Chapter 7-1
1589 Words
Two days later.
Thorn Garden Herbal Pharmacy.
As Ella ground moonlight vine petals, her phone suddenly vibrated.
She picked it up with hands dusted with powder. Seeing "Sebastian" on the screen, she wedged it between her shoulder and ear to answer.
"Catherine."
The voice on the other end remained gentle, though the background noise seemed unusually loud.
Sebastian spoke faster than usual:
"I need a favor. Selena's throwing that charity dinner tomorrow night at the Moonlight Hotel. The Hain family has also received an invitation. The elders who could attend, along with my father, are all handling urgent matters in Moonlight Grove. As for me..."
He paused before continuing, "You know that matter isn't resolved yet. I simply can't spare the time right now."
Ella switched the phone to her other shoulder, her grinding motion uninterrupted.
"So?" Ella didn't stop grinding the petals.
"So I need you to represent the Hain family at this banquet."
Aila paused in her grinding, her voice tinged with confusion. "Me?"
"Your current official title is Special Advisor to the Hain family. Representing them poses no issue whatsoever."
"You’ve got some angle here, right? How convenient that your father, you, and every other member of the Hain family are suddenly unavailable? You’ve got to be kidding me."
"Knew I couldn't hide it from you. Father suggested it. He thinks this is the perfect opportunity for you to make your official debut in Nightfall City."
Ella set down the mortar, grabbed a cloth to wipe her hands, then switched the phone from her shoulder to her hand. "Alright, time?"
"Tomorrow night at seven, top floor banquet hall of the Moonlight Hotel."
"What about the invitation?"
"I've already sent someone to deliver it to your shop. It should arrive soon. Your name is already written on the invitation. You can enter directly with it."
"No need to mention the Hain family name?"
"All banquet entries are by invitation. Even without mentioning the family name, no one will stop you. If you're worried about trouble, just wear the Hain family crest. I trust that with the Hain family's reputation, no foolhardy fool would dare come looking for trouble."
"Look who's talking. You got me into this mess."
"Come on, you’re basically royalty. Drama comes with the title."
Sebastian suddenly remembered something and quickly added:
"Oh, and you'll need to prepare an item for the charity auction during the banquet. Since you're representing the Hain family, make sure it's something worthwhile."
"I have to provide the auction item myself? When did you pick up your sister's stinginess?"
"I'd love to prepare it for you, but I'm swamped right now."
"Yeah, yeah. My problem. I'll handle it."
"Also, a heads-up. This banquet is massive. She might be attending, too. Be careful."
"She? Selena?"
"Yes!"
"Then I'd better prepare thoroughly. This could be a truly unforgettable banquet."
"Need me to get you a fancy dress?"
"No! This time, I plan to wear something different. Oh, and I need you to do one more thing for me."
"What is it? Tell me."
"..."
After hanging up, Ella glanced at her wardrobe and murmured with a smile:
"Let the games begin!"
Barely two minutes after the call ended, the doorbell chimed. Leo dashed to answer it, returning with a white envelope.
Ella tore it open to find a gold-embossed invitation inside. Sure enough, the guest name section bore the words: "Ms. Catherine Dares."
She tossed the invitation onto the counter, shook her head, then returned to grinding the petals....
The following evening at seven o'clock, the Moonlight Hotel's top-floor banquet hall.
Ella handed her coat to the attendant, revealing the pale green cotton-linen gown beneath---the most formal dress in her entire wardrobe.
After all, dresses were the only option for such an occasion.
The style was overly simple, though. At best, it could be called "understated elegance"; at worst, "rustic."
Ella's makeup remained plain, her hair casually pinned up with a wooden hairpin. She wore no jewelry, only dabbing a bit of her homemade evening primrose oil behind her ears.
At the entrance to the ballroom, Ella presented her invitation.
The attendant respectfully took it, glanced at the name on the card, then looked up at Ella.
His eyes caught on her gown for a beat too long. Still, he quickly regained his composure, offering a professional smile.
"Miss Catherine Darles, please enter."
The banquet hall was brightly lit, the glare from the crystal chandeliers dazzling.
The air was thick—a cloying blend of perfume, wine, and roasted meat. A true feast of indulgence.
This was the extravagant life of the upper class.
Women wore exquisite sequined gowns, while men stood impeccably dressed in tailored suits, each sporting their family crest pinned to their lapels.
The moment Ella stepped inside, several pairs of eyes swept over her.
Not with admiration, but with appraisal. As if assessing the value of a commodity.
But what they were judging was the newcomer's identity and status.
Aila ignored the stares and strode straight into the banquet hall.
Yet the moment she entered, whispers erupted around her.
A woman in a rose-pink strapless gown shot Aila a glance, her lips curled in a sneer, before turning to her companion. "This is supposed to be an exclusive event? How did someone like her get in? And wearing such a tasteless dress. She can't be a waitress, can she? Ha ha..."
Her companion, a man wearing gold-rimmed glasses, chuckled at the remark. "It's a charity dinner, after all. We should be more open-minded. Waitresses are people too. Besides, she's fully clothed. Did you expect her to run in naked?"
The woman then covered her mouth with a coy giggle, her voice rising slightly. "Oh dear, that would be quite the eyesore! But judging by her outfit, she must be some provincial girl who's never seen the world. Probably thinks throwing on any old dress gets you into high society events."
The man in gold-rimmed glasses nodded in agreement, his gaze openly scanning Ella. "Exactly. Look at that hairpin---it's wooden. How tacky. Though she's not bad looking, her outfit is just awful. If she wants to get into the beds of the nobility, she'll need to invest a bit more."
Ella ignored them. What was the point of arguing with such people? She had no desire to waste her time on scum like this.
But just as she started walking again, a middle-aged man in a waiter's uniform blocked her path. Judging by the badge pinned to his collar, he was likely a supervisor or head waiter.
"Miss, if you don't mind..." " The man wore a formulaic smile, yet his eyes held a hint of scrutiny. "May I see your invitation again?"
Aila didn't refuse this impolite request. She promptly retrieved the invitation from her clutch and handed it over.
The supervisor carefully verified the anti-counterfeit seal and name on the invitation. He glanced up at Aila again, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.
He beckoned to a waiter passing by with a tray, murmuring instructions. The waiter nodded and departed.
The woman in the magenta dress and her male companion closed the distance, eager for the unfolding scene.
Nearby guests also paused their conversations, their glances drifting over subtly.
"Is there a problem?" Ella asked calmly, her tone devoid of emotion.
"Just a routine check, ma'am. Please wait a moment," the manager replied with a smile, though suspicion lingered in his eyes.
"Your attire... seems somewhat inappropriate for tonight's occasion. We're simply ensuring all guests are invited and preventing unauthorized individuals from entering. We appreciate your understanding."
"Uninvited guests?" Ella repeated the phrase softly, yet loud enough for several nearby people to hear clearly.
The woman in the rose-red dress immediately chimed in, "Exactly! Mr. Supervisor, you'd better check thoroughly. At a high-end banquet like this, having some unsavory characters sneak in would be such a buzzkill."
The man in gold-rimmed glasses chimed in, "Exactly! We all received formal invitations. Besides, nearly everyone here is a prominent figure. But her..."
Before he could finish, the waiter who had left earlier hurried back, whispered something into the manager's ear, and handed him a guest list.
The manager flipped through the list, his eyes quickly scanning until they landed on a particular page.
His expression changed instantly. The scrutinizing gaze and the polite, formulaic smile vanished, replaced by a hint of shock and tension.
He closed the book, took a half-step back, and bowed slightly to Ella, his tone exceedingly respectful. "Ms. Catherine Dares, I deeply apologize for the delay. Your seat is in Section A, reserved for the representative of the Hain family. This way, please. I will personally escort you there."
The moment he spoke, the surrounding area fell silent for several seconds.
The smug expression on the woman in the rose-red dress froze, and the man in the gold-rimmed glasses widened his eyes.
The Hain family? That family, the most loyal followers of the Wizard King, was held in such high esteem within the wizard clan that even vampire princes treated them with courtesy?
This… woman who looked like she’d wandered in from the street was supposed to represent the mighty Hain family?
Aila didn't glance at the couple. She nodded to the manager. "Thank you for your assistance."
Led by the manager, she navigated through the murmuring crowd toward Section A.
Behind her, the woman in the rose-red dress flushed crimson, then drained pale. She yanked her male companion and vanished swiftly into the crowd.
......
- Writer
