Chapter 107 - Chapter 17: Test #6 (2/2)
Whenever Anastasia pulled out a topic about In-gong, Felicia would cut her off and Baikal would change the subject. Caitlin mostly listened, but she occasionally helped Baikal with the transitions.
In-gong tried not to be conscious of Zephyr, who had remained silent since he first greeted them. His attitude was similar to the court gathering.
Victor kept a watchful eye on In-gong throughout the conversation. It seemed like he was trying to look for something.
In-gong consciously took a step back. When looking at it on the surface, Baikal’s tea party proceeded fairly cheerfully. Most of the siblings didn’t participate in the conversation, and Zephyr was sitting at the table.
The demon king didn’t want his children to harm each other. There was competition between the royal children, but there were to be no attempts on each other’s lives.
After all, they were siblings. Even Victor, who was staring at In-gong, didn’t have the slightest intention of provocation.
The one who changed this atmosphere had been Zephyr.
He had heightened the sense of crisis and made them do serious things to each other. Zephyr had planted the idea but hadn’t suffered.
The lycanthrope subjugation had been the peak. The demon king’s children no longer believed in each other and had even hated each other. The minimum safety line had collapsed.
Then the Day of Massacre began.
The children of the demon king hadn’t been able to gather together and every one of them died at Zephyr’s hands.
That was why In-gong wanted to become the demon king. He didn’t want such a future.
Anastasia suddenly turned to In-gong. In-gong smiled politely at her and Anastasia smiled back. There was an intense light in her eyes but no sense of hostility.
Baikal’s tea party was completed. Victor had looked disgruntled as the tea party continued on, but that was all.
Baikal was satisfied with this alone. The important thing was that they had a face-to-face conversation.
Victor and Anastasia left first, then In-gong’s party stood up to follow.
Just as they were about to leave the reception room...
“Shutra.”
A low voice captured everyone's attention. It was Zephyr who had stayed silent so far.
He reminded In-gong of the demon king at the court gathering. Zephyr made everyone nervous just by talking to In-gong.
“Give my regards to General Vandal.”
The sentence was short, but it had many implications.
In-gong replied with a blank expression,
”Yes, Hyung-nim.”
Zephyr didn’t say anything more, and Baikal, who sighed as if he had seen something unbelievable, hurried In-gong’s party out.
&
As soon as they climbed into the carriage, Felicia slumped down and complained,
“Hah, I’m tired. Exhausted. Tea parties with Anastasia unni are always hard. How about Caitlin?”
Felicia was exhausted after her conversations with Anastasia throughout the tea party. She had been fine until she entered the carriage, so it was a truly impressive performance.
Caitlin smiled at Felicia’s question and replied,
”It was difficult but fun.”
Caitlin was like a field of blooming flowers. She was also a child of the demon king, so she used the things that she saw and heard. This meant her expectations had been low in the first place, making her satisfied with how it actually went.
“Silvan oppa?”
When Caitlin asked, Silvan pondered for a moment before responding with a very serious expression,
”The cookies and tea were delicious.”
Felicia sighed at his heartfelt appreciation.
”Aigoo, I hope you were comfortable. All of you just left it to me. I didn’t expect much from Silvan in the first place, but I thought that Chris would help at least.”
Felicia cried out, and Chris just snorted.
”Noonim did very well alone. I didn’t feel the need to interrupt. Well done, Noonim. I can always rely on you.”
Felicia pouted at Chris’ words. It was a sight that could never have been imagined a few months ago.
Caitlin glanced between Chris and Felicia with a huge smile, then Felicia hugged Caitlin like she was a doll.
”Anyway, tomorrow is the tea party where the concubine children are invited. It is different from today since they are people we want to introduce to Shutra and our faction anyway. Relax and play games. Then after that, we will leave on our missions. You should have a good sleep today and tomorrow.”
In-gong had always left right after the court gathering, but this time, there was a lot to do.
However, there was still tomorrow. As Felicia said, they would have to leave for the missions the day after tomorrow.
“Shutra, it is good that you chose Evian.”
Chris said suddenly. It was clear that he was thinking about Zephyr’s last words.
Felicia nodded in agreement.
”Does Zephyr orabeoni also want to strengthen ties with General Vandal? General Vandal is very popular.”
If In-gong hadn’t chosen Evian, Zephyr would have.
Why did Zephyr speak at the end?
Was it a simple strike? Or was revealing that he was aiming for Vandal a diversion? Maybe it was just a ploy to confuse In-gong.
Anyhow, like Chris said, it was good that In-gong had chosen Evian. In-gong would use this opportunity to take Vandal away from Zephyr.
As the topic moved to Evian, Caitlin narrowed her eyes. She spoke with a face and expression reminiscent of Felicia a few days ago,
“Shutra, will you really go to Takar?”
How should he answer?
In-gong stayed silent instead of talking, and Felicia and Caitlin started murmuring to each other.
&
The next morning, In-gong’s party gathered early in the morning before the second tea party.
”This Amita has finished!”
Amita, who had been stuck in the workshop for a few days, ran into the parlour and shouted,
Silvan stood up excitedly.
“Ohh, my sword?”
”No, your sword isn’t finished yet. The readjustment of White Eagle is what was completed.
Amita answered coolly and Silvan’s shoulders slumped as he sulked. In-gong held back his laughter and asked Amita,
”Earth Quaker?”
”Sooner or later, sooner or later! I will stay up all night and finish it by tomorrow morning! And shouldn’t your reaction be, ‘Ohh, show me?’”
”Ohh, please show me!”
In-gong instantly cried out along with Caitlin.
Amita shrugged like they felt better and said,
”Huhum, follow me to the workshop.”
Their tail waved in the air, and In-gong’s party hurried after Amita.
&
“Master, I have become great. I think that you should compliment me.”