Chapter 404: Changing The Lounge Into War Room
Lyan stood in the upper level of the royal lounge, his eyes scanning the ballroom below. His gaze fixed on Lord Garrick, who was trying his best to look comfortable as he mingled with the other nobles. But to Lyan, it was all too obvious. Garrick’s eyes were constantly darting around, as if he was afraid of being watched. His fingers drummed against the glass he held, his shoulders tense, and every so often, he would swallow nervously, like a man who had just narrowly escaped something he knew could still catch him.
"Just how stupid and more obvious can you be, Garrick?" Lyan muttered under his breath, a hint of a wry smile on his lips. It was painfully clear that Garrick had left the room for a while, then re-entered with an entirely different demeanor—nervous, shaken, and constantly checking his surroundings. It didn’t take a genius to see that something was off. Lyan couldn’t help but shake his head in mild disbelief. The man practically screamed "spy."
He looked away, allowing his eyes to drift towards the more cheerful scene unfolding across the ballroom. The girls—no, his girls—had somehow managed to merge with the crowd of noble wives. Their laughter and smiles seemed to light up the entire room, effortlessly drawing attention. It wasn’t surprising, really; they were stunning beauties, and their charm had a way of making people feel at ease. It was pleasant to talk with beauties, after all.
Lyan’s eyes found Wilhelmina, standing tall among the group of noblewomen. Her confident demeanor, her deep blue gown that accentuated her figure, and her natural grace made her stand out effortlessly. Not far from her, Belle was engaging in animated conversation, her eyes twinkling with amusement, her smile charming everyone around her. Alina and Xena stood together, Xena’s playful nature evident as she gestured dramatically while Alina laughed beside her. And there, mingling with the rest, was Josephine—the Madam of the famous House of Roses, her elegance and poise evident in every word and movement.
They had all become the stars of the banquet, their presence captivating the nobles. Lyan could see how the other noble wives seemed drawn to them, how they gravitated towards the beauty and confidence that his girls exuded. But, of course, none of the nobles were foolish enough to ask them directly about their relationship with Lyan. They weren’t that daring. After all, Lyan wasn’t just any noble. He was the hero who had subjugated the goblin king, the one who had amassed an enormous fortune from that conquest, and now a direct noble under Crown Prince Erich’s favor. No one would dare to step out of line.
Lyan allowed himself a small smile as he watched them, his gaze lingering a little longer than necessary on the way their gowns hugged their forms, the way their laughter seemed to fill the air. He knew he shouldn’t stare, knew he should be more subtle, but it was hard to look away. They were beautiful, and they were his. His heart swelled with a sense of pride and affection, mixed with the tiniest hint of something else—something he quickly pushed aside.
(Enjoying the view, are we?)
Arturia’s voice echoed in his mind, her tone filled with amusement. Lyan cleared his throat, his eyes shifting away from the girls, trying to focus on something else.
(I wasn’t... I mean, I was just making sure they were alright, that’s all.)