Chapter 38: Banquet

The castle hall.

From the high ceiling hung a massive iron chandelier, studded with dozens of candles whose soft glow illuminated the entire hall as brightly as daylight.

Beneath the chandelier lay a long table covered in a snow-white linen tablecloth, with a main seat flanked by two side seats; three sets of silver cutlery were neatly arranged.

The table was piled high with an array of delicacies, the most striking of which was a roasted peacock adorned with feathers, so lifelike it seemed still alive.

“Your Highness Mingyu, please take the main seat.” x2

Two voices spoke simultaneously before Xia Mingyu—one naturally from Viscount Hughes, the other from a woman with a voluptuous figure, dressed in a low-cut gown that generously revealed vast stretches of pale skin and purple hair.

Above her head floated a green character: “Noble.”

Sensing Xia Mingyu’s probing gaze, the woman covered her mouth with a light laugh, then bowed slightly, lifting her gown in a proper curtsey.

“Your Highness Mingyu, I am Danielle Marsa, Viscount Hughes’s wife. I greet you, may the gods bless you.” The woman bowed deeply.

Xia Mingyu awkwardly averted his gaze.

The nobility of this world really do dress with surprising boldness~

“Viscount, you invited me to a family dinner, correct?”

As Xia Mingyu was about to sit, he suddenly realized someone was missing and asked.

“Yes, had my youngest son Hayden not been born only two months ago and been too fragile to disturb Your Highness, I would have brought him to you immediately.”

Calum explained, and as he spoke of his child, his stern, cold face softened with deep affection.

“Heh~ If Your Highness could even glance at my little Hayden, it would be the greatest honor of his life since birth.”

Danielle murmured with a light laugh.

This woman, though a mother who had just given birth, showed not a trace of fatigue—she was as lively as a young girl.

“Won’t your daughter, Miss Elise, be joining us?” Xia Mingyu asked.

At these words, both their expressions froze; they exchanged a silent, uneasy glance.

“Your Highness, my daughter Elise is unable to attend due to certain reasons.” After a long pause, Calum hesitantly replied.

Xia Mingyu frowned slightly.

Observing his subtle expression, Danielle quickly smiled and asked:

“Your Highness, have you met little Elise?”

“Today I visited the library and saw Miss Elise—she helped me find the book I wanted.” Xia Mingyu said coolly.

“Your Highness, my daughter Elise has heterochromia. I feared her appearance might disturb your dining pleasure, so I dared not bring her out—I sincerely apologize for deceiving you just now.”

Upon hearing this, Calum immediately placed his right hand on his left shoulder and bowed deeply in apology.

“It’s fine. In my homeland, heterochromia is not an ill omen.” Xia Mingyu said calmly.

At this, Calum and Danielle swiftly exchanged glances, their faces now filled with understanding.

All intelligent races on the Western Continent—including humans—knew heterochromia was an ill omen, a sign that summoned devils. Yet this prince claimed it was not so in his homeland.

That meant their suspicion was correct—this prince was indeed a royal from the super-kingdom that ruled the entire Eastern Continent.

“Your Highness, I shall send someone to fetch Elise immediately.”

After roughly ten minutes, Elise entered the hall wearing a deep blue silk gown.

The gown was elegantly tailored, accentuating her slender waist and graceful shoulder lines.

Her silver hair was carefully braided into a loose plait falling over her shoulder; silver crescent-shaped earrings dangled from her earlobes, swaying gently with each step.

She was beautiful—almost doll-like in her perfection—though sadly, she didn’t even come close to half her stepmother’s allure.

“Everyone, please be seated.”

Xia Mingyu sat in the main seat and spoke calmly.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

An extra chair had been added to the table; Elise sat to Xia Mingyu’s right, while Calum and Danielle sat to his left.

Though this was the Hughes family’s castle, it somehow gave the impression that he was the true master.

Dining time

“Your Highness, does the food suit your taste?” Danielle asked with a bright smile.

Xia Mingyu nodded slightly as he fed the last piece of peacock meat into his mouth with his fork and knife.

The banquet fare was indeed lavish: wild boar, venison, duck, goose, even peacock meat.

It was the best meal he’d eaten since his transmigration—on his old world, this single feast would’ve cost him seven or eight years in prison.

“Your Highness, may I ask you a question?” Danielle asked softly.

“Go ahead.”

“You’re from the Eastern Continent, aren’t you?”

“Mm.” Xia Mingyu nodded slightly.

He had indeed lived on the eastern continent of his old world—this wasn’t a lie.

“Ah, one point four billion subjects—hard to imagine how vast and magnificent your kingdom must be to nurture such a colossal population.”

Danielle exclaimed, gazing at Xia Mingyu with deep reverence.

For such a noble person to reside in her castle—what an honor!

“I have a request.” After finishing his meal, Xia Mingyu set down his cutlery slowly.

Before Calum could speak, Danielle interrupted: “Your Highness, say anything—Darling would gladly die for you, even if it means being reduced to dust.”

Calum: “...”

Though that was indeed his true sentiment, hearing it from his wife’s mouth felt strangely off.

“I ask that you issue orders to temporarily suppress all information about me.” Xia Mingyu said gravely.

Though advancement in this world required fame, his current strength was too weak—he’d rather first study magic in Black Wolf Domain, grow stronger, then consider seeking fame.

Although advancement in this world requires renown, his current strength is still too weak; he might as well first study magic in the Black Wolf Domain to grow stronger, and only then consider pursuing renown.

Calum hesitated. Xia Mingyu’s status was too exalted; the implications were too great. Logically, as a lord and knight, he should report Xia Mingyu’s presence to the King of Sosia immediately.

For in rank and relation, the king was the sovereign of all lords.

Concealing Xia Mingyu’s existence from the king would be dereliction of duty.

At that moment, Danielle pinched the soft flesh on Calum’s waist with all her strength.

At that moment, Danielle pinched the soft flesh on Karl’s waist with all her might.

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Calum sucked in a sharp breath.

“My honor, Your Highness.” He immediately straightened and spoke solemnly.

“I shall order all servants of Black Wolf Castle to reveal nothing of your presence. Violators will be executed on the spot.” Calum’s eyes turned cold.

Though before Xia Mingyu he was a “dog,” among all the people of Black Wolf Domain, he was the absolute master of life and death.

Seeing this, Danielle finally withdrew her hand, satisfied.

She, a woman, cared nothing for duties, obligations, or sovereigns—those were men’s concerns.

She only knew she must seize this divine opportunity to build a strong bond with Prince Mingyu, paving a heavenly path for her little Hayden.

Yet Elise, the daughter of her husband’s first wife, had always been a thorn in her side—she’d long sought an excuse to expel her from the castle, fearing one day her heterochromia might summon devils and harm her little Hayden.

But now that the prince favored her, she’d have to change her attitude and become a kind stepmother.

Danielle’s brow furrowed slightly, her eyes flickering constantly—only when she thought of her child did her beautiful violet eyes soften with tenderness.

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(End of Chapter)