Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic
Chapter 898 - 898: Return to Lakeside Manor

Although the church ceremony is the most important ritual for the couple getting married, for the invited guests, the wedding banquet that lasts until the early hours of the next morning is the most significant event of the day.

Unlike ordinary banquets, a wedding banquet is purely for enjoyment and celebration, so there is not even a requirement to wear overly formal attire.

On the way back to Saint Delan Square from the church, "Dorothy" explained the dress code to Shard, which surprised him, as he thought he could just rest at home for a bit before heading out:

"Such a high-profile event doesn't require formal wear?"

"Weddings have never been particularly solemn occasions, and at such wedding banquets, there are often many interesting little games. Wearing something too formal would be inconvenient for moving around."

Lecia said, and Shard didn't know why she hadn't switched back with Dorothy, but of course, he wasn't foolish enough to ask about it.

"So, what should I wear? Can I wear my usual clothes?"

Shard asked, and Lecia replied with a smile:

"Of course not, you need to look a bit stylish; otherwise, you'll be laughed at. I prepared clothes for you, and did you just stuff them into the closet without even looking? I know you don't like the recently popular retro robe style, so I prepared something similar to a black formal suit, which is your favorite."

Thinking about the location of the ball, Shard asked worriedly:

"Will Dr. Schneider or Priest Augustus appear at the manor tonight?"

"How could the doctor show up there?"

Lecia asked suspiciously and then said:

"As for the priest, I heard from mother that the Esberg family sent invitations to all the Churches of the Five Gods, but since the wedding was held at the Peace Chapel, the other four churches declined the banquet. Some might accept the invitation privately, but Priest Augustus probably won't come. Dorothy went to the doctor yesterday to try and contact the Academy to ask when the parchment she ordered would arrive, and she happened to meet Priest Augustus there. He's been busy with the end-of-year church financial report audit and has no time for such late-night banquets."

"Well, that puts my mind at ease."

Shard nodded while holding the cat.

"At ease? Oh, I understand now."

Lecia naturally also thought of past events at the Lakeside Manor:

"How can Tobesk always be so unlucky? I suppose you don't need to worry so much."

The two took a carriage back to the Shard Family's home, after which Lecia once again switched with Dorothy, allowing Dorothy to return to her body. Shard didn't know how the two ladies allocated their time today, but he heard Dorothy complain that Lecia hadn't changed her clothes before switching back:

"It's quite a hassle to freshen up and get ready again."

Even so, she still hummed a tune while changing into her dress for the Lakeside Manor banquet. It was a light purple long dress with a relatively simple style, indeed convenient for movement. Of course, she swapped her high heels for a relatively lower pair, and her hairstyle didn't change much, only substituting her hair accessories with a diamond-encrusted butterfly shape.

By the time they returned home, it was already three o'clock in the afternoon. By the time Dorothy was ready, Mia had even finished her nap. The two didn't delay further and took a carriage from a street corner in Saint Delan Square to Lakeside Manor next to Lake Schluch.

Since kicking that ball on a midsummer night, Shard hadn't been there, and six months later, under a sky with both the moon and the sun, he saw the manor by the lake again. He was filled with emotion for a moment.

The scale of Princess Mona's wedding banquet was no smaller than the outdoor party held at the Lakeside Manor in the summer. Although it was already early winter, with the first snow yet to arrive, the night's temperature was barely acceptable, so the banquet was held both indoors and outdoors.

When Shard was the first to jump off the carriage and see the manor in the setting sun, the courtyard in front of the manor was already filled with large tents. Colorful flags hung between the tents, connecting them. The banquet was going to be very lively, with various activities in each tent.

According to what Dorothy heard from Lecia, the Royal Family even consulted the Prophet's Society in advance about tonight's weather, confirming that tonight was one of the best nights recently in terms of weather.

"So does the Prophet's Society know when it will snow?"

Shard asked his companion with a smile, greeting the gentlemen passing by. Although Shard didn't know most of them, a simple greeting is a matter of courtesy.

"Prophecies aren't all-powerful, and the Prophet's Society doesn't frequently predict the weather."

Dorothy said as she walked with Shard to the fenced gate, stepping onto the red carpet laid on the path. These carpets were also decorated with flower petals, and from what could be seen of the Lakeside Manor's decoration and arrangement, the expenditure for this banquet would definitely not be less than 5,000 pounds.

In midsummer, under the moonlight, when Shard kicked, leaving a moon track mark on the path in the manor's courtyard at the front, six months later, this mark had disappeared. It was said to have been neutralized by Mr. Rondale, the demigod "Sunlight Greatsword," who has decided to be permanently stationed in Tobesk, using the power of sunlight to counteract the power of the moonlight.

When Shard followed the crowd, he came once more to the place where Lady Lassoya met her demise, and couldn't help but sigh.

"What are you lamenting for, Shard, hurry and catch up with me."

Dorothy urged from ahead.

They now needed to head to the manor's main house, where they would present their gifts at the door, exchange a few pleasantries with the bride and groom, to finally enjoy the banquet.

"Shard, in a while, I need to meet with my writer friends first and then accept the invitation from the two princesses to discuss literary topics. You can wander around the manor first and then..."

The blond girl blushed slightly, the sun had not set yet, under the tent in the courtyard, preparations seemed underway for a dart game. Dorothy tried hard to suppress her trembling voice, speaking in a normal tone.

"Her Highness Lecia has a handwritten copy of the 'Summer Night Collection' and might invite you to view it around eight o'clock."

"Alright."

Shard said with a straight face, nodding lightly, making the conversation sound flawless.

"Before then, feel free to wander around the banquet. Besides the Rod Card Game at ten, there's horse racing, fencing, darts, riddles, a manor treasure hunt, all sorts of interesting games... Oh, Her Highness also asked me to tell you, if Princess Angelina invites you to join her, please accept."

Shard, holding a cat, nodded slightly, curiously observing the courtyard, now bustling with guests. In the tent diagonally ahead of them, a band was preparing, not the kind that performs in official settings or opera houses, but one dressed in peculiar outfits, perhaps set to play some folk songs.

"Yes, I'll participate in these games; I want to prove my strength, wisdom, and charm here."

"Prove yourself? Are you preparing for a ceremony?"

Dorothy asked in a lowered voice, curious. Shard nodded lightly:

"You could say that. Speaking of proving one's charm, I should dance with the most beautiful lady tonight. Dorothy, didn't we agree to dance together?"

"No, no, I'm not the most beautiful lady of the evening."

Though she said this, it was evident the blond writer was quite satisfied with Shard's suggestion.

"The most beautiful lady tonight is, of course, the star of this banquet, Lecia's sister, Mona Cavendish... are you planning to invite her for a dance?"

She asked smiling, then curiously observed Shard's expression, indeed seeing a troubled face.

According to Draleon's tradition, at the wedding night banquet, if a young gentleman other than the groom invites the bride to dance, it could directly be viewed as a provocation to the groom. In the cold weapon era before the Steam Age, this was an affront that could lead to a deadly duel.

Even though the times have somewhat enlightened now, no one would still dare to do such a thing. Especially since the bride is a royal princess, if Shard dares to do this, even as an ace agent of MI6, Larus III wouldn't let him off easily.

"I need to think of another way."

Shard contemplated internally, but for that one drop of divinity from the 'Lake Goddess,' he was determined to complete the task tonight.

Talking, the two finally arrived at the doorstep of the Lakeside Manor's main house, presented their gifts, and officially entered the building.

The interior of the manor had been renovated entirely, no trace of the former owners, the Crown Family, was visible.

Due to their collusion with the cultists of 'Blood of Mercury' and 'Lord of the Blood Feast,' the Crown Family had been stripped of their nobility and completely disappeared from the history of the Draleon Kingdom. But that happened in the summer, and people may have mostly forgotten about it, given more interesting events occur every day in Tobesk.

Stepping into the opulent, resplendent hall, the groom and bride standing in the center with a wine glass immediately recognized Shard. But both sides only exchanged a few simple pleasantries, as many guests would be arriving tonight; it's impossible for each to converse with the manor owners for long.

Shard didn't say much either, simply expressed his blessing, and introduced his companion to Mr. and Mrs. Esberg.

Mona Iceberg surely knew about the rumors between Shard and Miss Galina — it's impossible for any noble in Tobesk not to know — but she still praised the beauty of the blond, blue-eyed writer, and jokingly said:

"Miss Luisa, perhaps you could use this banquet as a story template for the 'Hamilton Detective Stories.'"

Considering the detective theme of Dorothy's stories, Shard thought this wasn't a particularly good suggestion.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.