Chapter 115: 115-Madam Zhen
Soft music mingled with the sound of laughter and conversation from the guests. The elegant decorations of pure gold and arrangements of the hall were magnificent, and it attracted a huge turn-up.
The tables were lined with towers of string essence foods and fruits and wine made of such fruits. The strong spiritual energy in the air was pleasing to evety guest present.
It was the party of the year, and most had not only come for the food but favour with the hosts.
At the centre of the grand party, Nytherael stood awkwardly, with a chalice of half drank wine. His eyes showed extreme boredom and exhaustion.
He wanted nothing more than to go home, curl up un his bed, and forget the rest of the world existed.
"Are you the infamous son-in-law of the Zhen family?" A female voice sounded amicably behind him.
Nytherael pressed his lips into a thin line and gave a weak smile. Without turning around to give the audience to the guest, he answered, "That would be me."
"I recognized your attire. It has the signature of the Zhen family," the beastwoman circled around him and stopped in front of him.
She examined his robes again. She found it extremely unique and pleasing to the eye. The robes were made of soft silk, in pure gold colour with sophisticated dragon embroidery in red thread. It was beautiful and looked even better on Nytherael.
The red hair pin on his hair blended perfectly with his silver hair, and it brought out his beautiful pinkish fox ears and highlighted the golden undertone of his skin.
He looked simple and exceptionally gorgeous. He wore no added accessories but still stood out in the crowd.
Nytherael felt like an art piece before her. Like a statue being examined and awaiting for his prize to be called, and it made even more uncomfortable.
"Is there something I can help you with?"
The beastwoman was brought back to her senses when he spoke. She raised her brown eyes to meet his, "Don’t you feel ashamed to show your face at such a grand event after what you did?" Her tone shifted from exited to see him to blame.
Nytherael rolled his eyes. He had expected as much, just like the rest of the guests, most at the party held blame on him for the downfall of the beastworld through Sseraphis’ hands.
Had it been a month and some weeks back, he would’ve felt guilty and even thought to give the beastwoman an explanation. He would have raced to apologize or feel too sad to show his face or even faint from the shock.
However, he had lived through so much blame that it became the norm, and after learning the shocking reaction of the so-called beastworld to his lovers pain in the past, he didn’t feel like he had any reason to justify himself to anyone.
He froze his face in a deadpan expression and responded. "Why should I be afraid to show my face, huh?"
"You ruined so many lives, but you’re here living it up while the rest of the beastworld suffers. Don’t you have an ounce of regret over what you did?" The accusatory tone darkened. The beastwoman seemed angered by his indifferent attitude.
"If you feel that I have wronged you then... hit me," Nytherael suggested, managing a polite smile.
The beastwoman stilled. She hadn’t expected Nytherael’s attitude to be so horrible. And as for the suggested, both of them knew that he didn’t have the nerve to go through with it.
Hitting Nytherael wouldn’t just offend the Zhen family that was hosting the grand party, but it would also be picking a fight with the famous Auryn family and offending the Noxveils.
The three names, Zhen, Auryn, and Noxveil, was enough to silence any beast that had issues with Nytherael. How could they possibly survive offending such big names?
"If you can’t," Nytherael held his chalice up for a sip of his wine before he added, "Why don’t you enjoy the party and leave me alone."
The beastwoman swallowed her grievance. The downfall of the beast world did trouble her, but not enough to make enemies she couldn’t fight off or defend against.
"One of these days, a beast will take you up on that offer and hit you," she cursed him.
Nytherael blinked lazily. He wasn’t fazed in the slightest. At that point in his life, it was a miracle that he gave her an audience and hadn’t walked away the second that she arrived. But to feel scared by her curses, that was far from possible.
"And when that day comes, I assure you. I’ll make sure they suffer terrible blows than the ones they land on me," he responded.
"You..."
"Whatever is going on here?" A young voice echoed through.
Nytherael and the beastwoman turned sharply to spot a young girl whose height reached just over Nytherael’s waist. She was dressed in a golden long sleeved, high neck knitted dress that reached her ankles.
Her black hair was pushed back and braided and held together with a golden pin. The Zhen family emblem on her chest stood out most in her attire. It glowed with faint light and emitted a pressure that kept most guests at a distance.
Nytherael recognized her instantly. She was Aninma Zhen, Aeltharion’s aunt and one of the matriarchs of the Zhen family.
"Madam Zhen," the beastwoman bowed her head in greeting and took five steps back in that position, feeling the pressure around the young girl.
Aninma glanced coldly at her. With an icy tone, she spoke, "This party is hosted in honour of the recovery from the recent unknown attack that afflicted most of the dragons of Drakheiron. It I not grounds for you to attack a member of our family."
"Ye...yes, madam Zhen," the beastwoman trembled. She was sweating. She was scared that her questions towards Nytherael might doom ger family to be targeted by the Zhen family.
The young girl stepped forward and turned her attention to Nytherael. "Aren’t you going to pay your respects?"
Nytherael put his chalice down. He knelt to the ground on one knee, took her right hand, and placed it on his forehead. "Hello, aunt," he greeted, his greetings lacked emotions.
Since his arrival. The elders of the Zhen family hadn’t requested an audience with him, which was not only strange. It was a different treatment since the last time he had visited before being frozen in the lake.
Especially since they welcomed Sseraphis warmly and even had him and Aeltharion over at the main house since they arrived. He was informed of the party by servants, prepared by servants, and hadn’t caught sight of his mates all night.
He saw no point in putting on airs with Aninma Zhen when clearly, they held a grudge against him.
The emotionless greeting didn’t go unnoticed by Aninma. Though, her expression didn’t change
’When will you accept the greeting, I want to get up,’ Nytherael thought impatiently. It felt like Aninma was holding back from accepting his greeting intentionally. Whether it was to humiliate him or not, he couldn’t tell.
However, the long greeting drew gazes over. The guests immediately hushed and glanced at him, kneeling there and Madam Zhen simply looking at him. The stretching moment sparked controversies among the onlookers.
The beastwoman who’d been shaking scared felt relieved when she saw Nytherael kneeling for so long. She forgot her fear and basked in Nytherael’s misery.
"He was acting so bold. Now Madam Zhen will teach him a lesson!"
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