Chapter 42

Chapter 42: The Young Lady at the Banquet

A young lady dressed in a blue gown slowly entered the hall. The surrounding guests instinctively made way for her, for she was simply too beautiful, and they did not wish to offend such elegance.

Unlike those women who adorned themselves with various powders and paints, unlike those ladies who wore flashy jewelry and gold and silver ornaments, and unlike those haughty yet cruel noble maidens, this young lady’s blue dress fit her perfectly, with a light-colored collar and pure white gloves embroidered with lace patterns. Her entire attire complemented her like a perfect green leaf, showcasing her beauty in every detail.

Her eyes showed no particular focus; they were clear and curious, casually scanning the entire banquet as she took small steps. Yet, each step seemed to resonate within everyone’s heart, causing their hearts to flutter. This natural beauty was captivating from any angle, drawing the greedy and admiring gazes of everyone in the hall.

Above the hall, a large chandelier hung from the domed ceiling, with dozens of large candles burning brightly. Surrounding it were smaller chandeliers made of exquisite brass. The flames of these candles illuminated the murals on the dome clearly, adding a touch of splendor to the hall. These murals depicted various legends and myths, enhancing the grandeur of the space.

As Lolan Hill entered, the music of the banquet began to play. Eight violinists and one pianist started performing beside the stage. The gentle and lively music, accompanied by the guests’ congratulatory voices, marked the official start of the banquet.

First, several elegantly dressed gentlemen and ladies came forward to greet Lolan Hill. Although the young lady did not recognize any of them, she responded politely under Chelsea’s guidance.

The eyes of these people watching the young lady were filled with envy, desire, pleading, and even some passionate love. Such feelings were not uncommon, regardless of which world you were in.

After responding to the greetings, a middle-aged man in a black suit approached. His suit was adorned with small patterns of olives and shells embroidered with emerald threads, indicating he was from the Argidilin family.

“Hello, Miss Lacy. I am Jerlink, the current head of the Argidilin family. Welcome to your visit.”

“Uncle Jerlink, I have heard my father mention you many times. It’s a trouble to have you receive me so suddenly.”

“There’s no need to worry. Your father and I are close friends, and we are deeply saddened by his tragic news. If there is anything I can assist with, I will do so wholeheartedly.”

“Thank you for your kindness. If needed, I will surely speak to you.” Lolan Hill bowed slightly in greeting.

They conversed for a moment.

Afterward, a young lady dressed in a bright yellow gown approached. She had long blue hair, some of which curled slightly and rested on her chest, and wore a delicate golden necklace with a blue crystal pendant at its center.

“Father,” she greeted Jelinka by curtsying, then turned to face Loran Hill, her golden eyes filled with curiosity.

“Rachel, you’re here. Let me introduce you. This is my daughter Rachel. You two should have more topics in common since you’re around the same age. I won’t disturb you anymore.”

With that, Jelinka walked to another group to converse with others.

This yellow-gowned young lady first greeted Loran Hill.

“Hello, I’m Rachel.”

“Hello, I’m Lacy. Sorry, this being my first time in Vergha, I don’t know much about etiquette. If I do something wrong, please tell me.”

“There’s no need for that, Lacy. I think you’re doing better than everyone else. You seem like a natural-born princess,” Rachel smiled.

“Let’s sit over here.”

Rachel led Loran Hill to a small table next to the dance floor, where two servants quickly placed a candelabrum on the white tablecloth and served two glasses of juice.

“I just turned of age this year, Father doesn’t allow me to drink alcohol. I wonder if you’re used to drinking juice. I heard that people in West Wind prefer to drink alcohol.”

“It’s fine, I also love juice. I rarely drink alcohol.”

Loran Hill shook her head; she wasn’t sure how old she was in this world or if she had reached adulthood. In her previous life, she seldom drank strong liquor, mostly drinking low-alcohol beverages with friends.

The greenish juice in the glass contained small fragments of green pulp. It tasted sour at first, followed by a sweet aftertaste. Ice cubes were added to the cup, making it refreshing and delicious in the summer season.

“Do you like it?”

“Mm-hm.” Loran Hill took small sips of the cool juice, the refreshing taste dispelling much of the summer heat.

“Hehe, this is one of my inventions. This juice is made from crushed emerald berries, but they are quite sour, so I tried adding some honey to balance the acidity. Finally, I add ice cubes when serving to make the taste more invigorating.”

“Really? Ice cubes?”

“Yes, we have an Original Sequence 3 Ice Light Mixologist at home. She’s very good at this. In recent years, she has led the development of several new fragrances in our family. When I have time, I’ll introduce her to you.”

“Is it good? Can you describe your feelings? My

The brothers looked down on fruit juice and only enjoyed drinking alcohol; every time they were asked, they would give me perfunctory responses.”

“Mm, it’s like on a stifling afternoon, dipping your hand into the cool mountain spring water, the tinkling sound of the flowing water refreshing your entire being.”

Lolan Hill tried to describe her feelings with words, while Rachel was very pleased, as if she had found a kindred spirit in life.

“Lacy, you must have studied very well, right? My brothers and father, when they want to say something is good, they just say ‘very good’ or ‘good.'”

“Every time we talk, it’s just a few words over and over. It’s really so uninteresting to communicate with them.”

Rachel began to complain that those around her lacked literary cultivation, and that aside from being adept at accounting and making money, they showed no interest in anything else.

Then Rachel started talking about various literature, novels, and plays. Although Lolan Hill had hardly heard of any of them, she occasionally nodded in agreement, and Rachel was very pleased. It was clear that Rachel loved romantic stories, and there was no one around her to share these thoughts with, which had been building up inside her for a long time.

“You know, Lacy, my favorite is the legendary Lightning Knight Order. Their leader, Aior, is simply too handsome.”

The Lightning Knight Order is a legend from the Third Era. Its leader, Aior, was a close friend of the founding monarch of the Western Wind Kingdom. The two families had intermarried multiple times. Now, the Lightning Knight Order serves directly under the royal family of the Western Wind Kingdom, leaving behind many glorious achievements and legends in history.

Aior’s story is also very exciting. After being beautified through generations and performed in operas, he has become a household name across the continent. Despite being a figure from hundreds of years ago, he is still seen by countless youths as their hero and the perfect object of affection for myriad young women.

Time flies during happy moments, and the banquet gradually came to its end. At this point, a young butler approached.

“Miss Lacy, hello. I am Owen, the butler of the Argentilin family. I apologize for disturbing you. Our master, Lord Jerlinc, invites you to sit for a while in the adjacent study to learn more about your father, Mr. Angus.”

“Alright, I will go shortly.” Lolan Hill stood up, signaling to the distant butler and head housemaid, then followed the young butler out of the hall and into the adjacent corridor.

Watching her peer friend being invited away by her father, Rachel felt somewhat puzzled.

“When did Father become so serious?”

As the young lady left the hall, faint footsteps could be heard from many dark corners of the Argentilin household, and occasionally the clashing of armor could be heard.

(End of Chapter)