BXBX NOVEL Chapter 158 157: Banquet (5)
"Draka. Enjoying the festivities~?"
Hearing Jahi, the Dragonkin woman glared at her before sighing, her hand instantly going for our wine bottle.
Refilling her own glass, she drained her cup before pouring herself another, letting out a sigh again as she said "I fucking hate nobles."
That made Anput chuckle, nodding her head as she said "Me too~"
Rolling her eyes, Leone turned towards the Ducal Heiress and asked "What\'s wrong?"
Rialo rolled her eyes as well, peering over her shoulder before hissing "Thessse damn pesssstsss keep asssking for asssissstance on their projectsss... none of which are lucrative!"
Draka nodded, pinching the bridge of her nose as she added "I had a man ask me if I\'d like to fund his research on how different forms of lightning strike the earth... like what the hell is that going to do for me?! I live up in the Snowy Tundra, where the only storms we get are blizzards!"
Draining her glass again, she sullenly stared at her empty glass before saying "Besides, there\'s been more on my mind than stupid research... the Sariel\'s and Kameiel\'s joining together? That\'s going to shake up the political landscape, more than when you got engaged to Princess Presa-Ash and Begum Sera..."
Draka sighed again, her shoulders slumping.
Rialo slithered beside her fiancee and wrapped her arms around Draka, making the Dragonkin smile.
"Well, as much as I hate Jillian, I\'m sorry Jahi, but there will be no explicit help from my House. Mother is adamant about her neutrality."
Jahi nodded, leaning into her chair as she said "I wasn\'t expecting any anyways; you\'ve your own things to worry about now, like that maid of yours."
Draka\'s smile grew slightly, her eyes warm as she nodded.
"Aye, I\'ve that to worry about... she\'s been doing good these days, and you can tell she\'s expecting... I just can\'t wait for the little one to be born~!"
We all smiled at her, already seeing her happiness and expectance as she stared over at Rialo.
The Lamia was smiling as well, and she said "I can\'t wait to meet her... Fresssca will be a wonderful mother."
Smirking at Draka, Jahi asked "By the way, what\'s going on between you and that Grangeri girl? Sunk your talons into her yet?"
Pouting at Jahi, Draka said "Sadly no; she\'s been a rather intriguing courtship so far. Though I have added a new woman to my... collection~"
Rialo rolled her eyes, saying "Draka added an older widow named Morgara; wonderful human woman, but rather unexpected..."
Draka added "You\'d have to see her to understand. Besides, she\'s fun to be around, and a damn good cook. That\'s worth more than anything else, honestly..."
I nodded, making everyone else chuckle.
Taking another sip of her refilled glass, Draka gave us a smile as she said "Well, I think I\'ll be heading home; talking of Fresca made me a little worried... Good luck, Jahi. You\'ll need it."
Her face was serious at the end, and Jahi nodded to her, bidding her and Rialo farewell.
After Draka left, a few more nobles appeared; some to simply ask questions, some to beg for assistance, but also a few to ask for a meeting with the Marquess, stating a desire to form an alliance.
One of those nobles was Countess Aurim, her normally cheerful face serious.
"Lady Asmodia, with this... shift in neutrality from the Kameiel\'s, the Auim Family would like to-"
Raising her hand, Jahi finished her sentence for her, a small smile on her lips as she said "Find a shield to hide behind? If I recall, the Aurim\'s used to be some of the better alchemists in the Empire, before the Kameiel\'s encroached on your turf."
Countess Aurim nodded, her lips drawn into a tight line.
Greselda stood behind her, looking worriedly at the blonde woman before staring at Jahi with pleading eyes.
"What would the Aurim Family offer in exchange? And are you sure you wish to attach yourself to another House? That only invites troubles to your business."
The Countess nodded again, her face stern as she said "I would need to speak with my mother, but I can guarantee potions to your family; besides that, there is little our humble family can offer."
"That\'d be enough. I\'ll let the Marquess know; she\'ll send a letter to your House when she\'s ready. Is that all?"
Sighing, Countess Aurim nodded, a weary smile on her face.
"That is all, Lady Asmodia. I pray that this goes through..."
Giving her a nod, we watched as the blonde haired woman walked away, towards the exit.
Greselda lingered for a second before bowing, swiftly rejoining Countess Aurim before leaving the banquet.
Jahi continued talking to a few more nobles before staring at the woman who approached us with barely disguised annoyance.
"Was everything to your liking, Lady Asmodia?"
Giving Jillian and Ayla a tight smile, Jahi nodded as she said "It was indeed a good banquet, Lady Sariel! Great food, good music... I couldn\'t think of a better way to announce your engagement either! Congratulations~!"
Jillian smirked at Jahi before glancing at me for a moment, only to say "Well, thank you for attending... all of you. It was a kind gesture for you to... put aside your differences with me."
Nodding, Jahi gave her a smile as she said "Oh not at all, Jillian. What ever gave you the idea that we disliked you? Beating you dozens of times in close? Oh, or the fact that Vice-Headmaster Bijilo much prefers us over you? No, we don\'t dislike you Jillian~!"
Leaning forwards, Jahi loomed over the Elf, whispering "I think nothing of you; after all, I\'m just that much better than you! Hope your engagement goes well~!"
Patting her shoulder, Jahi led us past the fuming Elves, the two women staring at her with hatred in their eyes.
Jahi chuckled as she walked, and we entered the carriage swiftly.
As soon as it started moving down the road, Jahi and Anput let out roaring laughter while Leone giggled, all three women looking pleased with what just happened.
Staring over them with a raised brow, I rolled my eyes, not thinking that that was necessary, but uncaring of it.
Allowing them their moment, I stared out the carriage window, wondering what kind of storm was brewing on the horizon.
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Banquet done, back to the Academy, where we will learn a little more about the world~!
How was the banquet? Didn\'t want to draw it out with unneeded dialogue and all that lol
Anyways, I realized I have an attention span problem, since I have this nagging urge to start ANOTHER book, but I shall hold myself back lol
It\'s another one that would likely be ended before it could truly begin...
If you\'re curious, the idea was an arranged marriage in a cultivation world, with the MC being a mediocre talent and her fiancee being the number one woman in the sect...
Thought it\'d be interesting, and I was tempted to start writing it, but after the beginning of the story I have no idea what I\'d write after that...
Interesting idea, but it\'d likely end up as Rekindled lol
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