??Chapter 117: Chapter 8: Trap
Chapter 117: Chapter 8: Trap
Even with Duke Zellin’s deliberate introduction, the group, already sensing sothing was amiss, could still perceive the cold indifference and disdain behind the others’ facades. Almost no one was willing to engage in conversation with them, and even the courteous greetings were few and hastily given, leaving the representatives feeling incredibly humiliated and embarrassed. Kor, however, seed all too accustod to such treatnt. Luckily, he still had the title of baron and the status of lord, so occasionally so noble who was interested in the sowhat infamous land of Caucasus would ask a few questions. As for the representatives, they were like rotten cabbages discarded at the market, unwanted and even looked upon with disgust.
The appearance of the silver-haired girl in a snow-white silk dress at the banquet caused a sensation. The young n thronging around her were all noble and impressive, clearly legitimate sons of noble houses holding titles, and naturally, Knight Sart was among them. Another tall and slender young man also caught Kor’s attention.
Noticing that Kor’s gaze was circling the silver-haired girl, a knight who had been keeping an eye on Kor was plotting how to avenge the insult from earlier in the day. Their plan had already failed; in the duke’s eyes, this group was worthless. And though Kor was just a minor low-ranking noble, he was rumored to have so magic skills, so he wasn’t to be underestimated. Knight Sart’s lips curled into a sinister smile.
“Your barony, gentlen, are you also here to attend this birthday banquet? Hehe, Princess Vero must be very happy to see you, co this way, please. Princess Vero is over here. As for guests from afar, we Galleians are always welcoming,” said Knight Sart with a beaming smile, dressed in a knight’s snow-white attire with gold embroidery that made his entire outfit look impeccable. His knight’s stiletto hung diagonally on a broad black leather belt, and his blue eyes twinkled with a cheerful light, as if overjoyed about sothing.
Seeing the other party approaching, Kor had a bad feeling, especially because behind the seemingly generous and hearty laughter there was always a hint of sothing sinister, prompting him to be on guard. His sharp words in the morning had caused the knight to lose face, and now that knight might seek an opportunity for revenge. Fortunately, this was a public event with many witnesses, and the knight was unlikely to engage in underhanded tactics. Knightly honor and deanor, at least superficially, required respect, and Kor, of noble origin, understood these n more deeply than anyone else.
Birthday? Princess Vero’s birthday? The group, including Kor, stiffened. No wonder so many nobles were attending tonight, it was the birthday of Duke Zellin’s youngest daughter, Princess Vero, the silver-haired angel they had t in the morning. Kor was filled with surprise laced with worry, while his companions behind him were a mix of helplessness, sha, and humiliation. Indeed, as the lord had expected, inviting them was likely just an offhand, thoughtless comnt from Duke Zellin. These Galle nobles had never given them a second glance. But this was the birthday banquet for his youngest daughter, and they had co uninvited, without any preparation…
While everyone was consud with their thoughts, things were proceeding according to the young knight’s planned scenario. “Co, this way, please. You’ve already t Princess Vero earlier today. She’s not in the best of spirits today, and I hope the gifts from you all will bring her so joy. Look, Princess Vero has already spotted you,” he said.
As soon as he spoke, the others visibly stiffened, and though Kor tried to maintain his composure, the others behind him turned pale, anxious and uneasy, revealing their true thoughts.
“Princess Vero’s birthday? Today is Princess Vero’s birthday?” blurted out lbourne, a timid man who had bought an inconsequential title of nobility with money. He was well aware of the nature of such an upper-class society gathering, especially a girl’s birthday banquet, where it is customary to present a gift to the hostess to convey good wishes. And for soone as important as Duke Zellin’s favorite youngest daughter, inevitably every gift from the guests was expected to be valuable, lest they be scorned by the nobility for their commonness.
“Yes, can it be that all of you have co to this banquet today without knowing it’s for Princess Vero’s birthday celebration?” Knight Sart feigned an expression of complete surprise, acting so convincingly that not even Kor, who was practiced at the art of deception, could deny that the knight had set a perfect trap, snaring them all. They had hurried in, thinking it was a regular banquet, and had prepared no gifts. Now, with the hostess before them, where could they find suitable gifts at the last minute?
Seeing the group frantically searching themselves for anything to offer, Sart suppressed the delight in his heart. These country bumpkins, he thought, would publicly embarrass themselves before the nobles in the grand hall and disgrace Kor, who took too much pleasure in his own sharp tongue, and would tarnish the reputation of the nobles of the Hor region before the Galleians.
Another representative from ine City-State, Zip, was already sweating profusely with a pale complexion, stamring, “No, Sir Knight, we didn’t an that, it’s just that…”
Before he could finish his sentence, he was rudely interrupted, “All right, gentlen, co on, Princess Vero is over there waiting for you. We mustn’t delay any longer; there are many other guests waiting to present their gifts to Princess Vero!”
After saying this, without waiting for Kor and his party to react, Sate had already barely contained his joy. Turning his head and stifling a laugh, he walked toward the group of girls standing in the center of the Grand Hall and cleared his throat, announcing loudly, “Ladies and gentlen, please quiet down, and allow
to introduce a few guests from afar. Upon hearing that today is the birthday of our most beautiful and beloved Princess Vero of Galle, they have specially prepared a precious and unique gift. Now let us welco Lord Baron Kor of Caucasus and his friends, Hozer, Zip, lbourne, Reese, and Mr. Lafayette.”
As the man bellowed through the hall to deliberately broadcast the presence of Kor and his entourage, Kor knew that they would have a hard ti getting out of this situation. This Knight Sate was ticulous indeed, waiting until the last mont to play his hand, apparently keen on throwing them into the furnace for a good roasting, desiring to have them lose face in front of the etiquette-conscious Galle nobles, and it seed the barb Kor had directed at Princess Vero earlier that morning had truly hit ho, with Sate intent on tarnishing his image.
As Kor was pondering how to solve the imminent problem, a deep voice from behind him spoke, “Sir, it seems we’ve been trapped. There’s no other option now. I have a necklace here; it’s an antique passed down in my family. It’s nothing exceedingly precious, but it’s worth a thing or two. We can use this trinket as a makeshift gift. As a representation of our Caucasus, it’s at least thoughtful, better than showing up empty-handed.”
Kor’s heart was stirred. It seed that Mr. Hozer indeed had the presence of mind to think through the situation. However, presenting anything at random in such circumstances could barely be presentable, and might even invite further humiliation. But to show up with nothing would be even more unbearable. As if he suddenly rembered sothing, Kor hesitated for a mont and then gritted his teeth, deciding to first get past this predicant. If the group were to make a spectacle of themselves here and it got spread around, potentially exaggerated by those with an agenda, he feared that he and his companions would beco the subject of ridicule wherever they went thereafter.
“Mr. Hozer, I appreciate your kindness, but since they’ve set a stage for us, at this point, we can only bite the bullet and move forward. I just so happen to have a ring with , not valuable either, but sowhat unique. Let’s use it as the gift,” Kor said without turning back, waving his hand slightly, his tone still carrying that nonchalant deanor.
Hearing what Kor said, his companions, who were sowhat tense and worried, all breathed a sigh of relief. Though young, the Lord was experienced and mature in his conduct and speech, and along the way, they had co to respect this aristocratic child from the Hor region, who was notorious yet differed greatly from their expectations.
The silver-haired girl in a delicate silk dress seed an ethereal elf from Mongola Forest, her silver eyes burning like the legendary flas of the heavenly realm. Her small, upturned nose and cherry lips were dazzling, with a tinge of excited crimson on her cheeks, making her delicate body inspire tenderness in anyone who sighted her. The sight lted even the icy and wary heart of Kor, who was so accustod to facing won with wariness. The voluminous gown, supported by whalebone, modestly yet robustly set off her chest, which was akin to a pair of white doves yearning to take flight, wrapped in white linen. The translucent gauze added an aura of mysterious allure.
The silver-haired girl curiously observed the group of guests, whose attire clashed with the noble finery of the Grand Hall. The leading young man wore a simple, decoration-free purple-black robe, with nothing to denote his status or even indicate if he belonged to the nobility. He looked to be under twenty, with piercing grey eyes and a tall nose, his lips curved slightly downwards. His smooth black hair fell just so, and though his fair face lacked the arrogance often seen in his peers, it carried a sense of weathered experience. The rest, all clad as common people and looking neat despite their weary appearance, lacked the confident deanor of the leader, despite trying to look nonchalant. Apart from one in the back, their restraint and anxiety were evident.
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