Chapter 67 - That Dinner

Music from various instruments lingered outside the manor; the jubilant festival music and people singing and dancing deluged the whole, vast capital. A plethora of stores and stalls selling a diversity of goods appeared before the Faustina, way plenty than before—there are violins and guitars being strummed all around the scope, people giving large amounts of foods to each other, and then merchants and plebeians selling their goods to people passing by.

"Th-this is amazing," Faustina says as she stared at the floating festival lights.

Not only people were around but also there were people who looked stout and small, with their long beards tied into a braid; dwarves, the creatures who mined precious jewels deep in the mountains. There are also a few people with diverse hair colors and skin tones, visibly belonging from varied races.

Faustina eyed them in amazement.

"Sister?"

Faustina nodded as she strolled beside Lucas Feuerlon, who was extending his arms at her. Maddie followed Faustina along, as the three walked towards the crowded cobblestone paths of the capital, heading somewhere to fill their empty stomachs.

**

They reached a restaurant while sightseeing the stalls and the shops around the capital. Faustina also saw some halls that were crowded with people—'Feuer music hall,' 'theater,' and 'cultural center of Feuersturm' and all the big names correlated with the fact that they were pretty much jam-packed with all types of races wanting to get a view of Feuersturm's culture.

They arrived at the restaurant shortly—and as far as Faustina could decipher, its marbled and polished finish, its beautiful architecture—only said one thing: luxury.

Feuer Chateau.

"This is the restaurant our father used to take mother." Says Lucas. "I don't think mother ever told you that?"

Faustina slowly nodded as they entered the premises.

**

"I'm here." Says Orwell. "Show yourself."

In the dark alley of Feuer, away from the vigorous music and the crowded people laden with hampers and shops, Orwell Lotheringwood seeks a person. And then, upon a blink of an eye, there emerged a shadow on his side, pale red eyes looking at him blankly.

"Abe." Says he. "What have you gathered?"

He whispered. His voice was like a chill: cold, arctic, and empty.

"Then we do not have to worry?"

No response.

"Abe?"

"West." He says. "North. East. South."

"What?"

"Enemies."

And upon hearing Abe's words, the entire alley seem to expand, tinting the dark night into an obscure, red tinge. Orwell withdrew the staff from its sheath, hidden underneath his cloak.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Three thuds of staff from above. A magical barrier appeared before him, sending a mystical chain dashing towards him.

**

Faustina fidgeted, looking around anxiously about her surroundings. Unlike the festive and loud noises outside brimming with joyful peals of laughter and music outside, Feuer Chateau had a mellower, elegant atmosphere. A beautiful piano and violin playing in the background, nobility with beautiful dresses bombarded with frills chitchatting as if they were in a banquet, and a food that looked more like art rather than a piece of treat.

These things brought Faustina to immediate anxiety.

"Eat anything you like, sister." Says Lucas. "Treat yourself tonight! Let's have a feast. Today is the start of the End, after all. Such banquet only comes once in a week."

Faustina nodded.

"I'll be going for a while, alright? I have things to attend to here." Lucas exclaims, "eat to your heart's content. You too, Maddie."

"Y-yes, young master."

And then, as Faustina watched Lucas go, she smiled.

"You like Lucas Feur—er, my brother, don't you?" Faustina grins. "Maddie."

"N-n-n-no! You g-got it all wrong, M'lady!"

Faustina giggled momentarily, only to be stopped short by a pat on her shoulder. She turned around who did so, and then her eyes met that of a young woman with large, yellow curls accompanied by other women who were smiling. The young woman smiled sweetly right at her.

"Might I inquire, is the one standing before me Lucas Feuerlon's sister?"

Faustina blinked, and then bowed gracefully, thanking Lovellia on the back of her mind. The lessons clearly paid off by her dashing bow.

"Before you stand Faustina Feuerlon," says Faustina. "I believe we have never met?"

"Oh!" The woman smiles. "Of course we haven't. I do not have the slightest to be an acquaintance with a bastard."

"H-huh?"

The women behind her giggled, covering their lips slightly. "Oh, you jest, Lilliane."

"M'lady..." Maddie mumbles, clearly uncomfortably surprised.

"Might I inquire once again," says the young woman named Lilliane. "Are you the illegitimate child of the Feuerlon household?"