met free Chapter 252 The Journey of Verification
Chapter 252 The Journey of Verification
Chapter 252 The Journey of Verification
Dick went back into Peggy's room.
The stool he had been sitting on was still in its original place.
Therefore, after Peggy agreed, Dick sat down again.
He then began to recount his past experiences with Annie.
After she finished speaking, Peggy was stunned, and then asked:
"this one?"
Dick nodded, somewhat puzzled. Wasn't that enough?
Peggy slapped her forehead: "I really regret opening the door and letting you in—about you and that woman named Anne,
"Didn't nothing happen at all?"
Dick said earnestly, "We hit it off immediately. Although we only spent a short time together, our feelings for each other are definitely strong. Otherwise, why would she give me a token of our love?"
"Listen—are all knights as confident as you?" Peggy looked at him speechlessly. "She just gave you a tattered book, didn't she?"
"That's not a tattered book; it contains immense power, a fact your father has already verified."
And Dick did indeed use the power of the book to win the championship title and kill the Navigator.
"Maybe she has ulterior motives and is just using you. That girl is definitely not as naive as you think."
"Peggy said."
Dick raised an eyebrow slightly: "How did you know?"
“I just know,” Peggy said firmly, “Women naturally understand women better.”
Dick wanted to refute, but couldn't find the words, since he was indeed at a disadvantage in terms of gender compared to Peggy.
Peggy added, "I don't think she has any feelings for you at all. I even suspect that she has completely forgotten about you."
Dick clenched his gauntlets: "You have no evidence at all."
"You also have no proof that she told you the truth," Peggy shrugged.
"She told me where she lived and even asked me to go to her father to propose marriage! If she just wanted to play a trick on me, there was no need for her to tell me her personal information; it would definitely be detrimental to her!"
"Furthermore, what if his father actually agrees? According to the law and religious doctrine, the father has the right to decide on his children's marriages."
"Yeah, that's the only thing I don't understand," Peggy shrugged. "Maybe that's her purpose."
For some reason, Dick felt a little angry.
But he immediately realized that he was a knight in shining armor and that he should keep his emotions stable.
He took a breath and immediately regained his composure.
Dick said, "Alright, Miss Peggy, I've already explained why I said 'I don't want to.' Of course, even though I don't want to, once we're married, I will completely forget about Anne, and I will remain absolutely loyal to you—."
"As loyal to my father as you are?" Peggy interrupted Dick.
Dick paused for a moment, but immediately nodded.
"Hmm—" Peggy sighed deeply, "You really are a knight, always putting honor first, even if it means marrying a woman you don't love at all, you don't hesitate at all."
"Miss, if I marry you, I will definitely love you."
Dick made that promise, and he will certainly keep it, in his name—.
"Swear on your knightly honor?" Peggy said, voicing Dick's thoughts.
This even led Dick to suspect that Peggy might possess mind-reading abilities.
"Yes."
"Sigh, I see now. That's why they say you're so much like my father—" Peggy shook her head. "You two have the exact same temperament."
Dick didn't know how to comment, so he chose to steer the conversation back on track:
"So, miss, what's your choice?"
"I refuse."
Peggy answered without the slightest hesitation, as if the question had never been worth asking.
"I believe you have heard that I have a very good relationship with my father. I love my father more than all his children, and he loves me more than his other children."
"I learned from a young age that aristocratic marriages are devoid of love, but out of love for my father, I would accept whomever he wanted me to marry. This is the obligation I must bear in order to inherit the Peyton name."
"However, if it were you, I would definitely refuse. It's not because of your lowly status, but because you failed to protect my father, and I'm afraid I would find it hard to forgive you for that."
"However, this is, after all, my father's dying wish, and I want to obey it. Therefore, if you love me, perhaps I will compromise because of your strong feelings."
"But unfortunately, Dick Buchanan, you are neither. You even mentioned to me that you fell in love with other women at first sight, which is an insult to me."
"But I'm not angry, because at least you told me the truth, and—if it were Father, he would probably make the same decision as you—but I would absolutely not agree to marry you because of that."
Dick rose and bowed to Peggy:
"I understand, Miss. I will relay your reply to Lord Pena and Madame Farah."
"Hmm—" Peggy said, "To be honest, I'm not happy. You're my first fiancé, and although it's just a one-sided document and not legally binding, your attitude is making me very unhappy."
"Fine, at least this matter is closed, but I'd like to know, what are your thoughts on my father?"
"He is my master, my lord, and more importantly, he is my teacher."
"If there were a chance now for you to die in his place, would you be willing?"
"I do."
Perhaps it was Dick's decisiveness that surprised Peggy, and a strange look appeared in her eyes.
"Truly a loyal servant," Peggy suddenly laughed. "Tonight, at least one of my inner conflicts has been resolved."
"Dick Buchanan, I forgive you for failing to bring my father back alive as a squire."
Dick bowed again, without saying anything.
Then, he walked toward the door.
As he pushed open the door, he heard a voice behind him:
"Here's a suggestion for you."
Dick stopped and turned to look at Peggy:
"Miss, what did you say?"
"I'd like to give you a suggestion."
Peggy rose from the edge of the bed and slowly walked towards Dick. "It's not that I want to belittle Anne, but I genuinely feel that her feelings for you aren't what you think. You should verify her words, otherwise you'll forever be lost in her ambiguous statements."
"It's not as simple as you make it out to be," Dick shook his head. "I don't even know how to verify it."
"It's very simple. Didn't she tell you to go find her father? Then go find him," Peggy said. "O'Brien Bay isn't too far from here—"
Dick lay on his bed in his room, his eyes fixed on the moonlight reflected onto the ceiling.
The moonlight swayed slowly, making Dick wonder what was reflecting it in.
"O'Brien Bay, huh?"
Dick closed his eyes, preparing to fall asleep.
The next morning, Dick knocked on the door of the Earl's study.
He thought he had arrived early, but to his surprise, Master Horney was still there.
"There's been a lot going on at Cao Hong lately," Horney said. "The Lord only officially took office yesterday, and we need to get that message out. Some people chose to cooperate with Cao Hong because of the reputation of 'Loyal Dog,' and to keep their money, we have to write letters to persuade them—"
Dick could tell that this busy period would continue for a while.
"You've come at the right time," Pena said. "After you left last night, I discussed your position with Master Horny. Now that you've become a knight, it's not appropriate for me to have you by my side."
"As for my civilian duties, I'll have Master Horney assisting me for now. I've also heard that you were leading my army in some kind of training exercise?"
Dick immediately guessed that Evans and Miles must have said something bad about him to Pena.
However, he had nothing to hide, so he readily admitted:
"Yes, sir."
However, Pena's answer surprised Dick:
"Well done. When my father was still alive, he often instructed me on how to train the troops. I didn't master it very well, but you, my squire, have certainly learned something from the loyal dog."
"In that case, I believe a military profession is a perfect fit for you. Dick Buchanan, obey my command!"
Upon hearing this, Dick immediately knelt on one knee before Pena:
"Your subordinate is here, Your Excellency."
"From this moment forward, you are the Chief Instructor of the Fleet at Caogang."
"fleet?"
"The only battle you fought with my father was a naval battle," Pena said. "I believe you can shoulder the responsibilities of this position."
Dick was not an expert in navigation and naval warfare; in fact, one could say he knew nothing about them before arriving at the port.
If he hadn't accompanied Lord Hubert on that voyage, he would still be a complete novice in this field.
However, since this was Pena's order to Dick:
"Your subordinate obeys, sir!"
"Get up."
As she spoke, Pena handed Dick a letter of appointment.
Holding the indictment in his hand, Dick realized that he still had a lot to learn.
Master Horney said at the opportune moment, "Do not disappoint the master's trust, Sir Dick."
"I understand, Master Horney," Dick nodded.
“However,” Pena said, “although you are a military officer, you are more trustworthy than my other subordinates. After all, you are the advisor my father left me. So be prepared, I may often summon you to participate in some political discussions outside of your duties.”
"Yes, sir," Dick bowed.
Pena paused for a moment. "Since you came to me of your own accord this time, is there anything you want to tell me?"
Dick nodded: "I've already spoken to Peggy about yesterday's matter."
Upon hearing this, Pena hurriedly asked:
"How is it? Has she calmed down?"
"Hmm—more or less."
"That's good," Pena breathed a long sigh of relief. "My sister is usually so cute, but when she gets angry, everyone's sweating bullets. Now that you've calmed her down, have you continued discussing the engagement with her?"
"Yes," Dick nodded, "and it's all settled."
Upon hearing this, Pena quickly asked:
"What was her answer?"
Miss Peggy declined.
After hearing Dick's answer, Pena seemed quite satisfied, a slight smile appearing on her face:
"Well, let's end it here then—"
As she spoke, Pena took the marriage contract out of the drawer.
He stared at it for a couple of seconds, but ultimately placed it on the table:
"I wanted to tear it up in front of you, but I still had to inform my mother. In any case, Head Instructor Buchanan, you are no longer bound by the marriage agreement with the Peyton family."
"I understand, sir," Dick bowed. "Also, sir, I would like to ask for leave."
"Ha, I knew it all along," Pena smiled.
"Huh?" Dick was taken aback.
"You want to go back to your territory, don't you?" Pena said with a smile, "Even though it's the most remote land in the port."
But as a lord, you've never visited your territory. I knew you'd want to go there eventually.
Master Honey added, "However, Sir Dick, you must understand Lord Hubert's intention. He sealed your territory on the edge of the border so that you would become the first line of defense for the Peyton family. This is a sign of his trust in you."
"I understand, Master Horney, thank you for reminding me," Dick said, bowing slightly. "However, I'm not going to the territory."
After listening, Pena and Horney exchanged glances. Pena asked:
"Where are you going?"
"I want to go to O'Brien Bay."
"O'Brien Bay?" Pena frowned, somewhat puzzled. "What are you going there for?"
"I have some personal matters to take care of."
Pena was silent for a moment before speaking:
"How long will you be gone?"
"I'll go there soon. Aside from the time spent on the road, I think I'll stay at my destination for a day or two at most."
"I see—" Pena pondered, "In that case, you take my father's boat."
"Huh?"
Dick paused for a few seconds, then immediately shook his head.
"No, sir, I have personal matters to attend to and cannot take the ship from Caogang away."
"Consider this a voyage exercise," Pena said. "I know very well that you don't have much sailing experience, but you've become the chief instructor of the fleet in my port. I believe this will be a good training exercise. Besides, by sea, you can go and return earlier."
Dick had already studied the route, and if he were to take the land route, then Neptune Avenue would undoubtedly be the best choice, but this road extends along the coastline, so it is relatively winding.
While taking the sea route can avoid unnecessary detours, the efficiency of navigation is greatly affected by wind direction.
Therefore, he could not determine which road was faster.
But since Pena had already given his reasons, Dick had no choice but to accept them:
"Thank you, sir."
"Um, when are you planning to leave?"
"Prepare today, set off early tomorrow morning."
The following morning, Dick arrived at the port.
Since he had already given orders to the ships yesterday afternoon, all the sailors of Lord Hubert's Hunting Yellow Dog were already waiting on the dock.
After boarding the ship, ask the first mate:
"Are you ready?"
"Yes, sir," the first mate bowed to Dick.
"Then, let's set sail."
Subsequently, under the command of the first mate, the Hunting Dog departed from the harbor and sailed westward.
Dick was not yet familiar with how to command a ship, so he chose to temporarily hand over the job to his deputy.
For this reason, the first mate can only have a little free time after the ship has stabilized.
He found Dick, bowed, and said:
"Sir, the ship is heading towards O'Brien Bay."
"Very good," Dick nodded slightly.
"Your suitcase has been carried into the captain's cabin."
"A box?" Dick asked, confused. "What box?"
"The box you were talking about bringing?" the first mate said, scratching his head. "That box was quite heavy; it took two soldiers working together to lift it onto the ship."
Hearing this, Dick had a bad feeling.
He strode toward the captain's cabin and spotted the box immediately.
Dikla unlocked the latch and opened the lid of the box.
Then he heard complaints:
"Why are you so slow? I'm about to burst!"