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Chapter 164: Feasts Of Bandits
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The streets seed to part as Athena and her group strode forward. Not a word needed to be uttered; the crowd instinctively gave them a wide berth, leaving an open path as if nature itself obeyed an unspoken command.
As foretold by the woman they encountered earlier, a grand crimson sign soon ca into view- a beacon of opulence towering above its surroundings. Lavishly adorned and shimring in gold, it stood a level higher than anything nearby, making it impossible to overlook.
At the entrance, a cluster of smartly dressed attendants were stationed, ready to greet guests. However, the arrival of Athena’s party caused a visible ripple of unease. Their unusual attire, coupled with their commanding presence, made them impossible to ignore.
One brave soul among the staff stepped forward, determination faltering as he attempted to intercept them.
Before he could speak, a graceful figure erged from within the establishnt- a woman dressed in regal splendor, her every gesture exuding poise. Her well-maintained features were complented by a gentle smile, and her soft gaze seed to diffuse the tension at the door.
“What seems to be the matter?” she inquired in a calm, lodious voice, each word steeped in refinent.
The attendant, montarily thrown off balance, quickly composed himself. Bowing slightly, he explained, “Madam, these... individuals wish to enter. However, their attire- ” He faltered, his voice trailing off as he glanced at the group again. Clearly, he found them lacking the decorum expected of patrons here.
The implication hung in the air: they looked more like troublemakers than diners.
The elegant woman, however, rely shook her head with a serene smile. “It’s no issue,” she said, her tone unwavering. “Let them in.”
Turning to Athena and her entourage, she added warmly, “Please forgive my staff’s inexperience. Do co in.”
With that, she pivoted on her heel, her figure gliding effortlessly as she led the way back into the establishnt.
The hesitant attendant hesitated no longer, stepping aside and holding the door open with newfound enthusiasm, motioning for them to enter.
...
Athena cast a fleeting glance at the sign and hesitated. A place as extravagant as this was bound to attract trouble, either in the form of unwelco scrutiny or an exorbitant bill. She wasn’t particularly inclined to stay. But a fleeting glimpse of an emblem- a family crest intricately embossed on the entrance- made her pause.
The Babron family.
A spark of curiosity ignited within her. Without a word, she led her group inside.
...
The interior of the establishnt was a study in contrasts. Though the exterior scread flamboyance, the decor inside was understated yet undeniably elegant. Every detail whispered of aristocratic taste: paintings graced the walls, soft carpets muffled their footsteps, and the furnishings were arranged with ticulous precision.
Despite their unseemly appearance, none of the other diners reacted with hostility. In fact, a few cast aningful, almost knowing glances their way, as though entertained by the sight.
The woman herself personally escorted them to a private room, gesturing politely for them to be seated before withdrawing to a nearby sofa. There, she perched gracefully, her silence respectful yet ever watchful.
...
Athena scanned the nu briefly before ordering a modest selection of dishes- just enough to feed herself and the three younger mbers of her group. She made her choices swiftly, handed the nu back to the waiting staff, and leaned back, her deanor casual yet alert.
However, when the dishes began arriving, it quickly beca evident that soone had altered her order.
The table was soon laden with an overwhelming spread of delicacies, far exceeding what she had requested. The plates, each a masterpiece of culinary artistry, glistened with vibrant colors and ticulous presentation. The sheer variety and quantity transford the round table into a feast fit for royalty.
Athena glanced sharply at the woman seated on the sofa. The latter responded with a polite smile, as if entirely unaware of any impropriety.
But before she could speak, Athena shrugged off the matter and picked up her chopsticks, plucking a drumstick from the nearest platter. “Might as well eat,” she muttered, digging in with deliberate nonchalance.
Her companions followed suit, diving into the al with ravenous enthusiasm. The room quickly descended into chaos, with dishes being passed, clattered, and nearly overturned in the frenzy. It was a scene more befitting a band of starving bandits than dignified guests.
The woman’s composure faltered ever so slightly, her smile twitching at the edges. Still, she said nothing, unwilling to interrupt. It wasn’t until they finished that she gracefully rose, re-entering the room with several attendants to clear the table.
...
As the dishes were being removed, the woman opened her mouth to speak- only to be preempted by a loud cough from Athena’s group.
An elderly man in their midst, who monts earlier had been a ek and quiet presence, slamd his hand against the table. Rising to his feet, he jabbed a finger toward her.
“What kind of service is this?” he bellowed, voice dripping with indignation. “Look at these dishes! Are these what we ordered? And you- you dare to start clearing the table before we’ve even finished? Do you think you can just shoo us out like common riffraff?”
The attendants froze mid-motion, caught between their duties and the tirade. All eyes turned to the woman, who remained as still as a porcelain statue, her gaze cool but unyielding.
“Enough of this farce!” she snapped, her voice losing its earlier veneer of warmth. “Did you truly think you could eat without paying? Consider yourselves warned- do not mistake our hospitality for weakness.”
Her change in tone was like a crack of thunder, and the air grew tense. The attendants stepped back, their movents hesitant as her entourage began to close ranks behind her.
Athena leaned back in her chair, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. “We didn’t plan on skipping out. If you’d simply served what we ordered, none of this would’ve been necessary. But since you’ve gone out of your way to make this complicated, well...” She gestured dismissively.
The woman’s eyes narrowed. “Ruffians like you shouldn’t even set foot in this city. Do you truly think you can co and go as you please?”
Her words were t with laughter from Athena’s group, low and mocking.
“Madam,” Athena said, her voice icy, “if you think you can keep us here, you’re welco to try. But let warn you- there’s only one way this ends, and it won’t be in your favor.”
The air crackled with unspoken tension as both sides prepared for the inevitable clash. In this gilded palace, it was no longer a matter of who held the upper hand, but how swiftly the tables would turn.
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