Chapter 316: Dinner [2]

Once everyone had settled in and the conversations died down, Lionel stood from his seat. He raised his glass. Everyone gradually turned their attention toward him.

Lionel looked around the table before speaking.

"Tonight, we have gathered here to celebrate something that we once thought we might never see again."

His gaze briefly moved toward Akari.

"A family reunited, old friend came back, the young man who had been missing for over a month came back."

He raised his glass slightly higher.

"Let us put aside the hardships of the past and enjoy this evening together."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"To everyone gathered here tonight, welcome."

He lifted his glass.

"Let the feast begin."

The others raised their glasses as well. And with that, the small celebration officially began.

---

Thud!

"Damn! Now this is what I call a proper drink!"

A loud voice suddenly echoed throughout the dining hall. The speaker was none other than Reiji.

The same man who had appeared cold, composed, and almost intimidating earlier was now laughing loudly, a wide grin plastered across his face as he downed glass after glass of beer.

It was a special brew that had been brought specifically for him. A strong enough drink that even a superhuman like Reiji who was at sovereign core, high stage, could actually taste the alcohol and feel slightly intoxicated.

Noah stared at him for a moment.

’This man really has two personalities.’

One moment, he was as silent and cold as ice. The next, he was as loud and fiery as a raging flame.

’How does someone switch between those two so naturally? Is he bipolar?’

"Sigh..." Lady Elize rubbed her temple before speaking. "Would you mind lowering your voice, Reiji? You are disturbing everyone."

Reiji immediately turned toward her. "Are you ordering me around?"

He raised an eyebrow before scoffing. "And do you honestly believe I would listen to you?"

He slammed his glass onto the table. "Absolutely not! Tonight is the happiest day I have experienced since my daughter returned to me. I intend to celebrate properly!"

"Yes, yes. We have heard you say that several times already."

"Tch!"

Reiji clicked his tongue. "You’re simply jealous, you old witch."

The corner of Elize’s eye twitched. A vein nearly appeared on her forehead.

She took a slow breath, visibly restraining herself from picking up her glass and throwing it at him.

"Mother, please let him enjoy himself," Lionel said quickly, attempting to prevent the two elders from starting an argument.

Elize merely sighed and returned to her meal.

Meanwhile, Julian turned his attention toward Reiji.

"Lord Narukami, I must admit, the drink is quite remarkable. And, of course, it is wonderful to see Lady Akari safely returned. From what I have heard, she has already reached the peak of her level."

His gaze shifted toward Akari. "You have truly surpassed us by a considerable margin."

Akari smiled politely. "You flatter me, Lord Eldritch. There is still much for me to learn, and I have a long way to go."

Reiji’s chest puffed out proudly. "Of course! That’s my daughter for you!"

Akari’s lips twitched slightly. She had already become accustomed to her father’s behavior.

Reiji then turned his attention toward the youngest member of the Thornveil family.

"Young Liam, how has your training been progressing?"

Liam immediately straightened his posture.

"It has been progressing well, Lord Narukami."

His answer was polite and composed.

Reiji burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! Lionel, you have raised your son well. He is remarkably composed for his age, and his mind appears quite sharp."

"I appreciate your kind words, Lord Narukami."

Lionel gave a respectful nod.

While the adults continued their conversation, all the younger people at the table silently agreed on one thing. Stay quiet young people.

They lowered their heads and focused entirely on their food.

There was absolutely no reason to involve themselves in whatever conversation the adults were having. it was wise move. Just speak when someone ask anything.

Also It was amusing sight, Akari was going to leave this house but it didn’t put much of tension or bad taste between Thornveil and Narukami family.

Well it doesn’t change much of anything, since Duke Thornveil family already living without her perfectly. Rather it would bring lot of changes on Narukami family.

Noah quietly ate his meal. ’Hope she would become next duchess of eastern Duchy.’ He thought.

However, after a while, he noticed something. His older brother, Nathan, kept glancing at him. He was doing it multiple times.

Finally, Noah looked directly at him.

"What is it?"

Nathan immediately looked away.

Noah raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

Nathan glanced around the table. No one seemed to be paying attention to them.

Satisfied that their conversation would remain private, Nathan leaned slightly toward Noah and lowered his voice.

"Noah..."

His expression became unusually serious.

"I am asking you this sincerely. What exactly is going on between you and Lady Akari?"

Noah’s fork suddenly stopped halfway to his mouth.

He froze. For a moment, he simply stared at his brother. Then he slowly swallowed the food in his mouth.

’He noticed...but how?’

Nathan continued watching him expectantly. Noah quietly lowered his fork. This was going to be troublesome.

"I- I will explain this later. Not now. Not right time."

Nathan observed him and then nodded. "Okay, I expect proper explanation later."

Noah nodded.

Then, he glanced at Akari, who was wearing a polite smile as she spoke. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Noah looking at her.

Their eyes met.

Akari raised her eyebrows slightly, as if asking what was wrong.

Noah simply shrugged.

’Sigh... another new trouble. I’ll tell you later.’

It was as if the two of them could understand what the other wanted to say without speaking a single word.

’Sigh... now I’m even more worried about Mother. Last time, when I joked about liking Instructor Morgana, she was furious. And now it’s Akari, who’s around the same age as Mother. Damn... I can’t even imagine what would happen if she finds out.’

Noah found himself facing dangers that weren’t life-threatening, yet were somehow just as terrifying.

Then, once again, he felt something.

His gaze shifted toward the entrance of the dining hall.

’What’s this feeling...? Why do I feel like someone is watching me... or calling out to me?’

He blinked several times, unable to understand the strange sensation.