Chapter 317
In the deepening night, laughter continued to echo in the brightly lit castle hall, amidst the aroma of dishes and fine wine, but Ignet felt increasingly as if he were sitting on pins and needles.
The black-haired young man pursed his dry lips, drinking the fruit wine in his cup. The stimulation of the alcohol momentarily cleared his agitated consciousness. Of course, besides Ignet himself, the young girls beside him naturally did not share his state of mind.
For example, Ophi, although the young girl had asked him a few times with some unease, her mood became relaxed again after learning that there was no serious problem. She even showed some curiosity seeing Verafia’s state and carefully tried a portion of fruit wine she had requested – of course, the result was naturally not to the taste of this little ice dragon princess, and she pushed it aside.
As for Miss Phoenix beside them…
Just as Ignet’s thoughts reached this point, his sleeve was suddenly gently tugged. The black-haired young man turned his head, and what met his eyes were the beautiful, ruby-like eyes of the silver-haired blood race girl.
“Flan?”
The girl tugged his hand, “Ignet, look, my sister…”
Ignet followed Flan’s gaze. Beside him, the girl’s snow-white skin seemed to reveal strands of enchanting rosy red, her little head slightly bowed, and her long eyelashes cast a shadow over her magnificent gem-like pupils. Amidst the splendid colors, the girl’s dreamlike and confused appearance was revealed.
Indeed, this Miss Phoenix had drunk too much. Although she was interrupted by Yagmein earlier, the girl had not forgotten her request and had even displayed the authority of a “young lady.”
Although Ignet felt guilty about letting a child who looked like she hadn’t even reached adulthood drink, the sense of obedience cultivated under this young lady’s years of indulgence quickly made him back down… and then it turned into this state.
“Ignet, Elder Sister, after drinking so much… will she be alright?” Flan tugged Ignet’s sleeve, a worried look on her turned face.
“It’s just a little alcohol. For Miss Vera, it shouldn’t be much.”
Ignet shook his head and said with a smile. His eyes turned back to the girl beside him. The girl looked a little hazy, but she seemed to not have forgotten the wine he offered. She was holding the long silver cup with both her small hands, her delicate lips slightly pouted, and her small tongue, like a cat’s, was lapping up the liquid in the cup bit by bit.
It had to be said that although Ignet had immediately thought that Verafia would have a low tolerance for alcohol, he hadn’t expected that this young lady would get so drunk after just the third cup of wine.
Looking at the proud and pampered Miss Phoenix transformed into this cute state now, although it might not be good to think so, Ignet had to admit that he felt a slight sense of triumph.
Why else would this little phoenix be so tsundere and willful, not listening to me? Isn’t she suffering the consequences herself?
“Is that so…?”
The vampire princess girl made a soft sound. Seeing the lingering hesitation on her tender face, Ignet smiled gently and comforted her:
“Flan, don’t worry. With me by the young lady’s side, she’ll be fine.”
As he spoke, Ignet couldn’t help but reach out and rub Verafia’s little head. He had long had such an impulse in his heart, but he had never dared to do it for fear of provoking this young lady. Only when this young lady asked him to style her hair from time to time did he touch her hair.
“Mmm… Ignet, you… what are you doing?”
The girl struggled to open her eyes and looked at the young man. Her delicate voice, full of the fragrance of roses and red wine, her little head slid onto his shoulder.
“Ah, Young Lady, your hair is a little messy, I’m tidying it up for you.”
Ignet said with a straight face.
Speaking of which, this young lady is indeed the legendary phoenix. Even her hair quality is so flawless, as delicate and soft as perfect silk. If he hadn’t touched her, Ignet wouldn’t have believed that besides the legendary deities, there could be such a flawless appearance… Well, being rubbed on the head by him.
Thinking of this, a smile couldn’t help but appear on Ignet’s face.
Ignet and the golden-haired girl’s figures were all seen by Shiel. On the girl’s exquisite little face, the forced smile had frozen.
“Brother, so close with her…”
Although Shiel had been trying hard not to look at the young man and Verafia opposite them, she now felt her eyes suddenly moisten, and her heart ached to run away.
“Bang.”
The sound of silverware falling on the dining table attracted the attention of Marquis Mays, who was in conversation. The Marquis frowned slightly and softly called out, “Shiel?”
The girl realized her gaffe, struggled to stop her falling eyes, stood up, and grabbed the hem of her skirt with her slender hand, bowing slightly, “Mmm, Father, Shiel, Shiel feels a bit unwell, so I, I will take my leave first…”
As she spoke, the sobbing tone in the girl’s voice grew heavier. In the end, Shiel didn’t wait for the Marquis’s reply, twisted her little face, turned around, and ran out of the palace.
Marquis Mays frowned but did not speak. Ignet wanted to chase after her and stop her, but Verafia’s little head was resting on his shoulder. He could only gently help the girl’s slender, delicate shoulders and softly called out:
“Um, Veer, you sit down first, I’ll go chase Shiel…”
“Shiel, your sister? What’s wrong with her…”
Verafia propped her snow-white cheek with one slender hand, allowing her to turn her little face and look at Ignet in front of her. The girl’s confused little head didn’t seem to have figured out the reason yet, so she shook her head again: “Never mind, this young lady can’t be bothered with you, go on, go on…”
Ignet breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to get up, at this moment, Yagmein, clad in a black robe opposite them, looked at the girl’s retreating figure that had already disappeared from the palace gate and suddenly laughed and said:
“Shiel hasn’t been seen for a long time, and she’s become even more beautiful. It seems a long time has passed since she went to Aerys.”
“Brother jokes too much.”
Marquis Mays’s face showed little emotion, but his aura suddenly became extremely profound as he looked at the other party: “If it weren’t for you letting Shiel come home, perhaps I wouldn’t see her now. For this, I truly need to thank my brother.”
Ignet suddenly looked up. Although Marquis Mays’s voice was calm, the hidden sharpness in his words was obvious not only to Ignet but also to Ophi beside him.
“Lord Marquis is joking. How could I have such great ability to make Miss Shiel rush back from the Royal Capital?”
Yagmein shook his head and smiled, but his raised eyes looked at the Marquis: “However, I did hear some rumors… I heard that Miss Shiel is preparing to get engaged?”
