"The day finally arrived. Wedding of the century." An old woman said in her fancy clothes and with an expensive-looking gift in her hands.
"I still don't understand why they rush this wedding. Princess Moon and the King were engaged for years. But this kid gets the little Princess first." An old man whispered.
"Be quiet. Do you want to die?" Another old woman said as she hushed her husband.
"I am just saying. This thing doesn't make any sense."
Soon they entered the ballroom and were impressed with the interior. The chandeliers were burning brightly in multiple colors. The tables were decorated with the most beautiful flowers in the Kingdom. The walls and windows were in unexplainable harmony of colors. Even nature would be ashamed of the art.
But the most eye-catching part was the seats of Little Princess and Ezio. The seats were handcrafted by the best woods, covered with red and golden carvings. Donned with the shiniest stones, but nothing, not the seats, not the lights nor the art that can put nature in shame could overshadow the girl sitting on the seat. The Little Princess looked gorgeous.
She was wearing a pure white wedding dress. Her face was powdered a little, but her natural beauty, in that setting, was awe-striking.
Ezio, who was seated beside him in his formal clothes, looked handsome too. But compared to the bride, he was a tad or two paler.
Guests arrived one after another. After influential people entered Sect members with Envoys. Followed by the royalty, and followed by the man everyone in the Kingdom knew by now, Master Yontu.
Although he was reserved with a seat of honor, he walked to the furthest corner in the ballroom and sat in the far back seat. With no other choice, people who were tasked to keep him accompanied also sat beside him. Taro Mars, Mo Zan, and several others.
————
Three days after Ezio became Master Yontu's disciple,
The Palace invited everyone who survived the ordeal to a banquet. It was an old rule, saying that what happened inside the domain, stayed inside the domain. It was to prevent people from targeting each other after they left the domain. After all, conflicts were unavoidable, conflicts for riches were set in stone.
Since it was so, Xiao Chen didn't see any problem in inviting people he almost killed half a month ago. Those people also answered his summoning and filled the banquet room. The Third Prince, Adrian, Lu Ru, Qiu Tu, and Envoys of Earth Kingdom came together.
The Second Prince came with Envoys of the Fire Kingdom only. There were no survivors from Prometheus's Suffering Sect, thus the Sect Leader was protesting in a passive-aggressive manner.
Since Zeus's Fury Sect was destroyed, their usual banquet seats were filled with people of a high standard. Alchemy Association President and Vice-President. Blacksmith Association President and Vice-President. Jiang Duo and some other people with high standing.
Of course, disciples returned from the domain were seated at the head table, the day was about them.
"Welcome everyone, to our festive day! Today we celebrate the happy return of our Young Heros." Princes Moon said with a smile. "My Fiance, the King acquired the heritage that was kept away from this Kingdom for thousands of years. This requires a celebration. Of course, we had to include other Young Heros to make it possible."
Although Ezio and others cringed, they didn't blame Princess Moon. She was just a naive doll. Probably Xiao Chen fed her lies to believe others helped him willingly to acquire the heritage.
Since they were all at the head table, Ezio was seated near Princess Moon, Xiao Chen, and Little Princess. Although he saw the little girl looking at him in awe, he thought it was because of his handsomeness. But he was alert anyway. This was a den of the monsters, he would never lower his guard. But there were things that split his attention.
"I am honored to be here, my King!" The Vice-President of the Blacksmith Association, Dong Dong, said with a smile. "Of course, I am happy that my disciple safely returned. Thanks to you, I must add."
"You praise me too much, Vice-President. It was his own skills that allowed him to survive in that lethal place." Xiao Chen said with a smile. "I must also thank you. The tool you delivered was very helpful. What was it? Dwarfbane?"
"Yes indeed, My King." Dong Dong said as he gazed at Ezio. "A little something I found in the domain when I was young. It is extra lethal to the Dwarf Race. I am just glad it helped you to execute that traitor—"
Ezio looked at the smiling man with a squint. His Qi and Mana were about to explode. His eyes were about to turn red. The Third Prince, Adrian, Qiu Tu knew what was coming. If Ezio attacked the man now, they would help him.
Ezio was having a hard time putting a dam on his emotions. He was about to explode. He knew the eruption was close. With the last of his will, he called out, "Trader Ezio, come out."
The grimaced face gained its neutrality and the squint turned into a smile. Ezio, who was about to explode in anger, smiled at the old fool who was talking while looking at him.
"—Aodhfionn. I always knew he was up to no good."
Xiao Chen looked at Ezio curiously. This was something he planned to see if he could anger him. Although now he couldn't touch Ezio, if the latter attacked the Vice-President of the Blacksmith Association like a mad dog and killed because of it, even Yontu couldn't find fault in him. He would at best kill Dong Dong, and move on.
But to his surprise, Ezio was there, smiling. As if the one who they were talking about wasn't his master. Which made him question the integrity of this person. If he couldn't even protect his master's honor, wasn't he worse than a dog?