Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 336: A small party

Chapter 336: A small party

"How was the meeting, my Lord?" Fenwick inquired as he poured some tea into a small ceramic cup.

Fitzgerald, seated on a cushion with a hand on his chin, replied. "It was... eye-opening. I saw a side of Lucius I’d never seen before. It made me... proud and also quite disappointed."

"Disappointed, my Lord?"

"Indeed, Fenwick. There was a chance of Lucius dying today, Fenwick. You have been with me the longest, you know how much I’ve invested in that boy."

"Indeed, my Lord."

"But when he needed me the most today... I turned him away." Lord Fitzgerald let out a regretful sigh as he shook his head, using his palm to cover his face as he wallowed in self-pity.

Fenwick walked over and placed the cup of tea on the table before Fitzgerald as he remarked. "Forgive my insolence, my Lord, but... if I may?"

"Go ahead, Fenwick. Your words are most appreciated."

"Lucius is not a child that needs to be led by the hand. He is a grown man, 26 this year if my memory doesn’t fail me. If he still requires your help at this point, then I would regretfully say that all the hard work we put into raising him was a waste of time."

"Then..."

"So you turning away from him isn’t something to regret, no, it’s a cause for celebration as he has shown that he is not only taking your lessons seriously, he is also worthy of the position he shall one day ascend to."

Lord Fitzgerald remained silent for a moment, stewing in Fenwick’s words before finally letting out a heavy sigh. "You are a wise man, Fenwick. I’m glad I have you by my side."

"I only do what I must to ensure the longevity of the master and his estate. It is to my benefit in any case." Fenwick joked with Lord Fitzgerald chuckling.

"Indeed."

Picking up the cup set before him, Fitzgerald took a sip, savoring the sweet taste of the tea before speaking up.

"Organize a small party, Fenwick."

"Oh, the occasion, my Lord?"

"Lucius received a promotion from the Mouthpiece herself. He shall be heading the Final year professorial department this year."

"That is incredible news, my Lord. I shall make preparations at once."

"Much obliged. Ah yes, tell me, did you deal with the vampire he came with?"

"Forgive me my Lord but I let her go."

"Oh, is she that powerful?"

"I didn’t have a chance to measure her strength though that is hardly the reason I let her go."

"Then..."

"She doesn’t seem an enemy in any form, my Lord. I believe it best to speak more with her to understand what she wants. If we can give it to her, then I believe there would be no reason to antagonize a vampire especially now with the news of the Eastern Highlands getting restless."

Fitzgerald remained silent for a moment, taking a bit more of the tea in his cup before ultimately nodding. "Fine then, I will hear what she has to say. Did she give you the means to contact her?"

"Not at all. But she did say that young master Lucius would be able to locate her."

"I see. Then get Lucius to invite her over for the celebrations. We shall speak more about it then."

"Understood," Fenwick remarked before picking up a tray filled with snacks. "Scones, my Lord?"

"Give it here."

***

The billowing of the steam engine echoed as the steam car took off with Fenwick and Alex in the passenger’s seat.

The drive was rather silent with neither saying a word.

Alex feigned slight annoyance as he kept his gaze outside with Fenwick studying him.

It didn’t take until almost forty minutes had passed before Fenwick broke the ice. "Are you angry with the Lord, young master?"

"Not at all." Came the response.

"Then..."

"I am not angry with Lord Fitzgerald. I am... slightly disappointed but putting myself in his shoes, I believe I’d have done the same. Though unfortunate, I have to accept that I must handle such things on my own."

"I’m glad you understand this, young master. You would make a fine Lord."

Snorting, Alex remarked. "The celebration he is planning, is it for my promotion?"

"Indeed, it is."

"Then that’s fine."

"Are you worried you won’t be able to handle it, young master?"

"Perhaps but it’s fine, I’ll handle it."

"Indeed you will."

That marked the end of the short conversation between them with the rest of the journey proceeding in silence.

Arriving at the border between Cance and Fullborough, Alex stepped down and headed toward a bookstore with Fenwick in tow.

After some search, they found Victoria seated in a corner, her legs crossed with a book in hand.

She gave off the very essence of elegance as she read the book’s contents with increasing interest.

A subtle cough drew her attention over and as her gaze landed on Alex, a warm smile emerged on her rosy lips.

***

The party that took place two nights after was a rather small one with a few nobles from the neighboring city of Cance in attendance.

The chances of some Supreme Order members being in Fitzgerald’s manor were high though it was difficult to pick out who was who.

The Supreme Order wasn’t like a cult that would have specific mannerisms if one looked hard enough.

If Alex learned anything from Lucius’s memories, it was that the Supreme Order members acted like normal nobles, arrogant and condescending to a fault.

That did not help to narrow the scope at all since all nobles were like that with very few serving as exceptions.

Giving it up as hopeless, Alex decided to just enjoy the party as not enjoying it would look off to those keeping an eye on him.

After indulging in high-class food, tastefully pleasant wine, and soothing music, the party soon came to a close with a few nobles having already congratulated Alex on his promotion while some others introduced themselves as professors that he would be working with.

With the party done, Lord Fitzgerald was ushered to another room alongside Alex where Victoria was waiting for them.