After Lotali finished speaking, the noble children did not show the perfectly normal surprise and curiosity the little girl had imagined. On the contrary, they froze in place as if they had suddenly witnessed some indescribable terror. The boy with the fashionable hairstyle hung his mouth half open, unable to say a word, while the girl who had seemed so quiet wore a strange expression as though she wanted to run but could not move.
Most importantly... their gazes were not directed at Lotali, who was carrying the basket of berry pies, at all. Their eyes were all fixed with extraordinary unanimity on the entrance to the hall behind her.
Clearly, just after the noble girl had blurted out those remarks that sounded rather doubtful of a Bright Moon powerhouse, someone whom the children most wanted—and least wanted—to see at a time like this had silently appeared.
Without question, the person who had suddenly appeared behind Lotali was the host of this banquet, the Grand High Priest of the Elven Royal Court—Aikar Life's Call, the "Pious One"!
In fact, the instant the entire hall abruptly fell silent, it was not only the young nobles who realized that some powerful being had arrived. Even Lotali herself instantly understood what the shadow behind her represented.
Of course, she understood even better just how deeply disrespectful her earlier remarks had been. So although the girl could barely maintain her "noble composure" through her stiff smile, even her eyelashes trembled faintly as fear descended upon her.
"Respected... G-Grand High Priest, sir..."
"Shh... little girl, do not casually speculate about matters you do not understand. That is not a habit a noble should cultivate."
There was neither a stormy rebuke nor a brutal punishment. Smiling, Aikar simply placed a hand on Lotali's soft hair and