Pillar of Yita

Hilveld carefully smoothed Fang Hong's collar, her hand resting on his neckline, fingers like pointed bamboo shoots. She stepped back a little, looking at him with appreciation. She slightly pursed her lips, her gemstone-like eyes seemingly covered with a layer of light:

"This is much better now."

Fang Hong awkwardly lifted his chin, allowing Hilveld to fiddle with him back and forth. He watched as she selected this black velvet coat with silver embroidery from a pile of clothes.

Although he couldn't really tell what made it better, everything seemed almost the same to him. But since Miss Ship's Officer was willing, he just quietly stayed still, letting her handle it.

He thought for a moment, then suddenly said, "Hilveld, I think Tangtang might have some misunderstanding about you..."

Hilveld just smiled slightly upon hearing this, and whispered to him, "It's okay, I don't mind."

Then she tiptoed and lightly planted a kiss on his lips.

Fang Hong couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed with emotion, reaching out to hold her in his arms. Only after a long time did they separate.

"I'm sorry," he gazed into the girl's bright eyes, feeling a bit apologetic, "Since Dulun, I've made you worry for so long."

Hilveld responded with a gentle smile, but her eyes were filled with affection.

She asked again with curiosity, "According to Tangtang, your uncle and aunt are your guardians?"

Fang Hong nodded.

"Could you let me meet them?" she asked softly in his embrace.

Fang Hong felt warmth in his heart, understanding Hilveld's intention. He held her hand tightly and nodded.

Hilveld just smiled and lowered her head, at that moment truly feeling a bit of happiness.

"Shall we go out?" she finally said.

"All set?"

Hilveld gently nodded, looking at him with a smile in her eyes.

Fang Hong couldn't help but look at his own coat, curious about where she found so many clothes. The fabric was fine, clearly not a cheap item upon touching.

Hilveld saw through his thoughts and replied, "Delice helped prepare this, considering the Westwood Sibika family's wealth, what are a few clothes?"

Fang Hong then understood.

The two opened the door and went out, where everyone else was already waiting.

Under the crystal lights outside the door—

Tang Xin wore a black evening gown, revealing slender collarbones. Her black ebony hair was up, and the skin beneath her long neck was as dazzling as snow.

Like a swan, she held her head high, hands clasped, giving the two only a casual glance.

Fang Hong never expected that his cousin could be so stunning with just a little dressing up, almost unrecognizable for a moment:

"Tang, Tangtang?"

Tang Xin cast him a somewhat annoyed glance.

That look finally made Fang Hong sure it was indeed his devilish cousin.

Beside, Ai Xiaoxiao wore a cyan floor-length dress, constantly giggling between the two of them.

She was half a head shorter than Tang Xin, though she kept smiling, she was well-mannered, exuding an extraordinary aura, blending seamlessly with her surroundings.

By contrast, the others looked a bit out of place.

Xiangzi's suit seemed a size too big, and Luo Yu's face was drawn tight as if heading to the gallows.

Gita, blushing, kept adjusting nonexistent glasses.

The Lion Paladin seemed more like he was forced to attend the banquet.

"I should have switched places with Miss Elisa. Banquets really aren't the right kind of place for me," the Big Catfolk clearly felt uncomfortable, sighed, "Once the free wind is confined, it is no longer the breath of the wind."

Tianlan couldn't help but chuckle, "Mr. Diket is also a Goddess's believer, look at how he carries himself daily, he seems completely unfazed. He is truly the example you should learn from, Big Catfolk."

But Diket was not present, so the Big Catfolk just rolled his eyes.

Can the People of Rotao be the same as a human knight?

Although Tianlan kept complaining about the whale-bone corset making it hard to breathe, as she mentioned, this young girl seemed not unfamiliar with such occasions.

Though, in Fang Hong's view, he felt it wasn't the corset's fault.

Moreover, this confirmed a suspicion in his heart, it seemed Tianlan's origin in the Twelve-Colored Iris wasn't so simple.

Atira also didn't come, for the Druid's doctrine instinctively rejected luxurious and extravagant occasions. As for the last to appear, Lady Papamo in full dress stunned everyone.

Tianlan opened her small mouth, looking at the petite girl in front of her, exquisite like a doll, couldn't help but ask:

"Madam, did you go to the wrong room?"

"Are you stupid?"

Parker, after feminization, replied with an unamused tone.

Only then did everyone laugh heartily. Ai Xiaoxiao nearly shed tears from laughter, finding everything here extremely amusing.

Not long after, Delice finally appeared in front of everyone accompanied by attendants.

The Uncrowned Crown was by her side, resembling a knight. The Little Princess of the Westwood Sibika family looked at everyone and then said, "The banquet is about to begin, come with me to the main hall. Later, I'll give you a chance to meet my father."

Fang Hong was taken aback, this wasn't quite what he expected.

He had promised the Soul Fingerprint he must return after nightfall, thus he inquired about this matter specifically. Previously, even Lord Earl agreed to meet them in advance—