In the evening, the blue-black night dispersed the afterglow of the sunset.
Erica sat in the carriage, watching the last ray of dim light quietly disappear into the mountains in the distance.
Turning around, he saw the dim and soft light coming from Du Croy's mansion.
As the clanking of the carriage gradually subsided, the carriage stopped bumping and shaking.
The servant gently pulled the reins and let out a soft "oo".
The sound of wheels rolling on the street disappeared, and the rhythmic clatter of horse hooves gradually stopped.
Erica sat in the carriage, but didn't get out of the carriage.
Thinking of what Victor said today, a strong sense of security arose in her heart.
However, there was no relief on her face.
Erica left in a hurry at that time, not because she felt shy because of Professor Victor's words.
Okay, although there are some connections.
The most important thing is that she doesn't know how to face the professor.
But she felt that she still couldn't bring any help to Professor Victor.
Although she has become the youngest third-level mage, she still cannot help Professor Victor in the slightest.
Erica lowered her head and clenched her fists, feeling a deep sense of powerlessness creep into her heart.
She sighed.
She obviously had a premonition that something big was going to happen in the royal capital recently.
But when compared with others, it seemed that she was really just a student in front of Victor.
Can't give the other party any help at all.
She could only do small things like convey a message.
Today's Professor Victor is really too dazzling.
She had obviously made up her mind to catch up with him.
But now it's hard to even catch his back.
Her eyes slipped from her arms and fell to the ground. She stared blankly at the street in front of the gate and said to herself:
"what should I do……"
The servant opened the car door, and a blast of cold wind brought Erica back to reality.
After realizing that the carriage had stopped at her door, she reached out and patted her cheek.
I heard the servant's voice outside the carriage:
"Miss, we are here."
"But it seems we have guests today, do we want to go in now?"
Erica was a little confused and stuck her head out of the window to look ahead.
A very luxurious carriage covered with golden patterns was parked in front of the mansion's gate.
The badge surrounded by gold patterns, she recognized immediately as the logo of the Cassidra Chamber of Commerce.
Things were exactly as her father thought. Lipoot really came to visit her father.
But this is to be expected, the president of the Cassidla Chamber of Commerce will come sooner or later.
Therefore, Erica responded to the servant:
"Go in now. Sitting in the car all the time will make us appear rude."
The servant outside bowed low and helped her get out of the carriage.
Follow the servant to the door. Before the servant can take action, the door is pushed open from the inside, making a slight creaking sound.
Then, a strange and elegant voice floated into Erica's ears:
"What a pleasant meeting, Levi."
Amidst the laughter and laughter, Lipoot came out of the door like an elegant nobleman.
His golden pupils were like flowing liquid gold, appearing mysterious and profound.
Behind Lipoot, Zola walked with her long legs and followed Lipoot calmly.
When she saw Erica, she gave Erica a polite smile in an elegant manner.
Erica had a slight impression of this woman. After all, she also knew that her family often had contacts with the Cassidella Chamber of Commerce.
We have met several times at previous banquets.
What impressed her most was the long legs that the other party was proud of.
It really made Erica envious for a while.
At this moment, Lipoot, who had just walked out, also saw Erica standing in front of the door.
When his golden eyes fell on Erica, his golden eyes seemed to be stunned for a moment.
The light in his eyes seemed to have stopped for a few seconds.
It seemed that in his eyes, Erica was like a precious work of art.
Erica did not pay special attention to this detail. Out of etiquette, she bowed elegantly to Lipoot:
"Hello, first time meeting me, I am Erica Du Croy."
At this time, Levi happened to come from the side and watched Lipoot meet his daughter. He took the initiative to introduce:
"This is my daughter Erica. This should be your first time seeing her."
"……indeed."
Lipoot came to his senses, and his golden eyes sparkled again.
He was obviously quite interested in the Erica in front of him.
The corners of his mouth raised slightly, and he said elegantly:
"What a beautiful little girl, she looks just as beautiful as her mother."
Erica raised her head slightly, looked at Libot, and asked doubtfully:
"Have you met my mother?"
"Of course, she was a beautiful woman who was both gentle and powerful."
Libot smiled and nodded to Erica, then turned back to look at Levi:
"I think I already understand why you have to refuse at all costs... Oh, pretend I didn't say it."
The child is still here.
His eyes revealed this meaning, and he took off the tall top hat on his head and bowed to Revie.
"No need to see you off, my dear old friend."
Zora and Lipoot beside him bowed together.
The two slowly stood up and walked towards the door together.
Moreover, when passing by Erica, Lipoot gave her another expectant smile:
"I hope we can meet again at the banquet in a few days."
His voice was gentle and full of sincerity:
"Please be sure to attend."
Erica was slightly startled when she heard Libot's voice.
Before she could recover, Lipoot had already continued towards the door.
Erica couldn't help but turn around and watched the two people walking out of the gate and boarding the carriage with the logo of the 'Cassidra Chamber of Commerce'.
After the servant closed the door for the two of them, he straddled the front of the carriage, swung the reins, and urged the horses to leave.
A familiar rumble sound, mixed with the crisp sound of horse hooves trampling the ground, reached Erica's ears.
Watching the carriage gradually go away, behind her, Levi's voice slowly sounded:
"He is Lipoot, the real head of the Reiser family."
After hearing her father's words, Erica recalled Libot's appearance carefully.
They had just met, but she didn't seem to remember the other person's appearance clearly.
The only thing that still left an impression was his mysterious golden eyes.
Those are completely unlike the eyes that a normal human being should have.
"What did Victor tell you?"
At this time, Levi asked again:
Erica knew exactly what her father was asking, so she responded very seriously:
"Professor Victor said."
"He'll take care of everything."
Hearing this answer, Levi breathed a sigh of relief.
"Yeah?"
"It's a really reassuring answer."
He turned around and walked toward the mansion with an easy pace.
Erica followed him and asked with some confusion.
"Father, what's going on at the party?"
It seemed like everyone was looking forward to this party.
Levi stopped, turned to look at Erica, and patiently explained to her:
"To celebrate the establishment of diplomatic relations between the empire and the elves, Lipoot will hold a banquet."
"Of course, this will be in the name of the eldest prince."
Lipoot is naturally not qualified to entertain the elves and so many nobles, although many nobles are willing to give Lipoot this honor.
Thinking of what Lipoot said to him, Levi added another sentence.
"You'll know in a few days."
…
The largest banquet hall in the empire is magnificent.
The long red carpet is as bright as color, flowing down from the center of the hall, outlining the golden steps, going straight through the huge courtyard.
Bright candlelight illuminated the golden decoration, and the light from the dome filled the dark gaps in every corner of the hall.
In the center of the banquet hall is a long table covered with white linen.
There were several gleaming three-candle lampstands placed on the table, and all kinds of delicacies, desserts and drinks shone like gems.
There are tall and atmospheric windows on both sides, and silver curtains are rolled up high, forming floating curtains.
A band in rich costumes was hidden in a dark corner of the banquet hall, playing pleasant music.
The nobles in gorgeous clothes walked across the red carpet one after another and entered the splendid banquet hall.
The smiles on their faces were like spring flowers, and colorful chatter and laughter gradually gathered together to form a cheerful melody.
Outside the courtyard, there are many carriages lined up on the edge of the courtyard, guarded by specialized knights.
Set against the backdrop of soothing music and candlelight, the entire banquet hall was filled with an elegant and unique atmosphere.
The etiquette greetings did not become lazy, but became more subtle and unpredictable.
"Liya, can't you change into something lighter?"
Kokot complained and fidgeted with his white dress unhappily.
She felt that the clothes were too tight and uncomfortable at all.
Kokot complained about this while fiddling with the white dress on his body.
But Kokot really likes the white tulle on both sides of the shoulders, and it feels furry and very warm.
Although she can maintain her body temperature with just one magic spell.
Liya sat in the carriage, quietly looking through the window at the banquet hall in the distance.
A black dress with patterns just brought out the whiteness of her skin.
A long black goose down cloak wrapped around her shoulders, resisting the chill of the night.
After hearing Kokot's words, she glanced at Kokot casually.
"If your breasts could stand out more, I wouldn't mind letting you wear looser clothes."
"It won't make them fall off after all."
Kokot: "..."
It always felt like Liya was saying something particularly rude.
Thinking of this, Kokote replied dully:
"I'm going out to get some fresh air."
So Kokot quickly climbed out of the car window, and the clouds outside quickly caught her body.
She sat on the clouds of the carriage, looking at the grand banquet where the nobles gathered, and she couldn't help but open her mouth.
"Wow……"
It was truly a blinding banquet in every sense of the word.
Liya said casually toward the window.
"Don't go too far."
Then, she quietly sat back in the carriage.
But, how should I put it...
Liya's mood was not very good.
Because Victor seems to be late again.
He was not present the last time he brought Kokot to the palace.
If the other party hadn't come this time, she would really have to preach to Victor.
This banquet was no ordinary family banquet. Its large scale demonstrated the initial friendship established between the Elf Queen and humans.
Therefore, all the nobles who come to the royal capital are distinguished people.
Even a large number of knights were dispatched to maintain order at the scene.
Liya could see Gwen standing at the forefront of the knights' team from a distance.
She supervised every knight seriously, keeping a vigilant eye in case any noble with malicious intentions acted out of line.
As she watched, Liya remembered the news about Gwen.
Liya is very clear about Gwen's return to the Knights.
In fact, there is no need to find any connections for Gwen to get involved, because Gwen himself has such abilities and qualifications.
As long as she wants, she can go back and continue to be a knight commander.
Moreover, those knights were also very happy.
Although Gwen is still expressionless now, her apparent independence now shows that she has somewhat recovered.
perhaps.
At least Liya didn't have to worry about Gwen being unable to do things without Victor by her side.
At this time, a flurry of horse hooves attracted Liya's attention.
A carriage inlaid with complex patterns appeared in her sight, which was the symbol of the Reiser family.
The car door was opened by the servant, but only Liboot, the head of the Reiser family, stepped out.
When he appeared, the surrounding nobles stepped forward to greet him.
They entered the banquet hall talking and laughing together.
But when they were walking forward on the stairs, a silver figure blocked their progress.
"Stop, routine inspection."
Lipoot felt a little surprised when he saw Gwen's appearance. He didn't seem to expect that even a knight could step forward to stop him.
He narrowed his eyes and looked at Gwen casually.
"Who are you……?"
Some unkind voices sounded, and at that moment, a cold wind suddenly passed through the surroundings.
The nobles who gathered around Lipoot were shocked, and they all closed their mouths.
The wind gradually descended from the sky and gradually gathered on the red carpet.
The white mist condensed together, and a breath of wind blew it away.
"She's my fiancée."
The cold wind is always accompanied by cold words.
The familiar windbreaker appeared in front of everyone, and Victor stood in front of Gwen:
"do you have any opinion?"
