The banquet that celebrated Count Gabriel's victory against Viscount Drew was primarily preoccupied by nobility around the Count's age group.
The people were his primary supporters after all, but there was actually also a circle of young men and women around Asher's age.
They were mostly situated and separate from themselves, as most youth often did when in gatherings such as this one.
Out of all the people in the circle however, it was not Baron Hugh's children that were leading the group of youth but instead it was a young man that was exceedingly beautiful in ways that caught the attention of everyone else.
'If Baron Ridel was looking for someone in that particular area, this person can fill the role far better than Asher can.' Lucius mildly thought before he stepped into the crowd.
"Oh, Lord Asher!" Benjamin noticed him first and perked up. He had a drink in his hand and was mostly conversing with a group of young men and a few women. "This is whom I was speaking of, this is Lord Asher, the son of Count Inanis."
"Ah, you've spoken about me?" Lucius raised a brow.
"O-oh, apologies. I was merely relaying what transpired when I met you for the first time."
Benjamin's eyes widened and for a moment he wondered if he said something wrong, but then Asher suddenly chuckled and clapped his back amicably.
"Why don't you introduce me to your friends? It's not always fun being the center of attention is it not? I would like to hear about you guys next." Lucius said with a charismatic smile.
"Oh, this is… well, I think you've already met Baron Harmund earlier." Benjamin smiled and gestured to the highest-rank among the circle of youth around them.
"Indeed. We meet again, Baron Harmund."
Lucius said and nodded.
'It seems like Baron Harmund certainly would like to relieve his youth, then again, he's not actually too far apart in age except for a couple of years so it makes sense.' Lucius thought silently. 'That means in the future, there is quite a high chance that we'll work together and it'll be easier to push him into a certain direction if he truly thinks there's too much on his shoulders.'
"It's good to speak with you in less strict setting, Lord Asher. And please, everyone, I insist that you don't have to call me Baron all the time," Baron Harmund said with a less stressed look as he twirled his drink and took a sip. "Well, I know it's a proper title… but I've only had it for a year so I don't feel like it truly belongs to me that yet."
"Of course, of course. If it's just us, we'll treat you as you wish." Benjamin nodded amicably.
"If you truly are stressed with your responsibilities, then perhaps you need someone to lighten your load and share it with someone, Harmund." A young lady flicked her fan open and clearly smiled underneath them.
Lucius didn't think that there was someone who'd be that willing to speak openly.
The two young noble ladies he had encountered were more or less delicate, Lady Lily being a good example and Lady Bethany Harrels if he had not used the Inciting spell on her before.
Even Ariana who was a mistress to Sir Cambrian also had an air of sophistication that probably attracted the old man in the first place.
"No one likes you being too forward, Lady Beatrice. It's unbecoming of you." Baron Harmund said.
"As if the wrinkles on your forehead are the most appealing thing either." Lady Beatrice harrumphed and closed her fan. "Stress some more and you'll lose all of your hair even before you turn forty."
"Open your tongue further and you won't attract any other nobleman because they know how you speak." Baron Harmund countered.
"Come now, don't act like children in front of Lord Asher." Benjamin chuckled. "Forgive us, Lady Beatrice is a bit of temperamental personality." fr eeweb novel
"No need to apologize. I'm pleased to meet all of you." Lucius said as he spoke and was introduced to the rest of the young noblemen and ladies.
However, if there was someone that hadn't made a point to mingle with Lucius yet, it was still the young man who took the attention of everyone else.
Even Lily seemed charmed with the person.
"Who's that?" Lucius finally asked quietly.
"It's my first time seeing them frankly."
Benjamin said. "But he looks awfully familiar."
Baron Harmund made a face and then muttered something underneath his breath.
"You seem to know him, Lord Harmund?" Lucius noted.
"Ah, this must be the Young Lord Asher that everyone has been talking about." Out of the blue, almost as if he noticed that he was being spoken about, the beautiful youth stepped forward and entered their circle immediately.
'Young Lord Asher?' Lucius raised a brow at those words. It was clear that this young man was actually younger than Asher's physical age, he was someone who didn't even touch his twenties.
Without even waiting for Asher to reply, the youth glanced towards Count Gabriel who was still talking with Baron Ridel.
"A pleasure to meet you. I've been meaning to talk with your father but got a little preoccupied, shall we go?" the youth spoke with an air of authority that exceeded his age.
Intrigued with the sudden proposition and what would happen if the two met, Lucius nodded and excused himself from the group.
Before Lucius left, he tried to catch the look of Baron Harmund again for some clues, but the young baron had returned to talking with the others.
The youth walked with purpose towards the Count and somehow managed to ignore the gazes of everyone on him. He had a charismatic smile on his face and waved.
"Count Gabriel! It's been so long since we've last met. Greetings to you too, Baron Ridel. Would you mind if I borrowed the Count? It's been so long since we've talked that I wish to occupy his time and also get a chance to speak with his son as well." The youth laughed with an air of ease.
"Viscount Felldan. Well met."
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