Tang Feiliu wasn't joking when he said he wanted to exercise. His body was too weak. Though he'd always taken good care of himself, his innate frailty was unchangeable. Before meeting Edward, his health had been damaged by roughing it outdoors. After meeting Edward, he'd been pampered and coddled. As the saying goes, "A change of residence changes one's spirit; a change of diet changes one's body." Tang Feiliu had been nurtured to the point where he might as well have been drinking milk and eating honey, barely needing to step outside. Lately, one thing after another had piled up. It was manageable in York, Tang Feiliu remembered Charlemagne's advice and had maintained daily hikes in the countryside or leisurely strolls in town. But the imperial capital offered neither the scenic appeal nor the leisurely pace, and the constant demands inevitably led to neglect of exercise. Gradually, his physical weakness deepened.
Tang Feiliu resolved to resume his training regimen, which delighted Edward immensely. Back in York, he’d occasionally rouse Tang Feiliu for sunrise hikes, but in the capital, Tang Feiliu was too overwhelmed by duties and exhaustion. Edward couldn't bear to insist. Secondly, the exercise options were limited, and the scenery wasn't particularly appealing. Tang Feiliu would simply refuse to cooperate, and every time Edward saw him sulkily pouting, that look made him want to lay the whole world at his feet. How could he bear to see him unhappy? Even though he knew it wasn't good, he resolved time and again to be firm, only to fail every single time.
Tang Feiliu himself remained oblivious. After resting well, he’d convince himself he could definitely train properly... After several days of failure, he warned Edward with great shame: "Starting tomorrow, I absolutely must exercise. No matter how much I whine, you’re not allowed to indulge me, understand?!"
Edward nodded solemnly. When the appointed time arrived, he promptly came to rouse Tang Feiliu.
Alas, human inertia proved terrifying. Despite yesterday's bold vows, upon hearing Edward's voice that morning, Tang Feiliu slowly retracted her little head and began burrowing deeper under the covers.
On the pristine white quilt, as Edward's deep, gentle voice called out, that golden little head gradually retreated deeper beneath the covers, trying to block out Edward's "noise."
Edward watched, a smile curling his lips. Usually, after calling for a while and seeing that golden head completely buried, he’d pull back the covers to let him breathe, then resign himself to leaving to exercise alone. But this time, remembering Tang Feiliu’s request from yesterday, he gently slid the covers aside a little and reached out to pick him up from the bed.
But the moment he did, the half-asleep Tang Feiliu clutched the quilt fiercely, pulling it up with him. Edward found himself holding this big, cocoon-like bundle of sleepy sugar, suddenly at a loss for words.
Then, Tang Feiliu, embarrassed and angry, patted Edward's chest that very night and declared, "You absolutely must wake me up tomorrow!!!"
"I think we should just do it in the afternoon," Edward replied directly. "I'll move my training to the afternoon too. I can teach you swordsmanship."
Tang Feiliu beamed instantly. Swordplay? That sounded incredibly cool! Finally, she could sleep in and train without missing a beat.
Amidst this back-and-forth over training, the very person who had sparked it all, Mr. Allen, was finally about to set sail.
Tang Feiliu went to the port to see them off.
While ostensibly a farewell, Edward had actually arranged it so Tang Feiliu could take a break. After months of relentless work, Tang Feiliu had gained a little weight only to lose it again. Though Edward didn't voice it, he harbored a faint resentment toward his aunt for overloading Tang Feiliu with tasks.
After all, in York, Tang Feiliu only needed to pursue his passions—never burdened by systematic demands.
That said, Tang Feiliu himself was quite content. After all, witnessing people's lives improve firsthand brought him immense joy.
But he was also thrilled about this sudden vacation to the port!
Yet during the journey, Tang Feiliu was stunned to spot Jace! The red-haired youth, likely overfed, had cheeks puffed out like balloons. His first words upon seeing Tang Feiliu were: "Oh my, Lance! I gotta tell you—our pigs froze to death!"
Tang Feiliu inquired and learned Jace was referring to the white pigs he'd brought back from the New Continent. The pigs themselves might not have suited the local climate and soil, and it was indeed unfortunate they hadn't thrived. But Tang Feiliu only felt regret for a moment; there was nothing else to be done.
Jesse, however, was beaming with excitement. "But I never imagined the Commander would choose me to accompany Captain Filia on this naval deployment! Hehehe, I'm so thrilled..."
"Deployed at sea?" Tang Feiliu glanced at Edward. Was this the matter he and Alan had discussed earlier?
Edward nodded. Tang Feiliu had been busy training these past days, and though they'd planned to discuss matters concerning Allen, they hadn't gotten around to it. Now, on the road, Edward began explaining: Allen had proactively offered to serve Edward, seeking military backing to conquer the New Continent.
The New Continent was currently a haven for criminals. While abundant in certain resources, it suffered from scarcity in others—plentiful in food yet lacking in basic necessities and manufactured goods... What truly swayed Edward, however, was the absence of the Temple there.
Though devout missionaries had ventured there, their efforts proved futile. The New World's inhabitants held no faith in gods, creating an atmosphere that was both the worst and the best.
"I want to preserve an escape route for us," Edward explained earnestly to Tang Feiliu as he held him, justifying the financial investment. Tang Feiliu understood his meaning and, for the first time, asked softly with genuine concern: "So... there won't be anyone else, right? Not even a fake duchess?"
This had been Tang Feiliu's deepest fear from the start. Though much of it faded after Edward gifted him the ring of authority, the lingering unease remained—a concern Tang Feiliu himself rarely dared voice aloud. For in this era, if Edward truly chose to marry a fake duchess, Tang Feiliu could only part ways with him. His heart might ache, but he would understand.
Throughout history, those who lived in the shadows had never had it easy. Unlike modern times, where discrimination might be the worst outcome, in this era, the threat of death was very real.
Thus, even if nobles harbored true love for someone, few dared to forgo marriage and children. For if you had enemies, this would provide them with the perfect excuse to strike.
Edward had clearly prepared himself for this, which was why Tang Feiliu had asked.
Tang Feiliu had assumed he didn't care about this matter. He thought that if Edward truly chose this path, he would only feel sorrow at most... But in the instant the words left his lips, Tang Feiliu realized... he had always cared deeply about this. Even though Edward had expressed his burning affection countless times, even making many vow-like gestures...
None could compare to the solid plans he'd made for their future.
"My Duchess... haven't I already done that?" Edward's response was to cup the back of his head and press a tender, deep kiss upon his lips.
While they were lost in tender affection, on the other side, the spoiled, luxury-loving young Master Rogers was throwing a crying tantrum, yelling at Allen: "You go by yourself! I'm not going to the New Continent! There aren't even cement houses there!"
"...Rogers, rest assured. I've brought everything you're familiar with, plus a construction crew. I promise you won't find it crude..." Alan was both exasperated and amused. He found himself increasingly understanding Rogers' logic—the boy was utterly willful, and his focus always veered off course.
And... he was ruthlessly heartless.
Alan had assumed Rogers would be most reluctant to leave his familiar hometown, his parents and relatives. Instead, the moment the young master heard about the New World, he immediately blew up—but the reason for his outburst was that he refused to go to a wild, uncomfortable place like the New World!
This outcome left Alan both relieved and acutely aware of how right he was to take this spoiled young master away... Only a New World, a completely new fantasy realm, could gradually make this spoiled brat—selfish to a terrifying degree—realize he wasn't like his indulgent parents or his permissive elders.
"I am your man." Once Alan had made up his mind, young Master Rogers' tantrums could not sway the final outcome. Still, Alan soothed him earnestly, "So if you ever feel uncomfortable or dissatisfied anywhere, you can come to me anytime. I promise to be at your beck and call and resolve it to your satisfaction, okay?"
Rogers' eyes widened, glistening with tears. He hated this new continent! Yet he was sharp enough to know escape was impossible this time.
The brilliant young master Rogers rolled his eyes and blurted out a wild idea: "You'll agree to any condition I make?"
"Yes." Alan nodded. Despite Rogers' temperament, unless he demanded a breakup, Alan was willing to spoil him rotten.
"Then I want the best cook, and I need my milk while at sea, and my cakes and pastries, and my favorite ball gowns..." The boy counted on his fingers as Alan nodded along. Before he knew it, young Master Rogers' storerooms were nearly overflowing. He was all smiles, never once considering this was the price of his soul.
Author's Note:
Thanks for the landmines:
Li Xiyu dropped 1 landmine Thrown at: 2018-02-06 15:33:15
19394168 threw 1 landmine Thrown at: 2018-02-06 16:04:23
Tangyuan Nuonuo threw 1 landmine Thrown at: 2018-02-06 17:50:21
Chunmeng de Axi threw 1 landmine Thrown at: 2018-02-06 19:46:12
Zero Meow Meow threw 1 landmine Throw time: 2018-02-06 20:08:31
Wusan threw 1 landmine Thrown at: 2018-02-07 23:38:12