Chapter 22: Devils Hand (3) (1/2)

Social gathering.

The name made one remember of a social gathering in a bar, but the scale was different when the main participant were the children of the 12 northern families.

The social gathering of the 12 northern families was not just a gathering of their children but was also a banquet attended by various people.

These people attended the social gathering every year, and those include people who wanted to associate with the 12 northern families, Langesthei’s influential people, celebrities whom the children were usually interested in, etc.

As such, the social gathering was one of the big events expected every year for the community near Langesthei, and one’s evaluation in high society also changed depending on whether they were invited to the social gathering or not.

Anyway, for that reason…

““Wow.””

Jude and Cordelia were in pure admiration after the two came out of their respective rooms and faced each other in the drawing room.

This is because of the eye-opening beauty of an incomparably beautiful girl and an absolutely handsome boy that have made every effort in dressing up for the social gathering.

‘Beautiful.’

If the Cordelia he saw in the valley was as mysterious as a fairy, the Cordelia today was as beautiful as a goddess.

She had pinkish, slightly curled red hair that not only gently fluttered but even glistened, and a lively white complexion.

She was wearing a red dress.

Cordelia usually looked much younger than her age because of her innocent face but wearing a mature dress that totally revealed her shoulders made her hidden seductive beauty be seen.

The skirt width was quite narrow unlike the usual wide skirt, and the beauty of her leg lines and her slender legs captivated the eyes of every person at first glance.

Of course, Jude looked great too.

It was only a month ago, but thanks to eating the various kinds of miraculous medicine that Count Chase gave him, his Cheonmujiche, and his sweating from physical exercise, his skinny body that had once lost weight was rapidly improving.

With his naturally good body shape plus his recent body improvements, his clean suit stood out properly. However, Jude proved that the completion of all fashion is in the face.

His face had strong-willed, mysterious green eyes that lie between his gentle facial lines.

When the two looked at each other and were fascinated for a while, Dahlia and Maja, who were mesmerized together, soon exchanged glances with a warm smile.

‘You did great.’

‘You too.’

‘In fact, he naturally looks good in any clothes.’

‘She does too.’

Either way, they were both very satisfied.

Furthermore, a smile was drawn on their mouths when they thought that the two would enter the banquet hall together.

They couldn’t wait to see other people’s reactions once everyone saw the two.

“Let’s go now.”

“Young master, you have to escort her.”

“Ah, oh.”

With Maia’s urging, Jude reached out to Cordelia, who came to her senses too and took Jude’s hand.

‘Wow, seriously. My heart would have been throbbing if you weren’t Outboxer.’

‘You too? It’s the same for me too.’

After exchanging glances, the two smiled as if they felt the same, and entered inside the carriage after passing by the knights who could not hide their admiration.

“Huu…”

“Haa…”

Rather than the large four-wheeler carriage they used on the trip, the two rode on a small carriage that operated inside Langesthei, while Maja and Dahlia were going to ride another carriage.

Thanks to this, there were only the two inside, and as soon as the door closed, Jude and Cordelia’s straight postures collapsed.

“You’re very much dressed up.”

“You too.”

Cordelia snorted, looked back at herself in the carriage window’s reflection, and grinned.

“What is it?”

“Because she’s pretty. Cordelia is the prettiest.”

“Oh, narcissism. Don’t do that in front of others.”

“Well, it’s true that Cordelia is pretty though. She’s pretty even when you look at it, right?”

“Well, it’s pretty but…it’s a relief.”

“What?”

“When I saw you talking in third person, it woke me up.”

His heart pounded at seeing Yellow Storm…is something that shouldn’t happen, he thought.

Jude breathed a sigh of relief as he watched Cordelia who was laughing loudly and snorting. He straightened his posture and said.

“Moving on, let’s not get carried away. Because today’s an important day.”

“Did you get some rest? You went through a lot yesterday.”

He had worked hard yesterday.

If he had to say, it was not stage 4, but stage 3.5.

At Cordelia’s question, Jude looked sad for a moment because he remembered what happened yesterday, but soon smiled bravely.

“Well, it’s worth the trouble. Though, it’s best not to use it at all.”

If things went well, he wouldn’t need to use it.

Cordelia nodded her head as if agreeing with Jude, and then reached out her hands to Jude.

“Wait a minute.”

“Huh?”

“Stay still.”

As she approached with a serious face, Jude unconsciously felt nervous, but he soon found out her purpose.

“The tie is crooked.”

Cordelia grabbed the bow tie that Jude wore, and smiled contentedly after straightening it with a few touches.

“Okay, there we go. It looks right now.”

Cordelia patted Jude’s chest with a thud and sat down again, and Jude tried to clear his throat.

“Ahem, ahem.”

“Why… Are you shy?”

“F*ck.”

“Oh, you had such a cute side?”

It could be said that her ‘ufufu’ laughs resembled that of the Fairy Queen.

“Let’s focus, focus. It’s a very important day. You know, right?”

“I know.”

It was like the time they met Leisegang.

The tension he felt like back then made them continue talking nonsense to each other.

Jude took a breath and looked out the carriage window.

The sun’s red glow spread as it slowly set.

***

The social gathering was held in one of Langesthei’s most famous restaurants, which was a place owned and funded by Count Hræsvelgr.

Despite the fact that the social gathering had not yet begun, the banquet hall was crowded, and there were a few places where people were especially crowded.

‘The children of the 12 northern families.’

There was Lucas Hræsvelgr, the host of this social gathering and the Hræsvelgr heir, whose family currently leads the 12 northern families.

There was Sylvia Crossbell too, daughter of Count Crossbell, whose family boasted immense wealth.

Among the children of the 12 families who gathered today, they were the two people who were particularly prominent, and as evidenced by this, there were many people who gathered around them.

‘Well, there some children who are marginalized.’

The 12 families were not equal in power.

On the left wall, among her escort knights, stood a dreary-looking girl with a dejected face. She was Viola Langue of Viscount Langue.

She spent most of the year in the mansion, or in her own room. However, she was afraid of people, so she couldn’t speak properly in a place where people gathered.

‘If you survive, you’ll be a good friend of Cordelia.’

To be exact, they would be like older and younger sisters.

Jude turned his gaze again.

The male twins of Count Dahut were gazing at Lucas with discontented eyes. Felix Durant of Marquis Durant, the oldest child in this social gathering, was sending a passionate gaze to Sylvia.

Therefore, a total of 8 people, including Jude and Cordelia, were the children of the 12 families who attended this social gathering.

“Oh, Lady Cordelia. Perhaps the person next to you is your fiancé, Mr. Jude Bayer.”

When Jude turned reflexively to the voice he heard from his side, he saw a young nobleman of Langesthei talking to Cordelia.

Cordelia tried to remember the young man in her dim memories, but soon smiled widely and started reading the same Korean language book as usual.

“He is my fiancé, Mr. Jude Bayer.”

“Oh! As expected! Count Bayer!”

In an instant, the banquet hall stirred with the appearance of the new face, Jude, who had never made an official appearance before.

“That guy?”

“He has an ideal beautiful face like the rumors.”

“Doesn’t he look fine despite being called the Count’s anguish?”

“Has he recovered from his disease?”

There were lots of chattering here and there in small voices.

The scattered children of the 12 families moved towards Jude and Cordelia, and the way opened at once as if it was split like the Red Sea.

Cordelia glanced at the coming Viola from afar. Jude chuckled at the approaching twin brothers and looked at Lucas and Sylvia after moderately turning away from Felix’s gaze, who will not appear at the social gathering next year.

‘They both stand out.’

While Cordelia still retains her girlishness, Sylvia has grown mature not only in her eyes but also in her small gestures, even though they were only a year apart. Of course, her body had distinct curves too.

She had long sky-blue hair and was wearing a snow-white dress, and with her blue eyes full of curiosity, she looked at Jude and Cordelia.

And Lucas Hræsvelgr.