78. Royal Banquet (4)

The carriage rolled on the cobbled street of the royal road. The coachman would sometimes halt, then proceed again, indicating that the carriage had reached the line. Outside the glass window, different carriages owned by different noble families were lined.

They were all passing the same gate, the one that leads to the Sea Palace, where the royal banquet is held.

It is a palace situated on the eastern part of the imperial palace, where the most part is covered by a lake. The Sea Palace, where banquets, balls, and other royal events are held, overlooks the lake. It gives a serene yet breathtaking picturesque to the onlookers.

Pavilions are lined on the easement, adorned with colorful flowers from the palace's garden. In the center of the said garden, a large fountain was built.

Inside the palace, the ceilings are decorated with huge and bright chandeliers, and the windows that are as tall as the ceilings clearly show the clear night sky and the vast lake.

Golden and white curtains are hung on each window, kept on the sides; round tables and chairs are placed on the sides, leaving the center part empty with just a thick red carpet rolled out from the door to the golden staircase where the emperor will descend.

The woman inside the carriage clasped her fan tightly. If her hands weren't wearing gloves, the man in front of her would have seen her knuckles bulge. It wasn't her first time entering the palace and seeing the majestic view of the lake, so her excitement was absent.

But more than that, there was another thing that was stopping her from being so appreciative of the place.

She turned her head in front and saw her son looking the same way she did. His grey eyes sparkled, reflecting the lights from the lake which also reflects the stars in the sky. The eyes that only resemble her, look so forlorn and empty that it breaks her motherly heart.

She bit her lips and prevented herself from reaching out.

Soon, the carriage no longer viewed the lake, and it finally stopped in front of the staircase. Luven stepped down and held out his hand to her, which she silently accepted. His demeanor was cold and indifferent, yet he politely and carefully supported her.

Laina sighed dejectedly and opened her mouth to speak, but she failed to utter words for she didn't know what to say.

She wanted to leave.

She wanted to escape from that place, but his son won't let her. No matter what reason she gave, it can't be accepted. She felt like a bird caged by her own chick.

They walked to the huge double door, and the guard in front asked for their names and invitations. Luven handed the latter without speaking their names, so the guard just nervously looked down on the letter and read them aloud.

"Marquess Luven Gayle Vandross and Madam Laina Zephyr Vandross are entering!"

The door opened.

The nobles who were already present turned their heads at the entrance, their faces filled with curiosity as to why the former marchioness had finally shown her face in society after two years. Moreover, the son who was rumored to have been estranged from his mother was on her side.

But aside from curiosity, some eyes are filled with disgust and disdain for the family who bore a dark magic user.

"Is that the former marchioness?"

"Oh my, how could she still show up here? What if the count appears?"

"Then, that will be entertaining, right?"

Luven swept the audience with his cold eyes, and it felt like a cold breeze had passed inside making them avert their eyes and ceased their gossip. He wanted to blow those who speak ill of his mother, away from them.

But contrary to his concerns, Laina just casually walked and glared at those blabbermouths.

Letting go of his son's arms, she spoke, "I have no desire to greet these pretentious people and engage in silly conversations. I'll step outside."

"Mother."

That one word sent his meaning already. She looked up at him and answered while staring straight into his eyes, "You already sent the carriage back. And you know, I would rather stay than ask others for help."

Her son was silent for a while, "Don't stay outside for long. The night is cold."

Her heart was filled with warmth, hearing her son still cared for her despite his indifference. But as soon as she heard that, she walked away and headed to the door where the garden was. If she can't leave, then the only thing she has to do is avoid it.

She walked beyond the garden and reached one of the pavilions. But instead of sitting on the bench inside, she walked further down the embankment and sat on the first step.

The lake sparkled like a crystal. Its stagnant water adds to the stillness of her surroundings. Far behind her was a welcome celebration; with such a harmonious atmosphere. It was cold indeed, but her floor-length dress, turtle neck top with long tight sleeves somehow blocked the cold.

She doesn't know how long had she been sitting there, nor how far the celebration had gone. The laughter she occasionally hears from her seat disappears, yet the lights are still on. She remembered her son's words, but also ignored them and continued to look at the night sky.

His son was anticipating tonight's banquet and she knew the reason why. Even if she stayed outside for too long, Luven wouldn't come and get her. He will surely stand by his sister's side and then come to her.

The noise died, and from her seat, she could see the rays of the golden light coming from inside the banquet hall. The blessing had begun.

She returned her gaze to the sky full of stars.

It was a moonless night.

"It was peaceful, yet unbearably empty."

'Indeed. The night sky looks tranquil with just stars alone, yet the absence of the moon—

Laina froze in her seat as the sound of the voice finally registered in her mind. She turned her head around and saw the last person she wanted to meet. His purple eyes shone brightly like an amethyst reflected the lights.

That person smiled at her and spoke, "It's been so long, Lady Zephyr."

A ghastly feeling washed over her. She abruptly stood and took a few steps backward.

"W-Why…are you here?" The trembling in her voice was visible, and she hated herself for looking weak in his presence.

"I am invited. Just like you. I am also a noble now, you see." Count Lewell took a step closer. Smiling at his former wife, he extended his arm and continued, "You should come over here. What if you fall?"

"I'd rather fall than accept your hand," Laina answered him with disgust.

"Don't be like that, Laina. Come over here, you really will fall. You know you can't fly."

She bared her fangs at him, touching her most hated insecurity. The lake water will be cold, but she can endure it more than being touched with those filthy hands.

When the count took another step forward, she took another step backward. This almost out-balance her since her heels settled on the edge of the embankment, but before falling on the water's surface, a surge of wind caught her.

It lifted her above the ground and then casually and gently dropped her on the bench inside the pavilion. It was so gentle that she wanted to scream and throw things at him.

"You're welcome."

"I didn't ask you to do that!" She yelled at him who was grinning smugly at her.

"I know, Laina. I just wanted to show you what I am capable of." He walked towards her and stood right in her front. And staring straight back at her, with intense conviction and determination, he added, "I am also capable of taking back what is originally mine."

Her eyes darkened at those words. The terrible feeling that she had at his sight doubled to the point of making her throw up.

She replied with intense anger, "None belongs to you."