Chapter 162 - "Your Servants Are Spoiling You Too Much"

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The next morning, a messenger riding a brown horse came. The man said that he was tasked to deliver a message from the Goldwines. Ivory and her foster family came out to listen to him.

"General Goldwine would like to invite the Sprucemint family and Mister Zen for a feast tonight. He wants to celebrate the safe return of Mister Lucius and Miss Ivory."

"We would love to come, of course!" Gordon exclaimed.

Anne then asked, "Uhm, do we need to dress up formally for the feast?"

The messenger shook his head.. "You may wear anything you'd be comfortable with. It is an informal event, but it will be attended by some of the Town Leaders and Town Guard Chiefs within the Land of Olivea. The General also invited a drum and lyre band, as well as some lively dancers. Several dishes will also be prepared."

"I guess we do have to dress quite nice," Ivory said, "Alright sir, thank you for informing us!"

"It is my pleasure. See you all later!"

As soon as the messenger and his horse were out of sight, Gracie said in an excited tone, "I want to wear my new dress!"

"Alright, dear," Anne told her daughter and held her hand. She then told Flynn, who seemed to be excited about the feast as well, "Help me check if the clothes still fit you."

"Okay, mother!" Flynn said, and the three of them went back inside.

"You should inform your friend and Lycus," Gordon told Ivory. He then excused himself since he was about to chop firewood in the forest.

Hours later, it was time for the feast. Together with Sigmund, Zen and Lycus, the Sprucemint family came, and they were led to a circular table inside the wide dance hall. On the ceiling were three candle lit chandeliers and the floor was polished oakwood. All dining tables were aligned on each side of the hall, and a big, square stage was positioned in the middle.

At the end of the hall was a long, buffet table. Atop were several dishes like roasted pork, smoked ham, baked potato, and vegetable salad. Top quality wine was also served, as well as pineapple and cranberry juice.

Gracie and Flynn couldn't help but gape in awe with the majestic interior. It was their first time attending such a feast. They wore the clothes that Anne sewed last year. Gracie wore a white cotton bell sleeve dress with a navy blue front and shoulder lace-up, while Flynn wore a white bell sleeve top paired with a red lace vest.

The Sprucemint couple wore matching outfits made of blue linen. Anne wore a cotehardie dress with front lacing and floral appliques, while Gordon wore a button down long sleeve top and black dress pants. 

Zen wore an aegean blue short sleeve tunic paired with black braided belt.

Both Ivory's Servants were dressed in embroidered suede coats, but differed in color. Lycus was wearing a white top underneath the dark red coat, while Sigmund was wearing a black top underneath the black coat.

Even though there were many beautiful wives and daughters of Olivean officials who attended, Ivory stood out the most. Her waist-long, silver hair was neatly combed. She didn't even need to wear a dress adorned with gemstones or with elaborate embroideries like the other women. She was only wearing a plain white off shoulder dress with long flare sleeves and front lace-up. Unfortunately, due to her itching ear, she couldn't wear any earrings, instead, she wore Lucius' old gift to her, which was a moon-shaped crystal necklace. It became the main accent for her whole outfit.

Soon after, General Darius came walking on the stage. The previously noisy crowd became silent, waiting for him to speak.

"Everyone, thank you for attending this feast even though it was a short notice. For those who do not know why I decided to set up this event, my son Lucius, together with his classmate, Miss Sprucemint, came to the faraway town of Topazeon to do their internship as third year Qawiun Academy students. They have returned safe and sound."

There was a round of applause.

After they settled down, the General continued, "Aside from this, I have an important announcement to make," he cleared his throat, "I am happy to announce that after years of searching, I have found… my lost daughter."

The crowd chattered among themselves. Some were surprised that the General had a daughter, while those who knew him since his early days as the General of the Land of Olivea thought that his daughter had died. Nevertheless, they were all happy for him and were excited to finally meet the said daughter.

"I want to introduce her to everyone. She is-"

"Father!" Lucius suddenly called with a worried face. He joined him on stage and discreetly told him, "I don't think this is a good idea…"

"Why? I think it's the right time."

"Think about what her foster family would feel at this moment," he sighed. "Aside from that, I don't think mother will like this…"

"I want to surprise Diana," the General knew how his wife longed for Ivory's return to the family. He wanted to make it up to her because after all, he was the reason why she came into care of the Sprucemints.

"She has her own reasons why she wanted to keep it a secret for now. I don't think she would be pleased with this," he then pleaded, "Please, father. Please don't be reckless."

The General stared at his son for a short while. Seeing how serious his face was, he decided that it would be better to listen to him. He knew Diana better than him, because these past years, she only felt hatred for him for giving up on Ivory.

"Apologies, it seems like I was too excited, not noticing that I still haven't talked to her about it. Anyway, those are the two things I am celebrating about this feast. Enjoy the night everyone!" 

Even though the General and his son had already gone down the stage, the officials still couldn't stop talking about it. Who was the mysterious daughter of the General, and why did his son stop him from revealing her identity?

They were then distracted when a group of lady dancers, wearing olive green bras and long winged skirts adorned with yellow and green sequins, entered the stage. The beat of the music became lively, and the lute players started strumming in a faster manner. 

While the crowd was busy watching the stunning performance, General Darius and Lucius approached Ivory's table. 

"I hope the food is to your liking," the General said.

"Thank you for inviting us on this joyous occasion, sir," Gordon responded. 

"Your family is not a stranger to us. Of course, you are all welcome here," he turned into a serious expression, "Excuse me, but I would like to speak to you privately, Mister Sprucemint."

Wondering what it was about, Gordon nodded at him and he followed him towards the hall's exit.

"I see you've taken quite a lot of meat, Ivory," Lucius commented as he stood behind her.

"I get your point… I know, I should watch my weight," Ivory pouted, "This is my last plate, I promise."

He noticed that Zen and the two Servants were not around. "Where are Sigmund, Lycus, and Zen?"

"Oh, they are-"

"We're back," Sigmund said as he placed a large plate of grilled, herbed pork on their table. "Here Ivory, your request."

"Master, I brought you some savory bacon strips. I know you'll like this flavor," Lycus then said, and also placed down the large plate.

Ivory glanced at Lucius, who raised a brow at her.

"Ivory… Your Servants are spoiling you too much."

"Then… Let's make today my cheat day!" Ivory said enthusiastically, piercing a meat slice with her fork.

"Fine. I can't do anything about your frequent hunger anyway," he sighed. He panned his sight around and noticed someone missing. "Where's Zen?"

"Eh? Didn't I tell you two not to leave him alone?" she asked her Servants.

"Apologies, I thought he was right behind us," Lycus said. Together with Sigmund, they went back to the buffet table at the end of the hall. 

When they arrived there, he saw Zen speaking with a bearded, brown-haired man, with the same lime green-colored irises as him. He seemed to be in his 50s, and judging from his neat and intricate three-piece set of coat and breeches made of satin and velvet, he seemed to be either a noble, or one of the officials invited by the General.

"Oh, here are my friends," Zen said with a big smile, "This is Lycus, and this is Sigmund."

As the man glanced at them, confusion was evident in his expression. When he turned to the silver-haired Servant, he smiled, as he already saw him in the past, even though Lycus couldn't recognize him.

But his face turned pale, and he trembled when he met the Vampire's crimson-red eyes.