the previous war.
Because the king was too weak, and the central government lacked prestige—it was unable to coordinate the various forces to fight together, which led to the Alpha Kingdom losing cities and territories, suffering heavy losses.
One learns from the mistakes.
At this critical juncture, even if they didn’t want to see Caesar III continue to strengthen his power, for the sake of better combating the Orcs invasion, major powers had no choice but to endure it.
Unless there were any surprises, there would be probes and games of strategy to come—each side determining their own bottom line.
As a new member of the Intermediate Aristocracy, Hudson was not qualified to participate in the high-level game—he could only wait.
The welcome banquet for the newly-risen nobles was still of a high standard.
A gathering of the great nobles from the capital, Caesar III himself came to give a passionate speech.
In the genius-filled Capital, the most eye-catching figure was no longer young talents like Hudson, but Princess Madelena.
The genuine favored daughter of heaven, upon her entrance, ignited the banquet hall.
Hudson had seen many beauties, but none could match Princess Madelena.
It’s not a matter of appearance.
Based solely on her looks and shape, Princess Madelena would not be considered top-ranking, but there was one thing that made up for all these deficiencies.
An innate nobility, even at a single glance from afar, could leave a profound impression.
“What are you looking at?
You’re an engaged man.”
A familiar voice at his ear yanked Hudson out of his reverie.
Seeing who it was, he let out a silent sigh of relief.
He had initially thought he was caught red-handed by his fiancée and was going to suffer bad luck, but it turned out to be Isabel imitating Melissa’s voice.
“Miss Isabel, you’re going to scare me to death with such antics!”
Hudson complained.
Singers usually have a line to arts, talented in many areas, including impressions, which makes perfect sense.
However, what he didn’t understand was, which faction, having eaten its fill, had sent such an exquisite woman to keep an eye on him.
He also had deep doubts about the Kingdom’s security system, which had allowed a disguised singer to slip in.
What if she was an assassin?
Wasn’t Caesar III in danger?
Of course, an average assassin would get nowhere.
Most of the nobles present had their skills, and protecting the king shouldn’t be an issue.
“Viscount Hudson, what are you talking about?
I am Lord Isabel, not some Miss”
Even in men’s clothes, her charming allure was impossible to conceal.
With such a weak denial, Hudson rolled his eyes.
If it weren’t for Princess Madelena drawing everyone’s eyes, Isabel would have been recognized already.
However, this explanation also elucidated why Isabel could slip in.
In the Alpha Kingdom, “Lord” refers to a title of respect for noble men; it doesn’t refer to a specific rank.
A singer with a noble status?
It seemed plausible.
In a large forest, all kinds of birds can be found—when there are many nobles, fringe cases will appear.
The probability of a noble becoming a singer is low, but the probability of a singer gaining nobility is not seldom.
Some people acting on impulsive passion often make decisions without much thinking, and bestow nobility on singers in a moment of joy.
Such a bestowment is usually taken as a joke and is not accepted by main circles.
“Well then, my respected Lord Isabel.
Did you go through all this trouble sneaking in here hoping to win Princess Madelena’s favor?”
Hudson teased.
A beauty’s favor is good, but a beauty with an ulterior motive—they tell a different story.
As if she had hit a sore spot, Isabel’s face suddenly took a darker shade.
A woman’s competitiveness can be harsher than a man’s.
With Princess Madelena, even with her fuller figure and excellent looks, Isabel still fell behind.
One could say that beauty and figure meant nothing in front of temperament.
Of course, if Isabel had a king as her father and a queen as her mother, that would be a different story.
“Viscount Hudson, are you trying to chase me away on purpose?
Are you hoping to…”
In the middle of her sentence, Isabel deliberately moved closer.
Her perfume assailed Hudson, causing him to feel flustered.
While his reasoning remained clear, his body began to struggle—the hormones inside him spiked inexplicably.
“Sorry, Lord Isabel.
I’m only interested in women, especially beautiful women.
I’m busy at the moment, this isn’t the place to discuss things.
Let’s find a private place to talk after the banquet.”