Proofread by Thomas F
I looked at myself in the mirror for one last time before walking out of the room.
There I saw a woman already waiting. "You look beautiful, Miss Ulaxasys," I complimented.
The woman is wearing a beautiful, long, green, backless dress and a gemmed choker. It is not an elvish design, but a human one, and it is familiar enough with me.
Most importantly, I could sense the essence of the emotion of my legacy from the pieces she is wearing.
"You also look quite handsome, Lord Silver," she replied. To that, I smiled.
She is traveling with me to Nova Alyra, accompanied by her sister. Her sister is also coming to the party tonight, with her husband. I had asked her to join me, since I didn't have a date to the party.
"Let's go then, we don't want to be too late to the party," I said, and we walked out the door.
Soon, we are in the carriage, moving toward the house of Lord Verulus.
"Is there any more communication?" I asked. To that, she shook her head. "Aside from the initial questions, there has been no response," she replied.
We had already sent the plans to them, and they had a few questions which we had answered.
I nodded.
This time, the scale is far bigger and the stakes are higher. I need to negotiate effectively, as it will determine the fate of not only the city but also the entire dominion.
Soon, the carriage reached the destination, a palatial building made from creamy white stones, adorned with beautiful carvings.
Its name is Salvasar Hall.
It's an ancient palace, over two thousand years old, but it is in pristine shape. The enchantments, skills, and care keep it in this condition.
The carriage stopped, and I exited with Miss Ulaxasys before walking toward the door.
A lot of people have arrived, which is no surprise. Lord of Owlspring has spared no expense for the celebration, and it could be seen.
The beautiful arrangements, tight security. It is all visible.
Soon, we reached the door, where a familiar person was standing.
"Welcome, Lord Silver," said Nathil, nodding at Miss Ulaxasys.
Usually, family members welcome guests to such celebrations, but since it's a celebration for a mistress's child, he can't include his own son or daughter, definitely not his wife.
So, he put Nathil in that role—his most trusted man.
"It's our pleasure, Lord Nathil," I replied and walked inside. I followed behind my companion, admiring the magnificent mansion.
I haven't been here before, but Carla had been, and she was pretty impressed with it, and I could now see why.
"Lord Silver, Lord of Greltheaven and Velvet Garden," announced the herald as I stepped inside the ballroom. I felt the eyes on me.
There are a lot of people in here already. Over five hundred are here, and more are on the way.
The ballroom is grand; it can easily host a few thousand people.
"The Lord of Owlspring really loves his mistress. There are a lot of important people here," said Miss Ulaxasys. I couldn't help but nod at that.
It is why they chose to come personally, rather than sending a family member or representative.
I could see many important people, some of whom I need to talk to.
First, we walked toward the couple.
"Lord Silver," said Lord and Lady Blackwell. "Lord Blackwell, I hope you have been well."
"I am good, Lord Silver, and thank you for the essence. It will help Amberhold greatly against the threat of the monsters," he replied.
I always give Amberhold a good number of essence—more than I give the other cities, at that level of influence and that size.
"I am glad," I said.
The good relationship isn't the only reason; the monsters are a reason too. That trade is essential to the future of my dominion, and I wouldn't want anything jeopardizing it.
Their attacks didn't stop; the tides still attack, and one is even gathering right now.
This is why people from the Baronies are coming to the city tomorrow, seeking assistance and aid.
Hun!
I was talking with the Blackwells when suddenly, the whole ballroom hushed.
"Well, this is interesting," said Lady Blackwell with her expression between surprise and mirth.
"Indeed," replied her sister. I was confused by their words until I turned.
My expressions became strange as well. Even the herald seemed conflicted by their entry. Unsure whether to announce them or not.
Though a moment later, his expressions eased up and he opened his mouth.
"Lady Asmar Verulus, Lady of Owlspring. Lord Tanus Verulus, Lady Ranza Verulus of Owlspring," he announced as the wife and children of Caelus Verulus entered the ballroom.
Nobody expected them to come.
They do not have a good relationship with Caelus Verulus, especially their mother. For over a decade, they were living separately.
Now, they came here with smiles on their faces.
It brought a twinkle in people's eyes, and I have to agree. The night is already turning out to be memorable.
I walked away from the Blackwells with Miss Ulaxasys and began mingling with many people.
Miss Ulaxasys seemed to know a lot of people. Her firm may not be the biggest, but it's pretty old. Over a thousand years old, actually.
So, it's no surprise that she has many connections.
We were mingling when, suddenly, her expression changed. "Let's move quickly," she said. I looked at her in surprise. Seeing the hurry, I moved, but a few seconds later.
An elf man, who looked to be early thirties, appeared in front of us with an older elf woman.
Seeing the familiarity between them, she is likely his mother.
"Merialeth, your mother had said, you would be here," said the older woman with a big smile, before turning to me. "You must be Lord Silver; I have been hearing a lot of things about you."
"All good things, I hope. Mrs. Vandyrin," I replied and nodded at her son.
I never met them, but I know of them. They belong to the top mercantile house of Ishynor forest.
"I had met Merialeth's parents, and they have told me you are planning something big?" she asked, while the man beside her began to talk to Miss Ulaxasys.
He seemed to like her, but she spoke with a smile on her face, making it clear she had no interest in him.
"It is something close to my heart, and my legacy's advancement to the throne had allowed me to pursue it," I replied.
I had spread the word that I was planning something grand, but I wouldn't openly admit it. Keeping it a mystery has many advantages.
"Good, our house loves such grand passion projects and has the desire to invest in them, if given the chance," said the woman. "I will keep that in mind," I replied.
She isn't the only one offering it; for the whole afternoon, many businesses made the same offer.
They would love to be part of a new legacy in any way. It provides them with massive bragging rights, which in turn brings a lot of business.
If I asked them to invest in my city, they wouldn't be this enthusiastic.
I had combined both to get what I want for my city.
"It's nice seeing you again, Albys. Let's catch up again sometime," said Miss Ulaxasys, and all I managed to nod at the two before she pulled me away.
"My mother won't let me live in peace until she sees me married," she complained while all I did was smile.
Time passed as I mingled with the people. There are too many people. The time I have is far from enough to have a conversation with all of them.
So, I chose the most important ones until I was stopped, and then I turned as the music changed and the lights dimmed.
There was complete silence until the music began as the Lord of Owlspring made an entrance with Miss Tylcharis, who was holding her child in her arms.
They stopped a few seconds later and looked at all the guests. Including his wife and children, but his eyes didn't pause over them, even for a moment.
"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for gracing us with your presence on the occasion of my son's birth."
He took the pause, not a deliberate one, but an emotional one. The man is so happy that he barely seems to control himself. His wife, who had been watching with a stone face, twitched, seeing that.
The Lord of Owlspring stood before the guests, his demeanour transformed by the overwhelming joy of the occasion.
Although he was known for his typically stoic expression, it was clear that he struggled to contain his happiness as he spoke about his son.
"His birth lighted our lives. It brought us joy we had never known before. It's why we have decided to name him Sareth," he announced, his voice resonating with emotion.
"His name is Sareth Verulus," he declared, and I could see the expressions of his wife and children changed at that; quite a lot of people seemed surprised.
Be it in the Empire or a merchant state. Nobles usually don't give their surnames to their bastards.
It creates problems in succession because giving bastards their names signifies favor and could complicate the succession process.
With heartfelt emotion in his voice, the Lord of Owlspring addressed the gathering once more.
"I hope you all will bless my son with this blessing for a healthy and successful life," he said, his eyes sweeping over the assembled guests.
The atmosphere remained charged with the significance of the moment, as the guests absorbed the weight of his words and the honor he bestowed upon his newly named son, Sareth Verulus.
The priest came forward, and the staff brought the crib, where Miss Tylcharis gently placed her son.
"Is that?" asked Miss Tylcharis, looking toward me, and I nodded. Trying hard to contain my expression.
That is a crib that I had gifted their son. I didn't think he would use it here.
Everything he did, from the beginning. From coming into the hall with his mistress to naming him, and now the priest is all purposeful.
He is fully legitimizing his son, erasing any doubt that people might have in their hearts.
In that, he had brought my crib, which is also intentional. I refuse to believe that there has not been any intention behind it.
In such a ceremony, there are two types of cribs used.
First is the heirloom one, which holds significant meaning for the family. The child's grandparents typically gift the second one. Usually maternal.
Miss Tylcharis's parents are dead. Her only family is her brother.
He could have gifted it, but he did not; he might have, but they didn't use it. Since there is no parental family, it is usually a godfather, the person they respect the most.
None is standing by them aside from Miss Tylcharis's brother, who is beside her sister.
The crib is my gift, but I am none of these things; however, they have indicated me as one by placing the baby in the crib I gifted in front of all these people.
It wouldn't be hard for others to recognize it or find out who provided it. People like Marshhunter have already done that.
I could feel the older man's eyes and the eyes of Ashenwood. They recognized it. Some of them might already have sensed the powerful witchcraft covering it.
I could tell Miss Ulaxasys was curious to know more about it, but she didn't ask.
There are a lot of powerful people here. They could easily break through privacy, snoop in telepathic conversations, and do many other things.
The crib has made things complicated and dangerous. I have to be very cautious from now on.
Soon, the priest finished, and Miss Tylcharis took the child back in her arms.
The music changed, and parents with their child began to meet with people. I started to mingle as well, when I suddenly found myself face-to-face with Asmar Verulus and her children.
"Lady Verulus," I greeted. "Lord Silver, how are you?" she replied; she had a slight smile on her face, but all I could feel was a chill.
"I am good, thank you for asking, Lady Verulus," I replied, smiling.
"Are you free tomorrow?" she asked, but I shook my head. "I am not; I will be leaving for Nova Alyra just after the party," I replied.
There was a surprise on her face, but she hid it quickly.
"Next time, then," she said, before a smile on her face widened a little. "You tread close to the fire, Lord Silver, be careful lest you get burned," she warned, before walking away.
"That was something concerning," said Miss Ulaxasys, while I just smiled and moved to mingle with the crowd.
I am more powerful than I have ever been, but also in greater danger. I need to tread every step carefully, or even being a Master would not be enough to save me.
Tonight had caught me off guard and made me an enemy.
She is from a very powerful house and wields considerable influence. I would not seek to have such enemies, but I had ended up making one.
Lord of Owlspring will have to answer for it.