Gunmage-Chapter 198: Socialising

"The Von Heim family? Why? What do they want?"

Then Lyra’s mind flashed to a figure and she covered her face with one arm.

Lugh.

Yup, he most definitely had to do with this.

Her sister Sofia spoke, arms crossed.

"They sent a letter early this morning. It stated that they’d be arriving soon. I just heard of it now. The entire manor is bustling as everyone is preparing to welcome them. Truly, only the Von Heim family can act like this."

Lyra understood what she meant by that. To give such short notice and not be turned away, but to even receive a grand reception, was something only the prestige of the Von Heim family could accomplish.

After all, at the end of the day, they were all still nobles. Rules were just suggestions to those at the very top.

Xhi spoke from her position, without turning or moving.

"The Von Heims. Isn’t that Lugh’s family?"

"Huh? Uh—yes!"

Sofia responded sharply.

The Princess exhaled.

"About time he showed up."

Then she continued doing... well, nothing. Just breathing dramatically, as she often did when trying to appear indifferent.

Sofia turned to Lyra.

"That’s why you have to get up, get dressed and ready."

"Ughhh. Do I have to? The duel isn’t for hours."

"Of course you have to."

Her sister reprimanded.

"Do you want Lugh to see you in such a state?"

"He’s seen me in worse states!"

Sofia blinked.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Eeer..."

Realizing how it might have sounded, Lyra was suddenly rendered speechless.

They had lived together for six months inside the belly of a terrifying monster, but there was no way she could tell her sister that.

Besides, the priestess of said terrifying monster was directly beside her.

"Well, I told you we occasionally met each other in the army, right?"

"Yeah."

Her sister responded.

"That’s all the explanation you need."

She quickly added.

"Wait—how is that an explanation?"

Lyra didn’t respond. Instead, she rose from the soft and fluffy bed and began getting ready for the morning. In such situations, it was best to remain silent and let curiosity wither in awkwardness.

"What is your relationship with Lugh?"

Her sister pestered her. If not for Xhi’s warning, she’d have been yelling by now.

"Give it a rest, would you."

...

Back in the Von Heim manor, Lugh had finished getting ready—or rather, the maids that had been sent to prepare him had finished getting him ready.

The stylish top and bottoms clung neatly to his frame, complemented by an expensive set of black leather shoes.

Lugh was surprised at how quickly an outfit that fitted him was found. After all, Isolde had only taken his measurements yesterday.

It most likely wasn’t custom made, as most noble clothing was, but it suited him just fine—making this the best, most expensive pair of clothes Lugh had ever owned.

It smelled faintly of cedarwood and fresh linen, comforting and oddly nostalgic.

His skin had been treated with ointment, his hair was stylishly styled, dropping down on one side and completely covering the mawglass.

This didn’t affect the corresponding abilities, but Lugh couldn’t help but glance at the maid responsible for this.

She quickly stammered.

"I-Instructions from Lady Selaphiel."

Shoving the thought out of his mind, he left the room, the servants trailing behind him.

Waiting not too far away, at the top of a flight of stairs, was Lady Selaphiel, dressed in a black gown with red accents.

Not those puffed-up ones used at balls, but an easy-going one with wide-cut, V-shaped butterfly sleeves, the interiors of which were all bright red.

It stopped just beneath her knees, revealing sandals of black gold embedded with gemstones, their metal coils winding up to her calves.

Lugh twitched his eyebrows. She wouldn’t be Selaphiel if she wasn’t extravagant.

He wondered just how much those footwear would cost

Lugh looked at his clothes, then back at her. He looked again.

Yup—the subtle patterns and designs were the same. Mostly black with red motifs.

It seemed Selaphiel had chosen matching clothes for the both of them.

He shook his head slightly. The schemes never stopped.

But it was too early to come to that conclusion, cousin. After all, this might have simply been the chosen theme.

"Shall we?"

She outstretched her hand. He took it, and they both walked down the stairs to where the others were waiting.

Dozens of eyes fixed on them the moment they arrived. Lugh observed their clothing. Mostly black, with blue, emerald, orange, yellow accents.

Every color seemed to be paired with no more than two people, male and female.

Why so much fanfare?

Lugh didn’t get the chance to ask. Selaphiel had already received a black wide-brimmed, flat-top hat, with red veils drooping down the edges like curtains, effectively hiding her ears while giving a certain mystique charm.

Lugh noticed another person dressed in a similar fashion, with the same wide-brimmed hat and veil, although hers were purple.

Her dress was much longer, reaching her ankles, and she stood at more than six feet tall.

Lugh didn’t need to use the mawglass to know that it was Jahira.

The other person with similarly matching purple motifs was... Enji. He was quite easy to spot, as even his extravagant blindfold was made of purple silk today.

Lugh heard a voice, silent as a whisper.

It belonged to Selaphiel.

"I’m going to have a little chat with the adults in the group."

"You should do the same for those your age."

Noticing his reluctance, she added:

"Being the Head of the family isn’t just about strength or talent. You have to learn to read and use people, make alliances, command trust and loyalty amongst other things."

"These are the people you’ll eventually have to deal with. You’re starting late, but it’s better now than never."

Lugh inhaled, then exhaled.

He tried to draw from the wealth of human experiences that didn’t belong to him, but they all surfaced jumbled up and confusing, almost incomprehensible.

He walked over to where they were.

As soon as he arrived, the conversation ceased.

They all glanced at him. Yes. Even Enji.

Okay okay, let’s do this,

Lugh thought to himself.

Let’s do this,

he repeated in his mind.

Do what? What am I supposed to do?

Goddammit, I should have thought up a topic!

His outer expression showed no sign of his inner turbulence. He simply stared with a stone-cold expression.

They stared back.

He stared harder.

They reciprocated.

Silence. One that lasted a whole two minutes.

Then—

"What is it?!"

Mirelle blurted out.

Lugh snapped out of his trance, statically outstretching his hand for a handshake.

"Hello. I’m Lugh Von Heim." frёeωebɳovel.com

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