Chapter 80 – Rainy Night Tea Party
That evening, at the Helius family residence.
Due to Miss Lacy of the Callitas family visiting tonight, the Helius family had made all necessary preparations. According to custom, they should have gone to apologize, but Miss Lacy sent a message saying it was unnecessary; she would visit personally this evening.
The gates of the courtyard were open, and a clean, soft carpet had been laid out. Hearing that Lolan Hill preferred tranquility, the Helius family did not invite other guests, only their own servants and guards standing neatly in the courtyard.
The carriage door opened, and Lolan Hill, rarely seen in a black dress, stepped down. The pure black dress contrasted sharply with her fair skin. Black lace at the hem and cuffs added a peculiar charm. She wore black leather shoes, with white silk stockings above them.
“Miss Lacy of the Callitas Chamber of Commerce has arrived~”
As the attendants at the door announced, some elegant music played from both sides of the courtyard. About twenty violinists stood by the carpet, pulling their strings. The soothing violin sounds echoed, like butterflies dancing among leaves.
Lolan Hill’s blue eyes gently swept over the violinists. They were dressed splendidly, playing skillfully. Their faces didn’t look local; they must have been hired by the Helius family for the occasion. They really went all out.
With a slight sigh, the grand doors of the Helius residence opened, revealing a brightly lit hall. The head of the family, Hoss, and his eldest daughter, Melu, stood at the entrance to greet them.
“Welcome, Miss Lacy. We’ve been waiting for you.”
The bald-headed head of the family, Hoss, led Lolan Hill into the hall. He first had her sit down, then clapped his hands. A group of girls in ball gowns entered through a side door. One row wore red dresses, the other blue. As they walked, they twirled their skirts, silver sequins glittering under the lights. Then, another piece of music started, this time with not just the twenty violinists outside, but also a pianist and a dozen wind musicians inside.
To the rhythm of the music, these dancers occasionally lifted their toes or spun their skirts, forming a large concentric circle in the dance hall. With changes in the music, they formed a huge flower, with red and blue petals blooming and closing intermittently. Finally, as the music ended, the outermost dancers lay back, while those in the middle leaned forward, and those in the inner circle raised their arms like flower stamens.
Lolan Hill sat on a sofa at the foot of the steps, in front of which was a small table with fruits and chilled juice.
It was indeed a rather excellent dance. She praised it slightly, but that was about it. Having seen various light shows and large-scale performances in her time, this wasn’t particularly impressive. However, she still gave the Helius family some face and nodded approvingly.
Hoss, the head of the Helius family, seemed very pleased, believing that the performance he had paid for had achieved its intended effect, though Lolan Hill was too reserved to show it.
Melu saw her father’s expression and shook her head silently. When they first met, she had thought Miss Lacy was unmatched in beauty. Later, Lacy’s decision to form new partnerships with other chambers had awakened her, and the assassination attempt had made her fear this beautiful young lady.
She truly didn’t know how Miss Lacy had grown up. Her reputation was unknown, yet her business acumen was impeccable. Recent actions of the Callitas chamber suggested she might even surpass Angus when he was in charge. Instead of declining, she was thriving.
Business required experience, and no one had ever heard of someone succeeding purely through education. It was more about talent and insight. This was what puzzled Melu. Moreover, Lacy’s combat skills were formidable, likely at least Sequence 4.
Thinking about how to face Miss Lacy, Melu saw her father’s self-satisfied, foolish appearance and felt a headache coming on.
Hoss was indeed a good father and parent, but as head of the family, he lacked shrewdness. In the past, when the old patriarch was in charge, he could often offer guidance. After Grandfather’s passing, the eldest daughter, Melu, took on the role of family advisor.
But a daughter is still a daughter. Her influence was limited, and power in the chamber gradually dispersed among several uncles, leading to a situation where the tail was too big to handle.
“Auntie Lacy, your father and I were great friends in the past, often drinking together. This time, it was my fault for not managing our guards well. I hope you won’t take offense.”
Her father actually wanted to brush it off so easily. Melu widened her eyes, somewhat incredulous. This was an assassination attempt; the other party nearly lost their life. If handled improperly, it could lead to renewed conflict between the two families.
“Although you and our Callitas family were once close, that was in the past. I am not well-informed about it. Furthermore, the attack by Helius family guards in the street nearly cost me my life, causing the entire chamber to disintegrate. Do you think a simple apology suffices?”
Indeed, Lacy refused such an easy reconciliation, as it was akin to an insult.
“Miss Lacy, no, Miss Lacy, then what do you want?” Hoss was perplexed. Just moments ago, the atmosphere was joyful and pleasant. How did it turn so quickly?
“Father, you must be tired. Let me handle this.” Melu stood up slightly, walked to her father’s side, and whispered.
Hoss had some self-awareness, knowing his daughter was smart, so he let go, saying he was a bit tired and left it to Melu to talk with Lacy.
As Hoss left, the vast hall was now only occupied by Lacy and Melu, the two young ladies. Outside, a light rain began to fall, droplets hitting the marble steps, creating a fine curtain that blurred the view. Occasionally, sea breezes brought the rain into the hall, bringing a chill.
Melu adjusted the charcoal fire in the stove and refilled Lacy’s teacup with hot tea before sitting down to resume their conversation.
“I deeply apologize, Miss Lacy. That day was due to our negligence, allowing our guards to be bribed by outsiders.”
“I understand,” Lacy said, holding her teacup, her hair falling onto her pure black dress.
“So, I want to ask, where does the Helius family stand? Are you still aligned with us, Callitas, or do you wish to remain neutral and mind your own business? Or have you decided to oppose us?”
Lacy’s clear blue eyes stared directly at Melu, leaving no room for evasion.
—She had fallen asleep. Hmm.