The sunset slowly sank beneath the horizon.
Along the cobblestone path in the Stentain family manor, the crystal street lamps flickered to life, casting their glow as the invited guests made their way toward the villa.
Nobles, tycoons, imperial officials… all figures either rich or noble.
There were also specially arranged reporters.
“Probably planning to publicize the marriage alliance,”
Xia Li and Enis had blended in under the names of the “Kafus family” and “family members,” stepping inside the dazzlingly ornate villa.
The moment they appeared, many guests’ gazes turned toward them.
Everyone at the banquet wore various formal attires; compared to them—one in a priest’s robe, the other dressed even more oddly, like academy uniforms—
but admittedly, both looked quite beautiful.
Who could refuse to admire two beautiful young ladies?
“I don’t see Sister anywhere…”
Enis glanced around anxiously, scanning the crowd for any sign of Filia.
“She’s one of the other main guests of the banquet. She’s probably elsewhere,” Xia Li said, grabbing a cookie from the banquet’s self-service table, munching on it.
Mmm~ this tastes really good!
Compared to the black bread she’d gnawed on when she first arrived, the flavor and texture were worlds apart.
“Xia Li, don’t eat so fast!” Enis tugged at her arm. “Do you think Luya couldn’t convince her mother to call off the marriage?”
“Well… it’s possible.”
“What do we do then?!”
“We’ve already done everything we can. What happens next depends on them.” Xia Li shrugged, pouring herself a glass of red wine.
Her primary goal tonight was to eat well.
The secondary was to watch the show.
“Swoosh!”
The crystal chandelier overhead suddenly shifted its light, focusing like a spotlight onto the second floor of the banquet hall.
The lord of Stentain Castle, Alma Stentain, stood in the center of everyone’s attention, her fingertips lightly holding a tall wine glass. “Honored nobles and guests, it is a great pleasure to welcome you here. May the Goddess of Night be with us all.”
“May the goddess protect us!” The guests tapped their chests three times, tracing the crescent moon symbol of the Goddess of Night.
Snap.
Xia Li bit into a pie, the taste of minced beef mixed with vegetables spreading in her mouth, satisfying taste buds that had endured days of hardship.
She glanced around, noticing all guests focused on Lady Alma. Taking advantage of the distraction, she quietly grabbed a few pancakes and stuffed them into a small cloth bag she had prepared.
Meals for the next few days secured~
“Xia Li…” Enis looked at her, speechless.
“There won’t be time to eat once the real show starts.” Xia Li took a sip of wine; the sourness and subtle sweetness spread through her mouth, warmth blossoming in her chest.
Hmm, the alcohol is a bit strong.
Lady Alma continued speaking, but Xia Li was too busy eating to pay attention.
It was just the usual noble pleasantries anyway.
Only when the familiar name “Luya” drifted to her ears did Xia Li set down a plate of chocolate mini cakes and look toward the girl under the spotlight of the crystal chandelier—being pushed in a wheelchair by a servant.
Luya wore a white dress, her pale face masked by light makeup. She bit her lip, her eyes sweeping over the guests below as if searching for someone.
Until, in the shadows, she spotted Xia Li.
Their eyes met.
After that glance, Luya immediately looked away, bowing her head in guilt.
“…Things aren’t looking good.”
Xia Li wasn’t a fool; Luya’s unusual behavior said everything.
Had Luya failed in her negotiations with her mother?
“I would also like to introduce an outstanding lady. At only twenty years old, she has already achieved the rank of high-tier mage. Her name is Filia Kafus, from the great Kafus family of the Empire.”
Lady Alma’s voice rang out.
Filia appeared in a black gown, stepping into the crowd’s gaze. Expressionless, she bowed politely, her sharp eyes piercing the darkness to catch sight of two figures.
Her sister and Xia Li still showed up after all…
Those chains certainly couldn’t stop them.
But what difference did it make?
Under pressure and demands from the Kafus and Stentain families, the marriage alliance was already a done deal.
No one coming here could change that.
Among the guards were at least ten high-tier mages, plus Lady Alma herself, a transcendent mage.
Anyone trying to cause trouble here would need at least the strength of a Saint.
Filia’s gaze toward her sister and Xia Li softened.
She was grateful they cared so much.
Especially Xia Li, since she hadn’t been particularly kind to her.
But this mess would end here.
They would understand her eventually.
“Eh, why introduce someone from the Kafus family at a Stentain banquet?”
“Idiot! Haven’t you heard the rumors? The two families plan to announce the marriage alliance at the banquet.”
“A marriage alliance? Such a young, outstanding high-tier mage with a disabled person? What could the Stentain family possibly be promising in return…”
“What use is a high-tier mage? There must be hundreds, if not thousands, of them in the Empire. I heard that person is a noble without the goddess’s blessing, and will likely never advance further in life.”
The guests whispered among themselves, their words laced with scorn—especially directed at Luya in the wheelchair under the crystal light.
The three main parties above naturally saw this scene.
But Lady Alma did not care.
Whether it was the marriage alliance or Filia and Luya’s flaws, she had spread these rumors herself.
All to make sure this marriage alliance was public knowledge throughout the Empire.
Once the marriage was sealed, and Luya recovered enough to stand from her wheelchair, these rumors would naturally be dispelled.
Turning instead into praise for her decision.
“After deep consideration by both families and the consent of the parties involved, a consensus has been reached. The two shall represent their families and take this important step forward.”
Lady Alma raised a crescent-shaped pendant. “Under the witness of the great Goddess of Night, I hereby announce the marriage alliance between the Stentain and Kafus families…”
Bang!
The sharp sound of a wine glass shattering echoed through the hall.
All eyes turned toward the source of the noise.
“The consent of the parties involved? Did you not see your daughter trembling in fear before you said such absurd words?”
Under the gaze of everyone, Xia Li poured herself another glass of red wine, tilted her head back, and drained it in one gulp, letting the alcohol dull her thoughts.
There was no choice; when doing something like this in public, she had to be mentally prepared.
“Who are you? What do you want!”
Lady Alma’s face twisted in anger. She shouted sharply, and magic surged with her voice, causing the crystal chandelier to flicker several times.
A guard just three meters from Xia Li had already begun chanting a spell to deal with the banquet disruptor.
Bang!
Xia Li flung the wine glass at the guard’s face.
She stepped forward, a smirk curling at her lips. “Can’t you tell? I’m here to steal a marriage.”