Chapter 722 West Wing

Once Ezra was done with his early morning training, he and Cyrus walked back to their residence.

The two had followed their usual routine, jogging to the gym center before spending the morning training.

By the time they returned, the day had already begun properly, with students moving around the residential district.

Ezra freshened up, ate breakfast, and left with Lucy for the West Wing.

A few minutes passed before they arrived at its gates.

Unlike the other residential areas, the West Wing was home to several well-known students, including some of the most popular young ladies and young nobles in their year.

It was also a place where students often visited one another, whether for personal reasons or simply to spend time together.

Naturally, access was controlled.

The Security Guards of the Royal Academy approached the Royal Phantom Rolls and checked Ezra’s Student ID Card and Lucy’s Servant ID Card.

They examined the information on both cards before allowing them to proceed.

After the check, Lucy drove through the gates.

The Royal Phantom Rolls continued along the road towards Diane’s residence.

The streets of the West Wing were lively, with First-Year students moving about in small groups.

Some were walking along the paved paths, while others had gathered outside their residences.

A few students sat around tables beneath large umbrellas, enjoying a peaceful tea time.

Their conversations carried across the open spaces, occasionally interrupted by laughter.

There were also groups who had gathered around certain residences.

One of them was particularly difficult to miss.

A loud chorus of excited female voices came from the direction of Ravenor Burnwick’s residence.

Several young ladies had gathered outside his compound, watching him practice his martial arts.

"Young Lord of Burnwick!!! He’s so cool!!"

A lady screamed at the top of her voice.

"Kyaaaa!!"

"It’s truly a blessing to be in the same Residential Wing as Sir Ravenor Burnwick!"

"Yeah! We get a front-row seat watching him train."

"This is way better than any theatre movie."

Their attention remained fixed on the young man inside the compound.

Ravenor was practicing in a white training shirt.

The exercise had left him sweating, and his shirt clung to his well-built frame.

Each time he moved through a technique, the ladies followed him with their eyes, some even leaning forward to get a better view.

The excitement was becoming difficult to contain.

"Ladies, please stay behind the line."

A First-Year noble young man stood in front of the girls, keeping them from crossing the demarcated line outside his Young Lord’s residence.

He had taken it upon himself to organize their movements, making sure none of them got too close to the compound.

"If you cross the line too much and disturb the Young Lord, he won’t be pleased."

Another member of the Burnwick House said calmly.

She briefly turned her head towards Ravenor, checking on him before returning her attention to the gathered ladies.

The young women were clearly enjoying themselves, but the members of the household still had to ensure that their enthusiasm didn’t become a nuisance.

Then...

"Isn’t that Ezra Ashenlocke’s vehicle?"

One of the gathered ladies pointed towards the Royal Phantom Rolls as it passed along the road.

"I can never miss that purple shade."

Another girl moved closer to the road, following the vehicle with her eyes as it continued further into the West Wing.

It wasn’t only the girls who noticed it.

A few other students outside their residences also turned towards the passing Phantom Rolls.

Even some of the servants who had accompanied students to the Academy stopped what they were doing to look.

The vehicle was too recognizable to mistake.

Its black and shade of purple exterior was a familiar sight to those who had seen it before, and its owner was no less recognizable.

"If Ezra Ashenlocke is here, then it can only mean one thing."

A young noble boy said as he looked towards his group of friends.

They were playing chess outside his residence, with the pieces arranged across the board between them.

One of the boys had been about to make a move, but his attention had shifted towards the vehicle.

"His arrival means he is about to see Lady Vera Ashenlocke!"

The young noble boy added.

The thought was shared by almost everyone who recognized the Royal Phantom Rolls.

After all, Vera Ashenlocke was one of the most popular young ladies in their year who was seen to be the closest to Ezra Ashenlocke.

Plus...

Her residence was in the West Wing, and Ezra’s appearance there naturally gave them something to talk about.

Inside the Royal Phantom Rolls...

"We are arriving at Lady Vera’s residence."

Lucy said, sounding a little nervous.

Ezra turned his eyes towards her.

"You know it’s Diane’s residence we’re supposed to stop at, right?"

He narrowed his eyes slightly.

"I know, I know, Master, but you already know what’s going on."

Lucy replied nervously.

She kept her attention on the road, avoiding his gaze.

"I’m sorry, Master."

She added lightly as she turned the vehicle towards the front of Vera’s residence.

The Royal Phantom Rolls slowed down before coming to a stop.

Ezra glanced through the window.

The first thing he noticed was Nina and Lyra fighting over a piece of meat on a stick in front of an outdoor grilling stove.

Smoke rose from the stove and escaped through its air vent, while the smell of grilled meat spread across the premises.

He could easily sense that Vera was behind the grill, with her maid beside her.

Behind them stood Diane and Hermione.

Zack and his Butler were busy setting up the table, chairs, food and other stuff needed for eating and drinking.

It was quite a gathering.

Ezra opened the door and stepped out of the vehicle.

"I spot Ezra."

Lyra pointed at him with a playful smile.

She turned fluidly, shifting her body just as Nina was about to tackle her.

Nina’s hands missed their target, and Lyra used the brief opening to move away while still holding the meat.

"Lyra! Stop taking all of Lady Vera’s grilled meat. I haven’t even been able to eat one for myself!"

Nina said in a displeased tone.

"I took it first. Hehehe..."

Lyra replied with a smug expression.

She raised the meat towards her mouth, clearly intending to eat it right in front of Nina.

"You!"

Nina charged at her again.

Lyra’s smile widened as she prepared to avoid her once more.

Nina hadn’t even noticed that Ezra was already there.

"I didn’t expect you to come, Inventor."

Vera’s voice came from behind the grill.

The steady sound of meat sizzling against the hot grilling surface accompanied her words.

She continued working without turning around immediately, tending to the food in front of her with care.

"You made it impossible."

Ezra replied plainly.

He walked towards her, with Lucy following behind.

His gaze moved from Vera to Diane.

Apart from their maids, both girls were dressed in casual shirts and trousers.

Vera wore a velvet-red shirt with its long sleeves rolled up, black trousers, and a black apron. Her black hair was tied up, keeping it away from her face as she focused on the meat she was grilling.

She held the grilling tongs in one hand, turning the meat over at intervals to cook the other side.

Beside her, Becky, Vera’s maid, was preparing another batch.

Diane wore a light-blue casual Day Gown, and a white apron.

She was working with Hermione, cutting the meat into pieces.

Her cutting was clean and neat.

Every slice came out smooth and even, with a finish so precise that the surface seemed capable of reflecting the light.

Hermione worked alongside her, keeping the prepared pieces within reach.

Becky, meanwhile, dressed the sliced meat with the mixed spices.

Once she had finished preparing a batch, she placed it on a tray and passed it to her lady for grilling.

The work between them was already flowing smoothly.

"Ez is here."

Diane turned sideways to look at Ezra.

"Hermione told me I have something that belongs to you."

She said lightly.

"Yeah, I can get it back today."

Ezra replied calmly.

He had come to collect the materials, after all.

At least, that was supposed to be the purpose of his visit.

"Well, don’t just stand there speaking to ladies who are working."

Vera cut in.

She pointed the grilling tongs at Ezra without taking her attention away from the food for too long.

Lucy had already gone over to join Becky.

The two were chatting among themselves with bright smiles as they continued preparing the ingredients.

"Get something to do."

Vera said lightly.

Ezra didn’t reply.

He looked at Vera, then at the grill and the people working around it.

It seemed this was what she had planned all along.

He had originally intended to visit Diane’s residence, collect his materials, and leave.

Yet, somehow, he had ended up at Vera’s residence, where everyone was already gathered and occupied with preparing food.

The repeated delays in bringing his materials had clearly not been accidental.

"Ahh."

He sighed lightly.

Then he turned towards Zack and his Butler, who were arranging the tables and chairs.

They had already brought out the plates, cutlery, cups, fruits, and fruit drinks.

The table still needed to be properly arranged, with enough space for everything they were preparing.

Ezra decided to help them.

Zack’s Butler bowed in greeting when he joined them.

"Good morning, Mr. Ezra Ashenlocke."

He said respectfully.

Ezra returned his greeting before helping with the arrangements.

The Butler continued setting up the table, while Ezra assisted with placing the plates and other items.

It was a simple task, but having another person helping made the work faster.

Meanwhile, the commotion around the grill continued.

Lyra and Nina eventually joined Vera, Becky, and Lucy.

Nina seemed to have finally secured some of the grilled meat, while Lyra continued wearing her usual playful smile.

The two were now helping around the grill, though their earlier argument over the food hadn’t completely disappeared from their expressions.

Diane and Hermione continued preparing the ingredients.

Zack and his Butler handled the table.

Ezra helped with the arrangements.

Before long, everyone at the premises had something to do.

The gathering was no longer just a group of people standing around talking.

Each person had found a place in the preparations, and the smell of the grilling meat continued spreading through the residence.

As Ezra helped arrange the table, Zack couldn’t stop glancing at him.

Two and a half years...

Back during the trial, there was no way a Lowline like him could have compared to what I was back then.

Zack thought to himself.

His fingers continued arranging the plates, but his attention kept drifting towards Ezra.

He remembered how things had been before.

He had always believed that his position beside Lady Vera would eventually become something more.

He had stayed close to her, remained loyal, and done what he could to make himself someone she could rely on.

I always believed that if I stayed close to the Lady and remained loyal to her...

His gaze briefly shifted towards Vera.

I would one day win her heart.

He had never considered that someone like Ezra would come along and take that position.

What made it worse was that Ezra hadn’t even done what Zack had spent so much time doing.

He wasn’t constantly following Vera around, nor did he seem particularly interested in proving his loyalty to her.

Yet, somehow, he had become someone Vera willingly spent her time with.

Someone she would tease, someone she would invite over, and someone whose presence she seemed to enjoy.

He was just a random person who came and took that place without even being a loyal companion of my Lady.

Zack’s fingers tightened around the edge of a plate.

He didn’t understand what Ezra had that made such a difference.

Was it his abilities? His inventions? Or was there something else that Zack simply couldn’t offer?

The thought irritated him.

He had been there long before Ezra became someone important in Vera’s life.

Yet, despite all that time, he was still standing here arranging a table while Ezra could walk into the residence and be treated as though he belonged.

Zack lowered his gaze towards the table.

His expression remained composed, but his hands tightened slightly.