[Tears streaming down my face—you guys are amazing, you still guessed it... Here's some bonus essence, plus an extra reward! Also, there are really too few recommendation votes. Old Moon is begging everyone for some votes...]
The castle was bustling. Elegantly dressed noblewomen gathered in twos and threes, discussing which perfume smelled better and which dress had the more novel design, chirping away without pause.
The more composed nobles mostly had acquaintances of their own, gathering together to chat in low voices.
The dining tables throughout the castle were laden with fruit and wine. The fruit had been cut into pieces and arranged on trays, while maids bustled about constantly, delivering trays of fruit or wine to the nobles.
Earl Sailin was also chatting amiably with several middle-aged men.
Suddenly, a knight hurried over to Earl Sailin's side and whispered something to him. Earl Sailin then clapped his hands sharply, and the hall quickly fell silent. He raised his voice and said, "Everyone, today's banquet is to celebrate Wilson Merlin becoming a baron of our Pugas City-State. Baron Merlin has now arrived."
As soon as he finished speaking, Merlin and Avril entered the hall under the guidance of a maid.
In an instant, countless gazes converged on Merlin and Avril. Ever since becoming a Spellcaster, Merlin had gained an air of elegance, while Avril was naturally beautiful and could become the center of attention anywhere.
Thus, when Merlin and Avril entered together, many nobles' eyes lit up.
"Lord Earl, this is my fiancée, Avril!"
Merlin brought Avril before Earl Sailin and introduced her.
Earl Sailin merely nodded slightly, then pointed to a middle-aged man beside him dressed in a black coat and introduced him to Merlin. "Baron Merlin, this is Viscount Raphael!"
Anyone able to stand beside Earl Sailin and