Chapter 503 Gathering of Friends and Family (2)

‘Oh, so they are the first to arrive.’

Seeing his first guests enter, Marcus was not surprised since he figured that they would want to get here early.

“Alaric.” Lilia said as she ran up to the half elf boy.

The two of them then hugged. Though Alaric seemed a bit embarrassed to be embracing Lilia in front of everyone.

“Viscount Skalbeck and Viscountess Valore it is good to see you again, and I am glad that you were able to come to this party.”

“Yes, well we hardly could not accept your invitation, Lady Irene.” Viscount Skalbeck said a bit of irritation in his voice.

However, while Marcus was willing to brush this off. His wife Bianca elbowed him in the side and said, “Dear, I know work has been very hard recently, but there is no need to take it out on Lady Irene. She just got back from an extended trip and wanted to see her friends before we make the journey to Gleann Reota in two weeks.”

Sighing and lowering his head, the viscount said, “Please forgive me for my rudeness Lady Geist. As my wife said, things have been very busy for me. With the current events surrounding our kingdom and Tralenstein I am up to my nose in paperwork.”

Hearing this Marcus pursed his lips together a bit, since he was heavily responsible for the viscount’s sudden increased workload..

‘I guess being the foreign trade councilor is not an easy job.’ Marcus thought silently giving his apologies to Viscount Skalbeck.’

“Well Viscount Skalbeck, feel free to take this time to relax from your stress at work. In fact, if you are really in need of a break, I can have a room readied for you?” Marcus said, hoping to help out with the problems he had sort of caused for the viscount.

Shaking his head, he responded saying, “No it would be rude of me to be absent. Anyway it appears that we are not the first to arrive and we should go and introduce ourselves to your other gue-“

Yet as the viscount truly looked at the other person that was in the lounge, he noticed the royal family’s signature blue hair and his eyes went wide.

He had not been expecting to see anyone from the royal family here, and soon recognized Princess Mrazivý.

Going up to her and dragging his son and wife along the viscount said, “Your highness, I apologize that we did not see you there and are belated on our greeting you.”

Following along, both Alaric and Bianca bowed their heads as well and greeted Mrazivý who held a status above theirs.

“No need to be so formal, I am here as a friend just like all of you. Me and Irene are pretty close so I really would prefer if we did not make things stuffy with too much formality.” Mrazivý said as she waved her hand back and forth.

Though as she did, Bianca’s sharp eyes caught sight of something unbelievable on Mrazivý’s finger.

“Princess Mrazivý, is that what I think it is?!” Viscountess Valorre said as she pointed at the ring on Mrazivý’s finger.

For a moment Mrazivý had a confused look on her face, before looking down at the ring Marcus had given her.

She had actually forgotten she was still wearing it, as over the last few days it had felt incredibly natural for her to have it on.

“Ah yes this is. I suppose that I probably should not be wearing it in public until it gets officially announced.” She said as she looked towards Marcus.

Both of them had disregarded the fact that the ring was a beacon for anyone who saw her that she was now engaged.

Of course, that was not all as well, since while not everyone would recognize that the ring was made of amethros. Those that did would understand the value of the ring.

“I thought that your engagement had been called off? Marquis Krenston made quite the fuss about it during the kingdom’s meeting.” Viscount Skalbeck said.

Coming to Mrazivý’s rescue Marcus said, “Yes, her highness has recently gotten engaged to a new suitor, but it is very recent and has not been announced yet. If you would, I ask that you keep this a secret for us, so as to not cause any sort of scandal.”

Nodding their heads, while they were intrigued by what was going on, they decided to do as Marcus wished and not cause any problems.

‘I suppose I should take it off.’ Mrazivý said to Marcus telepathically.

But hearing the sadness in her voice as she looked at the ring, Marcus was certain that she did not want to.

‘No there is no need for that. Just reinforce your finger with spiritual energy and pretend to put it in your item box. I will take care of the rest.’

Titling her head to the side, Mrazivý was not sure what Marcus’ plan was, but still followed his directions.

And as she opened up her item box and placed her hand inside, she felt her ring become weightless and disappear.

However, it was not really gone, Marcus had simply turned it invisible and ethereal using the piece of his soul inside it.

“Now that we have all greeted each other let’s relax and get ready for the others to arrive.” Marcus said trying to move the topic away from Mrazivý’s engagement ring.

After that, people began coming by one after another.

The next person to arrive was Adrianna Harthen.

Unfortunately, this time Clarisa was not with her as she had long since gone to her post up north in Trostenwald.

The next people to arrive were Baron Kental and his family, followed by Baronetess Brentano and her daughter.

Yet the biggest surprise was when Sir Hinsen showed up with not only his own wife and child, but princess Eis as well.

It was quite rare for the youngest princess to make any public appearances. And it was especially so since she was closely entwined with the current politics around Borealia and Tralenstein

“Eis I am very glad you could make it.” Marcus said to the young princess.

Putting on a smile, Eis said, “Yes, I am glad to be here as well. I was actually surprised when my father allowed me to come. But I suppose that he wanted to let me have some fun before I go and reunite with my mother in Tralenstein next month.”

Once Eis had finished greeting everyone, Marcus telepathically told Lilia to invite the young princess over to play with the other children. In hopes that maybe Eis could try and make some new friends.

Soon the majority of the people that Marcus had invited had arrived and the party began getting underway.

People ate, talked, drank, and played games.

It was a fairly lax social gathering as far as nobles went. With no deals trying to be made or any sort of pretense being upheld.

Everyone was just here to have some fun and enjoy the company of their friends and acquaintances.

However, after the party had been going on for a couple of hours. Two more people showed up and silence permeated the hall for a few moments.

‘Oh, they actually showed up.’ Marcus thought with surprise.