The order in which the games are played is determined by the seven people making mutual concessions. Xia De was in the middle, that is, fourth. He was amused to see his opponents taking off their coats and gearing up in white shirts.
He has played many Rhodes card games at banquets, but this is the first time he has played this kind of coin-tossing game.
"I don't know what Mia is doing now."
When I was bored, I thought of my cat, and then I suddenly wanted to laugh. Because the enthusiastic and deliberate show-off of his opponents at this time is really like eating in the middle of the night, so the cat desperately coquettishly shows affection to him:
"The nobles of Huntington City are really interesting."
The crowd gathered, talking about Her Royal Highness's banquet game.
The first to appear is the youngest son of the Marquis of Hersius, the 20-year-old Mr. Miguel Hersius. The young gentleman wore a white shirt over a warm brown waistcoat.
Clutching coins, blindfolded by servants at the starting line. Then, amidst the booing of the crowd, he waved his hands around, and then threw out the first coin:
"Go!"
"oh!"
He threw it so hard that the coin flew directly over the coffee table and almost hit the wife of the mayor of Huntington who was sitting on another sofa. People laughed, and the plump lady cursed softly with a smile. Even Princess Margaret covered her mouth and chuckled, which made the atmosphere even more lively.
Mr. Hersius, who was blindfolded, couldn't see anything, but he knew he must have missed when he heard the laughter. So, he held a gold coin in each of his left and right hands, and threw them forward at the same time.
This time, he knew how to control the power, but unfortunately, the two gold coins only touched the table, and then rolled to the side.
The second Baron Gallard, who is 29 years old, has two fine beards under his nose. He also blindfolded the servant with the coins in his hand, and then shook one of them tentatively. The gold coin reflects the light of the gas lamp, and Xia De is also guessing whether the opponent can hit it:
"God bless!"
Baron Galar said softly, then raised his hand abruptly. The coin was thrown high into the air, almost hitting the ceiling. After falling in a parabola, it flew to the table accurately, and then with a clattering sound, it actually landed in the glass.
"Baron Galar, you hit it!"
Immediately someone said, and then there was applause and booing. Regardless of whether it was a hit or not, people enjoyed the process rather than the result.
Because he had just been blindfolded and knew the specific location of the cup, it was not surprising that the first one could hit it. But then the baron didn't have such luck. The remaining two gold coins touched the coffee table, but failed to touch the glass.
The third person to appear was the grandson of a duke, Xia De did not hear the identity of the other clearly. This young gentleman was more cautious than the first two. After the first miss, he adjusted his hand movements according to the sound in time to make the second hit accurately. As for the third coin, although it hit the edge of the glass, it bounced and the gold coin landed on the table, which is indeed quite a pity.
"The next one is Mr. Holmes from De La Rion."
Hearing the princess's personal maid calling his name, Xia De walked out of the crowd. Like the three gentlemen just now, he got the coins first, and then asked the servant to help him cover his eyes. The cloth was tied very firmly, and the cloth itself was very thick, so there was no possibility of peeking:
"This kind of game is really not as interesting as Rhodes Card."
Xia De was thinking in his heart, holding two gold coins in his left hand, and twisting the third one with his right hand to prepare for throwing. Like his opponents, he took off his coat and only wore a white shirt. Under the bright crystal lamp and gas lamp, his well-proportioned appearance attracted many people's attention.
【down. 】
Shad lowered his hand slightly.
[Lean slightly to the left. 】
Shad moved his hand slightly to the left.
[Muscles relax, yes, relax some more. 】
Xia De adjusted his strength.
【cast. 】
He casually threw the gold coin forward, and under the watchful eyes of people who were joking, nervous, or expectant, the gold coin fell straight into the glass at the far apex of the triangle, clattering on the quilt in a circle.
"Very good! Hit!"
Xia De was satisfied with the answer, and the voice beside his ear reminded him softly:
[Marguerite Anjou is applauding you. 】
"So why did she invite me?"
[Relax a little bit, turn left, turn right, okay. 】
The second gold coin was thrown by Xia De immediately, and the people didn't even stop applauding for the first time, and they saw that the gold coin fell into the second goblet precisely again:
"Hit again!"
This time it was a man's voice, who seemed to be a member of the group of vampires who had also come to watch the banquet game here.
Xia De held the last coin in his right hand, and after a little hesitation, he tossed it forward lightly. When he took off the cloth in front of him, he saw a gold coin lying in each of the three goblets.
Holding the strip of cloth, he walked towards the tea table amidst people's celebrations. The ladies on the sofa also praised Xia De one after another. Of course, this was not only because he ended the game early, but also because of his handsome appearance and temperament, which really made people like him very much.
"Congratulations, Mr. Holmes, you have done well."
Princess Margaret said softly, and asked the servant to hand over the three gold coins to Xia De, then took off the earrings, brought the jewelry box, and handed it to Xia De.
Girls like to use jewelry boxes to hold jewelry, unlike Shade who puts everything directly in the pocket...or turns it into a toy and puts it in the pocket.
Although I don't know how much the pair of earrings are worth, Xia De has a good impression of Princess Margaret's generosity. After taking the jewelry box, he respectfully expressed his thanks, and praised Princess Margaret's beauty in broken Kasenlik.
It was all in keeping with protocol and tradition, so even if Shad, a Delarion, won the banquet game, no one would say much. Princess Margaret left Shade to exchange some pleasantries, so that those aristocratic girls who are very interested in Shade can ask him about the situation in the New World and Delarion.
Soon, with the melodious sound of the cello, it indicated that tonight's dance had begun. It is half past eight now, and there is still more than an hour before the end of the banquet. The people around went away to enjoy the banquet time tonight, but when Shad wanted to turn around and leave to find Mr. Bernhardt who was still playing cards over there, the princess stopped Shad again:
"Mr. Holmes, the ball has begun. Now that you have won the game, are you interested in dancing with me?"
"Um?"
Xia De was a little surprised, hesitating whether to agree. The opponent's witch has very little power. If she dances with gloves on, she doesn't have to worry about being seen through her special features. This is only possible in direct contact. He hesitated because he didn't know what the princess wanted to do.
"Oh, Your Highness, you were not in the game just now, so add this bet!"
Before Xia De could speak, Mr. Mig Hersius, who was the first to throw the gold coin, hurriedly spoke up to object.
At this time, there were still quite a few people gathered in the rest area of the sofa. Seeing that everyone was looking at him, Mr. Hersius blushed and said:
"Your Highness, you have never danced easily with others at balls, how could you be with this Delarion..."
These southern nobles still have some opinions on the Delarion people, especially when Xia De won them just now.
Marguerite Anjou, who was wearing a crown, frowned dissatisfied. Of course, Mr. Hersius could see that the princess was very displeased with his words, so he quickly added:
"I want to bet this gentleman on the Rhodes card. If he wins, I have no problem with it! The most important part of the banquet game is the Rhodes card. I think this Mr. Holmes will not refuse."
"Ha, I have been in this world for so long, and I finally encountered this kind of thing!"
The outsider thought with some joy in his heart, and the people around him were talking in a low voice, no one objected or catered to.
And Princess Margaret, who is about to lead a delegation to visit Tobesk, said that she could not allow conflicts between domestic nobles and foreign gentlemen at her farewell party. She intended to speak to reconcile, but Xia De suddenly said:
"You want to bet Rhodes with me?"
He stared at the other party, and at the same time that Mr. Hersius felt a little nervous, he took out his Rhodes deck unhurriedly.
He apologized to the young girls around him, and then sat across from the princess. Leaning forward slightly, he slapped the deck of cards on the table, pressed the top of the cards with his right hand, and pulled gently, and the cards were arranged in a fan shape on the coffee table.
Pick up the card at the end and gently move it to the right, and the back-up card group will smoothly become face-up; then move the card to the left again, so that the card becomes back-up again. Put the cards back together, rinse them a few times, and pat the rearranged deck on the table:
he asked with a smile.
"Um......"
Shocked by Shad's "performance", Mr. Hersius pursed his lips and hesitated for a moment, then shook his head decisively:
"I respect the princess's opinion, sorry, sir, I was the one who was rude just now."
Turning around and leaving after speaking, this kind of exit is still decent, but if you really play cards and lose, it will be a real loss of face.
"what happens?"
Mr. Bernhardt, who heard the commotion here, finally walked over.
"It's nothing, someone wants to bet Rhodes with me."
Shad said, Mr. Bernhardt first greeted Princess Margaret who was standing up, and then asked Shad in surprise:
"Bet you on Rhodes? Who is so bold?"
He knew very well that Xia De was the champion of "Great City Players 1853", and he had seen Xia De's card skills and luck in [Sin Mansion].
"It's Mister Miguel Hersius, but he's scared away!"
Someone said, followed by a burst of laughter, and the atmosphere of the ball became more lively.
"Viscount, is Mr. Holmes very good at cards?"
Princess Margaret asked curiously. The middle-aged vampire nobles were struggling to find words:
"Your Highness, that's not a question of whether you're good or not, that's...Mr. Holmes often plays Rhodes cards with those rough sailors on sea ships, so he has developed a good card skill. What's more, his Luck has always been unparalleled."
"So that's how it is."
The princess with pale golden hair said with a light smile, after Xia De took back his cards, he extended his hand to the princess:
"Your Highness, it's an honor to dance with you... Please forgive me, I'm not good at this."
"It doesn't matter."
Princess Margaret put her hand on Shard's outstretched palm, and walked together to the crowd dancing to the music.
Mr. Bernhardt was left alone standing there alone, very puzzled what happened while he was playing Rhodes:
"Princess Margaret Anjou, hasn't she always treated men without false words?"
Xia De on the other side has already started dancing with Princess Margaret directly under the crystal chandelier. Kasenlik's dance music is relatively slow, or the current one is relatively slow, so there is no need for too violent movements.
But even so, Xia De still controlled his steps very carefully, moving his steps according to the "slow four" footwork taught by Rezia, and Princess Margaret seemed to be very good at dancing.
Xia De's right hands are close together, the **** and ring finger are slightly inwardly bent, tightly fastened to the edge of Princess Margaret's skirt under the left shoulder blade, and slightly holding the princess' right hand. This kind of contact area is not large, because the princess is obviously unwilling to have too much contact with Xia De.
Sure enough, there was a reason why she invited Xia De to dance. Amidst the sound of the violin, the princess said very cautiously:
"Mr. Holmes, I am sorry to bring you into this. I have heard from Mr. Bernhardt that you have had a long adventure in the New World, and you have extraordinary attainments in swordsmanship, marksmanship, and riding. That is why I invited you to participate in the game."
It goes without saying that the princess "bragged" a little to his friend when she asked Herr Bernhardt to hide the goods.
"Then you invited me to the game because..."
"The earrings."
She lowered her voice so as not to be heard by a third person:
"Using the earrings as a bet is not my own idea, but my cousin, the annoying Irene's idea."
She was speaking of Irene Cullen, daughter of the Duke of Crum Cullen, who had been sitting beside Princess Margaret just now. The lady's mother is the younger sister of the contemporary King Carsonrick "Lion Lion", so she is Princess Margaret's cousin.
"It was a birthday present from my mother, so..."
She said with some embarrassment, Xia De finally understood:
"After this dance, wait half an hour, and I will wait for you in the courtyard, and you will send a maid to take away the earrings."
"I'm so sorry for involving you in this matter."
The princess apologized again, but Xia De didn't think there was a problem with this matter. Everyone has relatives who are helpless but do exist. Of course, foreigners do not have them. This kind of contradiction and conflict between noble girls, which eventually turned into a jewelry dispute, is actually very common in contemporary courts, but Dorothy thinks similar plots are "boring and clichéd".
So Shade wasn't going to tell Dorothy or Rezia the story of tonight's Carson Rico-style banquet. After all, this story is too boring.
"Mr. Holmes, are you satisfied with the dinner?"
The princess asked again, probably to ease the atmosphere.
Xia De thought for a while, but he still didn't forget Leiziya's "prank":
"Very good, especially the food. Mr. Bernhardt recommended me a vegetable salad. Kasenlik sweet onions, purple cabbage and Huntington radishes are all delicious."
So Princess Margaret didn't talk about food with Shad until the dance was over.
Shard and Princess Margaret just danced and parted politely. The princess returned to the rest area of the sofa. It seemed that she didn't want to dance the second dance, but Shad found Mr. Bernhardt, a rather high-class blood-sucking seed noble, and was greatly surprised by Shad's performance. :
"You're really good at dealing with young girls."
He didn't feel that there was anything wrong with it, but was surprised by Xia De's method:
"There are actually some rumors among the nobles of Willendale that this Her Majesty Margaret is not very close to men on weekdays."
Mr. Bernhardt lowered his voice while holding the wine glass, and then made a strange expression. Xia De nodded knowingly, knowing that it was because Margaret Anjou never gave up on becoming the apprentice of the Great Witch.
Although it was agreed to exchange the pair of earrings, in order not to attract attention, Shad did not leave immediately, but watched people playing Rhodes cards with Mr. Bernhardt.
Mr. Bernhardt's luck is a bit bad tonight, so he doesn't plan to play any more cards. Xia De didn't want to attract attention at this banquet, so he didn't enter the game.
Instead, Mr. Bernhardt mentioned that when Shad went to Miss Sylvia's place, a lady joined the game and left after winning two special cards in a row.
Now the atmosphere is open, but it is very rare for women to openly play cards with men at banquets. Mr. Bernhardt told Shad about this interesting incident, and then pointed out the lady's location to Shad.
She didn't dance with anyone, but chatted with a middle-aged gentleman who looked like a scholar, standing by the window looking at the night view of the courtyard. Because only the back can be seen, it is impossible to judge the age. The lady was wearing a long dress with a black top and a red bottom, and her hair color was a rare light blonde that was close to white.
They were a little far away from Shad and Mr. Bernhardt, but Shad still frowned slightly:
"Ring Warlock?"
"That lady is a Ring Warlock?"
Bernhardt looked over with some interest:
"I'm pretty sure ~www.mtlnovel.com~ she shouldn't have cheated when she played cards just now."
"There are quite a few ring warlocks at this banquet."
Shad muttered, Mr. Bennhardt nodded, and didn't say much:
"As long as they don't cause trouble, aren't we just here for the banquet?"
"Yes."
Xia De looked in the direction of Princess Margaret again, and was sure that there was no ring warlock beside her:
"There is still an hour, and this banquet will end... I hope everything is safe."