The biggest difference compared to other buildings is that each one is larger in proportion and has many spires.
Judging from the exterior, it barely meets the imagination of fantasy novel lovers about royal palaces and castles. But as the capital of a big country like Sara, and as the inner palace in the capital, it is still a little shabby.
A bit too small.
Some earthen forts are taller than it.
At the same time, Gunter was in one of the study rooms in the complex, having just finished describing his new discovery.
"That's it, Father."
"I would like to apply to improve Aisuen's status. She has made many contributions to Sara, but she has not been treated fairly all along."
“I think this is an opportunity.”
"We can completely win her over to our side."
He was standing and talking, while a gray-haired old man was sitting on the recliner under the window.
The old man had short hair, almost a buzz cut. He had deliberately shaved off only a small part of his beard, which extended along the contour of his chin and connected to his ears, making his face look very three-dimensional. Even with his eyes closed, he still had a faint sense of majesty.
He has been listening for a long time, but has not responded so far.
Gunter felt that he had nothing more to say. After waiting for a while and seeing that he was still rocking the rocking chair, he couldn't help but remind him again: "Father?"
"You don't understand why I asked you to go to the Security Bureau."
The old man on the chair suddenly said.
Gaunt raised his eyebrows in surprise.
Could I have misunderstood?
But from the conversation he had with his father when he just came back, he was very satisfied that he could come back at this time.
Otherwise, he would not have immediately taken over the position of director left by Villefort.
But now he says this...
Shouldn't I be in charge of these things?
"You're doing a good job, but you're too anxious."
The old man said again.
"Besides, you always like to have wild thoughts and often make things difficult for yourself."
"I told you to go to Kevin and ask him for advice when you are free. Did you go?"
Gunter frowned and unconsciously bit his lower lip with his front teeth.
He didn't go.
But he doesn't think he's wrong.
After all, he had just taken office, jumping from one system to another, and his foundation was weak... He was in urgent need of prestige. If he still faced a prisoner with that attitude, what would his subordinates think? How should they face Batti-Villefort?
"You should go see him."
The old man ignored his grievances and ordered him to leave.
"The only advice I can give you is this: he is much more reliable than your mother."
--------
Fell asleep on the table...嘤!
Chapter 97 A Suggestion
After returning to his own residence in the palace and stepping through the archway, Gaunt immediately took off his gloves and threw them aside. Without even looking at the servants who were chasing to pick them up, he walked up the stairs with a gloomy face.
The White Shadow Palace looked somewhat drab and plain from the outside, but the interior decoration was quite satisfactory.
Especially since Gunter had been serving in the army for many years, this was his first time back to the place where he had lived since childhood after returning to the capital.
If it was somewhere else, he might feel uncomfortable and too luxurious, but this was his own home.
The wool carpets, precious murals, incense, and solid wood furniture all looked lovely, and he couldn't help but run his hand over them as he walked, as if he had temporarily escaped from the adult world and re-entered his childhood.
"Your Highness!" A scream woke him up. He turned around and saw a slightly plump maid coming down from upstairs, covering her face with her hands, staring at this side in disbelief.
Her name was Bana, she was born into a noble family and had been a servant in the family since she was very young.
"Bana." Gaunt was very happy to see the maid who was like a sister to him. He rarely smiled. "I'm back. Where's Mom? Is she in the theater again?"
"You know how much His Highness loves opera..." Bana quickly went downstairs holding her skirt, walked up to him, and looked up at him with great joy.
"You've grown taller." Her eyes sparkled with joy.
"You're tanned too." Gunter took the initiative to hug her, and then they quickly separated.
Bana's appearance was not very good, especially her arms were stronger than some men's. But that was what maids were supposed to be like, and those with good looks were mostly weak and frail, and couldn't do much work at all.
"I...I should find a way to inform Her Highness!" The maid said happily, wiping the dust off her hands on her apron. "She will be very happy to know that you are back!"
She was cleaning just now. When Gunter held her, she didn't dare to move, and her hands were placed in the air with their mouths wide open.
Are you happy?
Gaunt smiled wryly.
Maybe, but I wasn't at all happy to see her again.
What they were discussing now was his mother, Princess Katina, who enjoyed a high reputation and status in the entire Vienport circle.
If it weren't for the desire to escape his domineering mother, Gunter would never have decided to join the army.
Likewise, if he wasn't afraid of her, he wouldn't have returned to the capital for the first time in so many years.
He always felt that Katina was a little too snobbish.
A bit too vulgar, too eager to give him status. Many things are decided for him without asking him whether he is willing or not.
But she is my mother after all, and it would be unacceptable if I didn’t see her again.
Bana sent someone to inform the mistress. Gaunt changed his shoes, went upstairs, and toured the entire mansion. The excitement in his heart when he just came back calmed down again.
He found that some things could never be undone.
A miniature bronze armor was placed in the room, and on the wall hung a dozen deliberately shortened, unopened swords of various types.
There are also those muskets, airplanes, cars and ship models on the shelves. They were all cast for him in proportion using metal by the best craftsmen. They were once his favorite toys.
When he was young, he always thought that this was his whole world. Even if he had to go far away, even if he died, he would take these treasures with him.
But now all this seemed so childish in his eyes.
He is not a child anymore.
There was the sound of a door closing downstairs.
Gunter shook himself, immediately threw a metal plane onto the bed, quickly went downstairs, and when he looked up he saw his mother standing at the door.
Her dark brown hair was tied up, revealing her slender, white neck. She was not wearing a ladylike long skirt but a masculine pure black dress and trousers.
She was wearing high heels, a top hat, and a cane of just the right length.
His face was cold and his lips were half pursed.
All the features indicate... this is a cool and charming lady.
"I was at the Mermaid Theater. I rushed back after hearing Bana's message."
The lady curled up her lips, her expression like melting snow.
"My child, have you ever seen your mother so numb?"
Blood ties cannot be severed by a little prejudice.
Gunter rushed over excitedly and gave her a tight hug.
"mom--"
"I am back."
He felt that everything was condensed in this sentence.
Others may not be able to do it, but she can definitely do it.
You can definitely feel how many emotions you have brewing.
"you lost weight."
Princess Katina felt half enjoying and half heartbroken as she embraced him.
"It seems I have to cook for you myself tonight and make you some delicious tonic."
"Oh… sorry mom, I might have to go later."
Gaunt calmed down quickly.
He just came back to take a look.
He had just been appointed as the head of the Department of Homeland Security, and his subordinates were fighting day and night, so there was no reason for him to go home and enjoy his life alone.
If this matter gets to my father's ears, I don't know how he will scold me...
"Eat your meal before leaving. You don't need those few hours."
Princess Katina narrowed her eyes.
"I'll talk to your father. He's willing to give me this little bit of face."
face.
Gaunt frowned.
This is also the way wives and husbands bargain.
That's why he disliked this place more and more.
In comparison, what he had witnessed during this period was that the relationships between members of various teams within the Security Bureau were much deeper.
Especially Ezun Hitzfeld.
She always gets along well with the people around her.
"Ok."
It is always difficult to refuse a mother's kindness, and finally Gunter agreed to stay for dinner before heading back to the underground headquarters.
There was a long table in the empty restaurant, half of which was filled with dishes.
But there were only two people sitting there.
Princess Katina sat in the main seat, and Gunter sat next to her. While eating, he talked about what he had gained in the army over the years.
"You've grown up." The princess supported her chin and watched him eat.
"Sometimes I wonder if it is right to keep manipulating your life. Now that you have found your own way, I think I should learn to let go of the kite string on you and let you fly on your own."
Gaunt bowed his head.
He was somewhat touched, but he could no longer allow others to see this easily, so he had to hide it in this way.
Then he made a decision to tell his mother about the troubles he was experiencing in his current position.
“…That’s roughly what happened.”
He had put down his knife and fork without realizing it.
"I owe Aisuen a favor, and I want to make it up to her, but for some reason my father has always turned a blind eye to her achievements. And he always ignores my ideas. I don't understand why... If he just needs a puppet to maintain the status quo, then wouldn't Berentan be more suitable than me?"
His father said that Batistuta-Villefort was more reliable than his mother, and he might believe it.
But he also has his own judgment. He will ask Batistuta anyway. He prefers to get two different answers, and then judge for himself how to do better based on the comparison.
"You just came back from the army, and your words and actions show that you have a very sharp character."
Princess Katina said calmly.
"He may not have considered this. You should be more considerate of him."
"As for Esun Hitzfell..."
She paused.
