'I didn't outwardly show my suspicion, but Viscount Felldan's relationship with Count Gabriel is truly worth looking into.' Lucius frowned as he stepped away from them and glanced over his shoulder.
Viscount Felldan and Count Gabriel were already in a deep conversation and had their backs turned away from him.
'I am sure that they knew each other beforehand the Rancor Rampage, but it is hard to simply believe that it's true loyalty as opposed to all of this simply being a way for Viscount Felldan to play and raise his standing.'
Lucius glanced about the banquet hall to locate the next person that he wished to speak with.
A great number of people were all gathered together and merrily drinking with one another.
Lady Alessa was still with Countess Lita, the Baroness and Baron Hugh with most of the nobility flocking to them for a conversation.
Baron Glintaxe was in discussion with Baron Ridel which was quite a sight when the tall Baron was seated on a chair and Baron Ridel was standing up but still shorter.
The five minor nobilities were still caught up in their own little circle, looking like they were in a heated debate but once they noticed Asher looking at them, their expressions turned to genial smiles.
Captain Donald was still with the rest of the Inanis Family guards and keeping an eye on everyone. Despite the fact that everyone had their hands on a Humble Blaze bottle or drink, the Captain refused to relax.
Sir John was still with Cia, but this time, some of the younger noble ladies and some older women had found themselves raptured by the sight of a baby and were flocking towards him to ask about Cia perhaps.
Kiana herself was surprisingly getting some conversations from Baron Harmund, but it did not look like they were talking in any sort of way that indicated an interest in both sides beyond a single topic it seemed.
Benjamin was now getting some conversations from other noble ladies, but he was actively looking around the room almost as if to locate Asher.
Lucius slipped behind some other nobility to avoid the gaze and wished to avoid the attention of the women, not wishing to play as a matchmaker of any sort at all.
Of course, there was some music playing around and it was clear that Lady Lily was also getting offered to dance with by a great number of young men.
Lucius and her gazes met at this point, but Lucius did not make a move to save her whatsoever. While it could have increased his upstanding with Baron Hugh, the boost in reputation was not really worth going through all that effort.
Instead, Lucius continued to think about the true motivations of Viscount Felldan even as he searched for the most elusive noble yet.
"But if it is all a play, then Viscount Felldan is quite an excellent one or someone who gambles quite a bit," Lucius said to himself.
The rampage of Rancor was something that could have ended badly for Count Gabriel Inanis. While his feats with his swordsmanship and ability with his Epic Rank gift were undeniable, he was a poor man when it came to accruing sympathy due to the fact that he did murder a lot of nobility during his rampage.
'The fact that the King of Grantz was not swayed by the nobility who opposed Count Gabriel, and even when Duke Wilda, one of His Majesty's greatest supporters showed disapproval, is quite something short of… a miracle. Of course, unless the Epic Rank gift is truly that amazing, but even then, it is surprising still.'
Lucius came to that conclusion and yet at the same time, he still ended up at a loss.
"I don't have enough details still. It's best to gather enough information first before concluding, and that is something I may perhaps discover with her," Lucius said.
There were a lot of empty tables in a particular corner of the ballroom. These were the ones reserved for the most important of the nobility and there was one woman sitting by herself at the table.
Nobody else was approaching Viscountess Blackshield.
Some were gazing at her, stuck in their own conversation, but none dared to actually get close whatsoever.
'Well, it's not something I can ask outrightly as it will arouse suspicion and it will not be taken kindly, but I do remember there was a tension between the two.' Lucius thought once he remembered the way the Viscountess looked at the Viscount.
There was something that had gone between the two of them and it was something that Lucius wished to discover, although it was not exactly the main reason as to why he sought after the Viscountess.
For now, Lucius was undeterred by her being seated alone and looking unapproachable. He simply fetched a servant for two more drinks of Humble Blaze and made his way to the older woman with a polite smile on his face.
"Good evening, Viscountess Blackshield. How are you liking the banquet this night? May you perhaps allow me the chance to sit and drink with you for some time?"
Viscountess Blackshield looked up mildly in surprise, almost as if she was shocked that someone approached her, but then a polite smile curled on her lips and she inclined her head.
"The Inanis Family is the star of tonight's banquet, Young Lord Asher. My opinion does not matter much in the span of things tonight as opposed to yours." Viscountess Blackshield gestured to one of the chairs. "As for your question, you are also free to choose whichever seat that you like."
Some might have asked why Young Lord Asher would sit beside an older noble instead of hanging out of his peers, but Viscountess Blackshield said nothing of that note.
"Thank you for your generosity, Viscountess." Lucius sat down and offered her one of the drinks and smiled in returned. "However, if I have to say something honestly, I would like to say that you are wrong in your opinion. You are part of the same Land of Etara and thus your voice is also of great importance."