Epic Of The Demonic Sage

Lucius knew that if he wanted to, it was easy to simply ask Count Gabriel to take care of things as Kiana suggested earlier, but this was something that he'd take care of himself.

'Far better to address the issue myself and learn something out from it. It's also an excuse to engage with Viscount Felldan and perhaps get a read on where his true intentions lie.' Lucius thought.

Across the banquet hall, Kiana already approached Countess Lita and whispered in her ear.

"Asher thinks it's a good opportunity to introduce Alessa now and serve Humble Blaze too."

"Does he?" Countess Lita glanced at her son. She noticed that Asher had a concentrated look on his face, something that resembled his father's when he was thinking about something important. "Very well, now is a good time as any."

"When did you want to do it, Countess?" Kiana asked, out of curiosity.

"I was planning to do it a bit later when everyone actually sits down to have a meal and when Alessa's conversation is done with the Baroness." Countess Lita admitted as she searched among the crowds for the two.

Most of the nobility were mingling around by the banquet table and merely picking up hors d'oeuvres and sampling other appetizers. Others were also sitting down at their tables, relaxing and exchanging words.

A lot of the younger nobility were also gathered in a circle, even Baron Harmund, and were engaged in rapt conversation with a lot of laughter and merriment as they took a portion of the banquet hall.

One of the young noblemen was trying to ask Lady Lily to dance with them, whereas Benjamin was getting flocked with certain queries about the young lord Asher and his relationship with him.

Somehow, the talk of Asher attracted the attention of young noble ladies. Not necessarily paying attention to his words, as opposed to gawking at his face and whispering to each other of how good-looking and handsome he was.

Elsewhere, Baron Hugh already placed down his voice-enhancing artifact and was sipping down some water as he spoke in a private conversation with Baron Ridel and Baron Glintaxe. There was a relaxed smile on his face.

Even Count Gabriel had taken the time to step towards Sir John, who was still carrying the sleeping baby Cia in his arms and tending to her.

"Ah, Asher's so serious." Countess Lita sighed softly and pressed a hand to her chest. "I'm truly glad that he has matured and grown into the young man that he is, but somehow it feels like he's grown far too quickly. None of the younger nobles in his age are doing the same thing as he is, Kiana."

"That simply means that Asher is special, Countess. You already know that," Kiana said.

"I do, but look at the others laughing and giggling with each other and being young. I haven't thought about Asher getting married before because I knew that it would come in time, but somehow, it feels like he's quite preoccupied with a lot of things for anything else to grab his attention."

"Countess you are being quite sentimental, Asher is still young. He still has a lot of time," Kiana calmed the Countess down while she motioned for Captain Donald and the others to approach.

"What is it, Miss Kiana?"

"Please ask the servants to bring in the supplies of the Humble Blaze that Lady Alessa and Sir John have brought. Did you see Lady Alessa anywhere alongside the wife of Baron Hugh?"

"They are in that area over there, Miss Kiana." Captain Donald answered. He was tasked to look over the entire perimeter of the banquet hall so he knew where each respective one was located.

"Good. I'll go fetch them myself. Countess, will you accompany me?" Kiana asked.

"Ah, you're so organized, Kiana. I'm happy that you've remained at our side for all these years, but I can't help but also think about you. You've turned down prospective suitors in the past before." Countess Lita murmured. "I know it's a little sudden, but have you considered Baron Harmund? He is around your age and…"

"Thank you for your concern, Countess, but I need no matchmaking at the moment and neither would Asher. I'm content with my position in the Inanis Family and would not ask for anything more." Kiana smiled.

'Asher has already promised to elevate the Inanis Family to levels beyond what we could even dream of. The thought of leaving that all behind simply to be with a man is a foolish endeavor.' Kiana thought.

While Lucius noticed that Kiana and the Countess took a bit of time to approach the Baroness and Alessa while stuck in a conversation, he also took the chance to approach Baron Hugh again.

"I believe my mother has a few words to say to the crowd herself and Lady Alessa herself has asked our people to bring out certain gifts for everyone," Lucius said.

"Is that so?" Baron Hugh's eyes widened, and he put down his glass of water on a passing servant's tray. "That is the most perfect of timing."

"Gifts?" Baron Ridel asked.

"Who is this Lady Alessa?" Baron Glintaxe asked.

"Please see for yourselves." Lucius said as the double doors to the banquet hall opened. A great number of servants entered while holding bottles of the Humble Blaze in their hands.

It was something of a presentation, which Lucius appreciated as everyone's attention turned to the crowd of servants.

"A-ah, I wish to get the first drink." Baron Hugh laughed, but he already went back to the stage and gestured to Countess Lita, Lady Alessa and his wife who were coming their way. "I believe Countess Lita has a few words to share herself and all of that while, in the courtesy of drinking Humble Blaze! What a mighty entrance, I must say."

"Yes, thank you so much, Baron Hugh." Countess Lita smiled and glanced at Alessa, who was nervous and pale.

Out of all the people who you'd expect to comfort Alessa, it was none other than the Baroness who gave her an encouraging smile.

'This will certainly draw the attention away, even from someone as popular as Viscount Felldan.' Lucius thought as the gazes of the nobility drew to the women. It was his time to strike.