Chapter 822

Chapter 822: Golden Honey Plum Wine

“Welcome, the beautiful Miss Lacy.”

Earl Howard descended the stairs while clapping lightly, the first time he had taken the initiative to greet guests tonight. Previously, guests usually greeted him.

The already lively hall became even more quiet and bustling as everyone lowered their voices, whispering among themselves.

“Who is that girl?” Several noblewomen whispered to each other.

“She’s so beautiful, it’s indescribable.”

“Which family is she from? I’ve never heard of her before.”

“It seems like a merchant’s daughter who recently arrived in the Imperial Capital.”

“A merchant’s daughter? How can she have such an air? It doesn’t seem right.” A noblewoman with a lace veil shook her head.

“That merchant family has connections with the forest elves. Elves have different time concepts than us; perhaps she was influenced by them.”

“That makes sense. She indeed has that natural, flawless aura of the forest elves.”

“Is she just out of the Emerald Forest? She looks like a fairy from the woods.” The hall occasionally echoed with low exclamations.

“Perhaps she also has elf blood, just like the eldest daughter of the Landsworth family.”

“Forest elves are always very beautiful.”

“Oh, the outline of her profile is perfect. I wish I could draw this scene!” An art-loving nobleman was visibly excited.

“I can’t wait any longer, my right hand feels like fire, urging me to capture this dreamy moment.” He rubbed his fingers anxiously, wanting to draw something.

“You should ask one of the servants to get you some canvas and paint. Haha.” His friend chuckled, but his eyes didn’t leave the girl walking gracefully across the hall.

“How perfect,” he added, somewhat enchanted.

Lolan Hill slightly raised her head, nodded at Earl Howard on the stairs, and immediately felt countless gazes converging on her. Those eyes seemed almost tangible, making the young girl feel somewhat uncomfortable.

No matter how many times she experienced such scenes, they still made her feel self-conscious and uneasy. Internally, she focused on filtering out irrelevant people, trying to think about other things to divert her attention from these gazes.

When her steps reached the middle of the hall, a waiter stepped forward. “Respected Miss Lacy, please follow me.”

He gestured aside, creating a path through the crowd for the young lady.

Lolan Hill followed his gaze and saw Earl Howard approaching slowly.

The hall returned to its previous liveliness, and the dance floor began to fill with couples again. However, compared to before, 90% of the conversations now revolved around this mysterious new girl, as people’s curiosity burned fiercely.

“Pleased to meet you, Miss Lacy.”

Despite Earl Howard’s high status, he bent down very gentlemanly this time, seemingly ready to perform a kiss-on-the-hand gesture.

Unfortunately, Lolan Hill pretended to turn away, avoiding his intentions. She lifted her white silk-gloved hands to adjust her skirt, using this gesture to politely resolve the awkwardness.

“Good evening, Lord Howard. I am honored to attend your banquet.”

This rose dress-wearing girl was impeccable in her etiquette, much like a classical noble daughter.

Much of Lolan Hill’s knowledge came from Trinasha, including the customs and etiquette of the Crimson Empire and the Mercury Dynasty. The current empire merely carried on past traditions.

Seeing this, Earl Howard’s expression changed slightly, then he smiled warmly and invited her to sit down, engaging in simple conversation with her.

As a skilled socialite, Earl Howard did not start with sensitive questions. Instead, he began with small talk about the climate in the Imperial Capital and whether she was accustomed to life there, gradually moving on to discuss food preferences and interests.

Gradually, the atmosphere eased.

Clap clap, Earl Howard clapped lightly and smiled approvingly. During a pause in their conversation, he signaled a servant to bring over some fine wine.

“I don’t know what flavor Miss Lacy prefers. I have quite a variety here. Whatever you request, I can try to accommodate.”

“Then I’ll have a glass of golden honey plum wine.” Lolan Hill initially wanted to order juice, but considering everyone else was drinking various wines, she decided on a light fruit wine instead.

“Miss Lacy also enjoys golden honey plum wine? What a coincidence. My wife loves it too. Every year, she asks friends in the Southern Province of the Imperial Capital to prepare several barrels of freshly brewed wine for her.”

“Although golden honey plums are grown near the Imperial Capital, their taste never quite matches the unique sweetness found in the South during spring and early summer. Miss Lacy, which month’s golden honey plums do you prefer?”

“Probably those from June 9th to 15th. That’s when they’re fresh and delicious.” The girl blinked, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

Golden honey plums were not abundant on the Western Continent. At least two counties in the Southern Empire produced them, and they seemed to be available from June to August. However, only those who paid close attention knew that the best ones were harvested in just a few days in June. Afterward, due to overripening or rain, the taste changed.

Such details were of little concern to ordinary people, but only particularly discerning nobles would notice.

While they conversed, a servant brought two glasses of wine, placing the pale yellow, transparent fruit wine in front of the girl.

“Please try it, Miss Lacy. See if you like the taste. Hehe.” Earl Howard picked up his purple-red wine, swirled it gently in his palm, and smiled with a twirl of his mustache.

This Miss Lacy was indeed remarkable, not a fake. Her manner of speaking and breadth of knowledge were far beyond ordinary people. He silently evaluated and pondered. In seemingly casual conversation, he analyzed her background and preferences to see if they matched her claims.

Though Earl Howard’s extraordinary abilities were average and he lacked other special talents, his extensive experience in high society gave him broad horizons and insight.

Miss Lacy was a rare beauty with intelligence, which both pleased and disappointed him.

Pleasure came from encountering such a refreshing presence amidst countless pretentious girls vying for entry into high society. Disappointment arose because such a rational beauty might not easily be swayed by his power, and her appearance would attract more formidable competitors.

Indeed, while they conversed near a table on the dance floor, several impatient young noblemen finally approached together. Their ranks and strength might not match Earl Howard’s, but their families were no less impressive, and they possessed charm and youth that Earl Howard lacked.

“May I invite you to dance, this beautiful lady?”

A young man with blond hair combed back spoke like an opera aria, inviting the girl sitting at the table in a standard pose. Behind him, several ‘good friends’ were eager to join, all seemingly with similar intentions.

After he finished speaking, countless eyes turned to watch from the crowd, and many young hearts began to flutter with anticipation. Many voices started betting secretly, wagering who would dance with this girl tonight.

—Yesterday, I rested for a day. Ah, how comfortable!