The Rich Cultivator
Chapter 159 - 158. The Wedding (part 1)

Chapter 159: 158. The Wedding (part 1)

"What about the fatty you mentioned?" Mathilda asked, her bright green dress shimmering as she twirled a strand of her golden hair. The dress, with its flowing sleeves and intricate embroidery of silver leaves, was a perfect blend of ancient elegance and modern sophistication, making her look both regal and approachable.

Tyler, dressed in a white robe adorned with red accents. His outfit, reminiscent of traditional attire but with a contemporary twist, had sharp, clean lines and a high collar that accentuated his broad shoulders. The red sash tied at his waist added a touch of boldness to his otherwise serene appearance.

"I packed him as a wedding gift and sent him to the prime minister," Tyler replied, his tone casual yet edged with a hint of mischief. "It seems like the prime minister doesn’t care much about his son. Just to be safe, I arranged for a delayed delivery."

Lily, who stood beside him, wore a bright blue dress that caught the light in all the right ways. "The wedding is tomorrow," she said, her voice steady and determined. "But the castle is already welcoming guests. We’ll go inside under the guise of the White Merchant Group and find Astrid."

Mana, who was quietly observing the conversation, wore a stunning yellow dress. The colour was as bright as the sun, with intricate lotus patterns embroidered in white along the hem and sleeves.

As they regrouped in the bustling capital, the four of them stood out among the crowd, not just because of their finely crafted outfits but also due to their confident, purposeful demeanour. The capital was alive with excitement, with guests from all corners of the realm arriving for the royal wedding. The streets were decorated with vibrant banners, and the scent of freshly bloomed flowers filled the air.

Tyler looked around at his companions, a sense of resolve settling over him. If it had been the day he first met Astrid, he might have hesitated to risk so much for her. Back then, she was just a passenger on his ship, someone he barely knew. But over the past few weeks, things have changed. Astrid had become a friend, not just to him but to everyone on the ship. Tyler was not the kind of person who abandoned his friends in their time of need.

After presenting their invitation, Tyler and his companions entered the castle, the grand gates opening to reveal a magnificent interior that took one’s breath away. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings and tapestries depicting scenes of ancient battles and grand celebrations. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a soft, golden light that made the entire hall shimmer. Marble pillars, each carved with painstaking detail, lined the path as they walked deeper into the castle.

Despite the grandeur, Tyler and his group remained composed, their faces reflecting only a calm confidence as they took in their surroundings. Unlike the other guests who marvelled at the splendour, gasping in awe, Tyler’s group walked with a purpose, their mission never far from their minds.

Rows of maids and butlers stood at attention, each one dressed impeccably in traditional uniforms that matched the opulence of the castle. They welcomed the guests with polite bows and guided them along the tour of the castle, pointing out areas of interest and historical significance. The tour eventually led to a designated lunch area, where tables were set with exquisite porcelain dishes and silver cutlery, awaiting the guests.

As they walked, Tyler noticed something and asked. "Where’s Mana?" he asked, his eyes scanning the hall.

Lily, still walking beside him, smirked slightly. "She disappeared the moment she heard the word ’lunch.’ Probably already sampling the dishes."

Tyler sighed and then looked around again. "And where’s Mathilda?"

Lily pointed to the far side of the hall, where Mathilda was engaged in conversation with one of the maids. "She wandered off when she saw those pretty maids."

Tyler followed Lily’s gaze and saw Mathilda whispering something to a maid, who was blushing furiously at her words. Mathilda’s hand casually rested on the maid’s lower back, dangerously close to her butt. The maid’s face turned an even deeper shade of red as she shyly tried to keep her composure.

Tyler shook his head, a mix of exasperation and amusement on his face. "What in the world...? Well, at least you’re still—"

Before he could finish his sentence, he noticed Lily dashing off into the crowd.

He quickly followed, weaving through the guests until he spotted Lily near the center of attention: a woman dressed head-to-toe in pink, who had just slapped a maid across the face. The maid recoiled in shock, her hand trembling as she touched her reddened cheek.

"Do you know who I am?" the woman in pink said, her voice dripping with arrogance. Her heavily embellished gown, made of the finest silk and adorned with gemstones, reflected her high status. "How dare you touch my dress?"

Lily approached the woman with a casual stride, her bright blue dress flowing behind her like water. "Wow... you’re so pink," Lily said, her tone innocent, almost as if she were admiring the woman.

The woman’s anger faltered for a moment as she took in Lily’s appearance. Lily was a stunning sight in her intricately designed dress. The woman assumed she must be from an influential family, possibly even nobility. She smoothed her dress, trying to regain her composure. "Huh... Thank you," she replied, her voice softening as she preened under the perceived compliment.

But Lily wasn’t done. She tilted her head, her expression curious as she added, "You look like a pink butterfly plug."

The woman’s eyes widened in shock, her face turning a shade darker, almost matching her dress. The surrounding guests, who had been watching the exchange, stifled their laughter. Even the maid chuckled.

"You—how dare you!" the woman sputtered, her haughty demeanour shattered by Lily’s words.

"Huh... Defective personality." Tyler sighed. Lily’s defective personality rarely shows up. It’s like her both personalities are merging together as Time goes by.

Tyler looked at the back of his hand. Another thing that makes him wonder. "Why did this dragon sleep for months?"

Tyler doesn’t understand Zuzia either. She rarely shows up. Most of the time she is sleeping.

While Lily was busy trading barbs with the lady in pink, Tyler quietly slipped away, blending into the crowd unnoticed. As he wandered through the castle, a maid approached him with a respectful bow. "Sir, please follow me," she said in a soft voice, her eyes downcast. Tyler nodded and followed her without a word, curious about where this would lead.

The maid led him through a series of corridors, the sounds of the ongoing festivities fading into the distance. They arrived at a private room, secluded from the main hall. As Tyler stepped inside, he was greeted by a surprising sight.

Mathilda was lounging casually on a plush sofa, a confident smile on her lips. Beside her, the maid she had been teasing earlier was half-naked, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she leaned heavily against Mathilda. The maid’s neck bore fresh bite marks, the skin around them reddened and tender.

"Had fun?" Tyler asked, raising an eyebrow at the scene before him.

Mathilda shrugged, her fingers idly tracing circles on the maid’s bare shoulder. "Not really. I’m just gathering information." Her tone was light, but there was a hint of something darker beneath it. Without breaking eye contact with Tyler, she reached out and pulled the maid who had brought him here closer. With a slow, deliberate movement, Mathilda captured the girl’s lips in a deep, intoxicating kiss. The maid melted into her, her body going limp as if completely under Mathilda’s spell.

Tyler watched the exchange, a mix of confusion and intrigue playing across his face. "What’s going on with these girls?" he finally asked.

Mathilda broke the kiss and smirked at him, her eyes glinting mischievously. "My lip shades are my own creation," she explained, her voice laced with pride. "They have certain... unspeakable properties. It’s all in the Alchemy. Care to try?"

Tyler chuckled, shaking his head. "I’ll save that for the ship. But for now..."

Mathilda leaned forward, whispering in the maids’ ears. "Hey, my darlings, where is Crown Princess Astrid? Take us to her."

One of the maids, still dazed but responsive, nodded weakly. "We might know where she is," she murmured, her voice soft and breathy.

"Well, that was easier than I expected," Tyler remarked, slightly impressed.

Mathilda grinned, wiping a trace of her lipstick from her lips. "True, but be careful. This formula is still in the testing phase. Sometimes it works a little too well and drives people a bit... wild." Before Tyler could react, she suddenly leaned in and pressed her lips against his in a swift, unexpected kiss.

When she finally pulled away, a thin string of saliva connected their lips for a moment before it broke. Mathilda’s eyes gleamed with a playful light as she whispered, "Looks like I might be a little affected too."

The two maids, who had witnessed the kiss, seemed to lose what little restraint they had left. Without warning, they both lunged at Tyler, their hands grasping at him as they took turns kissing him, their lips hungry and eager.