Dinner

Castle hall.

A massive iron chandelier hung from the lofty ceiling, filled with dozens of candles. Their soft glow illuminated the entire hall as brightly as day.

Beneath the chandelier stood an enormous long table draped in a snow-white linen cloth. At its head was a main seat, with two secondary seats on either side. Three sets of silverware had been neatly arranged, while the table itself was laden with all manner of delicacies. The most eye-catching of them was undoubtedly a roasted peacock decorated with feathers, so lifelike it seemed almost alive.

"Your Highness Mingyu, please take the main seat." Two voices spoke at once before Xian. One naturally belonged to Viscount Hughes, while the other came from a purple-haired woman with a voluptuous figure, wearing a low-cut gown that generously revealed swathes of fair skin.

A green "Noble" floated above the woman's head.

Perhaps sensing Xian's inquisitive gaze, the woman covered her mouth and chuckled. Then she slightly bent forward, lifted the hem of her dress, and performed a standard curtsy.

"Your Highness Mingyu, I am Viscount Hughes's wife, Danielle Martha. Greetings to you. May the gods bless you," the woman said, deeply lowering her head.

Xian somewhat awkwardly shifted his gaze away.

The nobles of this world were unexpectedly daring when it came to their attire. "Viscount, this is a family dinner you invited me to, correct?"

Just as Xian was about to sit down, he suddenly realized someone seemed to be missing and asked.

"Yes. If not for my youngest son Hayden being only a little over two months old, and for fear that he might disturb Your Highness, I would certainly have brought him for you to see."

Karen explained. When he mentioned his child, a strong paternal affection flashed across his stern, rugged face.

"Hehe, if Your Highness could spare Little Hayden even a glance, it would truly be the greatest honor of his life since birth," Danielle said softly with a smile.

Though she had only recently given birth, there was not the slightest trace of weariness upon this woman. Instead, she was as lively as a young girl.

"Will your daughter, Miss Ilith, not be joining us?" Xian asked.

The moment he said this, the expressions on both their faces froze, and they looked at each other blankly.

"Your Highness, my daughter Ilith is unable to come for certain reasons." Only after a long pause did Karen answer hesitantly.

Xian frowned slightly at that.

Danielle, beside him, noticed the subtle change in his expression and hurriedly asked with a smile.

"Your Highness, have you met little Ilith?"

"I went to the library today and met Miss Ilith. She helped me find the book I wanted to read," Xian said blandly.

"Your Highness, my daughter Ilith has Heterochromatic Eyes. I feared her appearance would spoil your appetite, so I did not dare let her come out. I sincerely apologize for deceiving you earlier."

Upon hearing this, Karen quickly placed his right hand over his left shoulder and bent deeply at the waist in apology.

"It is of no concern. Where I come from, Heterochromatic Eyes are not considered an ill omen," Xian said calmly.

At those words, Karen and Danielle swiftly exchanged glances, both revealing looks of realization.

All intelligent races on the West Continent, humans included, knew that Heterochromatic Eyes were a sign of misfortune that could summon demons. Yet this prince said they were not considered an ill omen where he came from.

That meant their suspicions had indeed been correct—this prince truly came from the super kingdom that ruled the entire East Continent.

"Your Highness, I will immediately have someone summon Ilith."

About ten minutes later, Ilith finally arrived in the hall wearing a dark blue silk evening gown.

The dress had been elegantly tailored to fit her, outlining her slender waist and soft shoulder line.

Her long silver hair had been carefully braided into a loose plait that fell over her shoulder. A pair of silver crescent-shaped earrings hung from her ears, swaying gently with each step.

She was very beautiful, exquisitely delicate like a doll. The only pity was that... she did not seem to have even half her stepmother's figure.

"Everyone, take your seats."

Xian sat in the main seat and spoke calmly.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Another chair was added to the long table. Ilith sat to Xian's right, while Karen and his wife sat to his left.

Though this was clearly the Hughes Family's castle, for some reason, it gave the impression that he was the master here.

During the meal.

"Your Highness, do these dishes suit your taste?" Danielle asked with a smile.

"Mm, quite good." Xian nodded slightly as he used his knife and fork to feed the final piece of peacock meat into his mouth.

The dinner was indeed quite lavish, with wild boar, venison, duck, goose, and even peacock meat.

It was the best meal he had eaten since transmigrating. Back on Blue Star, this meal alone would probably have been enough to get him seven or eight years in prison.

"Your Highness, may I ask you a question?" Danielle asked gently.

"Go ahead."

"You are from the East Continent, correct?"

"Mm." Xian nodded slightly.

He did indeed live on the continent east of Blue Star, so that was not a lie.

"Ah, 1.4 Billion citizens... It is difficult to imagine just how vast and magnificent your kingdom must be to nurture such an enormous population."

Danielle spoke in amazement, her gaze toward Xian filled with respect.

For someone of such exalted status to be willing to stay in her family's castle—what an incredible honor that was!

"I have a request." Having finished his meal, Xian set down his knife and fork and spoke slowly.

"Your Highness, please speak. Even if darling were to be crushed to pieces, he would be willing to fulfill it for you."

Before Karen could say anything, Danielle spoke first.

Karen: "..."

Though that was indeed what he meant, hearing it come from his wife's mouth felt rather strange.

"I hope you, Viscount, can issue an order to temporarily keep all information about me confidential," Xian said solemnly.

Though advancement in this world required the support of fame, his current strength was still too weak. It would be better to first study magic and develop himself in Black Wolf Territory, then consider gaining fame after he had the strength to protect himself.

"This..."

Karen hesitated. Xian's identity was far too noble and involved matters of great importance. Logically, reporting it to the king of Sossia at once was what his duties as both lord and knight required.

In terms of status and affiliation, the king could be said to be the liege lord of all lords.

If he concealed news of Xian from the king, it would count as a dereliction of duty.

At that moment, Danielle viciously pinched the soft flesh at Karen's waist beneath the table.

Hiss! Karen sucked in a sharp breath.

"It would be my honor, Your Highness," he immediately said with a serious expression.

"I will order every servant in Black Wolf Castle not to reveal any news of you. Any who disobey will be executed without mercy." Karen's gaze turned cold.

Though he was a "dog" before Xian, before all the people of Black Wolf Territory, he was the ruler who held the power of life and death.

Only then did Danielle withdraw her hand in satisfaction.

As a woman, she did not care about duties, obligations, liege lords, or any of that messy nonsense. Such things could be left for men to think about.

She only knew that she had to seize this heaven-sent opportunity to build a proper relationship with His Highness Mingyu, paving a path to the heavens for her Little Hayden in the future.

As for Ilith, whom darling's former wife had left behind, Danielle had always wanted to find a chance to drive her from the castle. After all, it would be terrible if she summoned demons one day and harmed Little Hayden.

But now that she had gained His Highness's favor, Danielle would have to change her attitude and become a kind stepmother.

Danielle's brows furrowed slightly, and her eyes flickered constantly. Only when she thought of her child would a trace of tenderness flash through her beautiful violet-blue eyes.

Please give me some monthly votes, dear benefactors! The new book rankings are about to reset, so help me get into the top ten! I beg you! o(╥﹏╥)o