freenovelworld Chapter 288 Medal of Honor
Chapter 288 Medal of Honor
Chapter 288 Medal of Honor
Upon hearing the summons, Dick immediately accompanied Peggy, following the sommelier, to Earl Luther's study.
Count Luther summoned Peggy, so Dick shouldn't have gone with him.
But if Dick wasn't there, Peggy wouldn't even leave the room, so Dick had no choice but to follow her.
Perhaps Count Luther thought that Peggy was just shy and had not yet adapted to life in the rainforest.
Little did they know, Peggy still strongly resists coming to this place.
As Peggy walked through the castle, which has a history of over a thousand years, her mood seemed to be weighed down by the weight of history.
If Dick wasn't mistaken, Peggy was probably relieved that Kenneth wasn't in the territory.
However, all good fortune is as fleeting and fragile as a bubble.
Upon arriving at the study door, the sommelier knocked on the master's door.
Please step aside and let Dick and Peggy go in.
Dick scanned the room, but found only Earl Luther.
But he still chose to greet her first and gently touched Peggy's arm, signaling her to do the same.
"Hmm," Earl Luther replied softly, "Kenneth—he has some things to take care of, he'll be here shortly."
Peggy remained silent upon hearing this, so Dick spoke on her behalf:
"Miss has long awaited Kenneth's return and is happy to welcome him now."
After saying that, Dick felt a slight pain in the back of his hand.
Peggy lowered her head and pinched him hard, her glare at him fiercely.
Dick ignored Peggy, and Count Luther also said:
"It's good that you understand. In any case, Hongtaobao and Caogang are officially engaged, and this marriage will not be interrupted by any factors."
Dick found it strange that Count Luther was emphasizing this matter now.
It seemed as if he lacked confidence in this marriage alliance.
However, Dick didn't seem to mind and simply continued to answer on Peggy's behalf:
"Yes."
Then, silence fell over the study.
Like Lord Hubert, Count Luther was a calm and experienced man, and therefore he would not speak unless absolutely necessary.
However, compared to a loyal dog, Luther was clearly more interested in conversation, as could be seen from his last conversation with Count Pena.
Luther walked to the bedside, to the river flowing in the drizzle.
Dick also recalled the warship he had seen that morning sailing down the Silver River, and was certain that it was Prince Kenneth's ship. The Earl seemed preoccupied, but perhaps his silence was exactly what Peggy was hoping for.
Peggy doesn't want to be Kenneth's fiancée.
Speaking of which, Peggy was also betrothed to Dick by Lord Hubert.
But Peggy was also unwilling to marry Dick that time.
Dick initially thought it was because he couldn't forget Anne.
But it seems that this is not the case at present.
Peggy just doesn't want to get married.
Does she want to stay in Caogang?
Or perhaps they yearn for their dream man?
Dick couldn't figure it out, but Kenneth wasn't Dick.
Rittos is far more distinguished than Buchanan, and this time Pena cannot break off the engagement with a simple "no".
Suddenly, the door was pushed open.
However, it was not Kenneth who entered the room first, but a soldier.
He was holding two thick wooden sticks behind him.
After a moment, Dick was able to see the whole picture.
Two soldiers were carrying a chair, and sitting on the chair was a long-haired man about the same age as Dick.
The soldier placed the chair, along with the person sitting on it, in front of the desk and then left.
How could Dick not understand that the person sitting in the chair was Kenneth?
Kenneth's legs were clearly injured, even partially disabled.
If that's the case, then Miss Peggy is really pitiful.
Dick instinctively glanced at Peggy, only to see her eyes wide open, filled with despair.
Just then, the man spoke:
"Father."
Luther heard the call, but his eyes were fixed on Kenneth's legs, and his left cheek twitched.
His expression showed some sadness and loneliness.
Luther nodded: "Yes, what did the doctor say?"
Luther shook his head: "The spine is injured; medicine can't do anything about it."
"Don't give up, Kenneth. If medicine can't cure it, maybe there are other ways."
"But I've never heard of it."
Kenneth lowered his head, his profile filled with frustration.
Hehehe!
Luther strode over and slapped Kenneth twice on the face, the force not too strong, not too weak.
"Don't give me that 'it's all over' look. You're a man, you have to be strong! There are so many things you haven't heard of. The wonders of this world far exceed your imagination. As long as you have faith, miracles will happen."
Kenneth looked up at Luther, his eyes regaining their light:
"Father—ah, I understand, I will be strong."
"Yes," Luther nodded, "Let me introduce you. Over there is your fiancée, the heiress from Chau Harbor."
Miss Peggy.
As he spoke, Luther raised his hand to indicate Dick's direction.
Kenneth turned his head and looked over. The moment Peggy's face was reflected in his pupils, his tightly furrowed brows relaxed.
Peggy is indeed very beautiful, enough to please most men.
Luther continued, "She's a member of the Payton family. Would you like me to introduce you to her family and her father?"
"Need not,"
Kenneth shook his head slightly, his eyes fixed on Luther.
"Loyal Dog was my commander. I fought under his spell. He was a man admired by the entire army. How could I not know him and his family?"
Luther nodded, then looked at Peggy:
"Miss Peggy, this is my second son, Kenneth Ritthom."
Kenneth took the initiative to greet her: "Nice to meet you, Miss Peggy."
However, Peggy glanced coldly to the side, her tightly pursed lips like a scallop that had been provoked.
Seeing this, Dick quickly tugged at Peggy's sleeve.
But Peggy remained unmoved and showed no intention of responding.
After a brief standoff, Luther roared:
"Peggy Peyton, what do you mean by this! Has Hubert truly never taught you manners? Or are you simply trying to humiliate Redtide Castle!"
But the roar didn't scare Peggy. Dick knew very well that Peggy's personality was somewhat like his father's.
After a long stalemate, there was still no progress.
Dick quickly whispered to Peggy, "Miss, if you don't give them face now, you'll find it hard to gain respect once you become a member of Rittos."
However, Peggy showed no intention of turning back.
Dick looked at Kenneth, only to see him already hanging his head dejectedly.
"Enough!" Luther roared like a raging river. "Sir Dick, take your young lady back."
Dick nodded and tried to grab Peggy's arm.
But Peggy dodged it and strode decisively toward the door.
Just before Peggy was about to push open the door and leave, Luther continued:
"The engagement is set, and you can't act on your whims. There's no custom of spoiling young ladies in the Twin Rivers. You're young and immature, and I can forgive you, but my patience is limited. If you want to live a good life in the future, you'd better think it over carefully."
Peggy didn't stop walking at all; she strode forward and disappeared through the doorway.
Dick immediately followed, and at the door, he bowed deeply to Luther to express his apology on behalf of Peggy, before catching up with him.
Peggy walked quickly, while Dick followed closely behind.
She quickly returned to her room, slammed the door shut, and locked herself inside.
Dick stood silently by the door, fulfilling his duty.
He almost never left the doorway, except to fetch food for Peggy at noon and in the evening.
Peggy didn't go on a hunger strike; she ate the food Dick brought her.
Dick also used that time to learn the origin of Kenneth's injury.
That night, Peggy suddenly opened the door and stared at Dick through the crack without saying a word.
Dick looked at Peggy: "Miss, what is it?"
Peggy shook her head: "Aren't you going to practice your sword?"
1
Dick brought his daily sword-wielding practice to Red Wave Fortress as well.
Only during this time would Peggy voluntarily go out, find the training ground, and watch from the sidelines.
Dick just swings his sword, and even he finds it boring. Doesn't Peggy get bored watching him?
But Dick didn't ask any more questions; it was a good thing that Peggy was willing to leave the house to clear her head.
But Dick shook his head: "It's fine if it's been a day. You seem to be in a bad mood, so I'll stay here with you."
Actually, Dick planned to go after Peggy fell asleep today.
Peggy's lips suddenly parted slightly, followed by an enigmatic smile:
"It's okay, I'll go with you. That way you'll keep me company."
Since she said that...
"Okay, miss, I understand."
Just take her outside for some fresh air.
They arrived at the drill ground.
The training grounds in Red Wave Fortress are much larger than those in Trough Harbor, and at night, only Dick is still practicing martial arts.
Peggy sat on the stone steps next to the beginner's weapon rack, her elbows resting on her thighs.
Dick, using the faint moonlight, brandished his armed sword.
The rain had stopped, but the air was still cool and damp, and the uneven stone bricks were covered with puddles of all sizes.
Every time Dick swung his sword, the resulting air currents disturbed the calm surface of the water.
The yellow moon reflected in the water thus formed folds like a skirt.
As Dick swung his sword more and more, his mood became increasingly calm.
However, Dick suddenly stopped.
He walked toward Peggy.
Peggy's face showed confusion: "What's wrong? It's less than half the usual duration."
Dick thought for a moment and decided to speak:
"Miss Peggy, I'd like to speak with you."
Seemingly guessing what Dick was going to say, Peggy turned her head to the side:
"There's nothing to talk about."
Yes, this matter had nothing to do with Dick.
But as the only person in the castle who truly cared about Peggy, only Dick could persuade her:
"Well then, how about you listen to what I have to say?"
Peggy kept her head down and remained silent.
Dick knew it was just tacit approval, so he squatted down in front of Peggy.
Where should I begin...? Dick said.
After a long silence, he finally spoke:
"On Insole Island, I learned that distinguished people from all over the world, with their fleets, came to that region with only one goal: the Goddess Island of the Sea of Despair."
"Although Goddess Island is not large and can hardly be considered an important strategic location, it is located on the northern shipping lane controlled by righteous people. A few years ago, a pirate alliance occupied it, which made ships sailing on the Desperate Sea frequently harassed by pirates."
"The ships sailing on the Sea of Despair are undoubtedly heading towards the New World, but the supplies are being robbed by pirates ship after ship, which seriously affects the development of the New World by various forces."
"Therefore, the fundamental purpose of this joint fleet of righteous people is to clear away the obstacles in the way of developing the new continent."
At this point, Peggy finally looked at Dick.
She tilted her head, asking in confusion:
Why bring this up?
"However, the fleet commander, your father Hubert Peyton, had a different purpose," Dick said. "Loyal Dog is not a greedy man; he never mentioned the interests of the New World."
"He'd rather stay in the harbor with you than go sailing. You know, Miss Peggy, your father loves you very much."
Peggy frowned: "What are you trying to say?"
"Lord Hubert's true purpose."
"What's the purpose?"
“The Navigator,” Dick said, “Lord Hubert is a strong-willed man, and also extremely upright. More than ten years ago, the Navigator escaped from the Lord’s hands, which, in Lord Hubert’s eyes, was more than just a stain on his career.”
"More importantly, the navigator brought about an even more prosperous period of piracy, and piracy inevitably brought disaster to countless families. I'm afraid Lord Hubert thought it was all his fault."
"Perhaps it was to atone for his sins; in any case, he had only one goal: to kill the navigator. Therefore, he cleverly persuaded various locals to secure the position of commander, thus making the ships, originally intended only to attack Goddess Island, work for him."
Peggy's face showed displeasure: "And then?"
"You know what happened next; both the adults and the navigator died in that battle."
"You're telling me this?" Peggy's tone was starting to get impatient.
"However, in that battle, all the ships sent out by Red Wave Fortress were destroyed, and only Lord Kenneth's ships remained combat-ready."
"Two months ago, the fleet, led by Commander John Justinian, engaged in the largest naval battle in history with a group of six pirate leaders in the waters around Goddess Island."
"It was during that naval battle that Kenneth was struck in the spine by a plank propelled by a giant arrow, which caused him to become paralyzed from the waist down."
"Miss, think about it. If the master hadn't interfered with his own selfish desires and led the fleet to attack the navigator, then the other ships sent by Red Wave Fortress wouldn't have been damaged."
"And if there were a fleet that could support him, his ship would not have been easily hit by the giant arrow."
"Are you saying I have to marry him to atone for my father's sins?" Peggy's voice was filled with anger.
"No," Dick shook his head. "Although Lord Hubert still has his own desires, he was indeed dealing with pirates. Kenneth's injury was ultimately an accident, and no one needs to bear the blame for it, so there is no question of atonement."
"But, Miss, you must know that his injury was sustained while dealing with the thieves, and that is also his medal of honor."
"The combined fleet recaptured Goddess Island, drove away the pirates, and achieved final victory."
"Although Kenneth returned wounded, he was absolutely a victor. He was a hero of the war, and his scars were his medals of honor."
After Dick finished speaking, Peggy stood there stunned.
After a long while, Peggy suddenly asked:
"You really want me to marry him?"
Dick scratched his head: "But Kenneth just returned injured and was treated so coldly by his fiancée. He's really too pitiful."
Peggy stared at Dick for a while, then suddenly asked:
"So, you were also very upset when I rejected you before?"
A true knight should not lie, but there are always exceptions.
"No, at the time I felt fortunate because I still had a glimmer of hope for Anne."
As soon as he finished speaking, Dick felt a chill run down his spine.
Damn it! Why did I blurt out the truth again!
Dick looked at Peggy, who indeed looked furious.
She stood up and kicked Dick hard.
This time, Dick wasn't wearing armor, so only Dick was in pain.
Dick lost his balance and fell to the ground with a thud.
Ugh—Dick felt a pang of despair—. He was so close, and he messed it up again.
Ah~~~
2
Just then, Peggy suddenly turned around and shouted loudly at the open space.
It seems like he was really venting his emotions.
Dick stood up and patted the dirty water off his pants:
"Miss?"
"every day!"
Peggy suddenly turned around and looked at Dick with a serious expression.
"What?" Dick didn't understand.
"I said I was willing to try to get along with Kenneth, at least to comfort him through this period, but—"
Upon hearing this, Dick couldn't help but swallow hard.
He knew that Peggy was negotiating with him.
But the knight was fearless.
Dick quickly calmed down and nodded to Peggy.
Peggy laughed.
Suddenly a gust of wind blew, stirring her hair.
The moonlight shone on her fair face, and looking at her calm and cheerful smile, Dick even saw a resemblance to Anne.
Peggy said:
"Starting tomorrow, you have to eat with me at every single meal!"