"Lord King, have you recently traveled over to the border province? How was the comedy you saw there? That comedy of the barbarians, I believe they will be defeated by your valiant majesty in a few days, yes, that is certain, after all, our dynasty has been blessed by the gods since its unification, how can there be a great defeat? Ah, to disturb your pleasure on such an interesting night, please forgive me, a woman in sickness, for the years are unforgiving."
These words were spoken by the famous court lady, Lady Medem (surname) Benti (honorific name) Illigon (religious name) Flair (royal name) Dame (family name) Comilina (real name), on the evening of September 22, 21 A.D., when she greeted the first great official who came to her dinner party, the famous second prince of the Western Kingdom, Lord Serkon. The Lady of Benti had caught a wind chill not long before, from a small incident, when Queen Serenhaven, not noticing her standing under the eaves, threw a few ladles of water on the flowers beside her during the service at the Temple of Siti, and the splash of water with the cold wind caused her to cough. Despite the medicine sent by Empress Catherine Hefin afterwards, the illness was really hard to be cured.
"Your illness is truly sad, Lady Benti." The Duke of Cercón pressed his cheeks against the poor woman's, who had always had a good reputation in the social circles of the capital city, who came from a noble family of second princes, who had inherited tens of thousands of gold coins from his adoptive father, the Duke of Erech, and who had just passed the age of 35. The myth that the Flockon clan had been re-elected for a hundred years was broken.
His tone was so gentle and sympathetic that even the most ruthless of lords would have been moved by it. He took a handkerchief and wiped the old lady's tears, and then kissed the cheeks of Grumme Dame, the chief lady of the Dame family, who was the queen's nurse and one of the most affluent of the court ladies, with four large estates, a hundred fields, thirty mills, sixty-one pastures, three hundred sheep, four hundred cattle and a thousand war horses. In addition to the fixed taxes on the manors, fields and livestock, she had a surplus of 53,000 duponnies (3 pounds of silver equals 1 duponni, 18 silver duponnies, 24 duponnies, 180 silver duponnies and 240 duponnies). The family's investment in the Empress's estates accounted for about 5 percent of the income, and brought her about 11,200 duponnies a year.
"I am very happy to hear that you are here." The old Demetre, seated in the jeweled chair, with her hands on the shawl that had fallen off, gazed benevolently at Lord Cercon, while Madame de Bentie, close to her, gazed at the two with melancholy and seriousness. "Greetings to you, and may the Great and Venerable God bless you, Lady Grumet." Lord Thékon gave a respectful salute to the old Daimé, then sat aside under the friendly gaze of the two Daimés, "Greetings to you as well, Prince Thékon. Thanks to your blessings, the Queen's health has been better lately, no major cough and no strange ailments. I hope she will continue to be happy." Old Dame crossed a church salute to the sky and said another secret prayer. "That's good, and may your health remain hard." Lord Thékon nodded and gave his seat to the next guest.
"So, how do you see the next situation in the Empire? What exactly has the Prince's side decided about the urgent telegram from the border provinces? You don't need to hide it from me, Sir Thékon, we all know that you are all-knowing." Lady Benti, a little later, approached Thékon again with alacrity and asked cordially. "How is this to be said?" Thékon wiped his forehead embarrassingly and cleared his throat before continuing, "What decision was made? As you are curious, Princeess Revrigi believes that the invaders' army is ready, then ...... then we also need to be ready to fight with our backs to the wall, this opinion will be presented to the Court House and the Committee tomorrow, and the kingdoms' parliaments and imperial institutions will decide together." At the end of the day, Thurkon as if a toothache jerked his cheeks, the feeling of leaking secrets to others made him deeply ashamed.
The difference with Thurkon's embarrassment is Ms. Benti, as the Queen's side of the red person, often travel between the nobility of various countries, not to see the late, but still vital. And the topic of politics has aroused her interest: "Backwater? That's for sure! Now some of the nobles in the border provinces and eastern kingdoms have succumbed, but that doesn't mean the other kingdoms will succumb, on the contrary, of course we will continue to fight to the end, they have betrayed us, but this is undoubtedly a great opportunity! His Majesty will prove to the four kingdoms who is the divine choice of the Great Exalted God, His Majesty will be victorious and will definitely destroy that group of demons! And of course, only we will be able to collect the blood money for the dead, yes! I believe that our Majesty will be able to accomplish his noble and great mission!"
"I trust your judgment, Lady Benti." Lord Thékon smiled, "But your enthusiasm makes me wonder at your great talent. You should go out to the kingdoms and act as His Majesty's secret envoy, not in the middle of the court. I must say, your eloquence makes me admire you."
"I have made you laugh." Benti gathered his shawl and continued, "There are two distinguished guests coming tonight, one is a commercial prince who escaped from the border province, he is the eldest son of the former director of the trade division of the border province, Tels of the Herber family, he is related to the Todian family of the third seat, their family is a prestigious family in the border province. In my opinion, Mr. Tyers is a wealthy prince and a true nobleman. The other one is the eldest son of the Durgenchersti (meaning pious in eastern language) family, Lord Bobsini (promotion in eastern language), the eldest son of the Durgenchersti (meaning pious in eastern language) family from the city of Mordecai, their family is ranked the twelfth among the outer marquises and is also a royal family with a pure bloodline, and this young man's bravery has been admired even by His Majesty, have you seen them?"
"As you said, haven't seen them." Thékon tapped his shoulder and deliberated again, "Then can you say a few words, about this selection of embassy personnel, I heard that the Queen selected the Gutman (meaning gentleman) of the clan of Guchidsiang (Western Kingdom language for consultation) as the Western Kingdom envoy, is this information ...... reliable? This Gettleman seems to be a mediocre person." Thékon wanted to get this errand for his own jazz family, but it seemed that someone had already secured it through the Queen's doorstep.
Benti frowned and flapped her nose in slight displeasure, seemingly more than a little impatient with Lord Thurkon's offense. Her devotion and love for the Empress, her master, was recognized throughout the Imperial Court, and whenever her supreme patronage was mentioned, her face always showed a gentle yet fervent expression as she said in a low voice, "It is the Empress' decision that the Guchidsians are cousins of the Chief Prince." She emphasized that Gettleman, despite his mediocrity, was also loyal to the court, and then her face took on that stoic look again.
"Now to the matter of your house." Benti gathered her shawl and led the Duke of Thékon around, "I heard that the lady of your house has not yet married?" Lord Serkon replied, "Yes, the youngest daughter, Fantina, has not yet had a suitable marriage." Benti gave him a slightly regretful look, "Ever since your love appeared in the social scene of our court, everyone has fallen for her, and she is a real beauty. A beauty also needs rain to care for." The Duke of Cercon seemed to catch her meaning: "So - is Lady Benti going to be the matchmaker?" Benti gave him a smug look: "It is said that old girls have a penchant for matchmaking, and I'm not far behind. The Bobsini who is here today, he has some kinship with the court, his father is very famous, was a former marshal, called the Dirini princes, the emperor had many nicknames, but most of them boast of his great achievements, and today there are many of his shadow followers in the court. This man is very clever, just strange temper, let people can not stand." The money is secondary, Benthic's sentence "there are a lot of his followers in the court" but the Lord Thurkon is moved, he suddenly grabbed Benthic's hand, said: "you have to do this for me! I will always be your most loyal servant, and her family is good and she has people in the court, which is all I need." Lady Benti nodded and said with relief, "Don't be busy, tonight I'll ask to see Bobsini, invite his father to come to the court to walk around, the old man, the most uneasy or their own family, talk to him, there may be hope, for your house, I also need to do some old girl matchmaking business."
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And just at the moment of the two climbing, from the front room of Ms. Benti's house and a number of guests, most of them are the nobility of the Western Kingdom, including the Flucon family, Guchidecion family, the De Pugentmon family (the fourth seat of the Western Kingdom royal family), Sanchezmon family (the fifth seat of the Western Kingdom royal family), Hotspi family (the Western Kingdom officiating family) and so on, the representatives of these families age These families represent different ages and personalities, but they are the upper class of the Western Kingdom, and Lady Benti often mocks herself for bringing together the essence of the entire Western Kingdom and the harem at her banquet. In this banquet, the Eligion (meaning giant eagle in the Western Kingdom) family, which has held the post of minister in the Imperial Cabinet for many times and won the Grand Knight Medal in the famous Battle of the Blood Road, also had a number of people come, they are the representatives of the Imperial military nobility and one of the spokesmen of the Imperial military nobility in the Western Kingdom, before that, they are strict by nature and tend to be reluctant to these parties.
These visitors were received by another lady of the Daimé family, André Joan Daimé, who is no less important than Lady Benti at court and is another member of the Empress' inner circle. For her, attending such a banquet and running it as one of the hosts was a good means of showing off her political status.
"Welcome! Welcome!" André Joan greeted each guest cordially, and when she met those who were familiar and willing to get close to her, she would stick her face to them and whisper to them, and when she met those who were not familiar with her and treated her with respect, she was not too annoyed, but nodded slightly coldly, and then continued to be busy in the crowd. "It's hard to imagine how Joan has risen to the ranks of women officials." This is what many guests said about the court lady.
At the banquet, if the most dazzling is undoubtedly from the border province of Tyrus Heber and his party, they are led by the fat and belly of Tyrus, the prince, accompanied by his son, this year is only 13 years old Quintus, although young, but he has already accompanied his father to a lot of banquets and banquets.
Tyres is only 30 years old this year, but his body is already obese as if soaking in the cream pool of the cake, rubies, green emerald, blue cat's eye ...... various colors of gemstones in his large body layer upon layer, from afar seems to be a large mountain of creamy white blooming gemstones. Because he was too fat, this famous rich man often traveled in a pink sedan chair carried by 24 people, and behind the sedan chair, there was a large entourage as a showcase of his jewel-encrusted, heavy and luxurious sword, at the end of this queue is carrying a jar of olive oil entourage, and when he saw those noblemen who were friendly with him, he would instruct his servants to come forward and perform special family rituals with this guest --It was said that this was the traditional ritual of the Herber family and a means for them to show off their financial power.
For such a distinguished guest, Ms. Benti decided to entertain herself. He was a piece of beef on his own plate, and was planning to exhibit it to every guest who arrived, so thought Lady Benti, a fugitive oriental nobleman with a million dollars in gold and a fat body especially like a mountain, how topical, and how his tall tales would add a few rays of luster to the dinner before the arrival of the Durgenchersti's Bobsini.
"As - as I said, this great battle we cannot avoid, madam." A buzzing voice rang out from overhead as Lady Benti gathered her shawl and gave the tycoon a courtly salute before saying, "Then how about you tell us all, Marquis Tels, why this great war cannot be avoided?" While introducing Tyles to the nobles beside her, Lady Benti commanded Tyles' servants to place him on a couch that had been prepared for him long ago, which had been custom-made just for him. "Thank you, thank you." While breathing heavily, his panting sound as rough as a wild bear, Tyers carefully got off the couch, while on either side of the couch, a number of admiring nobles gathered, most of whom had heard of the mighty name of this Lord Tyers: the richest man in the four kingdoms, the most successful merchant in the border provinces, a mountainous and strong man ...... Tyers The scepter was like an itchy scratch compared to his huge body, but those who were careful could see that the scepter was inlaid with precious stones, and under the light, it was as moving as a shining golden key.
The scepter emitted a strong glow as Tyers waved it, and the nobles moved their eyes with it. Tyrese hummed, cleared his throat again, and said reluctantly, "So, which of you would like to hear me tell how I escaped?" This news was obviously not enough to impress people, but as if she had dug something remarkable out of the words, Ms. Benti picked up the conversation and said, "Really? The Marquis of Thiers? That's great, tell us about it!" Obviously, as the hostess of the banquet, she was dissatisfied with her diners focusing their attention on a dead object.
以下是中文部分：
“王公大人，您最近是否去过边境省那边旅行？那里的喜剧你看的怎么样？那出蛮夷的喜剧，相信他们不日将会被英勇的陛下所打败的，是的，这是一定的，毕竟我朝自统一以来便获得神明的庇佑，焉有大败之理？啊，在这么有趣的夜晚却扰您雅兴，请你原谅我这个正在病中的妇人吧，岁月实在不饶人。”
新神族历前21年9月22日晚，著名的宫廷女官麦德姆（姓）·本提（尊名）·伊利贡（教名）·弗拉尔（王名）·戴梅（家族名）·科蜜莉娜（本名）女士在迎接第一个来赴她晚宴的大官，著名的西国次席王公瑟孔爵爷时，向他说了上述的话。本提女士在前不久曾因为一点小事感染了风寒，那是在西提寺礼拜时，瑟琳海芬皇后没注意到檐下站着的她，泼了几瓢水在她身旁的花朵上，溅起的水配上冷风，这才让她咳嗽不止。尽管事后瑟琳海芬皇后送来了药，然而病体实在难愈。
“你的病情实在让人伤心，本提女士。”瑟孔爵爷贴了贴这位可怜妇人的双颊，他在国都城的交际圈中向来是有好名声的，出身于高贵的次席王公家庭，又继承了养父厄雷希王公数万金币的财产，年纪也才刚刚迈过35岁的坎，四大王国的上层无一不认为，只要假以时日，他或许能在下次王公选举中击败首席王公泼米·弗卢孔·胡特，打破弗卢孔一族连任百年王公的神话。
相比于本提女士浓厚的西部王国口音，瑟孔王公的王国语发音显然更为正宗，他的语气充满了温和与同情，就连最狠心的爵爷也会为之动容。他拿起手帕为这位老夫人揩了揩泪，随后在本提女士的引荐下又吻了吻当今皇后身边的首席女官，戴梅家族女族长格鲁梅·戴梅的双颊，这位老妇人是皇后的奶娘，也是宫廷女官中最为富庶的一位，在她旗下的产业有四座大庄园，一百处田产，三十座磨坊，六十一处牧场，还有三百头羊，四百头牛以及一千匹战马，每年除需要向西部王国议会缴纳的固定庄园税，田产税以及畜牧税务外，尚能盈余5万3千枚杜邦尼（3磅银等于1杜邦尼，等于18银杜邦，等于24杜邦，等于180银尼，等于240尼），而除了这些正当营生外，这位老戴梅女士也充当着皇后对外产业的代理人，她的家族在皇后产业中的投资约占5％的份额，每年给她带来的收入则约有1万1千2百枚杜邦尼。
“听说您能来，我十分高兴。”老戴梅端坐在那张镶嵌满宝石的座椅上，双手扶着堪堪掉下的披肩，慈祥地注视着瑟孔爵爷，本提女士则紧紧地贴着她，忧郁而严肃地注视着两人。“向您问好，愿大尊神护佑着您，格鲁梅女士。”瑟孔爵爷对着老戴梅行了一个尊礼，随后在两位戴梅的友好注视下坐在了一旁，“也问你好，瑟孔王公。托你们的福，皇后的身体最近好些了，没有大咳嗽，也没有什么怪毛病。希望她能够继续快乐下去。”老戴梅对着天空划了一个教礼，又暗自祈祷了一番。“那就好，也愿你的身体可以一直硬朗下去。”瑟孔爵爷点了点头，将位子让给下一位宾客。
“那么，你如何看待帝国接下来的局势？亲王那一边对来自边境省的急电究竟做了怎样的决定？你不需要瞒着我，瑟孔爵爷，我们都知道，你是无所不知的。”本提女士在稍后一会儿，又施施然地走向了瑟孔，亲切地问道。“这要如何说起？”瑟孔难堪地擦了擦额头，清了清喉咙才继续说道：“做了什么决定？如你所好奇的，雷夫丽吉女亲王认为，入侵者的军队已经做好了准备，那么……那么我们也需要做好背水一战了，这意见将在明天上陈至阁院与委员会，由各王国议会与帝国机构共同决策。”说到最后，瑟孔仿佛牙疼一般抽抽着自己的腮帮，这种将机密泄露给他人的感觉让他深感惭愧。
与瑟孔的难堪截然不同的是本提女士，她作为皇后身旁的红人，经常游走在各国贵族之间，别看已经迟暮，却依旧生机勃勃。而有关政治方面的话题，更是引起了她的浓厚兴趣：“背水一战？那是肯定的！如今边境省与东部王国的部分贵族们已经屈服了，但这并不代表其余王国和贵族们会屈服，相反，我们当然会继续作战到底，他们把我们出卖了，但这无疑是一个大好的机会！陛下将会向四王国证明，谁才是大尊神的神选，陛下一定会胜利的，一定会消灭那群恶魔！当然，也只有我们能够为死难者讨回血债，是的！我相信我们的陛下一定可以完成他崇高而伟大的使命！”
“我相信您的判断，本提女士。”瑟孔爵爷微笑道，“但您的热情让我不禁感叹你的大材小用，你应该出使列国，充当陛下密使，而不是在宫廷之中。不得不说，您的口才让人我佩服。”
“让你见笑了。”本提拢了拢披肩，接着说道，“今晚要来的有两位贵宾，一位是从边境省逃出的商业王侯，他是前边境省贸易司司长的长子，赫柏家的泰尔斯，他与第三席王公托迪安家族沾些亲戚关系，他们家在边境省是一个望族。在我看来，泰尔斯先生是一个富裕的王侯，也是真正的贵族。另一位则是来自末白城的外系侯杜根彻斯蒂（东部语意为虔诚）家族长子波布西尼（东部语为晋升）爵爷，他们家族在外系侯中排名第一十二位，也是血统较纯的王族，而这位年轻人的勇武就连陛下也曾为之赞叹，你见过他们吗？”
“正如您所说的，还没见过。”瑟孔敲了敲肩，又斟酌了会，“那么您可以说一下么，有关这次遴选的使馆人员中，我听说皇后选中了古奇德西昂（西部王国语为咨询）一族的葛特曼（意为君子）作为西部王国使节，这个消息……可靠吗？这位葛特曼似乎是个平庸之辈。”瑟孔想要为自己旗下的爵士家族谋取这个差事，不过似乎有人已通过皇后的门路争取到了。
本提皱了皱眉，略显不满的扇了下鼻子，似乎对于瑟孔爵爷的冒犯多有不耐。她对于皇后这位主子的虔诚与爱戴是全帝国宫廷所公认的，每次提到她的最高庇护，她的脸上总会显露出一种温和而又狂热的表情，她低低的说道：“这是皇后的决定，古奇德西昂一族是首席王公的表亲。”她强调，葛特曼尽管平庸，对朝廷也是忠心耿耿的，接着她面庞上又露出了那种沉静的神色。
“现在来谈谈您府上的事吧。”本提拢了拢自己的披肩，带着瑟孔王公到处游走着，“我听说您府上那位小姐还没娶亲？”瑟孔王公回答道：“是的，小女方提娜还没有一门合适的亲事。”本提略显遗憾的看了他一眼：“自从令爱出现在我们宫廷的社交场上，大家都为她倾倒，她可真是个美人。美人也是需要雨水呵护的。”瑟孔王公似乎听出了她的弦外之音：“那么——本提女士是要做媒咯？”本提得意的看了他一眼：“据说，老姑娘都有替人说媒的癖好，我也不差，今天来的波布西尼，他与宫廷是有一定的亲缘关系的，他的父亲很著名，是前朝的元帅，叫迪里尼王公，大帝时外号多得很，但大多都是夸他的赫赫功名，如今朝野上也有不少他的影随。这人很聪明，就是脾气怪，让人受不了。”钱财倒是其次，本提那句“朝野上有他不少影随”却让瑟孔爵爷意动了，他突然抓住了本提的手，说道：“这事您得替我办一下！我永远都是您最忠诚的仆人，她家门第好，在朝上又有人，这些都是我所需要的。”本提女士点了点头，宽慰道：“别忙，今晚我问问看波布西尼，邀他父亲来宫廷里走动走动，老人，最不放心的还是自己的家庭，和他说说，或许还有希望，为您府上的事，我也需要做点老姑娘说媒的行当了。”
而就在两人攀谈的时刻，从本提女士家的前厅又涌出了不少客人，他们大多数都是西部王国的贵族，包括弗卢孔家族，古奇德西昂家族，德普健特蒙家族（西部王国第四席王公家族），桑切斯蒙家族（西部王国第五席王公家族），热斯匹家族（西部王国主祭家族）等等，这些家族的代表人年龄不同，性格各异，不过都是西部王国的上流阶层，本提女士常常自嘲自家的宴会上汇聚着整个西部王国与后宫的精华所在。而在这场宴会上，曾多次担任帝国内阁部长一职，并在著名的血路之战中数人获得大骑士奖章的艾利吉昂（西部王国语意为巨鹰）家族也有不少人前来，他们是帝国武官贵族的代表，也是帝国军事大贵族在西部王国的话事人之一，此前，生性严谨的他们对于这些宴会往往是敬谢不敏的。
这些来访的客人由戴梅家另外一位女官安德丽琼·戴梅负责接待，这位女官在宫廷中的地位不亚于本提女士，是皇后的另外一名心腹。对于她而言，出席这样的宴会并作为主办人之一操持它，是一种炫耀自己政治地位的好手段。
“欢迎！欢迎！”安德丽琼亲切地招呼着每一位客人，遇到那些熟悉的，愿意和她亲近的，她会与他们贴贴脸，说说悄悄话，遇到那些与她不熟的，对她敬而远之的，她也不大恼怒，略显冷淡地颔了颔首，随后便继续忙碌在人群中。“真难想象琼是如何升入女官行列的。”许多宾客是如此评价这位宫廷女官。
在这场宴会上，若说最耀眼的无疑是来自边境省的泰尔斯·赫柏一行人，他们由肠肥肚满的泰尔斯王侯率领，随行的有他的儿子，今年不过13岁的昆图斯，尽管年幼，但他已经随同父亲参加了不少的宴会与酒席。
泰尔斯今年不过30岁，不过身躯已然肥胖的犹如泡在奶油池里的蛋糕一样，红宝石、绿翡翠、蓝猫眼……各色宝石在他硕大的身躯上层层叠叠，远远看上去似乎一座盛开了宝石的乳白色大山。由于过于肥胖，这位著名的富翁出行往往会乘坐一顶由24人抬着的粉红色软轿，而在轿子后面，还有大堆随从如同炫耀一般展示着他那镶满宝石，沉重而又奢华的宝刀，在这队列的最后是抬着一罐橄榄油的随从，见到那些与他友好的贵族，他便会吩咐仆人上前，与这位客人行特殊的家族礼仪——互相滴洒几滴橄榄油，据说这是赫柏家族的传统礼仪，也是他们炫耀财力的一种手段。
对于这样一位贵客，本提女士决定亲自来招待。他是自己餐盘里的一块牛肉，正打算展览给到访的每一位客人，本提女士是如此想的，一位逃亡的东方贵族，腰缠万两黄金，肥硕的身躯尤如山岳，多么具有话题性，在杜根彻斯蒂家的波布西尼尚没有抵达前，他的高谈阔论将会为晚宴增加几缕光彩。
“正如——我所说的，这场大战我们是无法避免的，女士。”嗡嗡的声音从头顶响起，本提女士拢了拢自己的披肩，向这位大富豪行了一记宫廷礼，然后说道，“那么泰尔斯侯爷，你不如给大家说一说，这场大战为什么避免不了？”本提女士一边向身旁的贵族介绍泰尔斯，一边指挥着泰尔斯的仆从，将他安放在一张早已为他准备好的榻上，那张榻是专门为他定制的。“感谢，感谢。”泰尔斯一边呼哧呼哧喘着粗气，他的喘气声如同一头野熊般粗犷，一边小心翼翼地下了榻，而在榻的两边，聚集着不少慕名而来的贵族，他们大多数都听说过这位泰尔斯大人的威名：四国首富，边境省最成功的商人，山岳般强壮的人……泰尔斯得意的看着身旁聚集的贵族，挥舞着手中的权杖，这柄权杖与他庞大的身躯比起来，犹如一个痒痒挠一般，不过细心的人看得出来，这柄权杖上镶嵌着不少珍贵宝石，在灯光之下，犹如一枚闪闪放光的金钥匙一般动人。
手杖随着泰尔斯的挥舞而散发着强烈的光辉，贵族们也随着手杖挪动着自己的视线。泰尔斯哼了一哼，又清了清嗓子，不甘寂寞地说道：“那么，你们谁愿意听我讲讲我是怎么逃出来的？”这个消息显然不足以打动人心，不过本提女士却仿佛从这话语中挖到了什么不得了的东西，也接腔道：“是吗？泰尔斯侯爷？那太好了，你讲讲吧！”显然，作为宴会的女主人，她很不满自己的食客们将目光集中在一件死物上。