Chapter 194 - The Wedding (1) (2/2)

”Has Alexei arrived?” Caspar asked as they sat down.

Ned shook his head. ”Not yet. He said he is still on the way. What business do you have with him?”

He knew Caspar and Alexei had been enemies for a long time. Caspar wouldn't have looked for Alexei if there were no important matters.

”It's only a small matter between two men,” Caspar said, shrugging.

”Aha. All right. I'll ask him to come here as soon as he arrives,” Ned said quickly. ”Feel free to rest, eat and drink. I need to greet the other guests. The wedding starts in an hour.”

Classical music played by the orchestra made the atmosphere feel magnificent. Tenor and soprano singers sang a love song from a very solemn Italian opera.

The silence caused by Lauriel's presence had been replaced by whispers among guests who talked about Lauriel and his 'child' and questioned the incomplete members of Lauriel's usual crew.

”They're all talking about Lauriel, huh?” Finland asked in amazement. ”Has he really never come to an event like this?”

”Right. He doesn't like crowds,” Caspar answered. ”Many people are amazed because now they suddenly see him here.”

”Oh...”

Lauriel did look very cool and many Alchemist girls who were still single were openly staring at him, trying to attract his attention. But they must swallow their disappointment because the man seemed indifferent to his surroundings. He was just watching the entrance. Every time the door opened, he would make sure that it wasn't Alexei.

An hour later the person they were waiting for arrived.

Marion, who was disguised as Katia, entered with the graceful steps of a queen followed by a man with brown hair and purple eyes. Behind him were a few of his men. 'Katia' and Alexei's gaze swept across the hall and their gaze fell on Caspar and Lauriel's group who were staring at them with sharp eyes.

The two groups met for a brief moment. Alexei was shocked when he saw Caspar and Lauriel together, along with Finland and a very healthy-looking Aleksis between them.

He figured that the little girl must have been cured, and he no longer had an advantage to blackmail Lauriel, but his face did not seem to change. Alexei was very good at keeping his face flat.

”Hmm... this will be a very lively party,” he murmured to 'Katia', then held her hand and led her across the room to Ned.

'Katia' seemed to throw a cold glance at Caspar and Lauriel. Really, if Caspar hadn't known that it was Marion in disguise, he would definitely think the girl walking with Alexei was Katia herself.

Caspar turned to Lauriel and nodded.

”Marion will wait for the right moment to arrest Alexei,” Lauriel said curtly. He took a sip of wine, ”We will proceed with the wedding first.”