Chapter 101: Banquet [1]

Two days went by in a flash.

It was Thursday, August, 9.

9:00 AM.

The Locke family had received yet again, another envelope.

Opening the envelope, Omar took out what seemed to be a letter inside.

Glancing at the letter, his brows twitched at the sight of the stamp embedded on it.

A black stamp that he was all too familiar with.

The Imperial Army.

The main military organization that facilitates the entire country, and the group that Omar belonged to.

He was one of the top ranking officers within the Imperial Army. In particular, a Field Marshal.

Hence a letter from the organization weighed significant importance.

===

To: Locke Family.

The Imperial Army cordially invites you to a formal banquet in honor of our esteemed supporters. The event will be held on August 10, 2148, at 7:00 PM.

Your presence at this banquet would be a privilege as we celebrate the invaluable contributions of families like yours.

The event will be held in La Britannia, Vale City....

.

.

.

And he skimmed through the rest of the contents.

"I see."

He pinched his chin.

Vale City was the main capital of the country. Also where Astrea Academy was located.

After finding out his son's current prowess, there was no hesitation.

A chance for him to show off his children to the generals and other military officers.

With such thoughts, he called out loud.

"Alfred!"

Clank—!

The door abruptly opened, and out emerged a man adorning a butler uniform.

"Yes, my Lord?"

"Gather the Family."

***

After Omar informed the family, they were immediately dismissed and were instructed to prepare for their departure.

"Haa... We just got here.."

Belle let out a heavy sigh as she sat face-to-face with Brandon.

"Nothing we can do."

Brandon shrugged. Scanning Belle's displeased face, he opened his mouth.

"You don't seem eager to go."

"Because I'm not."

She replied decisively.

"Why not?"

"That guy will be there."

"Hm?"

Who...?

What kind of person was able to make the sweet Belle react this way?

Frowning, Belle resolved his confusion.

"H-haa... My Vice President, Adrien Frost."

Again,

Who—

"Ah."

"Hm? You know him?"

He did.

Adrien Frost, a major character in the novel.

And,

The younger brother of the current strongest ranker, Lucian Frost.

"Yes. The strongest third year student, right?"

"It's nepotism."

Belle crossed her arms and frowned.

"If you ask me who the strongest third year student is, I'd place my bet on the top two."

"Top two?"

A character he had never seen in the novel.

He then leaned into Brandon's ears and whispered.

"I know a cheap place where you could get contraceptives."

Brandon's entire body twitched at Omar's words.

What kind of advice was that to a sixteen-year-old boy?

Thoughts such as those had never even registered in Brandon's mind.

Not even romance.

He had goals he needed to achieve, and romantic relationships were not one of them.

Omar continued to whisper indecent topics in his ear, but it all went to deaf ears.

*

After dinner, their parents decided to stay in the Asami Complex apartment.

Thankfully, they didn't run into Rachel.

Who knows what Brianna would do once she meets her.

But it wasn't because Brandon told Rachel to hide.

For some reason, Rachel wasn't in the apartment.

Wherever she went, Brandon had no idea.

The two never really texted each other that much.

As they entered the apartment, they were greeted by the sight of a spotless and pristine living room.

But what caught their parent's attention was the peculiar instrument situated on the corner.

"Piano?"

Brianna's brows raised.

"Yup."

Belle nodded.

"You know how to play?"

"Brandon does."

"Really?"

They all turned to look at him.

"Still practicing."

"Show us."

"It would ruin the surprise."

Brandon smirked.

And as those words left his mouth, Brianna's eyes lit up.

"Surprise?"

"Brandon's planning on having a piano recital during the festival."

At Brianna's confusion, Belle informed her.

Brianna then looked at Brandon with widened eyes.

"Is this true?"

"Yup."

Smack!

"That's my boy!"

Omar smacked Brandon's back as he let out a hearty laugh.

"We're kind of tired. Where should your Mother and I stay?"

"You can stay in my room."

Brandon answered him.

"I'll sleep in the living room."

Noticing his courtesy, Brianna anxiously asked.

"Are you sure...?"

"Yes, please make yourselves at home. Both of you are paying for this entire place anyway."

"Sob, sob. I've raised you... So well..."

Brianna started exaggerating as teardrops trickled down her cheek.

That being said, their parents entered Brandon's room.

Belle entered her own room as well.

Time passed and it was lights out.

Laying on the couch, Brandon tried to sleep, but he couldn't.

Strange muffled sounds echoed from his room. Realizing the commotion, Brandon covered his ears with a pillow.

—Oh, oh! Omar...!

—I'm com...

But no matter how much he tried to drown out the sound, it would always reach his ears somehow.

What the hell.

"Can't believe they're at it again.... And in my room..."

It was the same when they were back in the mansion. Inside Omar's office, strange sounds such as these echoed throughout the entire mansion.

On their first day in the mansion at that.

—Oh my god! There's a lot....!