Chapter 13: Preparations Before the Banquet

Night fell, and the glow of the Holy Flame adorned every corner of Ian Manor.

Despite being situated near the bustling heart of the Metropolis, this estate preserved a significant amount of greenery. Upon entering the grounds, one was greeted by an ocean of lush verdance. Unknown yet beautiful flowers hung from the neatly manicured flowerbeds, flanking vast stretches of lawn.

Luo Wei couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion. The money she had painstakingly earned back in Kolun County was barely enough to buy a single restroom in the Metropolis. Meanwhile, the pavilion used for resting in Eliana’s yard alone was the size of ten restrooms—and this was in the center of the city, where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold.

This was even after the previous Queen had intentionally suppressed the Duke’s holdings. If she hadn’t, the Grand Duke’s possessions would have extended far beyond just this beautiful manor.

Hathaway seemed to be a frequent guest here.

Even though ten years had passed, the estate’s servants still greeted her with pleasant surprise the moment they saw her, engaging in brief, warm small talk.

However, due to the defects of her Transcendental Pathway, Hathaway could only respond with a soft, gentle smile, leaving Luo Wei to offer greetings on her behalf.

…Luo Wei suddenly felt like a hired lackey.

The noble Lady Hathaway found it inconvenient to speak with the help, so her little follower, Luo Wei, did all the chattering for her.

“I need a raise,” Luo Wei whispered to Hathaway with a hint of indignation.

Hathaway: “?” Where is Miss Luo Wei’s mind wandering off to now?

At that moment, Hathaway was still lost in nostalgia. She had indeed visited Ian Manor many times as Eliana’s close friend. Since Eliana maintained excellent relations with the servants and rarely put on the airs of a Princess, Hathaway, as her friend, had naturally become well-acquainted with the staff as well.

Moreover, Hathaway’s appearance… was truly unforgettable. It would be difficult to forget her even after a decade.

Maintaining such a… petite frame while possessing a relatively voluptuous figure was indeed a rare sight.

“Miss Eliana is currently dressing. She said you may make yourselves at home and she will come find you once she finishes her social obligations.”

Leading Luo Wei and Hathaway was Miriel, the butler who had previously met Eliana at the train station. She was the Head Butler of the entire Ian Manor. Under her jurisdiction were various other butlers responsible for specific, detailed affairs.

Tonight was a banquet for the nobility, gathering a group that represented the highest status and greatest wealth in the Kingdom of York. There were countless matters for a Head Butler to attend to, yet even under these circumstances, Miriel personally received Luo Wei and Hathaway.

This was not merely Eliana’s wish; it was a sign of the importance Grand Duke Hilton himself placed on them.

Luo Wei and Hathaway had entered through a relatively secluded back door. They hadn’t seen any other guests along the way, hearing only the faint din of noise as they approached the castle-like manor house.

The main entrance was flooded with visiting dignitaries and aristocrats. The sheer weight of the formal etiquette required there would have wasted a significant amount of time. Knowing that Luo Wei and Hathaway disliked such pomp and circumstance, Miriel had simply bypassed it.

Pushing open a side door and passing through a narrow corridor, a grand hall illuminated by flickering candlelight and gilded splendor burst into Luo Wei’s view, causing her to freeze for a moment.

It wasn’t because it was overly luxurious, but because… it awakened memories she had deliberately buried deep in her heart.

In this era, electricity was already in use, but it was not yet cheap enough to reach every household. For a small family to own a single electric bulb meant they were well-off, yet they still wouldn’t dare use it for long. Furthermore, electricity could not ward off evil the way fire could; it only offered a lower risk of accidental fire.

But in Ian Manor, such concerns were non-existent.

Countless magnificent chandeliers hung from the ceiling of the Golden Hall, radiating a light as bright as day. Beneath the brilliance, maids bustled near the banquet tables, preparing food, while elegant waiters carried drinks so guests could help themselves at any time.

In the corner, several court musicians were tuning their instruments, their expressions tinged with nerves. After all, this was a very important banquet.

A few nobles who had arrived early were huddled together, chatting about who-knows-what. When they saw Luo Wei and Hathaway following behind Miriel, they showed visible surprise but didn’t pay much more attention—in this banquet, the only people truly worth noticing were the few Princesses about to ascend to the throne.

“It’s so similar…” Luo Wei muttered.

“Similar to what?” Hathaway asked curiously, only to regret it instantly.

Miss Luo Wei’s answers were always… well, quite unexpected.

“A European palace-style KTV,” Luo Wei sighed. “The only time I ever went to one in my life, my college roommates dragged me there by force. We sang all night, and once the four of us split the bill, half a month’s worth of my living expenses was gone.”

“…I don’t understand, but it feels like you’re talking about a bad place.”

“It’s fine. It’s normal for kids not to understand these things.”

Luo Wei reached out and playfully ruffled Hathaway’s hair. Hathaway merely widened her eyes and stopped talking. She knew that no matter how she argued, Miss Luo Wei would find some devious angle to keep mocking her.

“Auntie Miriel,” Luo Wei called out to the elderly butler in front of them. “May I ask you for a small favor?”

“Certainly,” Miriel turned around, responding with a smile.

Heavens, she didn’t even ask what the favor was? Hathaway’s eyes were filled with shock, but her words couldn’t reach Miriel. It was common knowledge that Miss Luo Wei would never translate words that weren’t in her own interest.

However, Miriel seemed to perceive Hathaway’s meaning and added, “You are the young lady’s friends, which makes you the most honored guests of Ian Manor. Any request should be fulfilled.”

“Even if… it might cause a little trouble?” Luo Wei winked mischievously.

“Even if it might cause a little trouble,” Miriel nodded slightly. “Actually, even a lot of trouble wouldn’t matter—but I believe we should try to control the impact as much as possible. The Master would be quite distressed.”

One had to admit, Grand Duke Hilton truly doted on his daughter…

Luo Wei didn’t think she or Hathaway possessed anything that would warrant such respect from a Grand Duke other than their friendship with Eliana. This was simply a father’s love extending to his daughter’s associates.

“Don’t worry, I’m not here to cause trouble. I’m a very serious person; I never like to look for trouble,” Luo Wei said with righteous conviction, while Hathaway rolled her eyes violently beside her.

“So, what is it you need me to do?” Miriel maintained her respectful demeanor.

“Lend me a maid’s outfit. Just a standard, ordinary one,” Luo Wei said.

“That… might take about fifteen minutes,” Miriel said, looking over Luo Wei’s figure. “We do not employ child labor, so we don’t have anything in your size.”

“It’s not for me,” Luo Wei shook her head.

Hathaway stared at Luo Wei again.

“It’s not for Miss Hathaway either.” Luo Wei stroked her chin. “It’s… for a friend of mine. She wants to experience what it’s like to be a maid. Just think of it like that! Anyway, just a set for someone about 170cm tall will do.”

Since a proper explanation would be too troublesome, Luo Wei just made up a reason that sounded utterly absurd.

“Normally, ‘a friend of mine’ refers to the person themselves, but Miss Luo Wei seems to be an exception,” Miriel said. Her gentle smile remained throughout; even her teasing didn’t feel offensive. “Please wait a moment. It will be delivered to you shortly.”

Miriel touched her right shoulder with her left hand and bowed slightly to the two girls before discreetly withdrawing.

Hathaway wanted to ask who this friend was, but considering she wasn’t particularly close to Luo Wei yet, she thought asking too many questions would be strange, so she held back. More importantly, Hathaway knew very well that starting a conversation with Miss Luo Wei was a recipe for disaster…

Meanwhile, Luo Wei began to multitask. She summoned “Rita” from the Witch’s Cottage and, using the doll as a coordinate, stepped directly into the physical world in an inconspicuous corner.

To her surprise, the moment Luo Wei appeared in the guise of Rita, she saw the butler Miriel smiling at her not far away.

“How should I address you, Miss?”

Miriel’s face bore the same professional smile, every angle perfectly calculated to be neither cold nor overly enthusiastic.

“Rita,” Luo Wei replied calmly, steadying her nerves.

“The changing room is this way. Please.” Miriel stepped aside slightly, making a path for Luo Wei.

How did she know I was here? Luo Wei was inwardly shocked. Could this butler be a powerful Transcendental?

It really doesn’t show at all…

“Ian Manor is the place where I have lived for seventy years. Starting from my parents’ generation, I was born here, grew up here, and grew old here. It is no exaggeration to say that every inch of this land knows me.”

Without showing any outward sign, Miriel consistently saw through others’ thoughts. She spoke as if to herself, answering Luo Wei’s silent confusion.

It was precisely because Miriel was so unimaginably familiar with Ian Manor that she knew exactly where the best spot was for someone to appear out of thin air if they wanted to manifest inside the estate.

“Let us go, Miss Rita.”

The butler, who usually kept her eyes squinted, finally opened them. Her eyes should have been aged and clouded, but they were unexpectedly clear. The moment she opened them, she seemed to look decades younger.

Luo Wei didn’t speak, only nodding slightly.

As she passed Miriel, she heard a voice, faint as a whisper, catch her ear:

“The Master is very grateful to you all for saving Miss Eliana’s life.”

Luo Wei’s footsteps faltered slightly.

Grand Duke Hilton knew everything.

In the intersection between the Spectral Kolun County and the real one, it was Luo Wei who had saved Eliana’s life, pulling her back to reality from the erosion of the Steam Armor.

It was because of this that no matter what request Luo Wei made—even if it meant ruining this vital banquet—the Grand Duke would grant it unconditionally.

This father truly loved his daughter.

Too bad Eliana doesn’t seem very appreciative of her old man…

Thinking about Eliana’s attitude toward her father, Luo Wei felt a wave of bittersweet irony.