Chapter 213 - Double Dinner, Double Trouble (Part 4/5)

The Firefly Feast.

It is considered to be a renowned place in Magierstadt, which served its specialties using spices that are enhanced with magic. Even the professor in greenery, Professor Devon Belle, said proudly that the produce being used was magically engineered to be more flavorful and healthier. She said that the restaurant was receiving direct produce from the research facility itself, considering it is owned by the Unsterblichs.

"The restaurant is meant to attract tourists and also act as the forefront that represents the fruit of Magierstadt's research."

And so, along the way she was with Ezekiel (oddly enough he preferred to walk with her that teleport), Faustina was able to ask as many things as she could. Ezekiel answered them with a smile. Although there is still a question that lies beneath the mind of Faustina, she managed to gauge the answers she needs.

The restaurant.

This was a golden opportunity for her to gather intel. It would not be easy, but it wasn't an impossible task to complete. She could test the food herself and bring samples that she could tell Orwell about. Faustina thought of numerous things that would come out with this dinner. So far, the pros had outweighed the cons.

There was no way she would let this pass.

They entered the restaurant, which is by far the most stunningly elegant place Faustina had encountered in the night. Chandeliers and floating night lamps, along with magical items into the entirety of the premise. Musicians were playing solemn pieces from the distance as people ate on their respective tables. 

Somehow the place was quite different from the restaurant in Feuer Capital. The restaurant was a buffet type, while this was slightly different. Ezekiel and Faustina sat on their table as they are guided by one of the magician receptionist. 

"That's the schoolmistress' son, right?"

"Based on his silver hair and amethyst eyes, there's no mistaking it.... that's Ezekiel Unsterblich."

"Who's that with him?"

"Oh... look at her."

"Is she noble?"

"Who's she? I've never seen her before."

Of course, the range of glamour magic was still limited. Mostly they could only cover notable persons in Feuersturm and background at least in the people surrounding Faustina. But magic doesn't just activate on random strangers. 

'Think of it as a domino effect. Say, the duchess is the red domino which will act as the first in the line. Imagine it like this—my glamour magic will be the trigger. When the magic takes effect on the duchess, it'll continue to affect those connected to her. However, like any other chain, it ought to stop somewhere else. Imagine the dominos being farther and farther apart from each other, making it impossible to actually reach a certain span." Sheila said. "But that doesn't mean the chain stops. It just needs to reactivate. The magic will give a background then, and when their mind seeks for more, that is when the glamour magic generates yet another trigger."

"Isn't that like... deceiving people?"

Sheila scoffed. "When you agreed to the king's plan, you are already opted to lie to everyone else. Keep that in mind."

"...Faustina?"

Faustina snapped back to her thoughts as she stares at Ezekiel. 

"Are you alright?" Ezekiel asked, draping his hand around her forehead. "You don't seem to be sick."

Ezekiel drew his hand away and smiled.

"Are you spacing out again?"

Faustina blushed. What's with her and these occasional daydreams?

"Sorry..." Faustina said, which made Ezekiel smile gently.

"It's alright," Ezekiel smiled. "Shall we order?"

**

Anakin and Lilianne were on their way to the restaurant when suddenly Anakin caught a glimpse of someone else from the alleyway. He felt a chill run down his spine as his eyes met familiar ones.

"Lilianne," Anakin said, calling the attention of his sister. "Can you go to the restaurant first?"

Lilianne raised her brow and then crossed her arms. "What, you're ditching me?"

Anakin shook his head. "No, I just have to take care of something." 

Raising her brow, yet doing nothing after, Lilianne just sauntered away from her brother. Anakin waited until Lilianne was further away before he strolled towards the very alley that certain person was into.

He was robed and carried a staff that had two serpents in them. His eyes were red and almost pink—his skin was also pale as snow. Even though he had a hood, Anakin was still able to see his paper-white hair. 

The music of Magierstadt and people chattering were still being heard even in the dark of the alley. Contrast to the joyful atmosphere was an eerie one. 

"If this isn't Mister Disfiegro, the second son of the Disfiegro house in Feuersturm." The robed man said, with his fangs slightly showing as he talked. "How can I help you?"

Anakin clenched his fist.

"You tricked me," 

This was the same man whom he made a deal with. He was the one who gave Anakin the mana revitalizers, assuring him he would get into the first Ianua.

"Wait, that's just a blatant insult," the man exclaimed, clearly offended. "I did not trick you, Mister Anakin."

The man then smiled, baring his fangs.

"It's you who did that to yourself."

Anakin blinked as the man leaned towards him. "I told you to simply give her the revitalizer for you to be in the first Ianua, yet you revealed it to everyone instead."

The man then leaned away. "If only you didn't do it, then the teachers wouldn't have found out, and you might have gotten to the first Ianua, just like I promised."

"You—"

"YOU brought it upon yourself, Mister Disfiegro," the man smirked, "if you don't want to buy information from me, it��s best you do not involve yourself further."

Anakin clenched his fist and then turned to leave. And as soon as he stepped out of the darkness, he looked back to the man with eyes looking straight.

"Just so you know," Anakin exclaimed. "I'm glad I ended up in the sixth Ianua." And with that, he left.

"…what a precocious brat." 

A woman with black, curly hair walked towards the robed man. "Did you cast the spell?"

The man smiled, "I did."

The woman's red eyes narrowed. "Make sure that this will be entertaining. If it isn't…"

L.u.s.t then traced the sharp, long nail of her forefinger to the man's neck. 

"You know what happens." L.u.s.t said, digging her nail to his neck, which then oozed blood from the sharp of her nail.

**

Faustina, who was now in the restaurant, still cannot help but fidget. Earlier she thought she was calm enough to strike a conversation, but the actual was still hard. She took a deep breath and opened her mouth to speak, but there was no word that came out. Faustina wanted to slap herself to speak. This was a golden opportunity to gather as much intel from the schoolmistress' son, Ezekiel Unsterblich! Faustina said to herself, as she hits her head mentally. 

"Faustina—"

"E-excuse me!" Faustina exclaimed. "I-I'm going to the washroom."

Faustina, without waiting for Ezekiel's response, headed straight to the signage that points to the restaurant's washroom. Her steps were hasty and quick, marking how panicked she was; her fidgety movements were so noticeable Ezekiel only smiled upon seeing them.

Upon arriving at the washroom, Faustina took a deep breath. She looked at herself in the mirror; she had an ash-grey hair and was wearing a beautiful dress that she never thought she could even see from afar. She was outside that secluded mountain, and she wasn't a Heilen, a desired slave race.

"He doesn't know, does he?" Faustina murmurs as she lowers her gaze.

"Know what?"

Faustina blinked, hearing that one, familiar voice again. She lifted her head, only to see from the mirror the same face of a girl that was in the capital. 

"You…" Faustina blinked. "You're… here?"

The girl, Lilianne Disfiegro, c.o.c.ked a brow as she crossed her arms around her chest. She was wearing a fancy dress and had her hair loose. Her alluring face could bewitch any man and her foxy eyes could render those around her as submissive slaves. She was that beautiful and captivating to the eyes.

"What are YOU doing here?" Lilianne exclaimed. "I didn't expect to have my appetite be fouled this instant."

Faustina thinned her lips. For sure, Lilianne was still harboring anger from the insult Faustina had given to her back on the capital.

She slapped her, after all.

"I'm here to eat," Faustina simply answered. "If you'll excuse me…"

"I'm not done yet talking to you," Lilianne said, holding Faustina by her arm as she shoves her back to place. 

"I'm older than you are. You haven't even gotten out of the social circle." Lilianne said with a sharp tone. She wasn't even hiding her hate for her with flowery words nobles were taught to excise. "Just because you're the duke's daughter doesn't mean you hold higher authority than I. Well, for now, you are a step above me, but just a year—or months from now, I'll be trampling you."

Faustina frowned. What is she saying? The Disfiegro house was several steps behind the Feuerlons, a branch of the royal family. And they aren't even higher than the Feuerfalkes, or the Feuersoldats. 

"I am going to rise higher than you'll ever be," Lilianne said as she ambled away from Faustina. "Now I wonder... years from now… who's bowing down to who?" Lilianne smirks as she shuts the door, leaving Faustina speechless and confused.

Chain:

Now they're finally meeting each other on the next chapter! Stay tuned!