N-A-A Chapter 293 Global Upheaval
Chapter 293 Global Upheaval
Chapter 293 Global Upheaval
Anne arrived at the gates of Buckingham Castle.
Soldiers clad in full platinum and white armor, holding halberds, stood there.
With these guards on duty, it was naturally difficult for unauthorized personnel to enter the palace.
Anne spotted Alexander Coolidge from afar; he was standing in front of the castle, his right hand raised, his chin resting on his hand, his head bowed.
"Lord Alexander,"
As Anne walked over, she greeted him.
Previously, Anne would address Alexander as Mr., Your Excellency, or Sir, but now that they are both in the same court, it is more appropriate to address him by his official title.
"Ha, Annie, it's been several months since we last met, hasn't it?"
Alexander turned to Anne upon hearing this, a smile spreading across his face, his eyes scanning her up and down.
"I must say, this oversized heraldic robe really suits you, making your already small face look even more delicate."
Anne bowed: "Thank you for the compliment, sir. This officer's long coat makes you look even more distinguished."
"Hahaha," Alexander laughed a few times, "but I really didn't expect to meet you in the palace."
"When I heard your name, I was truly startled, and when I learned that you were a member of the Royal Heraldry, I was even more shocked."
"Well done, Anne. I never imagined that you could become a herald at such a young age, and even a court official. No wonder my brother likes you so much. You are truly an outstanding woman."
Anne bowed slightly: "You flatter me, sir. You are truly outstanding; otherwise, the royal family would not have invited you to ensure the safety of the palace."
Upon hearing this, Alexander's expression suddenly froze.
Seeing this, Anne thought she had said something wrong, but upon careful recollection, she couldn't recall saying anything inappropriate.
However, Alexander's expression quickly returned to a smile.
Anne immediately guessed that Alexander must have doubts about her motives for being invited.
Did he discover something secret? Annie had no way of knowing for the time being.
She wasn't sure if Aaron was really her friend, so she couldn't ask him that question at the moment.
When they left the Herald Academy, Joseph repeatedly warned Anne not to trust anyone easily in the royal city.
Jonas also repeatedly emphasized to Anne that she should never expect to make friends in the court.
Therefore, even though Alexander was an old acquaintance Anne met outside Buckingham Castle, she still had to be wary of him.
Alexander said, "Ah, sorry, I was lost in thought. Where was I again? Oh right, we all have our own duties in the court."
"That's a good thing, Anne. The power dynamics in the royal city are complex. Having more acquaintances means having more help. Perhaps we'll be in frequent contact in the future."
Anne responded tactfully: "I will be grateful for your care at that time."
"Haha," Alexander chuckled twice, "You little rascal, it's really hard to dislike you. By the way, what's your relationship with that person who was looking for you?"
Anne shook her head: "Based on the description, I can't tell who it is."
"Oh, I see. Then go see her. My people will take you there."
Anne noticed the words keenly and frowned:
"she?"
"Hmm, she's a girl too. She's young, but has a very strong temper," Alexander said with a helpless smirk. "My people get a little closer..."
She bared her teeth, looking like she was about to bite someone.
"If I hadn't been there, she probably would have really fought the royal troops. And frankly, I don't think that girl would have lost."
I don't know if it's just my imagination.
"In short, she mentioned your name, so I immediately reassured her and sent someone to find you. I made sure to ask her for help, and it took a lot of effort to finally get her into the city."
"However, Anne, if she really is your friend, you have to talk to her. If I hadn't been there for her, who knows what would have happened to her now."
Anne nodded, her anxiety growing.
Because among the people she knew, only one met Alexander's description.
She followed the soldiers into the city gate and immediately saw a small man sitting on a bench, surrounded by soldiers, looking like a wolf cub.
The moment Annie walked in, the little man immediately jumped off the stool:
"Annie!"
Good heavens! Anne strode over, pushed aside the soldiers' weapons, walked to the short woman's side, and grabbed her hand tightly.
Then he led her out of the city gate.
They walked out of the city gate, crossed the drawbridge, and onto the streets inside the royal city.
After crossing the ditch and passing through a narrow alley, we finally found a quiet, deserted place.
During that time, neither of them said a word.
Only then did Annie turn around and angrily question:
"Lola, what are you doing!"
Lola was clearly startled; she took a step back with her left foot and lowered her head.
"I—I've come to find you—"
"Yet you were sneaking around outside the palace, and were even surrounded by the city's soldiers!"
"That's because you're in the castle, and the gates are guarded by soldiers so I can't get in. So, I'm looking for another way to see if I can make a hole and crawl in."
Dig a hole in the walls of Platinum Castle? Anne was absolutely furious.
"Even if you get in, so what? Don't you know the castle's defenses are much tighter?"
"At worst, I'll just run away," Lola pouted.
"Do you think you can escape! You're so naughty, Lola!"
Anne shouted loudly,
"This world is full of capable people, and the royal city is especially teeming with heroes. If Alexander hadn't discovered you, if he hadn't been an acquaintance of mine, oh my god, you—"
Anne suddenly couldn't speak—
She felt as if her vocal cords were frozen by ice, unable to move freely.
But if it's really that cold, why do my cheeks feel hot and my vision become blurry?
Lola looked up, her expression immediately turning anxious:
"I'm sorry, Annie, I was wrong, please don't cry!"
Am I crying? Anne bit her lip. Damn it, stop crying, Lola will worry!
Lola suddenly lunged forward and hugged Anne tightly.
"Annie, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I just wanted to see you."
Upon hearing these words, Anne finally couldn't hold back anymore and burst into tears:
"What if something happens to you? What if you are convicted? I am just a minor official, and my words carry no weight in this city."
"Lola, if I lose you because of this, I really don't know what I would do. You're my only sister. I'm sorry, Anne, I'm so sorry—"
Stop saying sorry, shut up and listen to me!
Anne suddenly reached out and forcefully pulled Lola's head into her chest:
"Lola! I miss you so much! I thought I wouldn't see you and Aaron for many years!"
"But I never expected to see you so soon. You know, Lola, working in the royal city is really tough. I only get to suffer here."
"I'm so lonely every day, Lola! Thank you, thank you for coming to see me!"
"Yes, I miss you too, Annie."
Anne felt Lola hug her even tighter.
Annie cried even harder.
What? She doesn't act like an older sister at all.
How can a proper older sister cry her eyes out in front of her younger sister?
But Anne just couldn't stop crying.
Worry, grievance, and joy were all intertwined.
Anne didn't know whether to be happy or sad, and in the end, all she could do was cry.
Upon arriving in the capital—no, ever since leaving the library—Anne has always presented herself as strong, no matter who she is facing.
But she really wants to be like this now, taking off all her pretenses and releasing her emotions.
Ah, what a sister who acts like a spoiled child with her younger sister! So embarrassing!
But having a younger sister is really great!
After an unknown amount of time, Anne finally calmed down and released Lola.
She patted Lola's back lightly, and Lola released her hand, took a step back, and looked up at her face.
Anne wiped away her tears with her sleeve and said with a smile:
"Lola, you mustn't do anything foolish or dangerous again."
Lola pursed her lips and said, "I'm sorry—"
"If you truly know you were wrong, I will forgive you."
"Yes!" Lola nodded vigorously.
Anne reached out and pinched Lola's cheek: "You're such a good, obedient little sister."
Just then, Anne noticed a pair of ruby earrings hanging from Lola's earlobes.
Her eyes widened. "Lola, are you wearing those earrings again?"
"Hmm," Lola nodded again, "Does it look good?"
"Beautiful!" "Absolutely perfect!" is an understatement.
Lola asked, "Where are the earrings I gave you?"
Since Annie endured the pain to get her ears pierced, she wouldn't let herself suffer like that for nothing.
In her bedroom, Anne admired herself in the mirror, looking at herself with the earrings on.
However, once she leaves her room, Anne will always take off all her jewelry.
She was an official, and there are very few women among officials.
Any adornment Anne wears could undermine the strong image she tries so hard to project, making others think of her as a weak woman.
Therefore, in response to Lola's question, Anne replied:
"Of course I would only wear the earrings you gave me to show you, but I didn't know it was you who was looking for me at first, so I didn't wear them."
Lola didn't seem to mind, and instead said:
"Then wear it for me to see next time."
"Okay, sure—shall I deliver it next time?"
Lola replied, "I left an eternal anchor outside the capital last month. I can come here anytime I want."
Anne frowned. "But didn't Aaron say that setting up more anchor points might put you in danger?"
"My strength has improved a lot, and I started from the library, so Aaron agreed with my idea."
"I see—"
Since Aaron agreed, there's no problem.
"Alright, Lola, let's set a time to meet, shall we?"
The royal city is not like the city of emblems; the security and management here are much stricter, and Lola cannot see whomever she wants.
Therefore, they could only agree on a fixed time and then meet outside the castle.
Lola readily agreed.
Ah, this little sister is so cute.
She arrived just in time; Anne had just been bullied by that duke's heir when Lola showed up.
Thinking of this, Anne couldn't help but hug Lola again.
She wished Lola were a doll so she could bring Lola into Platinum Castle and spend every day with her.
I wish I could spend some time with Lorado, but not now.
In Emblem City, skipping classes was fine, since she could learn anything the academy taught her ahead of time.
Here, however, Anne is no longer an apprentice; she has her own job and responsibilities.
It's currently the busiest time for the Heraldry, and Jonas's decision to let her leave during working hours is already considered a lenient approach.
Anne must not take advantage of Lola's favor; though she was very reluctant at this moment, she could only say to her with a heavy heart:
"I'm sorry, Lola, I'm really busy. Your arrival today was so unexpected. I have to go back now, but next time, I'll definitely try to spend more time with you."
Lola obediently nodded.
Oh... my dear sister.
Anne and Lola arranged a time and place to meet again, and the two sisters parted with great reluctance.
As she walked back, she slapped her face repeatedly.
He reminded himself not to get carried away with the relaxation he had just experienced.
She had to continue playing the tough guy and couldn't let anyone know she had just cried.
When Anne returned to Buckingham Castle, she did not see Alexander when she passed the city gate, guessing that he was busy elsewhere.
She hurried back to the Heraldry and saw that Jonas had just finished a task, then took out a mirror and began to groom his beard.
Jonas gave Anne a wary look and asked:
"Is everything resolved?"
"Yes," Anne nodded.
"Who is looking for you?"
Faced with this question, Anne was at a loss for words, afraid that outsiders would know about Lola's existence.
Sensing Anne's worry, Jonas put down the mirror.
"I was just asking casually. If you feel uncomfortable, you don't have to answer. But Annie, I'm not your enemy, at least not for now."
Hearing this, Anne finally spoke up, after all, she had received a lot of help from Jonas since arriving in the capital:
"family."
"Is that so?" Jonas smiled. "But don't let anyone else in the court see your family."
"Yes," Anne nodded. "Sir, is there anything I can do for you?"
"These things are beyond your control right now," Jonas sighed. "It's strange that everything is happening at the same time. It seems the world is about to change drastically."
"What's wrong?"
Jonas stood up and paced around the room:
"First, on the desperate seas, the pirates actually took the initiative to seek cooperation with us, and in the end, the representatives from various places unanimously agreed to recognize the independent status of the Clown Islands. It's ironic that the pirates became the legitimate governors!"
"Then came the frozen continent, where a rebellion broke out. A powerful force suddenly rose up and established a brand new regime there, the Central Community."
"In comparison, the assassination of the patriarch of the Principality of the Holy Missionaries and the internal sectarian purges within them are minor matters."
"A major event has also occurred in the Far East. The Federation has suddenly launched an attack on Swabawa. It seems that the Federation really intends to annex the entire Far East."
"And the kingdom is not peaceful either. An assassin organization has suddenly emerged in the western part of the kingdom. It is said that they assassinated the patriarch of the duchy, and recently they assassinated a duke."
Anne frowned. "Which duke?"
"The mistress of the Golden Wheat Plain, Duke Brianna Lorraine."