Chapter 120: The Light Amidst the Banquet Hall

Chapter 120: Chapter 120: The Light Amidst the Banquet Hall

While the lively discussions had yet to end, the empire’s nobles also trickled in, gathering almost in full.

This banquet was held in the evening. And according to custom, the royal family members were always the last to appear.

The Valmont family was the penultimate group to enter—more precisely, the second to last, standing just before the royal family.

Following the resonant announcement of the master of ceremonies, the moment the three set foot past the hall’s threshold, the entire banquet hall instantly focused their gazes in one direction.

Upon seeing the youth flanked by Elwyn and Atalai, a portion of the guests were stunned.

He wore a pearlescent white formal suit, the collar standing high and hugging close, the shoulder cut neat and sharp, extending into a tall, straight figure like an unsheathed blade. The belt was a slender chain of gemstones, cinched exactly once, making the entire upper body compact and unified.

On the left lapel was pinned an icy blue rose, its petals layered so exquisitely that even the veins were indistinguishable from a real flower.

His red hair was slicked back neatly, fully revealing his brow line and the platinum dragon mark in the middle of his forehead. The hem of his long cloak swept close to the floor; the white background accentuated the blue hue of the rose.

The circlet crafted from moonstone and crushed purple diamonds—chosen specifically to highlight his heterochromic eyes—was not worn squarely on top of his head but pinned slightly to one side, bearing the appearance of a royal crest rather than jewelry.

His high-collared icy blue boots were inlaid with a few small aquamarines, matching the tone of the rose on his chest. The soles tapping against the marble floor emitted a steady, distinct sound, like stepping on a surface of ice.

His entire being was both nobly elegant and coldly gorgeous.

The phrase "darling of the Creator" was perfectly illustrated right on that face.

Everyone knew the two Valmont brothers shared facial features that were seventy to eighty percent identical. Even though the impression Sylas left was exceedingly gloomy and withdrawn, his appearance alone had not a single flaw to nitpick. Thus, before encountering this eldest young master, no one bothered to hold any expectations regarding his looks.

But the truth had just proven: with the same facial features, the personal aura and the feeling given to the person opposite could still differ by a vast margin.

If Sylas was a lonely star amidst a pitch-black night, then Jeremy was the sun hanging at the zenith.

Both were blinding. But each blinded in their own way.

Exclamations of awe from the surroundings were incessant, mixed with cleverly packaged flattery:

"Truly worthy of being Lord Elwyn’s son. Even his appearance is perfect to this degree."

"Indeed. After today, we step into the Year of Radiance, and the eldest young master returns right on the eve of the new year—this is surely the will of the gods, having received a divine blessing."

"Haha, Young Master Gard speaks the truth."

In a hidden corner.

Lomita looked at the youth standing at the center of the banquet, her face expressionless, but she felt a snag in her heart.

Was it because they shared the direct bloodline that it was like this... Why did the feeling he exuded seem so similar?

Thinking of that, she hastily brushed the thought away.

No. That guy was already in a coma. If she treated someone else as him, he definitely wouldn’t be happy.

"..."

Lomita tightened her grip on the stem of the glass in her hand.

But she still couldn’t understand how that hateful guy could value relationships and loyalty so much—to throw away even his life to save an older brother he had never met?

Looking at that face, both familiar and strange, Lomita’s mood was as tangled as a ball of yarn played with by a cat:

"...Linna, tell me, is Jeremy too stupid?"

Jeremy?

Linna understood who her young mistress was referring to, and gently corrected her: "Miss, we must call him Young Master Sylas now. Furthermore, his choice has nothing to do with stupidity. If we must put a name to it, it can only be called kind-hearted. I think if it were your older brother lying in a coma since childhood, and you knew you could save him, you would choose exactly the same."

Lomita scoffed coldly: "I wouldn’t. Besides, I’m an only child, I don’t have any siblings."

Linna was helpless: "I naturally know that, it was just an example. Moreover, that young master also has red hair. Could it be you hate him, Miss?"

"I do like red. But what I care more about is..."

Lomita massaged her temples, stopping halfway through her sentence.

Her mood sinking, she lost the interest to continue: "...Anyway, you go enjoy the banquet. My mood is terrible right now, I’ll likely throw a fit and vent it all on you. You don’t need to pay attention to me."

"You can treat me however you like, Miss." Linna offered a word of comfort, leaving space for her master. "Wait until His Majesty and Her Majesty finish attending this side, I will be at the dessert area on the first floor of the central hall. If you need anything, just send someone to call me."

The number of guests invited this time was too large. The entire event was divided into three areas. The nobles gathered in the central hall were all existences at the top of the pyramid.

The other two halls held events simultaneously, but His Majesty and the Empress would visit the central area first before sequentially passing through the other two.

Lomita gave a single nod, saying nothing more.

Linna also knew Lomita needed to be alone, and quietly turned to leave.

Time ticked by gradually. Lomita’s gaze still lingered on the red-haired figure in the middle of the banquet hall out of habit.

She was very unhappy.

Even though she understood full well she shouldn’t vent her anger on the real Jeremy, she was simply angry. That guy had clearly agreed to hang out together this vacation. Yet he unilaterally tore up the promise... just for an older brother he had never met.

Saving someone wasn’t wrong. But why did it have to be self-sacrifice? Was there really no other way besides that?

...Although looking at the situation, it seemed there truly was no other way.

But didn’t he know that his disappearance would also make someone feel sad?

While Lomita was still muttering in her head, the royal family members sequentially entered.

She followed everyone in performing the greeting ritual mechanically.

After the Emperor personally bestowed blessings, the return of the Valmont family’s eldest young master was also officially announced.

Rounds of applause and procedural congratulatory words rang out all around. Lomita couldn’t muster any interest in any of it. She didn’t want to clap in her heart, but knowing she was being childish, she ultimately still obediently followed along.

After the royal family’s segment, the Divine Temple and the Magic Tower also sent representatives. This pushed the atmosphere to its peak, creating a scene of prosperity rarely seen in many years.

The only thing was, Crown Prince Amber was absent from this banquet.

The royal family announced outwardly that he was training outside and couldn’t return in time. But a few people present here clearly knew the truth. Rumor had it that last night he encountered an assassination attempt and was currently severely injured and comatose. Who the culprit was remained untraced to this moment.

Regarding this matter, Lomita actually felt openly gloating.

After the Emperor announced that everyone could move about freely, Lomita was also too lazy to deal with the fawning crowd rushing over to invite her to dance.

Retracting her gaze, she quietly followed the stairs up to the third-floor balcony, letting the cold wind blow away the frustration in her chest.

Because it was a banquet bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new year, the ceremony didn’t commence until nine at night. Dragging on until now, it was already around eleven at night.

The New Year was about to knock on the door.