All eyes turned to him as he walks to the direction of the Birthday Celebrant. Every woman he passed by gasped and control their breaths as if they are losing airs.
Indeed, this man is like a Demi-God. Face, body, family, power and wealth! He has everything. If only he isn't cold, maybe all the girls will flock to his side and will try every way to seduce him. Unfortunately, he never glanced any of them. He is like a Big and Beautiful Ice Sculpture that they can only looked at, but can never touched.
"I really don't understand it. Why are all of them obsessed on you even if you are just ignoring them?" Hue sighed bitterly.
"Don't forget that he is the only Archduke of the Empire." Said the young Duke, Duke Travis Laclaire, he is in the same age with Ezekiel.
"And he is handsome, wealthy and powerful." Michael grinned and drunk the wine on his glass. He maybe an Aide to Ezekiel, but he is also from a Wealthy and well-known noble family. He is the Second Eldest son of the Count Borboun. Their family produced highest quality of Gems and diamonds not just in the Empire but also in the entire continent. They are also known in the Fashion Industry as her mother is a former Famous Model and daughter of the Laclaire Family, a Ducal House.
"I am also handsome and wealthy." Hue remarked trying to save his face.
"But you are not as powerful as him." Said the Cousins in duet.
"Ah… Why did I even invite these people? Tsk. Today is my Birthday! My Birthday!! Not his!!! So I should be the one on the spotlight!! "Hue said glaring at them.
"Suit yourself." Michael and Travis smile mischievously. While Ezekiel is just enjoying the wine.
"Is Hunter and Tyler coming?" Travis asked. In this kind of occasion, the 7 of them are always present. "How about Lawrence?" Turning his gaze to the silent Ezekiel.
"He is on leave. He'll be back next week." Ezekiel answered in a monotone.
"Hunter and Tyler are on their way." Hue also answered.
Meanwhile, just by sitting there in the corner, they are oblivious to the stares of every girl in the banquet.
Several girls came together and started discussing. "Ahh… Just by seeing these Famous Noble Bachelors can lighten up my mood. It was never a mistake to attend this Banquet every year." The girl wearing a bright purple dress said dreamily.
"Indeed. No matter what Banquet, as long as they appeared, everything is worth it!!" Said the girl on the right wearing a light pink cocktail dress.
"How I wish I can approach them directly."
"Dream on. They from a different Class of Nobles and you are just from a so-so Viscount."
The girl pursed her lips and frowned. "I know. So please don't remind me anymore."
After some time, three Girls appeared and went into the direction of Ezekiel's group.
"Ah. They are the princesses of the Ducal House of Greymore and Luxton right?"
"Yes. Look at them, they can easily chat at our Handsome Bachelors without looking too awkward."
"Of course! They are on the same class and circle!"
"How I wish I was born at a Ducal or Marquis House." Said the other one then sighed bitterly.
The three girls sat in the available sits around the table. The Twin Daughters of Greymore looked at the vacant sit beside Ezekiel but they opt not to sat there. They know the consequence if they insist on sitting there.
Fifteen minutes later, the entrance door swing open and a three blond hair group made an entrance. Two of them are wearing a black suit and white inner shirt and the only girl in the group is wearing a light blue cocktail dress. All most all the people in the Banquet bend their body to show respect to the group of three.
"Speaking of the devils." Hue smiled and stood up.
After giving the others a nodding greeting, the three of them walked into the direction of the Banquet host.
Hue looked at his watch then he pats the shoulder of the Eldest in the group. "As always, right on the clock. Thank you for coming to Banquet, Your Highnesses." Hue smiled playfully.
The Three who just entered are members of the Imperial Family of Clovis Kingdom. The eldest is the soon to be Emperor, Crown Prince Hunter Daryl Clovis, he is 32 years old and is also the eldest of the Group. Next is the Third Prince, Prince Tyler Kent Clovis, he is on the same age with Ezekiel, 29 years old. The last is the famous 1st Princess of the Empire, Princess Jezelle Adeline Clovis, a 26-year-old Fashion model, business Entrepreneur and the No. 1 Socialite in the Capital.
The Crown Prince and the 3rd Prince are the sons of the Current Empress, Empress Tyra Michelle Rheid Clovis. The Empress is the sister of Ezekiel's father and that made them cousins. While Princess Jezelle, the First Princess is the daughter of late First Queen, Queen Ariel Sabina Greymore. So basically, she and the Twin Sisters of Greymore are cousins.
After the number of greetings, Jezelle immediately took the available sit beside Ezekiel. Ezekiel just nodded at her and the others then he took his phone and look at the calendar.
It's already been two weeks since he last saw her. She has no phone and also probably busy in the Forest of No Return. He unknowingly sighed thinking when will be her return to the Empire.
It's 7pm and the Birthday Celebrant is now on the stage giving a Thank You speech. After that he officially welcomed everyone in the Banquet.
The Banquet ended after 3 hours. Then Travis suggested to extend the Birthday Celebration in the Capitals Most Expensive and High-end Bar, The Great Peninsula. It has 10 floors. The First floor is an open Bar, as long as you can pay, Noble or not, you can enter. The Second floor is the Private Bar that only Nobles and Aristocrats can enter. The third to 5th floors are Private Rooms that can host 5 to 20 people. Then the 6th to 8th floors are the Private Suite Rooms that can host 10 to 30 pax. Then the 9th Floor is the Presidential Suite Private Rooms. You should be a Marquis and up in order to book the room.
There are only 4 Presidential Suite rooms. Each room is decorated in a Luxurious and noble appearance. It has a private Bar with the most Exquisite and Expensive wines, a private pool on the corner and Four Bedroom.
The last floor is a Private Helipad.
At 10.30 pm, they arrived at the Great Peninsula. Knowing their identities, the Manager of the Building immediately attended to them and brought them to the Presidential Suite Room.
Michael sat beside Travis; Ezekiel sat on the left side sofa, he is followed by Hunter and Jezelle, both of them sat on each side. While Hue and Tyler sat in the big sofa together with the Greymore Twins and the Eldest Daughter of Luxton.
After settling down, they chatted and order their wines.
"Ahm… Ezekiel, we heard a gossip about you. They said that you disappeared. " Jezelle pursed her lips after asking the silent man beside her.
Hearing her question, everyone in the Room look at his direction with a serious eye. Aside from Michael, only Hue, Travis and Hunter knew the truth. They have been informed by Bern about him. But they didn't know where he is on that time.
Ezekiel drank his wine then his expression turns cold. "I was in the Forest of No Return. "He answered and everyone except Michael looked surprised.
All of them knew how dangerous is that Forest.
Jezelle immediately stood up and tried to check on him but Ezekiel just wave his hand to stop her. "I'm fine."
"Bro, how could you be fine?! You disappeared for almost 2 weeks, and now you're telling us that you were in that Forest and you're fine?! " Hue said in response to him.
Yeah, it was indeed impossible to be fine if you entered that forest.
"What were you doing in the Forest? I thought that your disappearance is just a gossip so I didn't mind." Tyler said bitterly then he looked at his brother. "Brother, did you know about this?"
"I only knew that he disappeared. His aide informs me, Travis and Hue." Hunter answered casually.
Tyler frowned and his face is just like a kid who was abandoned by his friends. "How could you?! Why did no one tell me about it?! Hey Brother Hue!! Why am I not informed about this?" He said looking at Hue reproachfully.
Hue blink his eyes and said, "I was just informed by Bern." Then he looked at Travis, "You were always in the Palace those days, why didn't you inform His Highness? "He said trying to stop his self from laughing.
Travis frowned then turn his gaze to Michael. "Why don't you ask Michael?"
Michael looked at them then he turns his gaze to his Boss. "I don't know. Why don't you ask the person who ordered it?"
When Tyler tried to say something to Ezekiel, he immediately gave him a cold shot. "Arrgghh… You guys are so unfair." He said whining like a child.
The girls on his side giggled at the sight of him. Everyone knows why he is not informed.
"Your Highness, I think you should better know yourself why you were not informed. " Meylin said. She is the Eldest Daughter of the Ducal House of Luxton.
"Yes, Your Highness. So, don't blame them." The Twins said in a duet and the entire room turn into a lively atmosphere.
"But seriously, how did you manage to survive?" Hue asked. It's not just him, except for Michael, everyone is curious on how did he got out alive from that dangerous forest.
Before answering, a glint of warmth flashed thru his eyes as the image of the girl appeared on his mind. It is only just for a second but everyone in the room saw it. Jezelle's heart suddenly shudder.
"Someone saved me." Ezekiel answered and his cold tone is back.
Upon hearing his answer, every one fall into silence.
Just who is the one who saved him?
He was on that dangerous forest and the person who saved him must not be a regular person.
Did a Mage save him?
If it's a Mage, there is a possibility that he could survive. But seeing how he's unscathed and okay – maybe that is a powerful Mage.
On the whole Continent, there are only 12 known Great Mages. But each of this Great Mage has several low-class mage disciples. Is it one of them who helped the only Archduke of Clovis Empire?
Michael sighed and smile to his self. If they knew that the one who saved the Archduke is the Ruler of the Forest, maybe their reactions will be quite enjoyable to see. But unfortunately, they will never know about that person. And knowing how warm the Archduke's attitude towards that girl… He sighed again. I'm feeling sorry to this Princess. Her rival is out of her league. More like, she's only a mortal and the latter is a Goddess.