10 A Banque (2/2)

Inside the bathroom, Casimir was staring blankly at his reflection on the mirror.

Wow... I look horrid. He commented to himself as he tried to brush off the straws of hay that were sticking out from his hair.

After a few moments, Casimir sent a grin to his reflection, having already removed the hay and other unknown particles that were hiding in his hair.

Alright! Next comes the moment that I dread everyday... Bath time.

It was not that Casimir didn't like bathing. He actually liked it, in fact. It was just that, he would have to face that unexplored territory during bath time.

Having already taken off his garments, Casimir submerged himself in his bathtub which was filled with water and scented oils, courtesy of Alphonse. He then began to tentatively scrub his whole body, his face turning paler by the second.

...I'll have to face it sooner or later... Casimir thought to himself grimly. Might as well just get on with it. And with that, he reached towards the forbidden place.

Oh my Melecrit!!! It's a worm!!!

...

Some time later, Casimir was walking around the ballroom of the manor which he didn't even know existed till this day.

Well, how was he to know of its existence when the room was situated underground?!

The only entrance and exit to the place was a huge willow tree in the front gardens and the only way you would know that without anyone telling you was if you had somehow walked right into the tree!

Who the heck designed this place?!

Although he was having an internal rant inside his head, Casimir still managed to maintain an unwavering smile on his face as he greeted the guests one by one, following behind his father as he introduced them to him.

”Ah, Mr.Fontaine! So nice to see you arrive!” Mr. Proulx exclaimed as he smiled amiably and shook the hand of a slightly pudgy man. ”Mr. Proulx! It's good to see you again!” The man replied, equally as amiable.

”I've heard you've succeeded in your trades with the Italians?” Mr. Proulx asked, looking as if he had just mentioned it casually.

”Haha! Indeed! Indeed!” Mr. Fontaine laughed jovially, although, to Casimir, it sounded quite strained for some reason. ”Your information network surely does work quick!”

”Haha! It's just alright!” It was clearly a harmonious conversation but, why does Casimir see imaginary swords flying around these two men?

Ah... The world of nobles is truly complicated...

It seems that Casimir had once again forgotten that he was now part of that complicated noble world.

Suddenly, two more guests arrived to the banquet.

At first, Casimir thought that they were just two guests who belonged to the noble or upper-class of the wizard community of France like most of the people here but, after looking closer, Casimir realized that he actually knew one of them.

Hey! Isn't that Mr. Proulx's pen-pal, Mr. Malfoy? Oh! And he seems to have brought a kid with him!

I'm going to have so much fun tonight!