The party continued. People dined while entertainers performed at the front of the hall.
Each noble family had their own table, arranged neatly in a wide circle around the center stage.
Mr. Eddie and Mrs. Hilda sat at a table of their own, being treated like nobles themselves.
"Wow, I never thought we'd experience something like this," Mrs. Hilda said, eyes wide with delight.
"Yeah, so eat everything—try all the new stuff they've got," Mr. Eddie said, stuffing his mouth.
"Damn, this lobster is so yummy."
Mrs. Hilda glanced toward the main table. "I'm glad we met him," she said, eyes resting on Rethrus.
Not far from them, a group of noble children whispered at their table.
"Tsk. That kid over there is with Lord Frings and Lord Merlion," one of the noble boys sneered.
"Yeah, just because he's the king's favorite. Tsk."
"Nah, you're all just jealous," a girl in a blue dress beside them said, casually sipping her drink.
"What? Jealous? Of him? Look at his clothes. And that sling bag? So peasant-like."
"Tsk. That's peasant behavior."Other boy chimed in.
"Yeah? Well, he could beat your asses in a heartbeat," the girl said with a smirk.
"Oh really?"
"Let's just say… he nearly killed a mercenary from the Black Dragon Guild and conquered two purple dungeons in a single day. So, yes."
The two noble boys paused. Their faces went pale.
They glanced at Rethrus again, quietly.
"…Yeah. Let's just eat."
Their eyes lingered on the boy seated at the main table.
Rethrus didn't hear them.
But he didn't need to.
He could feel it—the weight of their stares, the quiet murmurs, the unspoken tension that followed him wherever he went. It was almost as if he could taste it in the air.
The main table was simple, just a circle with three seats—Lord Frings, Lord Merlion, and Rethrus. It was meant to symbolize equality, but right now, it felt like Rethrus was the focal point of their unspoken conversation.
Rethrus, however, was far too absorbed in his meal to notice.
'Lobster? Never had this before. So good,' he thought, savoring each bite. He reached for another dish, unfamiliar but tempting. 'What is this? Doesn't matter, I'll try it anyway.'
His mind was far from the conversation happening around him.
Lord Merlion chuckled. "He's full of energy."
"Eat, my boy," Lord Frings said, suddenly resting a hand on Rethrus's head. "You have too much to conquer."
His hand lingered for a second too long.
'It's still there,' Frings thought, his eyes narrowing for just a moment.
Merlion leaned in. "Let's cut to the chase."
"We didn't know anything about your cousin."
Frings stayed quiet, but his silence was telling. He still has doubts.
"But the real question," Merlion continued, "is who would have the audacity to frame us?"
Rethrus is simply eating in the midst of them.
"Anyway, who did you bring with you?" Lord Merlion asked.
"Oh, just me and Dante. My family wasn't exactly thrilled about me being here," Frings answered.
"I understand. Well, enjoy the party."
At the Frings Mansion, Fergus sat alone in his room, crying and still mourning.
'How could he have been so blind? The enemy was celebrating my cousin's death, yet he unwittingly joined them,' he thought.
Frings' words echoed in his mind.
'Tsk. Logical, my ass,' Fergus muttered bitterly.
He stood up, donned his cloak, and headed to a tavern to clear his thoughts.
As he ordered an ale, the raucous laughter of some men partying too loudly filled the air.
'Tsk. I should have just gone to the party if this tavern is as loud as a celebration,' he thought to himself.
Meanwhile, at the party, it was time for the dance.
The music began, and guests started rising to their feet.
Rethrus, however, remained seated, still savoring his food.
'Ah, like prom again. Pretty sure I spent the whole time eating while everyone else was dancing,' he chuckled to himself, continuing his meal.
Just then, a familiar face appeared at the table.
"Good evening, milords," Greshia said with a graceful bow.
"Oh, if it isn't Madame Greshia," Lord Frings exclaimed. Both men kissed her hand in a show of respect.
"Thank you for inviting us. It's so grand and beautiful here, Lord Merlion," Greshia said warmly.
"Nah, don't sweat it. Lord Merlion answered.
And I'm sorry for your loss, Lord Frings."
"Don't worry, madame. Justice will be served."
"Anyway, I'm here to borrow this fine young man," she said, glancing at Rethrus.
"Oh, I never thought you had that kind of fetish," Lord Frings teased with a mischievous grin.
"Haha, no, milord! My nieces over there would like to dance with him."
"Oh, that makes sense!" Lord Frings laughed.
"Here, take him. I'm pretty sure he'd love to," Lord Merlion said.
"Thank you, milords," Greshia replied, smiling warmly.
'Wow, and I don't have a say in this,' Rethrus thought, looking at Greshia as she approached him to take him away for the dance.
He then paused, taking a moment to excuse himself from the table. "I'll be back," he said before heading toward the bathroom to clean up.
After a quick wash, he wandered through the crowd and made his way to the table where Mr. Eddie and Mrs. Hilda were seated, already in the midst of a dance.
"Oh, what are you doing here?" Mr. Eddie asked, pausing for a moment.
"I'm just gonna leave my bag here," Rethrus replied casually, slipping the bag under the table.
"Oh, okay," Mr. Eddie nodded, returning to his dance with Mrs. Hilda.
"Enjoy," Rethrus said with a small smile, then quickly excused himself and made his way over to Mrs. Greshia.
He offered her his hand. "Let's go?"
"Oh my, really a gentleman," she said with a playful smile, taking his hand.
As they walked toward the dance area, the small talk flowed naturally between them.
"You really make it real when you say you have nieces," Rethrus remarked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Well, of course," Greshia replied with a smirk. "Don't worry, they're beautiful."
Rethrus wasn't quite sure how to respond to that. "Ah... eh," he stammered slightly.
When they arrived at the table, Rethrus was greeted with an enthusiastic, if somewhat overwhelming, arrival.
"Oh, Rethrus!" Gunter exclaimed, suddenly slinging his arm over Rethrus' shoulder. "I heard you beat two purple dungeons at once, huh?"
Rethrus, a little embarrassed, shifted uncomfortably. His attention immediately went to the two girls sitting at the table.
"Oh, where are my manners?" Rethrus quickly corrected himself, straightening up.
"Good evening, Lord Gustav, Sir Gunter."
"Nah, don't be too formal." Lord Gustav, waved off Rethrus' formality with a chuckle.
"Okay…" Rethrus hesitated, glancing at Gunter.
"These are my beautiful cousins," Gunter continued with a proud grin.
The two girls—Creska and Kesia—stood up and curtsied gracefully.
Rethrus mirrored their gesture, bowing in return.
"Ah, eh, I'm Rethrus," he introduced himself with a modest bow.
The two girls smiled warmly at him, their eyes twinkling with curiosity.
Rethrus took Kesia's hand, while Gunter escorted Creska to the dance floor.
"Uhm, I'm sorry—I really don't know how to dance," Rethrus confessed, his voice tinged with nervousness.
"Don't worry, I'll teach you," Kesia said with a reassuring smile.
"Oh, thank you," Rethrus replied, his face lighting up.
"Just follow my lead, okay?" Kesia encouraged.
As the two danced, laughter bubbled between them. Rethrus stumbled occasionally, but Kesia was quick to steady him, her touch gentle and supportive. Their shared joy was infectious, and even Mrs. Greshia, watching from afar, felt a tear well up in her eyes.
"Don't just stand there—take me to the dance," she said to Lord Gustav, her tone playful.
"Okay, okay," Gustav replied, chuckling.
"Milady, would you care for a dance?" he asked, bowing slightly.
"Sure," Madame Greshia said, her smile warm. The three joined the dance floor, exchanging partners with ease, their movements fluid and elegant.
Meanwhile, in the tavern, the atmosphere was anything but serene. People were dancing wildly, their revelry loud and unrestrained. Fergus, sitting in the corner, felt his annoyance grow with every passing moment.