Chapter 442: Cousin Needs Help

Roger Golden Wheat arrived to prepare for his sister Gloria Golden Wheat's arrival, but the Tulip family had already made all the necessary arrangements.

The villa castle in Birch City would serve as the bride's temporary lodging.

The Marquis's daughter marrying the Earl's son, the wedding's scale couldn't match that of a Grand Duke's daughter's wedding, and the Tulip family's financial and material resources couldn't compare to those of the Longtaro family, but the festivities would not be lacking.

As the wedding date approached.

Nobles friendly with the Tulip family arrived in large numbers. Among the most distinguished were Mexiro and his wife, accompanied by the recently married Meopo and the princess couple.

Tulip Castle became increasingly lively, and Liszt was so busy he barely had time to rest. Naturally, he was part of the groomsmen and also had to shoulder the responsibility of receiving guests. Additionally, he had to endure harassment from female guests, as there were always bold noblewomen who admired his looks.

As a single nobleman, such attention was inevitable.

But these were not the source of his troubles, nor was it the impending awkwardness of meeting Ronasa Golden Wheat again, who would accompany the bride to Coral Island.

The real trouble came from Meopo.

Or more strictly speaking.

It stemmed from the smoke mission, making every encounter with his cousin particularly awkward, his mind tangled and conflicted like a mess.

"Liszt, Liszt?" Meopo patted his shoulder, "What are you thinking about? Angela asked what type of noble lady you prefer. She knows many noble ladies of marriageable age and can introduce you."

Beside Meopo, Princess Angela was smiling at him.

Liszt snapped back to attention, glanced at the newlywed couple with a look only he understood, and smiled, "Sorry, I was just thinking that I still have two spirit bugs that I haven't had time to place in the insect grass field, so I was a bit distracted. By the way, did the Grand Duke give you a big spirit?"

Meopo replied irritably, "It's an oat big spirit, but the topic now isn't about big spirits; it's about what kind of noble lady you like."

Angela also said, "Liszt, unlike Meopo and Levis, you cannot inherit a title. Marrying a noble lady would significantly aid both your territory's development and your title's promotion. Grandfather said you have great potential, but having a noble wife would better ensure that your potential is realized."

"Let nature take its course; I'm still young and prefer to focus on cultivation for now. I need to lay a solid foundation so I can break through the earth's constraints in the future," Liszt made an excuse, "When the time comes that I wish to find a noble lady to strengthen the family, I will certainly seek your help, Angela."

Seeing the couple so concerned about his marriage, Liszt's inner conflict deepened.

But soon.

He decided to cut the Gordian knot by abandoning the new smoke mission two days ago, after he contracted the nightshade bug and the flytrap bug, the smoke mission was completed.

"Mission completed, reward: mutated variety of corn grass."

The reward sparked his imagination; the fruit's mutation sounded as if the corn grass had truly turned into corn cobs. He promptly instructed Blair to closely monitor the corn grass field and identify the new mutated corn grass.

Then the updated smoke mission.

Left him conflicted for two entire days.

"Mission: Continuing the bloodline is paramount for a noble family. Your brother Levis is about to marry, aiming to expand the family, but your cousin seems to be having some trouble. His marital relations with Angela Sapphire are strained; perhaps he requires your assistance. Reward: Meopo's collection of piano scores."

This smoke mission was packed with information.

Marital disharmony.

Understandable.

But the need for his help left Liszt thoroughly perplexed. How could he help with someone else's marital disharmony? That's why he was conflicted. If it were anyone else, considering Angela's status and appearance, he wouldn't hesitate to assist.

However, Meopo was his cousin, and they had a good relationship.

As he grew increasingly attuned to the moral standards of this world, he still could not bring himself to commit such outrageous acts, which was why he decided to cut the Gordian knot: "I've been studying the piano recently, Meopo. I remember you have a few piano scores in your collection. How about giving me one?" "No problem."

Meopo agreed without hesitation.

This relieved Liszt; fortunately, the reward for the task was just a piano score, and obtaining it would change the task.

If the reward had been a sprite or information related to a fire dragon's bones, his sense of morality might have forced him to complete it, no matter what.

...

With the inner turmoil resolved,

Liszt returned to his usual calm demeanor, though he couldn't help but feel that his cousin Meopo's head would eventually be adorned with a green hue, signaling an unharmonious life ahead.

All he could do was wish the Longtaro family well, hoping they could maintain the purity of their bloodline as much as possible.

On the morning before the wedding,

the official fleet from Gold Island finally docked at the port of Coral City.

Roderick Marquis and his wife, along with the noble followers from Gold Island who were attending the wedding, and their daughter Gloria Golden Wheat, who was about to be married, made their way to the annex castle in Birch City. They would spend the night in Birch City and come to Tulip Castle the next day for the wedding.

As the second son of the Tulip family, Liszt needed to serve as the best man.

The best man party consisted of familiar faces: his cousin Rolly Pinecone from Aunt Melinda's family, Aubrey Bindweed, the son of Viscount Trick, and three sons of barons.

Only unmarried men could serve as best men.

Only unmarried women can be bridesmaids, as is customary.

Gloria's younger sister, Ronasa Golden Wheat, is a member of the bridesmaid group. During wedding rehearsals, it's inevitable that they would run into each other.

"Good day, Liszt."

"Good day, Ronasa."

"My brother informed me that you have been granted the title of Viscount for your military valor. Congratulations," Ronasa said with a smile. "Do you have your own island or city?"

"Black Horse Island, right next to Coral Island."

"Beautiful isn't quite the right word; it's more of an undeveloped, deserted island. I have built a small town on it, but then ran out of funds for further development."

"Difficulties are but temporary, are they not?"

"Exactly."

With no more topics to discuss and the rehearsal being exhausting, the day simply came to an end.

...

Night.

In the guest chamber of Tulip Castle, Meopo freshened up and changed into nightclothes before returning to the bedroom. Seeing Angela already in bed, he couldn't help but feel a surge of enthusiasm: "Angela, with this new environment, do you feel a renewed sense of passion? I believe with a bit more effort, we will be blessed with a child of our own."

"I look forward to it; bearing children for the Longtaro family is my solemn duty," Angela responded with a smile, but there was a peculiar glint in her eyes.

They've been trying for nearly a month, but there's still no sign of conception.

She had also heard that Meopo, now twenty-five, had numerous lovers, yet none had ever conceived, much less borne him any illegitimate offspring...