Twenty-Four
1266 Words
The Banquet (Part 1)
ZAIRE LEVI'S POINT OF VIEW
"We've arrived, Master," Blake informed getting off the carriage.
I blew a soft whistle before I turned to Eufema and Elise. Like me, the three are also wearing a mirage set composed of the cloak, which has defensive properties, the mask that changes one's voice, and finally the ring that changes a person's appearance through an illusion at will.
"Are you ready?" I ask while my mask disappeared. Like this, the mask can only be worn and removed by the owner.
Elise removed her mask, she looks pale and is also sweating a little. I can't help but chuckle.
"M-My lady, am I really needed? I believe it'll be better for me to stay at the mansion or supervise the construction of the auction house," she quaked, her voice shaking and fidgeting her fingers.
I glanced at Eufema who removed her mask while looking at Elise, Eufema then sighs, "You are a servant of Jozine and is working with me, have a little confidence, Elise," she dictated confidently with a flip of her hair.
I can't help but chuckle, "I agree with her, Elise. Besides, you are Dos, think of this event as Dos and not as Elise. That might help you." I advised her with an encouraging nod.
Elise stared at me for a few seconds before she blew a loud sigh. "Hoo!" She pressed her cheeks together, her eyes closed tightly. "I am Dos, I am Dos..." And so Elise chanted to herself.
Once she's prepared, we exited the carriage at the same time Duke Franklin exited the mansion. We were given access to the private entrance of their mansion, the one on the west part of his mansion.
"You are finally here, Young Master," Duke Franklin greeted delightedly, behind him is his butler.
Young Master... I guess as Istorya I've become a boy huh.
"...young master?" Elise whispered behind me.
"...it is what it became," I whispered back before I turned to Duke Franklin. "Thank you, Duke Franklin, you need not welcome me personally. I'm only a humble auction house owner," Fufufu, do I sound humble? Got to have some humility from time to time.
Duke Franklin chuckled, "As much as I want to believe you're an ordinary shop owner your presence tells me otherwise,"
Presence? What presence?
I caught him glancing at the three behind me, all three of them are not speaking. Oh my, even the Duke got intimidated by them? I can't exactly blame him I guess, they are especially enchanted to release their magic unconsciously especially the ones they're wearing, aside from that, the fruit of these three's training is showing. Their proficiency in magic is now better compared to others of the same level as them because of the specialized way they train.
All thanks to Aya to be honest.
"Oh, I would like to introduce you to the executives of Faceless Auction House and my loyal subordinates," I started, "this is Dos, Tres, and Cuatro, we wear the same masks but you will know who is who based on their badge," I turned to them, "show him the proof of your identity guys," without wasting time, the three of them summoned the badge with their identities written.
"I am Dos," Elise's voice sounded like a robot, when she said her codename, her badge glowed and followed by Blake and Eufema.
"What an interesting thing!" Duke Franklin exclaimed looking at the badges with interest.
"Please, you flatter me," I chuckle, oh yes, I crafted those badges with love~
"Please come in, Young Master," Duke Franklin ushered us.
Once we reached the private room, Duke Franklin called for his son.
"I would appreciate it if Duke Franklin refrain from calling me Young Master, Istorya is fine," I said while waiting for his son.
Duke Franklin shakes his head, "how could I do that? Young Master is the reason why our families gained insight and the sword magic, that alone is worthy of our family's respect,"
Well, I don't think he needs to be that respectful because it wasn't free in the first place. It's prickling my conscience whenever he calls me that, I don't deserve being formally called that, besides, I'm no Young Master.
"No, Duke Franklin, I insist. Being addressed Istorya is fine, really,"
Eventually, the Duke gave in at the same time his son arrived.
"Geubert," Duke Franklin called his son. Based on Duke Franklin, his son is 19, the same age as I am, and also the one who excels in swordsmanship, he is considered a genius by the family because of how quick it was for him to learn the sword magic of arcane level. If that being said, his son must be a chosen.
Hoho, interesting.
"Father, could they be the important guests?" Duke Franklin's son, Geubert asked while looking at us.
"Indeed they are, son, this is Young... I mean Istorya. The arcane level sword magic was from him," Duke Franklin informed while gesturing for me.
Ghad, he's still so respectful it feels bad. My conscience... Ugh, my conscience is choking me!
Geubert Bernard placed his right hand on his left chest with a serious expression painted on his face. "I am Geubert Bernard, I am wholeheartedly thankful for giving me the chance to learn the sword magic of arcane level, thank you very much!"
Don't thank meeeee! It wasn't for free so why are y'all acting like that? It feels bad, super!
Duke Franklin's son sure is honest, I feel more guilty.
"You flatter me, Sir Geubert. What I did was purely out of business interest although through that I now know how interesting Duke Franklin is." Duke Franklin suddenly laugh at that, I couldn't help but chuckle. Oh yes, the Duke and the Marquis are interesting people, very interesting. "With that being said, I hope you can wait for the sword that I'm planning to gift you, Sir Geubert," Seeing as how lively and genuine he is, I have a perfect sword for him, and if he is indeed a chosen then, even better.
That sword, instead of letting it rust in Luxes I might as well give it to Geubert who obviously deserves it.
Can I do that, Aya?
{You may, you may do whatever you wish to do, Zaire.}
I smiled inwardly. Thanks!
Once done with introductions, Duke Franklin and Geubert accompanied us to the ballroom hall where the banquet is. It feels bad that I will do this while celebrating Geubert's success but there's no better place than here, also, the leading actors and actresses are present, this time and place is perfect.
Perfect to unmask those bitches.
The door opened and with the Duke and Geubert beside me, all heads and attention turned to us. I glanced at Elise then nod at her, she nodded back. Good, she's okay. Well, I wonder where my main characters for tonight are?
The Duke and Geubert showed us our table, the table with Marquis Rolfe and some new faces.
If this isn't attention-grabbing then... I wonder what this could be.
"Young Master Istorya," Marquis Rolfe greeted. Ah dang, here comes the title 'Young Master' again. "My daughter's talking to her friends and acquaintances, I'd like to introduce her to you later," he informed me with a small smile.
Uh... I hope he's not planning to push her daughter to me. Oh, wait, based on my information, the Marquis is unlikely to do that kind of thing, no, it's impossible for him to push his daughter to me because...
"Although I hope Young Master Istorya doesn't take fancy to my daughter,"
HE'S SUPER STRICT!!!
Phew, I'm relieved.
"Geubert, you're here,"
I smirked inside my mask, will you look at that? The main male lead tonight is finally here.
Lothario Dexter, please act accordingly.
Heh.
- Writer
