Chapter 239 The Banquet (Part 1) Attending, the banquet, illusion and reality...
When you're hibernating in the winter, time always flies by, especially with the company of your little monster and friends.
Before they knew it, it was time to deliver strawberries to the Arcanis family.
Lai and his whole family, including visiting Seya, picked strawberries together for a day and then spent several more hours sorting them, finally finishing processing all the strawberries.
The goods were shipped out early, delivered smoothly, and the final payment was received.
With everything settled, Lai began preparing for the banquet.
As for how I got the invitation, I have to thank Seyia for that.
Large banquets like these usually don't officially begin until two or three days after the event starts.
This is to prevent important guests who live far away or have other commitments from being unable to attend.
Neil's uncle, Edmund, only inherited the title of baron, and his family's influence was not high, so he was not among those invited.
However, because he held an important position in the Vatican and had children of school age at home, he received a special invitation.
However, he could only bring one family member with him.
He originally wanted to make an excuse that his wife was sick and take Ray and his eldest son with him, but doing so would obviously be against the rules.
Fortunately, after hearing about this, Saiya asked Xiou to inquire with the elf who handled various matters related to trade with the royal city.
They did receive an invitation to the Arcanis family banquet, but they didn't plan to send anyone.
The elves rarely participate in banquets hosted by human nobles.
But this gave Ray an opportunity; through Seyah, Ray successfully obtained an invitation to the banquet.
Upon learning that Lai was going, Seya also decided to go and join in the fun.
The US claimed it was to protect Ray's personal safety. Because of his actions, Western Europe had no choice but to follow suit.
Including the person in charge of Elf Trading, their group consisted of four people.
The custom-made dress for Lei was ready, but Seia and Xiou were only going on a trip and hadn't prepared such a formal evening gown.
However, this was no challenge for the all-powerful elves.
The day after it was confirmed that they would also be going, Elf Trading Company sent over suitable clothes, including a set for Laiyi.
The aesthetic sense of the Elves goes without saying.
At Seya's strong suggestion, Lei finally put on the outfit from the Elf Traders.
Understated yet luxurious, Lei only adorned her cuffs with two blue crystals.
"Why can't the beasts go!"
On the eve of departure, Tata was a little temperamental.
"The beast misses Neil too."
The little monster looked so pitiful, it broke my heart to see it.
This is a rather formal dinner party, presumably to announce something important. Therefore, the invitation clearly states that pets are not allowed to attend.
Even if it were possible, Ray wouldn't take him along to protect Tata's safety.
“It’s not safe there. It’s much more comfortable to stay at home with Butler Cher and warm yourself by the fire. I’ve asked Karma to prepare a big pot of beef soup for you.”
"Why can An go there?!"
Tata looked at Ryan floating next to Lei and felt very aggrieved.
“Liane can become invisible; no one can see him.”
Lei leaned close to Tata's ear and whispered something.
"Awoo, okay."
Tata accepted it, but still stomped her little paw on the carpet in frustration. She watched longingly as Lei and the others changed their clothes and got into the carriage sent by the elven merchants to pick them up.
"The beef soup is ready!"
Karma carried a large bowl of cooled beef soup and placed it on a low stool next to the carpet.
There was more meat than soup, almost all beef, and even the bones were cleaned off for the little monster.
Tata twitched her nose. After two hours of simmering, the beef was completely tender and could be chewed without much effort.
The aroma of the beef is so enticing that it makes your mouth water.
Actually, the beast prefers something a bit stronger, like a slurp.
Tata swallowed hard, glanced at Cher, and then looked for Jane and the two brothers.
Does everyone have one?
Kama's eyes were brimming with maternal love that was almost overflowing.
"Yes, everyone has some. Young Master Lai asked me to cook a lot. You eat first, and then I'll go serve everyone else."
"Okay, sure."
Upon hearing this, Tata wagged its tail slightly and raised its neck.
Kama tacitly tied a light blue scarf around his neck, and only then did the little monster begin to eat the fragrant beef.
It makes people laugh.
What a well-behaved and sensible little monster!
Meanwhile, after nearly an hour of travel, the carriage finally arrived at the Arcanis family's manor.
They stopped at Edmund's house along the way, so they arrived together with Edmund's carriage.
The entire manor was brightly lit; it was actually a castle.
Streetlights have been installed on both sides of the road, and all the steps have been covered with long carpets to prevent guests' shoes from getting dirty.
The drop-off area for guests is inside the estate, where they are greeted by clean carpeting.
The carriages were also placed by servants, and even the guests' servants and grooms could enjoy a sumptuous dinner.
This dinner was undeniably extravagant.
In the afternoon, they also sent someone to Laiyi's store to expedite the order of some fresh strawberries.
It would be foolish not to make money if it's available. Express delivery is at a different price. Vincent will deliver it directly after we finish picking the fruit.
The Arcanis family was a long-established noble family in the capital, and the banquet was very grand. Lai had only ever seen such scenes in TV dramas before.
"Ray."
Edmund called to Rye, and the two walked at the very back. Three elves, led by their valet, led the procession. In the middle were Edmund's wife and their eldest son.
"What's wrong?"
Edmund wore a dark coat, his hair was combed up, and he wore a ring symbolizing his family status and a wedding ring on his hand.
"This dinner party has invited many young noble ladies, and I suspect she wants to choose a suitable fiancée for Neil from among them."
Lei frowned slightly.
“Neil is only seventeen years old this year.”
"Yes, they'll be adults soon and able to have children."
Ray and Edmund looked at each other, both with deep emotions brewing in their eyes.
“A successor you have raised from childhood is easier to control than someone who has lived alone outside for many years.”
Of course, Ray had thought of that too.
“I won’t let him go through that.”
“I am his uncle, so naturally I am the last person who wants this to happen. In short, let’s play it by ear tonight and see if we can get in touch with Neil directly.”
"Um."
"Honey, hurry up."
Lady Edmund stopped to wait for her husband. They were about to enter the castle, and it would be better if they went in together.
"Okay, I'll be right there."
Edmund smiled and replied.
Do they know about this?
"Finally," Ray asked.
"I don't know. I'll explain after things have calmed down."
Edmund quickened his pace and walked up to them. His wife nodded to Rayleigh, then affectionately took Edmund's arm.
They are a very loving couple.
Their eldest son walked behind them and glanced back at Ray. He bore a slight resemblance to Neil.
"Lay, hurry up and catch up!" Seya urged.
Ray walked quickly to his side.
"Let's go in."
The entrance wasn't a banquet hall; there were already many people inside.
They were dressed in various gorgeous dresses and adorned with expensive and luxurious jewelry. Under the illumination of the crystal chandeliers, they shone brightly, sparkling with dazzling brilliance.
"Good morning, gentlemen."
A male servant came forward to greet him. Saiya took off his overcoat, revealing a light gray suit underneath, and handed the overcoat to the male servant.
Saiya has fair skin, and this outfit complements his complexion perfectly, giving him an overwhelming youthful vibe.
Lei and the others also took off their coats and handed them to the male servants.
Tonight's banquet is a private event, so there's no strict dress code. Men can dress more casually without any problem.
The person in charge of Elf Trading wore clothes with some plaid patterns. Western Europe dressed in a more old-fashioned style, and Lai Yi's clothes were also dark-colored and more casual.
The moment the four appeared, they immediately attracted a lot of attention in the hall.
Fortunately, all three elves disguised their appearances, otherwise, who knows how much commotion it would have caused.
Lei frowned.
This seems a bit too high-profile.
Those who attend the banquet are all people of high status and position, so such impolite behavior as peeking at others would not happen; they all observe openly and honestly.
Edmund and his group entered the banquet hall first, followed closely by Ray and his group after they had put away their clothes.
"Baron Edmund Hilton enters."
As the servant's voice faded, Edmund and his wife went inside.
"Representatives from Finmi Trading Co., Ltd. enter the venue."
Lei followed Sey and the others inside.
Unsurprisingly, it attracted a lot of attention.
It is common knowledge among the noble circles of the entire royal city that Fenmi Trading Company was founded by the elves.
They rarely attend such occasions, so the fact that the Alcanis family invited them was a great honor.
Putting aside their identities, the aura of the four of them, including Lai, was enough to attract attention, especially in a setting with many young ladies and gentlemen.
Western Europe is the most popular.
He was very tall and a skilled archer among the elves, with a well-proportioned physique. Even his ordinary-looking attire in the banquet hall was worn with great poise and presence.
The phrase "walking clothes rack" perfectly describes him.
Not only the ladies, but also some men noticed that they were casting veiled glances at Western Europe.
Lai's hair was combed back, revealing the scar on his forehead. He didn't pay much attention to avoiding the sun, so his skin was somewhat dark.
But his blue eyes were also very eye-catching.
The banquet hadn't officially started yet, and everyone was free to move around and chat.
The head of the elven trading company had already been recognized by the nobles they were cooperating with. He had no choice but to leave their group of four to deal with these business partners.
It was the first time Seyia had attended such a banquet hosted by humans, and he was quite excited.
Western Europe refused several noble ladies and gentlemen who approached to chat, and followed behind Seia with a cold face.
After saying hello, Lai also left the group and quietly surveyed the entire banquet hall.
Expensive silks and fresh flowers were perfectly arranged in every corner of the banquet hall.
The walls are adorned with works by various painting masters from over a century ago, as well as exquisite sculptures by contemporary sculptors displayed on both sides of the hall.
The lights were dazzling, glasses clinked, and the atmosphere was ostentatious and luxurious.
Every light was perfectly placed, and the soothing music created a relaxing atmosphere.
Seeing this scene, who could imagine that it is currently a time of war?
Everyone seems to have abandoned reality and is living in a beautiful world that is both real and illusory, carefree and at ease.
Or rather, this scene is their daily life. Only Ray, an outsider, watches this grand celebration from a bystander's perspective.
A sense of unreality constantly lingered around him.
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