"What is it that we're doing tomorrow?" Baron Hugh asked as he took a sip of the Humble Blaze and then let out a relieved sigh. "Ah, this is truly worth the trip alone. I haven't felt anything as good as this in a while and it's certainly the best. The merchants in my city are asking for too much with their profit margins."
"Baron Hugh, by tomorrow, we shall be visiting the area around Inanis City. I wish to let you see the streets and how safe it is from any sort of crime compared to how it was before." Lucius said. "Of course, it is also important that you get to enjoy yourselves during the time that you are here. I do not think that a person of your busyness will be staying long?"
Baron Hugh looked at Lord Asher and swallowed some of his wine, it didn't take much for him to understand what the young man was going about.
Although the matter was still sore in the Baron's head.
'He is like Count Inanis and thus is very brash and straightforward when he wants to be unlike his social butterfly mother.' Baron Hugh thought. 'But my son will be learning from under him, so I think it's actually good to have someone who can speak out against me now that I think about it. Benjamin never makes any retorts, he just hides in the library all day.'
"Well, Lord Asher, you happen to be actually right." Baron Hugh laughed and glanced lovingly at his wife. The Baroness was a beauty who kept the man's heart aflame. "I know that my wife is so eager to stay here for long, but we cannot actually tarry much longer. I hope the Count and Countess, as well as Young Lord Asher, does not find any fault in it."
"None of course. We understand your position is crucial to the Etara's Cross proceeding." Countess Lita said with a disarming smile. "However, I hope the time comes that you are able to relax and linger a little, Baron Hugh. We would love for you and your family to come here."
Countess Lita said those words even though the Baroness was not actually a delight in her presence. It was simply how the rules were played in social settings and she watched how things were essential.
'Lady Alessa and Sir John need more support, and it is not only thebacking of ours that can assist in their elevation but even those of established names like Baron Hugh and his wife.'
Meanwhile, Lucius simply dabbed a napkin across his mouth and glanced at the Baron.
"There is no issue, Baron Hugh. I'm really glad that you've accepted my invitation alongside that of your family. Both Lord Benjamin and Lady Lily are a delight to interact with." Lucius said.
"Haha, my son is finally opening up more to you which is what I wanted. It is good to make friends at this age. And of course, our dearest daughter is someone who knows how to get well with others," Baron Hugh said. "She has learned from the best. Isn't that right, honey?"
"Yes." Baroness Hugh sighed a little and nodded. She drank a bit of the Humble Blaze and her cheeks were flushed already, which was probably the only reason why she actually found it within her to sigh.
Once again, Lucius couldn't help but simply keep his expression neutral to positive.
'Once again, there are the lenses of love on. Well, I do not know what actually happens behind the scenes and so I cannot tell the reality of everything. It could be so likely that they're not simply in love and the relationship is mostly one sided… but it is none of my business. I simply came here to utilize potential pawns.' Lucius thought.
Both Lily and Benjamin were eating dinner as silently as possible.
Each acted normal and fine, but they were also sometimes exchanging looks.
'Based on how things are right now, it's hard to see what they've done. Baron Hugh has no reaction in regards to Lily and still building her up, so it's safe to say that she still hasn't approached them. In fact, if she were to approach anyone, it would be…'
The doors to the dining room nearly slammed open. Kiana stepped in with a frantic look but noticed Asher and sighed in relief.
It caught the attention of everyone at the table, so Kiana quickly curtsied and apologized.
"Forgive me, I seem to have missed Lord Asher while trying to look for him that I have unintentionally caused a disturbance."
Kiana's appearance was a bit disheveled. Her thoughts had gone through all sorts of directions when she looked for Lord Asher.
'I've checked all of the Lost present in the laboratory so they were all there except for the ones in the expedition, so they're safe. Meanwhile, I don't think Lord Asher would have gone to Leif, but I still did… and yet he was here all this time. This is a relief.'
Kiana maintained an air of professionalism, but it was clear from her stance that there was more to the picture than anything else.
And the one who noticed it the most was Lily. She suddenly focused on Kiana and her grip tightened on the cutlery she had in her hands.
'Er… I don't actually quite remember this woman. She was at the party, wasn't she? The one always hovering at Lord Asher's shoulder. She kind of blends in the background, maybe because she keeps an eye on Lord Asher and also… it's a little hard to take my eyes away from Lord Asher himself.' Lily thought.
The young woman lifted her fork to her mouth and chewed silently as taught to her by her mother.
'It's actually rather hmm, difficult, back then. All of those girls were talking about Lord Asher in front of me as if I… I didn't have my eyes on him too. By offhandedly encouraging them back then to pursue their desires, they ended up embarrassing themselves. Not sure how I'll deal with Miss Kiana Wizen though.'
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