The Banquet (Part 3)
The. .grand. hall. of. Valeric. City's. banquet. hall. sparkled beneath. golden. chandeliers, the atmosphere filled with the entwined. smells. of. fine. wine. and. exotic. cuisine. Lords, ladies, and. dignified. officials. of. the. city. wandered. in. small. groups, their. speeches. merging. into. a. hushed. buzz. of. nobility. and. authority.
On one corner of the hall, Lord Theo Vale stood steadfast, having formal talks with the city's top officials. His deep voice had the heavy authority as he exchanged greetings and subtlety hidden negotiations on trade and politics.
In the distance, Lady Sera and Lady Celia floated elegantly through the masses, their perceptive eyes scanning the room. They watched as their stepsons, Edric and Arin, socialized with their noble companions, chuckling over glasses of exquisite wine.
But then, their focus shifted—toward the opposite end of the banquet hall.
There, in a less crowded corner, stood Orion, Elara, and Laura, caught up in what sounded like good-natured ribbing. Soft candlelight danced off Orion's angular face, his massive frame set between the two young women—Elara, shining in her moon-blue dress, and Laura, sultry in a deep crimson gown that clung to her curves.
A smile played at the edges of Sera's mouth. "Shall we?"
Celia laughed. "Of course."
The two women approached the trio, their presence naturally commanding attention as they walked.
Orion saw them before they even spoke. Standing up straight, he greeted them respectfully, "Mother. Mother Sera."
Blue of Celia's eyes sparkled with warmth as she absorbed the elegant look on her son. "Orion, you truly do look dashing tonight," she said warmly. Then she turned to glance at Elara and Laura standing elegantly to his side. "And the two of you—simply radiant."
Elara's cheeks flushed a little, but she grinned back. "You're one to speak, Mother. But I think the two of you are the prettiest women in this hall."
Sera laughed, her violet eyes sparkling with mirth. "Oh, but it looks like you young people shine so very brightly that you're making us old women fade into obscurity. It's virtually unfair. How can we compete?"
Orion's lips curled upward; his voice gentle yet strong. ""That's impossible. No matter how brightly the stars shine, the moon's loveliness is forever. To me, you both will forever be the loveliest."
Laura, always the smooth one, smiled in concurrence. "Aunt Celia, Aunt Sera, Orion is correct. Beauty and loveliness like yours never wear off most like eternity."
The two women laughed softly, evidently enjoying the compliment.
Following a little more chat, Celia and Sera shared understanding glances before they stepped aside. "We'll leave you young ones to have the banquet," Celia said with a gentle nod.
As the two women left, Laura looked over at Orion, a slight tremble of hesitation in her golden eyes. She pulled on the hem of her dress. "How do I look tonight?" she asked, a small lilt of nervousness in her tone.
Orion initially bewildered by her question but looked her dead in the eye for a moment before responding. "Beautiful… You look beautiful."
Laura exhaled, a small relieved smile appearing before she quickly masked it with her usual composed expression.
Elara, however, narrowed her eyes slightly in irritation. She wanted said something but before anything else she could be said, a melodic voice drifted from behind.
"You seem to be enjoying yourself, Orion."
The trio turned, their gazes falling upon a striking woman who had just approached.
She was breathtaking—a noblewoman with emerald green hair that caught the light as a cascading waterfall, violet eyes as dark as her foreboding personality, which oozed wisdom and an element of mystery. Her chiseled good looks and curvy gracefulness bordered on being entrancing. Her long, loose green gown sparkled with elegant gold embroidery; the fabric followed every curve perfectly, giving the impression of sheer power combined with elegance.
She was Lady Selina, the highly respected Magister-level cultivator and host and overseer of the Blessing Ceremony every year. And most venerated citizens of Valeric City.
Orion's face changed to surprise. "Lady Selina."
He bowed at once in salutation, Elara doing the same. Laura did the same, respectfully inclining her head.
Selina's eyes scanned the group and then focused on Laura. A flicker of recognition crossed her gaze. "You're the one from Iron Fang Armory, aren't you?"
Laura nodded appropriately. "Yes, Lady Selina. It is an honour to meet you."
Selina gave a humming note of approval and spoke with smile. "I know of you. You've earned a reputation for yourself in Valeric City. Not surprising, considering your business acumen."
Laura maintained her poised smile, but a spark of pride glinted in her golden eyes.
Next, Selina looked at Orion and Elara, her keen eyes narrowing a fraction as she sized them up. A second later, a fleeting flash of surprise passed over her normally impassive face.
"You've already attained the fourth star of Novice, Orion?" she breathed.
Orion looked at her but said nothing and nodded his head in affirmation.
Her eyes then traveled to Elara. "And you… you've reached the third star?"
Elara nodded.
Selina's lips compressed in thought before nodding in approval. "Impressive."
Then, remembering something, she asked, "Decided on an academy, Orion? You'll need to join one in a few weeks."
Orion blushed, feeling a little embarrassed. "I… haven't decided yet."
Then, Selina touched her chin, seeming to think something through. "Why not—
Before she could get out the rest of her sentence, another singing voice cut in.
"Lady Selina, it's you."
A few paces away stood a tall, poised woman with golden blonde tresses and emerald-green eyes, dressed in pale green robe that radiated noble elegance.
Selina raised an eyebrow before a little smile crossed her lips. "Miss Voss. What a surprise."
Lysandra Voss smiled softly. "No, the surprise is mine. I didn't think I'd find you here."
Selina leaned her head to one side. "Or not I by the way, what are you doing in Valeric City?"
Lysandra's eyes quickly darted in the direction of. "I was working on an assignment assigned by my academy close to the valeric city, after I finished my assignment Edric and Arin those two compelled me to visit valeric city to rest. So I'm here."
At the same time, Orion observed the interaction with moderate interest. Do they recognize one another? He thought to himself. Maybe old friends?
Selina nodded before returning to Orion. "I will leave now, but I shall return and complete our talk later."
His confusion at what she said still remained, yet he merely nodded. "Naturally."
A faint smile broke onto Selina's face as she left.
Her focus switched now to Orion's entourage. She edged nearer, eyes fixated upon Laura.
"Lord Orion," she said softly, with the slightest smile.
"Don't you think it's rude not to introduce your friends?"
Orion mentally groaned, remembering he had forgotten about etiquette.
"This is Laura Valtor, proprietor of Iron Fang Armory," he said. "Laura, this is Lysandra Voss, of Voss Imperial Academy."
Laura and Lysandra sized each other up, their eyes keen but inscrutable, before shaking hands.
A courteous smile, a moment's hesitation, then they released each other.
As the conversation went on, Orion increasingly felt more and more uneasy.
Subjects changed from commerce and trade to gardening methods, then transitioned seamlessly into beauty routines and skin care tips. They giggled, shared expertise, and passionately debated the most recent noble trends.
Orion, though, felt completely out of place.
He had battled on blood-soaked battlefields, fought against grotesque beasts, and even endured betrayal by the hand of a woman he once loved. But this—being held captive by three lovely women engrossed in 'girl talk'—was a whole other form of agony.
He covertly moved in his seat, trying to slip away unnoticed.
"Elara, Laura, Lady Lysandra, I—"
Before he was able to finish his apology, Laura nonchalantly put a hand on his arm. "Oh, Orion, you're not going so quickly, are you?" She was smiling prettily, but her fingers were holding tight, and it was evident she wasn't about to let him go.
Elara, as if picking up on his unease, laughed. "Come on, Brother Orion, surely a few secrets of beauty wouldn't do you any harm. A face as handsome as yours should be properly cared for."
Lysandra laughed, her golden-green eyes glinting with mirth. "Yes, Lord Orion, perhaps you should hear her out. You wouldn't want your fans to think you're not refined, would you?"
He inwardly groaned. This was more like an ambush.
As the banquet wore on, the three of them kept him caught, their conversations ranging from friendly jests to more serious matters of cultivation and personal aspirations. No matter how hard he attempted to plane his way out, one of them—either Laura's banter, Elara's innocent grab at his sleeve, or Lysandra's sharp stare—would ground him back firmly in place.
He breathed inwardly. How did I get stuck with a group of three women discussing things that don't interest me?
He sipped his wine, hoping it would give him some solace.
"Miss Voss," he finally spoke, a bid for one final flight. "Wouldn't you like to be with your friends?" He waved towards a group of young lords and ladies not far away, most of whom were laughing and talking together, drinking, and even flirting playfully.
Lysandra looked where he was looking, but only laughed. "Them?" she replied with a trace of contempt. "They're so boring. I'd much prefer to stay here." Her voice held a careless haughtiness, but there was no denying its charm.
Orion wished he hadn't opened his mouth.
She leaned her head to one side, a mischievous sparkle in her eye. "Am I causing you discomfort, Lord Orion?"
He hesitated. If he responded truthfully, he would upset her. If he lied, he would have to suffer thus for even longer. Either way, he was trapped.
"Not at all," Orion eventually stated, adopting a neutral face.
Lysandra laughed softly, obviously disregarding his predicament, before adeptly changing subject. She began to converse with Laura and Elara, and Orion was left to observe the three women chatter.
Throughout the large banquet hall, two sets of eyes would occasionally glance in their direction—Lady Celia and Lady Sera.
The two ladies had been politely wending their way through the nobles, sharing pleasantries and chatting pleasantly. However, every now and again, their eyes would stray to Orion, observing the scene with clear amusement.
Standing alongside them was Viscount Theo, intensely in conversation with municipal authorities, his stature commanding respect. In contrast, though, the two women appeared considerably more amused at their son's misfortune.
Sera inclined toward Celia, stifling a chuckle. "It appears our son has made quite the centre of attention."
Celia's blue eyes sparkled warmly. "It's good for him. He's had far too many years keeping away from social events."
"True," Sera considered, "though I'm afraid he's not having fun. Observe his face."
The two women tittered in unison, sharing smug smiles.
And yet, above the sea of faces, one individual's reaction was decidedly less than amused.
Edric Vale.
Leaning against a band of his upper-class peers, he had been having a grand time—up until the time his eyes lighted on Lysandra.
His Lysandra.
For months, he had chased her, but always she had kept herself at a distance, aloof. And now, here she was, smiling, laughing—beside Orion.
His hands tightened on his wine glass. His blood seethed as he regarded the woman, he longed spend more time on his loathed younger brother than she had ever spent on him.
The glass in his hand suddenly broke, red liquid spilling onto his sleeve.
His jaw clenched; eyes black with anger. "You wait and see, Orion," he growled softly. "If I do not put you in your place, then I am not Edric Vale."
The banquet raged on, unaware of the tempest raging inside him.
As night drew on, Orion at last found opportunity to flee.
When, the banquet drew to a close.
Orion and Elara and Lysandra escorted Laura to the exit, wishing her good fortune before she departed for her iron fang armoury. Later, he and Elara saw both escorted Lysandra to the guesthouse safely. Before both of them returned to their mansion
Lastly, Orion and Elara, By the time they arrived at their home, Elara stretched her arms, releasing a soft yawn. "Tonight was. banquet is fun. Don't you agree, brother?"
Orion smiled cautiously on her sister antiques. "You enjoyed watching me struggle, didn't you?"
Elara laughed, her sapphire-blue eyes twinkling with mischief. "A little."
He sighed, shaking his head before nudging her gently. "Go get some rest."
She smiled brightly, moving towards her room. "Goodnight, Brother Orion."
"Goodnight, Elara."
And then, He entered his chambers, his thoughts still drifting over all that had transpired—the jokes, the looks, and the unsaid tensions that hovered in the air.
One thing was sure. Tonight, he truly very tired.