Chapter 13

Soon after the formal greetings everyone was seated at their respective places, they were quiet murmurs as to where the groom to be family was, as they had yet to arrive. On the other hand, Renata had small sense of happiness in their lack of show, but knowing the Rhode family it was probably just a way to assert dominance by arriving late.

A half an hour went by before Julie got up from her seat as the self-appointed spokesperson, to apologise for inconveniencing the guests. "Hello…"

Julie said with a nervous laugh, "I think the Rhode family might be held up somewhere, I will contact Killian to see how far they are, please be patient

with us." A lovely but shy smile had adorned Julie's face as she spoke to the guests.

The murmurs seized slightly to allow her to speak once she was done. It could be heard people admiring Julie for being a good sister

during a possibly distressing time for her older sister, as she waited for a man who will not show up. If only they knew…

During that enter moment Renata was busy on her phone, she was still fascinated about how different it was to her previous world. It came with a built-in VR world, whereby you could communicate with people across the world, or you can create your own personalised space.

It came with different requirements, those with less than 4 veins opened like Renata could not access, the communal part of the VR app, those with 4-5 veins had limited access and they can only have full access like other people once they reach the immortal realm.

This was solely because the VR world app, relied on

spiritual energy, it functioned as a small world after all those with less than 4 veins can barely feel or circulate spiritual energy, they would not be able to sense anything it would almost look like a void space to them.

Renata had thought about seeing it for herself if it was true, as she was curious how it would look. No danger was stated if a person accidentally entered that side whilst being untalented like her so therefore, she decided once this farce was over, she will test it out for herself.

As she was debating this matter in her head, she had small commotion. When she looked up the Rhode family was entering in all their grandeur. Killian had an apologetic look on his face while to Renata it seemed as if he wishes he could be anywhere but there, that look slightly changed when looked away from the guests towards where the Nasir family was seated; his face brightened slightly and there was spark in his eyes.

Initially the words of the guests ranged from "i thought he would never come, and the young lady would be an abandoned bride." To "look at

how he is face changed, he is so in love with her,". Renata wanted to snort at that, she knew better than to be fooled by those cat eyes again.

Rodrick and Helena; Killian Rhode parents had slight smiles, that people in customer serves usually used, Helena was cut from the same cloth as Dorian, but she was not as apparent about her displeasure. Renata could never figure out her former father-in-law all she knew he was an

ambitions man, but what man is not ambitions. It just depends on how you attain said ambition.

The Nasir family stood from their seats but did not move away from them, to welcome the guests or soon to be family that just entered. After all everyone wanted to maintain their honour, if the Nasir family did not stand it seem they were not courteous even though the Rhode family were late

but if they moved and approached them it would be slap on the face for the Nasir family after all they were still a silver ranked family, they could not

possible further lower themselves to a red family that was ranked no. 22.

The mere fact they endured their tardiness, was already too much but there were too many optics to their societal structure, even though the Rhode family wanted assert dominance they could not go beyond a certain limit either. At that moment the air was sour, and you could taste the bitter tension. Renata wondered if it was the same in her past life because she could not remember maybe she was too ignorant to even notice the difference. She was

stupid in love after all, she could barely see anyone besides the man she was in love with…

At that moment a sound was heard which broke the tension, everyone looked towards Renata who was staring at VR bracelet which was silver and yellow made a sound signify it needed a spirt stone recharge. The grade of a VR bracelet was like those of technique manuals. They were divided according

to the main realms; mortal, immortal; heaven and divine and their sub colour from low to high being; yellow, red, and purple with grades ranging from low, mid, and high. The silver represented the rank of the family she comes from.

Families in their society were ranked from top 1 – 100 and regular people meaning people of no influence. Renata looked at them, made a curt nod of acknowledgment towards the people looking at her before beckoning Divya who was standing on the side along with other house help. She gave her, her VR bracelet, told her to keep it safely before focusing on what was happening

around her.

The thick tension had slightly eased but she felt like it was placed on her shoulders now. The Rhode family were already seated at their assigned places, Blaise Nasir; Raanan's younger brother took centre stage as he prepared to begin the engagement ceremony.

He spoke fondly of Renata growing up, that even though she had no talent, she was a lovely girl, who was both patient and kind. Renata thought to herself truly she had been overly patient even when she had seen the big red flag being waved in front of her face, she chose to stay till that flag killed with a smile on its, comical that's what it was. She was a whole circus show, things were done right before her eyes and yet she still held hope.

At this moment, she was feeling dizzy, but she tried to hold it in. From across the room, Divya was looking at her with concern as she wanted to help her get out of there. She could tell something her triggered her once again. A simple word yet it took her back to 200 years, the image was blurry this time, but she could feel the stabbing pain as the poison seeped through her bones slowly.

The pain felt as though someone was removing her tendons, as she curled into herself crying, she could barely speak as her voice went hoarse. She winced as if she could still feel the pain.

At this time Killian was looking at her in confusion, he could see her face changing as if she was in pain and face had become flushed. It could not be said he was concerned rather he was curious why she such an appearance.