***
While the banquet seemed to have just begun, a strange man with graying hair, dressed rather plainly compared to others, stood poised next to an elegantly designed car.
The car boasted a vintage aesthetic yet the absence of wheels and hovering a meter above the ground hinted at its impressive technology.
Suddenly, a sleek man with deep black hair and a graying hairline appeared. His exquisite clothing made his bearing to be of someone from nobility.
Yet his presence seemed to have stirred no phenomenon in the area around him and the other man immediately bowed before opening the door for the newcomer.
As the seemingly older man drove the car to the main manor in the estate where the banquet was being held, the younger man nonchalantly surveyed the Ramille Estate.
With ease, the car crossed over 500 meters as the Ramille Estate boasted more than a kilometer radius, allowing them to drive a car there.
Usually, Ramille had a separate villa for occasions and for their family use. These villas would naturally be more beautiful and bigger than the manor they actually resided in
Yet, contrary to expectations, the banquet was being held in the main manor instead of the newly built villas.
These new villas were constructed to accommodate numerous guests, with some rooms even equipped with Sound Proofing Runes, which was the norm.
Also, one such room would've been used by Ziva had she not gone to the forest.
Currently, some strange guests resided in those rooms, looking over the banquet hall as mere observers, having no intention to reveal their presence.
"Don't you think they should've just celebrated it in one of those newer ones?" The younger man asked.
His question wasn't thoughtless as the main manor was old and built a few centuries ago unlike the new villas built with runes and didn't require the barriers to be used for the banquet.
"Master, I think the lady just wanted to celebrate it on a wider scale since it is their 12th birthday."
Not surprised by the driver's answer, he just nonchalantly nodded.
In a sudden shift of expression, he remarked, "Oho? Something interesting…"
As if used to his whims, the elegant driver kept quiet before reaching the same entrance used by Sera and the twins.
***
A few minutes prior to the strange man's arrival.
The grand entrance of the twins alongside Sera, considered one of the most beautiful women naturally attracted everyone's attention.
Not minding the obvious looks of everyone, she continued to move to the center of the hall where her husband, Carcel Ramille, stood.
Usually, Carcel would have to greet the guests and Sera would talk with a group of ladies.
However, everything was different today because of the unexpected presence of the spectating guests.
Evelia also heard about it from Sera before Ziva returned from Jash's rooms, leaving their conversation incomplete.
However, she understood the crux of the situation and decisively chose to not allow Ziva inside the banquet.
It was one thing to do it and send a statement of their potential engagement, but to do it in front of those "special" guests?
That would be sheer stupidity.
By the time Sera reached Carcel, Evelia's gaze flickered with countless emotions as she too sat alone due to the disparity in status of other guests.
Meanwhile, despite their desire to approach her or her family, many guests found themselves unable to even engage in conversation
It was already a miracle or a fortune for many attending guests to get a glimpse of three Duchesses in a single event.
...
While being the center of attention might be enjoyable to some, Jash wasn't one of them.
And he totally didn't like what was going on at the moment.
In addition to keeping his facade, he also had to act like he cared and greet all the people his parents introduced him to while continuing to extend their wishes to him and Caera.
"...here, meet..." Carcel and Sera introduced every person of importance in their city.
Jash did not like to mingle with others, so he kept his greetings short, and Caera followed suit.
Given his reputation, nobody was particularly surprised by his behavior. However, Caera following him along was a surprise for all the attending guests.
Suddenly, Jash felt the annoying gaze of a certain group of old men gathered at the banquet.
'Damn! Why the hell are they here?' Jash cursed inside his mind, identifying them.
They were partially the reason behind his avid escapades from parties and banquets.
'These damn geezers! They want to use me like a pawn, just to fight against my brother for their heir position!'
Just remembering his meeting with them soured his mood at a time like this.
He truly hoped his mother would notice his discomfort and speed things up.
'Who the hell wants to be the heir? He is the first son! He doesn't have a choice and he likes to do it! So, let Brandon deal with it!'
Jolting him awake from his thoughts was the entrance of a man who appeared to be in his fifties. His arrival didn't go unnoticed, as his imposing presence seemed to fill the room.
'Grandpa?' Jash couldn't help but doubt as the last time his grandfather showed up was years ago, forcing him to train once or twice.
"It's almost time for the gift ceremony," Carcel commented as he noticed his father enter, even surprising him.
'He wasn't supposed to be here right now...' Carcel wondered what happened but chose to ignore it.
As the cake cutting ceremony approached and most of the important guests were already present, the joint event for adults and young people began as they gathered in the beautiful garden area of the manor.
Many youngsters were awestruck by Caera and Jash's elegant attire, lacking the same luxury as them.
However, Carcel interrupted their envious thoughts as he stood with Sera, breaking the silence.
"As you all know, today my son, Jash Ramille and my daughter, Caera Ramille, turn 12, and this party is to celebrate their 12th birthday."
As his words ended, guests witnessed various magical celebrations. Many guests were surprised by the delicate preparation of this event.
"Happy birthday, Jash. Happy birthday Caera," Carcel and Sera wished the twins, to which the twins thanked them with a smiling face.
Although Jash was internally bored of this pretense, his body language didn't show his inner thoughts.
The guests started clapping and closed the gap to give them gifts according to their status.
Amael and Amelia were the first ones to arrive to wish them and give gifts.
"Happy birthday, Jash. This is your gift from me," Amael gave him the key to a supercar, which had limited models.
The few who could recognize the key were surprised by it. Especially considering how Jash hated going out and the car might just rot in their family's garage.
Amael smiled slightly, noting Jash's almost crumbling expression.
'This guy...! He definitely gave me a car on purpose!' Badmouthing Amael internally, Jash turned to look at Amelia, hoping for a better gift.
Yet she totally ignored him and just handed a red gem to Caera with a reluctant look.
'It seems she likes it. How cute!' Jash and Caera thought in unison, a smile forming on Caera's face as she smugly showed it off to Jash.
"This is a Fire-type mana gem of Rank A from the Blake Family," Amael introduced the gem.
'So freaking annoying,' Jash thought, his lips twitching as he felt the three singling him out.