NOVEL NEXT Chapter 787: -30- Audience and Provocation
Falling Star Kingdom, Red Palace.
The grand royal court banquet was resplendent with lights, and the guests, adorned in splendid attire, chatted and laughed merrily.
The nobles of Falling Star gathered in twos and threes, toasting and drinking together, presenting a picture-perfect scene of a flourishing era.
However, if one observed closely, they would notice that this royal banquet was not as peaceful as it appeared.
The nobles of Falling Star seemed to be chatting with each other, yet their gazes never left two "black-clad nobles" savoring wine in a corner of the banquet hall.
They were a man and a woman, both nobility, the man handsome, the woman beautiful.
However, the looks the Falling Star nobles gave them held no admiration.
Instead, there was only scrutiny and vigilance:
"Is that the representative of the Nais Clan?"
"Her Majesty actually deigned to accept them, and even bestowed titles upon them, it's incomprehensible..."
"Yes, after all, they are the Bloodline Clan, and those who once wreaked havoc upon the kingdom. Even if Her Majesty is the Saintess of the Holy Royal Court, this approach is too radical."
"Her Majesty is still too young. Look at their arrogance, they probably don't even consider us in their sight."
"In the end, it all comes down to the Bloodline Clan's influence in Falling Star being too strong. Even the Holy Royal Court has had to compromise."
"The Bloodline Clan is so defiant, I fear even Her Majesty is not given regard in their eyes."
"Hush... change the topic, they're looking this way!"
As if they had heard the murmurs of the Falling Star nobles, the female "black-clad noble" suddenly lifted her head and looked over with an enigmatic, almost smiling gaze.
Her pale blue eyes suddenly turned red, and amidst the unearthly air, a tinge of charm and danger seemed to swirl.
The expressions of the Falling Star nobles shifted slightly, and they quickly averted their gazes.
Those who didn't avert their gazes in time soon became vacant and bewildered.
"Enough! Marda! Put away your Charming Eyes, this is the Falling Star Red Palace, not the Nais Castle. Restrain yourself if you don't want to die!"
A sharp reprimand came from the side, as the other "black-clad noble" frowned and spoke in a low voice.
A subtle wave of magic power dispersed from his being, and the charmed nobles quickly came to their senses. Afterwards, they showed expressions of fright and hastily stepped back a few paces, putting more distance between themselves and the two.
"Tsk, boring."
The female "black-clad noble," or rather the Bloodline Clan member named Marda, clicked her tongue and slowly withdrew her provocative gaze from the nobles of Falling Star.
She glanced at her companion who, though appearing elegant, was in reality on edge and even somewhat trembling in fear. With a light chuckle, she said:
"Lord Yulster, when have you, the renowned fourth-generation Earl, become so cautious in the presence of humans? Could it be that after several hundred years mingling in human courts, you've really started to consider yourself a human noble?"
Lord Yulster's expression darkened as he replied:
"Marda, let me remind you once more, the true ruler behind Falling Star Kingdom is none other than Her Majesty the True Ancestor. If you maintain this attitude when you meet the Queen later, I cannot guarantee your safety!"
"I know, I know, she's merely a Puppet Queen pushed forward by the True Ancestor. You're so frightened. Rest assured, my Charming Magic is quite superb; that little Queen who likes to peep at maids bathing won't notice anything."
Marda said nonchalantly.
"Peeping at maids bathing?"
Yulster paused, then his expression changed:
"Wait! You... you've actually spied on... the Queen herself?!"
But as he finished, he felt something wasn't quite right.
Wait...
Peeping at maids bathing?
Would a being like the True Ancestor actually stoop to peeping at maids bathing?
No, no, no...
That sounded more like something a certain lecher he knew would do.
Wait...
Could it be Nicholas playing trickster again?!
"Don't rush, don't rush, I wasn't discovered. I was just curious about the Divine Favored Queen, so I simply probed a little last night. The defenses of the Falling Star Royal Palace are laxer than I thought. Everything I did... was done quietly."
Marda laughed.
Yulster's expression shifted:
"Wait... you... you haven't done anything else unnecessary, have you?!"
Marda looked somewhat evasive, but ultimately let out a sly laugh, feigning ignorance:
"Of course not, I'm very careful with these things."
Yulster: ...
His expression darkened:
"Marda, I warn you once again, this is the Falling Star Red Palace, not the Nais Castle! If you're seeking death, don't drag me into it!"
"I got it, I got it. I was just curious about the human Favored of Her Majesty the True Ancestor, how a human could become so envied as to be favored... by Her Majesty."
Marda said with a look of yearning.
Having said that, she then curiously asked:
"But... from what you imply, is this our final destination? Could it be that... the True Ancestor is situated in Falling Star City?"
Yulster gave her a look but didn't answer directly:
"Marda, don't try to pry into Her Majesty's secrets. Since the Elder Council allowed you to accompany me here, it means that you will inevitably meet Her Majesty eventually. But before that... behave, and leave behind those deplorable habits of Moon God Island."
"You'd best spend that time thinking about how to report to Her Majesty about what you've learned on Moon God Island, after all... you are the only agent of the Nais Clan on Moon God Island, and no one knows the situation there better than you!"