After the Banquet

The music shifted into a melodious tune, signaling that the dance was nearing its end.

Alsha completed her final spin, her left hand resting on Matthew's shoulder as she leaned back against him.

Matthew raised his left hand, intertwining his fingers with Alsha's, while his right hand gently encircled her slender, supple waist.

Their pose froze in the dance's final movement. Matthew was now inches from Alsha, catching the faint fragrance of her hair—the scent of Red Iris. He felt time slow to an unnatural crawl.

In a corner of the hall, a young man in a Purple Dress wore a bizarre expression. A fake smile lingered on his lips, but veins bulged on his forehead.

Lady Alsha was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. From the first moment he laid eyes on her, he had become deeply infatuated with her beauty.

Everything had been going smoothly. He had learned that Lady Alsha loved Red Iris, and since Whitestone Town had none, he had someone transport seeds from the south and even found a Wizard Apprentice skilled in cultivation for her.

He had already won Lady Alsha's favor. She had even gifted him a bouquet of the cultivated Red Iris.

But the good times didn't last. His father, the former town mayor—that damned Old White—had fallen for Lady Alsha the moment he saw her!

And he had given her this estate, passed down through the White Family for generations!

That old fool actually dared to try and take his Lady Alsha away!

Lady Alsha's favor belonged only to him! Her beauty, her wealth, her status—everything about her should be his!

Their descendants would inherit Lady Alsha's title!

At least that old relic was no longer an obstacle. A flicker of coldness passed through his eyes.

"Sir... Sir... Sir..." Someone called out softly beside him, snapping him back to reality.

It was a Young Waiter holding a tray.

The waiter looked at his injured hand and said softly, "Sir, do you need help?"

Jack had already crushed the wine cup in his hand. Shards of glass pierced his palm, and blood seeped from the wounds.

Jack took a deep breath, a fake smile returning to his face. "Lady Alsha's dancing is so enchanting, it truly captivates the heart. I was simply too overcome with emotion. Please, get me another glass of wine. Thank you."

Another man bewitched by Lady Alsha. The Young Waiter smiled and replaced his drink.

When the music stopped, applause surged like a tide. The surrounding guests offered their praise.

Jack downed the newly replaced wine in one gulp, handed the cup to the waiter, and joined the applause.

Matthew exerted a slight force with his right hand, pulling Alsha upright.

Once steady, she said with a smile, "Mr. Matthew, I never expected us to be so in sync."

Matthew replied warmly, "Lady Alsha, it's your dancing skill that's truly exquisite. Look, all this applause is for you. While we were dancing, the gentlemen around us were practically itching to take my place."

Alsha's smile widened. She leaned in close, her lips brushing Matthew's ear.

He could even feel her breath.

"After the banquet ends..." she whispered, "come find me in the Back Garden."

Matthew felt her breath against his ear like a summer breeze.

With that, she quickly pulled away.

Her words left Matthew full of confusion, but Lady Alsha was already chatting with someone else, clearly not intending to address his questions.

"No way, I don't have any Veela blood," Matthew couldn't help but think to himself, but what Lady Alsha said was far too easy to misinterpret.

Matthew took a deep breath. Lady Alsha was indeed captivating—her charm could rival that of a Veela.

Matthew was determined to see what Lady Alsha was really up to. He wasn't afraid she might harm him; before coming to the estate, he had crafted a Portkey as a precaution.

Matthew picked up a wine cup from the waiter's tray and took a sip. The pale golden liquid tasted somewhat like champagne.

He carried the cup toward Link and Anna's spot.

Link laughed heartily. "Nice moves! So, how was it? Did you feel Lady Alsha's charm?"

"Lady Alsha is indeed captivating. Her dancing skill is truly remarkable," Matthew said with a smile.

Link clinked his cup against Matthew's and downed his drink in one go. "A girl's come looking for you. Looks like you won't have a free moment tonight."

Matthew followed his gaze. It was a young woman with light blonde hair.

She lifted her skirt slightly, bowed, and asked with a smile, "Young Wizard Lord, would you care to dance with me?"

This Maiden had no Magic Fluctuation.

Matthew replied gently, "Of course."

The banquet was winding down. The band played the final song in the center of the hall.

Matthew finally had a moment to rest. As Link had predicted, he was constantly invited to dance all night.

As a New Face and such a young wizard, many guests were curious about him tonight.

Some girls had even slipped him notes, but they all shared one trait—none of them were wizards.

Matthew didn't plan to respond to their enthusiasm.

He wasn't yet of age, and he wanted to focus his energy on improving his strength.

Since his parents in this life were killed by that Death Eater Aunt, he had always felt insecure. These past ten years, he had continuously worked to improve himself, knowing that the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters would eventually return.

This Wizarding World offered him more possibilities, and he believed that by the time the Dark Lord returned, he would at least possess the strength to retreat unscathed.

Once the band finished playing the last piece and the guests took their leave, Matthew asked the attendant who had been following him to take him to the back garden.

He stepped onto the pebble path again, where the patterns on the bricks on either side now glowed faintly with warm light.

Arriving at the back garden, there was also an exquisite fountain here, surrounded by flowerbeds still filled with red iris.

Behind the fountain stood a swing chair made of wicker, with some fresh green leaves still visible on it.

Alsha sat on the swing chair behind the fountain. She had already shed her ornate court dress and changed into a simple elegant light colored long dress, giving her a different kind of charm.

If at the banquet she was a gorgeous and elegant rose, now she was like a fresh and elegant jasmine.