Nightfall. Today's Bluewind Manor finally welcomed another rare, brightly lit night.
Ever since Faen officially appeared in the sight of Piltover people, Bluewind Manor had lost who knows how much of its past prosperity. And now, sitting in the car, looking at the scenery outside, watching those dazzling crystal chandeliers light up one by one as the night fell, decorating the dim manor as bright as day. Through the car's ventilation system, Caitlyn could clearly smell the mixed scent of expensive perfume, delicious food, and mellow wine permeating the air.
In the past, Caitlyn actually couldn't feel much. But life is just so wonderful. Living in Zaun for a period, although Faen's manor didn't have the terrible chemical waste gas of the Sump, similarly, Faen had absolutely no interest in things like fragrances. Faen wasn't a person who liked to suffer, and was very keen on enjoying—but 'enjoyment' was originally a very personal thing. At least in terms of the resting environment, Faen tended more towards clarity and freshness most of the time, running counter to the extravagance of Bluewind Manor.
This also made Caitlyn, who hadn't come to Bluewind Manor to attend a noble banquet for a long time, feel slight discomfort—like someone used to light flavors suddenly eating heavy oil and heavy spice. Although each has its own flavor, accepting it for the first time would still produce resistance brought by habit difference.
Although she hadn't come for a long time, through communication with her mother, Caitlyn knew that in the past period, Bluewind Manor could be said to be gloomy. And now... melodious string music flowed in the venue; everything in sight seemed no different from the prosperous scene of the past.
Of course, this was just appearance, because Caitlyn could clearly see, and subtly feel, that people in the venue were not as relaxed and leisurely as in the past. On the contrary, those who looked more relaxed were actually more mentally exhausted. Standing there talking with some old friends or even competitors from the past, a flash of uneasiness occasionally passed through their expressions. Some even frequently looked at the clock on the side, seemingly waiting for something.
Just then, Caitlyn also formally attended wearing the gown carefully prepared by House Kiramman. And accompanied by stepping into the venue, Caitlyn could clearly feel that the moment she stepped into the hall, the originally noisy conversation volume obviously lowered a lot, countless gazes focusing on her. These gazes were complex and indistinguishable: inquiry, curiosity, evaluation, and even some unconcealable indifference and alienation.
As the only person in the entire Piltover besides Camille who had news of contacting Faen, Caitlyn's return undoubtedly attracted the attention of many interested people in Piltover. This led to Caitlyn having just entered the venue not long ago, soon many people came to exchange greetings and offer toasts. At first, it was still some young ladies and madams from other families whom Caitlyn had met a few times before. But gradually, some family helmsmen with higher positions and heavier weight also began to come to inquire tentatively.
Perhaps because Piltover was born like this, these merchants didn't rush to reveal all their value as soon as they came up, but carefully confirmed Caitlyn's true situation, afraid their next investment would be exchanged for a useless broken ship.
Having not engaged in such social interactions for a while, Caitlyn inevitably felt somewhat mentally tired. But at least on the surface, Caitlyn remained calm and wise, skillfully negotiating with many madams, young ladies, and family representatives around.
And when the banquet reached a certain stage, accompanied by the ringing of a bell, Camille, as the current actual person in charge of Piltover, also quietly appeared and entered the venue. Unlike Caitlyn, Camille naturally carried a convincing sense of control. Especially as the identity of the Principal Intelligencer, Camille's appearance immediately made the venue solemn.
Scanning the crowd, when seeing Caitlyn, Camille nodded slightly to greet her. This puzzled Caitlyn, because Camille only nodded slightly when seeing her—but compared to Caitlyn's confusion, some family representatives on the side quickly sniffed some special flavors, their facial expressions changing slightly accordingly.
To this, before Caitlyn on the side could think more, Camille stood on the stage of the venue raising her glass to Caitlyn from afar, her voice cold and penetrating spreading throughout the banquet hall:
"Everyone, let us welcome the daughter of House Kiramman, the former representative of Piltover Enforcers, Miss Caitlyn's return. At the same time," she paused deliberately, her gaze sweeping across the audience, the corner of her mouth seeming to carry a meaningful arc:
"Miss Caitlyn has obtained Lord Faen's recognition, honorably undertaking the responsibility of conveying Lord Faen's will in Piltover and maintaining the communication between the Twin Cities. From now on, Miss Caitlyn is the extension of Lord's will here. And regarding related issues, everyone can also inquire Caitlyn directly, no need to ask me all."
Camille's seemingly simple words were like throwing a huge stone into a calm lake.
"Lord Faen's recognition?"
"Conveying Lord's will in Piltover?"
"She is Faen's... will representative?"
These vocabularies passed quickly among the nobles like electric currents. Located on the second floor of the banquet hall, although Caitlyn's mother, Lady Cassandra, already knew and had premonitions through communication with Caitlyn, Caitlyn was vague at that time after all. This made Cassandra, who was used to considering from the bad side, always hold some probability in her heart—the name 'Cassandra' meant the prophet of doom.
But at this moment, getting such a clear public announcement from Camille, a look of shock and surprise also appeared in Cassandra's gaze.
And compared to the emotional changes of the surrounding crowd, Caitlyn as the center of the storm unexpectedly calmed down.
Just like when she first arrived here, Caitlyn wasn't overly excited, but felt quietly. She could feel the air that still carried scrutiny, alienation, and guessing just now was completely broken the moment Camille announced her identity.
As Camille's speech ended, the banquet entered a brand new stage and officially began. As the center of the storm, Caitlyn was almost immediately surrounded by a surging crowd.
Trade nobles who originally deliberately kept a distance now scrambled to squeeze forward, their faces piled with smiles that could be called fawning, which they had never had before. In their eyes, not a trace of contempt or suspicion could be seen anymore, leaving only eager enthusiasm and desire to cling.
"Oh my! Miss Caitlyn! We knew long ago you were extraordinary! Look at this complexion, even more radiant than before going to Zaun! Indeed Lord Faen's bearing is extraordinary!"
"House Kiramman really has talents coming forth in large numbers! Miss Caitlyn undertaking such a heavy responsibility at a young age, the future is limitless!"
"Wonder what plan Lord Faen has for our Piltover next? Our family is willing to contribute all strength for Lord's grand cause at any time! Funds, factories, talents, responding to every plea, declining nothing!"
Feeling everyone's fawning and flattery, Caitlyn only fell into silence for a moment, then revealed a formulaic smile.
"I am just the extension of Lord Faen's will. regarding Piltover's development next, I still need to work together with everyone."