Chapter 870 Audrey in Panic
Angel didn't know whether Georgina was angry or not, but she herself was almost amused by Audrey.
As an "audience" who can read people's expressions, and as the daughter of an earl who has received an aristocratic education since childhood, how could Audrey not know that her actions and words just now were embarrassing the other party?
If Audrey and Georgina were two gentlemen, then the former's behavior was obviously to interfere with the latter's invitation to the lady to dance, which was very impolite in terms of aristocratic etiquette.
Of course, there were three ladies present, and the option of "dancing together" did not exist. Audrey's words could be regarded as a joke, which is why Georgina finally left in disappointment.
Could it be that I told Audrey about Hvin Rambis's "instructions" on Friday, making her think I was very resistant to this matter, and that my disguise tonight through the "Immortal" witch's ability was too real, which made Miss "Justice" take the initiative to step forward and do justice, and send Georgina away from me?
Looking at Audrey's awkward smile, Angel sighed softly, watched Georgina disappear at the end of the corridor, and said:
"Her primary purpose has been accomplished, so she probably won't be angry. However, as a demigod who serves as the Arbitrator, she can tell you're a Beyonder and knows your approximate location... Her previous reminder was probably well-intentioned."
Location... Audrey chewed on the word, and after a moment, she asked hesitantly:
"So, those demigods in the royal family and the military can actually tell at a glance whether someone has become a Beyonder? This means that many nobles who secretly took potions and became Beyonders should have long been known to the royal family, but they just don't care... at least not as much as they appear to care?"
She seemed to be talking to herself, and before Angel could think or answer, she continued:
"No wonder Dad's reaction was unexpectedly calm after he learned I'd become a true Beyonder. It seems he knows a lot about this. Well, my two brothers probably know too, but they've kept it a secret from me..."
Looking at the girl who was slow to realize her mistake because of her father and brother's overprotection, Angel chuckled and interrupted her muttering:
"Ms. Georgina's faction shares many of the same philosophies as your father, Earl Hall. She probably chose to visit the Earl just now to discuss these issues, so she doesn't care about you becoming a Beyonder... Besides, your family has a very close relationship with the Church of Evernight, which serves as an additional layer of protection. As long as you don't act out of line, the royal family will condone your exploration of the Beyonder path."
Angel chose a more neutral word and ended the topic.
She actually had some suspicions that the nobles of the Kingdom of Loen were not as ignorant of supernatural powers as they appeared. Many of them had tried potions from certain sources and become less dangerous Sequence 9 Beyonders, or they had attached themselves to ancient families and the three major churches and come into contact with true supernatural powers.
The royal family ostensibly opposed this behavior, but in reality turned a blind eye. They only required the "purity" of those in certain key positions. For example, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom, Lord Agushid Negan, was an ordinary person, while his brother, Duke Pallas Negan, who died in the assassination of the Apostle of Desire, was a true extraordinary person.
Of course, this information was originally shared by Audrey "Justice" at the Tarot Club. She quickly realized this and quickly shook off her confusion. She smiled again and said to Angel:
"So, Christine, what are your plans next? Are you going to the restaurant in the back to enjoy the dessert made by the Duke's chef, or are you waiting here for a man to invite you?"
I'm afraid that after Georgina's assertion of sovereignty just now, no one here will dare to invite me to dance...
Angel looked around and found that although most of the men resting in the corridor on the second floor glanced at him from time to time with some desire in their eyes, no one had the idea of coming up to give it a try.
Some of them must have recognized my identity and thought of my relationship with Dwayne Dantès. I wonder if some strange rumors will reach Klein's ears in the next few days... She complained inwardly, having completely lost interest in tonight's ball.
"I'll rest here for a while and go to the restaurant after Ms. Georgina leaves to avoid the awkwardness of meeting her again."
She said to Audrey.
Of course, this reason was not sufficient. In fact, after what happened just now and after thinking about it, Angel had noticed that there were many potential extraordinary people hidden among the "ordinary people" attending the ball. Before this, she had always thought that the number of extraordinary people among the nobles was quite small.
For example, in the corridor opposite, surrounded by several women, a middle-aged man was chatting eloquently. His eloquence and perfectly coordinated movements reminded Angel of certain qualities of the "lawyer" path. A woman standing alone against the wall in a corner of the dance floor, holding a glass of champagne, refused several invitations in succession. Her expression was indifferent and her posture was detached, like a condescending audience admiring others' performances. This was probably the state of Miss "Justice" when she had just taken the potion. When the waiter next to him accidentally knocked over the round tray holding the glasses, a young man nimbly caught two glasses of champagne without spilling a drop, drawing exaggerated praise from the women around him. Unless he had been practicing acrobatics since birth, he must have undergone a physical transformation caused by the potion...
Watching these people's behavior, Angel's mouth corners gradually turned up, as if he was enjoying a drama.
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After leaving the noisy ballroom, Audrey found an empty lounge in the corridor leading to the restaurant. She sent her personal maid away and sat alone on the sofa to relieve her fatigue.
She had already finished the opening dance long before the arrival of the "Queen". She then accepted the invitation of a prince who was attending the ball at Hvin Rambis's "instructions" and danced three dances in a row. Afterwards, she followed her father, Earl Hall, to meet many important figures in the restaurant before finally having some time to rest.
And I also met Miss Queen who was "hostage" by Georgina Augustus. Although I knew that with her sequence, that lamb-like expression was probably fake, I still couldn't help but get closer to her... Audrey thought a little shyly.
It's a pity I didn't bring Susie with me tonight, otherwise I could have a chat with it now... Well, I better go to Dad's place, lest he think I was kidnapped by some prince...
Audrey squinted her eyes and rested for a moment, then stood up from the sofa and adjusted her appearance in front of the dressing mirror. She fiddled with the dark blue "lucky hairpin" on her head and the "star ring forehead ornament" that she used as a necklace, and she showed her perfect smile again.
Then, she came to the door and was about to push it open to leave when she suddenly felt a powerful force coming, as if someone pushed her and her body fell backwards.
What happened? Did the “unlucky hairpin” make me slip again?
Audrey's first reaction was that the magical item that had not been used for many days had dealt her a fatal blow again, but after she managed to stand firm, she found a strange figure in the originally empty lounge.
The man standing by the door, seemingly about to go out, was wearing a black suit and a top hat. He looked like a guest at the ball. But until she bumped into him, Audrey hadn't noticed the presence of such a man in the room at all, as if...
It was as if he had always been protected by "psychological invisibility", making people involuntarily ignore his existence.
He is a "spectator", or he has a corresponding magical item!
This thought immediately flashed through Audrey's mind, and at the same time she realized that she "happened" to bump into the other person. This strong interaction eliminated the effect of psychological invisibility, and this coincidence was due to the luck accumulated by the "lucky hairpin" for many days.
I wrongly blamed you, my good hairpin...
She adjusted her mindset instantly, her expression revealing no flaws. Instead, she pretended to be panicked and took two steps back, her arms bent over her chest, her eyes revealing undisguised vigilance.
"Who are you? I didn't see you in the room just now!"
The man's expression softened slightly at the innocent aristocratic girl's expected behavior. He took off his hat, pressed it to his chest, and saluted, saying in an apologetic tone:
"Sorry, beautiful lady, I thought this lounge was empty, so I came in to rest for a while."
What a ridiculous explanation! The door wasn't even opened. You've been inside the room the entire time... Audrey frowned slightly, considering whether to expose the other person's lie or simply let him go with this explanation, when she felt her mind momentarily blurry.
Wait, was the door really not open just now? Maybe this man wasn't lying, and I just misremembered...
This thought emerged uncontrollably in Audrey's mind and quickly filled her mind, eliminating her doubts and vigilance, convincing herself, and allowing her to relax completely.
"As a respectable gentleman, you should remember to knock first next time."
She smiled and pointed out the other person's shortcomings in etiquette.
"I'll keep that in mind."
The man also smiled, gave up his position at the door, bent down slightly, pushed the door open, and made a "please" gesture.
Wait, open the door...then how did he bump into me just now?
Audrey's spirit sent out a hint of alarm, which was quickly captured by the "hypnotist's" instinct and amplified into a doubt that she could not ignore.
Did he just use psychological suggestion on me? No, that requires verbal introductory words... Was it "combat hypnosis" that can quickly modify the target's consciousness?
The moment she realized this, Audrey came to her senses completely, her misguided mind returned to normal, and she realized why she was easily deceived by the other party.
This inevitably caused a pause in her movement to leave the room.
The "audience member" turned his head doubtfully, and his eyes met Audrey's. He frowned, and his eyes instantly became sharp, like a sword drawn from its sheath.
Oh no, he found out that I was out of hypnosis... Audrey's expression froze and her mind went blank for a moment.
In the eighteen years of her life before this, she had never truly faced an "enemy" face to face, engaging in a "battle" where actions outpaced thinking. Even when facing the demigod Hvin Rambis, she had made corresponding preparations in advance and only faced the danger calmly after having a plan and contingency plan.
But this time, the unexpected presence of the Extraordinary "audience" and the fact that they were alone with each other made Audrey feel helpless for the first time, and panicked, not knowing what to do.
He seems ready to attack. Should I play dumb or continue the performance? Is he from the Psychological Alchemist Society, or a Beyonder who snuck into the ball? The ballroom is too noisy. If I scream for help, will anyone hear me?
Her body grew stiffer, and countless thoughts flashed through her mind, but ultimately stopped at a deeply impressed picture.
That was the figure of "Miss Irene" who, when faced with the Aurora Society's messenger disguised as Islant, did not hesitate to draw her weapon and let herself leave first.
Yes, at times like this we should... take the initiative!
Without hesitation, Audrey's emerald green eyes turned golden, and two flashes of light like lightning flashed in her vertical pupils.
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