In a luxurious hall filled with gold chandeliers and silk drapes, where tables overflowed with exotic foods and jeweled goblets of rare wines, Ian walked along in a midnight-blue velvet coat, a crimson silk belt at the waist, and a silver pendant glinting beneath a high-collared shirt, oozing elegance and mystery.
After returning home from the restaurant, Ian tried to contact his father but to no avail. As one of the Dukes of the empire and head of the Veilstrider family, Eldric was quite busy. So, Ian had to wait for the banquet.
"Good evening, Lord Ian." Along the path, many dignitaries greeted him with a smile.
"Good evening."
Ian smiled, nodded, and made his way toward his father, who was at the center of the hall, talking to his peers. The banquet hadn't yet begun, as there was still time before the third prince arrived.
As he drew closer, his father quickly noticed him and gestured for him to hurry over. Although Eldric was a middle-aged man, he still looked as heroic as ever, carrying the regal charm of someone who had been in power for a long time.
Beside his father, Ian saw his mother, Elara Ashford, dressed in a one-piece gown of deep emerald velvet that beautifully hugged her figure. The gown had a high neckline, long-fitting sleeves, and a waterfall of delicate gold embroidery down the front.
His father and mother were speaking with a middle-aged couple, their warm smiles making the atmosphere even more pleasant.
As Ian approached, the group's attention shifted toward him. His father placed a hand on his shoulder and immediately began reprimanding him.
"Why are you late? Have you been following that little girl Lyra again?"
Hearing his father's words, Ian rolled his eyes, feeling aggrieved. His predecessor's obsession had been notorious. Everyone in his circle knew he followed Lyra everywhere like a devoted puppy.
Now that Ian had inherited everything from his predecessor, he also had to carry this burden.
"Dad, I'm on time. You're just too early," Ian replied, gritting his teeth inwardly.
"Yes, he's on time. And why shouldn't he follow Lyra? They're childhood friends, and there's nothing wrong with him following my daughter."
The middle-aged man opposite spoke with a note of dissatisfaction.
His name was Alex Storme, another Duke of the Ashford Empire and Lyra's father. Since their families had been close for two generations, Alex never objected to Ian pursuing his daughter.
In the eyes of parents, the more infatuated their son-in-law was with their daughter, the better.
"Yes, let the young people handle their own matters," Evelyn Garcia added with a soft laugh. From her mature charm and graceful figure, Ian could see traces of her daughter.
"Hello, Uncle! Hello, Aunt," Ian said with a smile, quickly shrugging off his father's arm.
He then turned to his mother, who was smiling at the side, and hugged her briefly.
"Mom, you look so beautiful. Dad hit the jackpot for nothing," he said teasingly.
Elara smiled softly and embraced him with care.
"Did you hear that? Am I not worthy of your mother? Where do you think you got your looks from?" Eldric asked, clearly annoyed that his son had pitted him against his wife.
"Heh, old man, it's Mom's genes that make me handsome. What does that have to do with you?"
Ian laughed as he watched his father's face contort in annoyance.
"Tch. Yeah, yeah, you're so handsome, yet you can't even win over that little girl, while your mom was already pregnant with you at your age," Eldric replied smugly, landing a decisive blow and not forgetting to rub it in.
'Damn!' Ian thought, his teeth clenched at his father's punchable face. Left with no choice, he resorted to his last option.
"Mom, look at his smug face. He only knows how to bully his son."
"Alright, you two, stop this drama. And you—don't you have any shame? What are you bragging about in public?" Elara scolded her husband sharply, silencing him.
Ian laughed at his father's deflated expression. It served him right for getting carried away.
"Haha, I haven't seen Ian in a while, and he's changed so much," Aunt Evelyn said with a curious smile.
Ian scratched his head in embarrassment. In his previous life, he had been an orphan, and moments like these reminded him of how much he yearned for a family. His predecessor had been very close to his parents, and Ian found himself naturally drawn to showing affection.
"Cough... Aunt Evelyn, where's Lyra? I haven't seen her," Ian asked, lightly clearing his throat to change the subject.
One of the reasons he had attended this banquet was to improve his relationship with Lyra. He was curious to see what rewards completing the quest might bring.
Since the plot hadn't yet begun, their relationship wasn't beyond repair.
As childhood friends, Lyra had once cared for Ian. However, his predecessor's obsessive behavior had driven her to disgust and resentment.
"Hehe, she's with her aunt and sister. Don't worry, they won't be late," Aunt Evelyn replied with a soft laugh.
"See? He can't survive a second without that girl," Eldric chided from the side.
Ian was irritated by his father's constant ridicule. He knew his predecessor had been a licking dog, but did his father need to announce it at every moment? It seemed Ian needed to put him in his place.
"So, Dad, how did you manage to get Mom pregnant at seventeen?" Ian asked bluntly, bringing back the previous topic.
Sure enough, Eldric's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot. Ian could see the anger and embarrassment rising on his mother's face.
'Haha, just wait for your wife's wrath when you get home,' Ian thought smugly.
"Ahem... Ahem... Kid, I heard you're heading to the Imperial Academy?" Eldric said, quickly trying to divert the conversation.
How could a dignified Duke lose to a sharp-tongued boy, even if he was reborn? Ian could almost see a glint of mischief in his father's eyes.
Sure enough, his mother instantly looked at him.
"Oh? Why are you going to the Imperial Academy? There's nothing left to learn there," Elara asked, puzzled.
The Imperial Academy might sound prestigious, but for the direct heir of a Duke's family, it was just that. The resources it provided were pitiful compared to their family's. Lyra was only attending to secure a quota for entering the Ignisia Tower.
"Heh, what else? Don't you know your dear son?"
Eldric smirked faintly as if to say, Kid, you're still too young to match me.
Seeing everyone's strange look, Ian seethed with frustration, regretting his earlier antics.