A light chuckle broke the tension that had gripped the room, instantly drawing the attention of everyone present. The rhythmic sound of heels clicking against the floor echoed through the clinic, commanding the space with an effortless authority. Heads turned in unison toward the source of the sound—everyone except Lyon, who used the montary distraction to discreetly check the child’s pulse. His fingers brushed the small wrist with the finesse of soone who had done this countless tis, quick and precise. It was a subtle movent, almost imperceptible to all but one pair of eyes—Selena’s. She caught the motion and smiled faintly, her earlier intensity softening ever so slightly.
Lyon turned, his gaze landing on the woman who had entered. She stood tall, her presence as commanding as the regal air that surrounded her. Draped across her shoulders were two serpents, their scales glinting under the clinic’s light. Esralda, the young master of the Ouroboros Clan, had arrived.
"Taking a bathroom break, and I miss a whole lot," Esralda remarked, her voice laced with amusent. Her eyes flicked over the scene before settling on Lyon. "We were looking for you back in the Mortal World. Sadly, you were gone, and not even the queen of... hmm... Nostria knew where you were. Yet, here you are."
Lyon responded with a calm smile, unfazed by the attention now focused on him.
Esralda’s gaze remained locked on him as she slowly approached. "It seems that the old wisdom is true: ’Don’t try, and it will co.’"
"It’s nice to see you again, and your twins as well," Lyon replied, nodding toward the serpents on her shoulders.
A soft chuckle escaped Esralda’s lips. "I hope you ant these lovelies, for it would be bad if you were referring to a different set of twins."
Lyon’s eyes widened slightly, quickly catching on to her playful insinuation. He chuckled, recognizing the familiar banter.
Esralda’s gaze then shifted, taking in the unfamiliar faces surrounding Lyon. Her eyes narrowed slightly in curiosity. "Well, it seems like you’ve acquired a couple more beauties to your arsenal, or am I wrong?"
Lyon smiled as he introduced Maria, "This is my wife, Maria, a healer with remarkable skills." He then gestured toward the young woman beside her, "And this is Harvestasya, her pupil."
Esralda’s eyes widened slightly, but her surprise was quickly masked by a smile. "Well, well, it seems you’ve surrounded yourself with more than just beauty, Lyon."
Maria greeted Esralda with a warm smile, "It’s a pleasure to et you."
Harvestasya, unphased by the presence of the snakes, also greeted her with a polite nod.
The three physicians, who had been observing the exchange, felt a shift in the atmosphere. Their earlier skepticism quickly turned to nervousness. Realizing the connection between Lyon and Esralda, they scrambled to save face. Garrick was the first to speak, "My apologies for any misunderstanding earlier. We didn’t realize you were... friends of Miss Esralda."
Fenwick nodded quickly, "Yes, indeed. It’s an honor to have such esteed individuals here."
Isla, who had felt the sharp edge of Selena’s blade not long ago, was the most eager to appease, "Please forgive our earlier doubts. We only wish the best for the child."
Esralda looked around the clinic, a sly smile playing on her lips. "This room is far too formal for us to catch up properly," she said, her tone light. "Why don’t we move to a more comfortable setting? There’s a public house nearby, a high-end one. Don’t worry about the cost or anything else; it’s owned by the Ouroboros Clan. In other words, it’s mine."
Lyon raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued, but before he could respond, Cecile stepped forward with a graceful nod. "We would be honored to accept your invitation, Esralda."
Lyon grinned, clearly eager, while Maria and Harvestasya exchanged curious glances. The ntion of the Ouroboros Clan owning the public house wasn’t lost on anyone in the room. The three physicians, still reeling from their earlier embarrassnt, looked on with envy as they heard Esralda’s offer.
"The Ouroboros-owned public house..." murmured one of the onlookers under his breath. "That place is famous, but who can afford to go there?"
"I’ve heard the food there is beyond compare," whispered another, eyes gleaming with jealousy.
As the group prepared to leave, the murmurs grew louder, the envy palpable in the air. Lyon’s group, led by Cecile’s composed acceptance, followed Esralda out of the clinic. The attention they garnered as they walked through the city only grew, whispers of their connection to Esralda and the prestigious public house spreading like wildfire.
Esralda led them through the bustling streets of Aurora City, the high-end establishnts becoming more prominent as they neared their destination. She glanced back at Lyon and his group, her snakes lazily coiled around her shoulders, and smirked. "I think you’ll find the hospitality here quite to your liking."
Lyon chuckled, "With you hosting, I have no doubt."
Lyon paused at the base of the grand staircase, his eyes lifting to the elegant double doors at the top. The atmosphere inside Venenum was luxurious, with rich mahogany wood and golden accents adorning the walls. The guests, draped in fine silks and adorned with jewels, raised their glasses in silent greetings to Esralda as she walked in, her presence commanding respect and admiration. The butlers, dressed in impeccably neat uniforms, bowed deeply to her, their movents smooth and practiced.
"The na suits the place," Lyon mused as he looked up at the sign, "Venenum."
Before Esralda could reach for the door handle, it swung open on its own, revealing the pristine interior of the establishnt. The butlers stepped aside gracefully, allowing her and her companions to enter. The rich aroma of fine cuisine filled the air, mingling with the soft notes of a string quartet playing in the background.
As they entered, Esralda’s gaze drifted towards the butler who had approached her. His deanor was calm, but his words carried a subtle weight. "Miss Esralda, your mother has paid a visit and is currently dining on the second floor."
Esralda’s eyes flickered with a mix of surprise and amusent. She turned back to Lyon and the group with a smile. "I hope you don’t mind enjoying so delicacies with my mother as well? Besides, she’s... curious about you."
Lyon raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "I don’t mind, after all, the food is free and the wine is bountiful like the sea."
Before he could revel in the thought, Cecile and Selena spoke in unison, "No wine."
Lyon sighed, his montary excitent deflated. Maria smiled apologetically, feeling a bit sorry for him, while Harvestasya couldn’t help but stifle a giggle behind her hand.
Esralda chuckled softly, "It seems like you have so tough companions. Don’t worry, I won’t force him to drink."
"That would be best," Cecile replied, then muttered under her breath, "For both of us."
Esralda caught the hint of sothing unspoken but chose not to press further. Her attention shifted back to Lyon, who was already standing at the bottom of the staircase, ready to ascend.
"Shall we?" Esralda gestured towards the staircase, her smile inviting but with an edge of curiosity. She led the way up the grand staircase, the group following behind her. As they ascended, the soft murmurs of the guests below faded into the background, replaced by the growing anticipation of the eting that awaited them behind the elegant double doors on the second floor.
At the top of the stairs, the butlers opened the doors with a smooth, practiced motion, revealing a lavishly decorated private dining room. A grand chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, golden light over the room. At the far end of a long table sat a woman of striking untold beauty, her presence commanding the room. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, turned towards the group as they entered.
Esralda approached her mother with a respectful nod. "Mother, I’ve brought so guests who I believe you’ll find... intriguing."
The woman’s gaze moved to Lyon, her expression unreadable. "So, this is the infamous Lyon Torga," she said, her voice smooth but laced with an undertone of curiosity. "I’ve heard much about you from my daughter, you are quite remarkable considering your origin." She sipped her porcelain cup but her eyes lingered on Lyon.
Lyon smiled, his confidence unwavering. "All good things, I hope."
The woman’s lips curled into a slight smile. "We shall see."
---
Assid, trailing far behind the others, was more interested in the world around him than in keeping pace. His gaze fell upon a quaint shop, its window display captivating his attention. "Kahveh...?" The unfamiliar term sparked a thought. "That vulgar-looking seed must be the ’coffee’ His Majesty seeks."
Intrigued, Assid pushed open the shop door, the bell’s chi echoing through the space. His eyes widened in astonishnt as he took in the interior. The shopkeeper, a man behind the counter, mirrored his surprise. "Ian..." Assid breathed. "Eh?" The man replied, equally stunned.
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