Reza, having finished his glass of wine, searched for a servant carrying refreshments through the crowd. In his opinion, the Anceslia was going quite well. Tavia had cleverly leveraged the rumor of a prominent house attending the party to entice even more people to come and witness the family.

  As a servant passed by Reza’s group, he swiftly exchanged his glass for one from the man’s tray. The servant nodded briefly and continued his journey without making any comment.

  “Reza, are you there?” A voice snapped him back to reality. Cassius, a friend and fellow officer of the third Legion, stood with several officers from different legions. The third and fourth legions had returned to the city, uniting their forces into three camps that guarded the city’s gates.

  “Yes, yes, what were you saying?” Reza asked, exhausted from the additional preparations Tavia had made for the party. Fortunately, his leave had been extended, giving him several days of rest before returning to the Legion. However, this left him in a dilemma after the party. Reza had ample time on his hands but was not permitted to rejoin the Legion. This situation hindered his progress in climbing the ladder to becoming a centurion; time off would not be beneficial in his endeavor. Moreover, extending his leave for his actions on the Ghost Plains would likely not be well-received in the camp. It was probable that many soldiers were already grumbling about it.

  “We were discussing Sorana and her decision for the contest. It has been several days since High Lord Marcellus passed away. She is bound to make her choice soon,” he explained, looking at the other officers. They all nodded in agreement.

  “Kelmonas had the priest announce the decision two days after the Archon’s death,” said one of the officers. Reza thought his name was Darren. Unfortunately, he couldn’t recall their names after Cassius introduced them.

  Reza, who had known Cassius since they joined the Legion, did not know the officers before Cassius had brought them along to the party. Reza didn’t mind the additional guests, as they were all nobles. Each guest added to the prestige Reza and his sisters would gain from the party. It also pleased him that so many were willing to join them in honoring their ancestors, particularly their mother, who had passed away last year.

  “Different circumstances,” Reza replied. “The Archon died in her sleep. We all knew she wasn’t long for this world, and the Echo had time to decide after the two days of mourning. Sorana and her priests will make the decision in due course.”

  Everyone nodded in agreement, sipping their wine.

  “What do you think the contest will be?” Cassius asked. He grabbed a piece of bread with what looked like patte atop it and swallowed it in one bite.

  Reza thought for a moment, though the question had been on his mind for days.

  “Many people likely want a contest of will or might. The last one had many hopefuls’ dreams shattered due to Kelmonas’s cunning ploy during their champions’ trial.” Reza took a small sip of wine and continued his conversation. “However, I remain uncertain about the outcome. Every idea that comes to mind seems equally plausible. If an Echo decides to turn it into a pie-eating contest, we’d all be in trouble with Cassius here.”

  Reza chuckled, and the others joined in. Cassius froze, a piece of bread halfway to his mouth. He wasn’t particularly overweight; his colossal frame was more muscular than anything, but he was renowned for his insatiable appetite. “Hilarious, Marius, you may all laugh, but I assure you, I would undoubtedly win such a contest.” He quickly devoured the bread and grinned mischievously.

  Everyone laughed once more, and Reza loosened his tie, pulling it from his neck and relieving himself from the uncomfortable clothing Tavia had insisted he wear. It had been years since he had donned a suit and tie. Although the suit was well-tailored and fitted him impeccably, he didn’t envision himself wearing it consistently. The suit was a deep shade of purple that appeared black under the night sky, adorned with bone white thread throughout the fabric. It was likely a costly purchase, likely cost several golden ghouls.

  “Marius,” a voice called out from behind him. He turned to see Tavia standing on the deck just below the canopy. She was dressed in a stunning midnight blue dress, adorned with elegant earrings and a necklace studded with rubies. She engaged in conversation with one of the servants hired for the evening. Once she had finished her orders, Tavia caught Reza’s eye and gestured for him to join her.

  “Excuse me, gentlemen,” he said, shaking Cassius’s hand before departing, nodding to the others.

  They all turned back, returning to their conversation. “We won’t hinder your path if that’s the contest. We wouldn’t want to become your next meal.”

  Laughter echoed through the group, and Reza couldn’t help but smile at their jest. They all appeared amiable and seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. However, Reza had to exercise caution around such a group. All, including Cassius, belonged to more esteemed families than his own. He had to navigate a delicate balance between hosting a grand party and showing respect to them while maintaining his own sense of self.

  Fortunately, they had handled the situation with grace and refrained from imposing any formalities within his home. They weren’t the only ones who had arrived unexpectedly. With the rumors Tavia had spread, many people had already shown up that Reza hadn’t anticipated or assumed would only send a representative. Surprisingly, several heads of households and entire families had graced his party. Tavia had taken it all in stride, ensuring that there was an abundance of food, drink, and entertainment. The band played in the garden, and multiple individuals danced on the cobblestones that formed the party’s center.

  Reza glided past several groups, his suit jacket straining as he attempted to move his arms. Fighting in this attire was impossible; it hindered his arm movement. The reason behind this choice remained a mystery to him; the military had produced a superior overcoat. While they may not have been fashionable, the uniforms were well-made and could withstand heavy wear and tear, unlike this suit.

  “Get the additional case from the basement and inform Crista that she must double the output. Our guests are famished,” Tavia commanded the servant. The man hastened away with as much dignity as possible.

  “What do you need, Tavia?” Reza inquired, taking a seat beside her and leaning against the railing.

  “The situation is already chaotic. We underestimated the number of drinks required, and the food quality is subpar. Moreover, where are the Sulli? It’s been two hours, and there’s been no sign of them. She glanced towards the manor’s open doors, where guests were entering the garden. No one seemed to be arriving, but a servant stood ready to assist if someone did.”

  “As you mentioned, it been only two hours. Did you anticipate a member of one of the ten families to arrive at the party’s start? There is plenty of time. I wouldn’t be concerned. I don’t believe Lord Sulli will renege on his word,” Reza assured. However, the same apprehensions had crossed his mind over the past two days. He couldn’t fathom this happening until he witnessed a Sulli gracefully enter through the open doors. Had he not been preoccupied during their conversation, he would have offered to arrange for a driver or personally escort the guests to the party. But alas, he had not been thinking when the honor was bestowed upon himself.

  “On a brighter note, the party is going well, the best one you and Cassia have done, wherever she may have gone. Everything is in order, and the guests are thoroughly enjoying themselves. I wouldn’t be concerned about the Sulli’s; they will undoubtedly arrive.” Reza chuckled, taking a sip of his wine glass. “We have invested a considerable amount of money to achieve this, and I am certain you have already secured half a dozen lucrative deals, even though you should be fully immersed in the festivities.”

  Tavia’s mischievous smile returned, the stress momentarily lifted. “Of course, but that is beside the point. I could have secured even more deals if I hadn’t had to attend to every pressing matter. Cassia is flirting with every boy at the party and offering no assistance to the family.” Marius caught a glimpse of her engaged in conversation with a young man, possibly around sixteen or seventeen years of age.

  "My darling sister, you seem to be off tonight. Cassia is playing a game all her own, for her and us. That boy she's talking to is the heir to the Gredicar family." Reza, despite feeling annoyed by his youngest sister, he understood that Cassia was approaching the age of marriage if the family could find a suitable match. Naturally, Reza would have to facilitate such a union, which were often arranged to form alliances or pacts with other families. He cringed at the thought of such a life for anyone he married, so he allowed Cassia to find someone she felt a connection with over anything else. He could worry about the rest later.

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  “That boy is acceptable, I suppose. Honestly, he’s quite boring. He tried talking to me at a party last year. He kept rambling on about fighting and the Archons.” Tavia said. “Cassia needs someone much more intriguing.”

  “Hmmm, let’s worry about that later. We have company,” Reza remarked, noticing a few new arrivals to the party. He quickly adjusted his tie and straightened his clothes, checking his appearance.

  Two figures emerged from the doors, and Reza approached them with Tavia by his side. Lukas Sulli was impeccably dressed in a finely cut black suit, while Marie wore a flowing black dress. Both were dressed in black mourning attire for their cousin, yet they still managed to look presentable for a party.

  Reza greeted them as soon as they reached the deck of the manor’s back, bowing to both. Although this was his house, the Sulli family held a prominent position in society, and he would not let them down by displaying any ungratefulness.

  “Marie, Lukas. It’s a pleasure to see you once again. Welcome to my estate,” Reza said respectfully, leaning down to take Marie’s hand and offering a quick kiss.

  He stood up and extended his hand, shaking Lukas’s hand in a firm grip.

  "Of course, I'm sorry we're late, but time got away from us," Marie said, with a slight nod of her head to herself and Tavia.

  "No problem at all," Reza asked, looking at Lukas. "How are you feeling?"

  “Good, but still a bit exhausted,” Lukas replied with a deep voice. His cheeks were still sunken, and light purple circles remained under his eyes, the only visible signs of his ordeal from the past few days. Despite these obvious signs, there was a glimmer of strength in his eyes, and the firm grip he gave Reza’s hand indicated that the young man was on the path to recovery. In fact, Reza was surprised by how well he was doing considering the grueling day and night he had spent with soldiers pursuing him.

  “Good; I’m certain you’ll make a full recovery in no time,” Reza assured Lukas. “Lukas, Marie, this is my sister Tavia,” he introduced her to his sister, who stood with a composed expression on her face. Reza noticed a slight widening of her eyes before she quickly composed herself, and neither Sulli seemed to be aware of her nervousness.

  “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” Tavia bowed slightly to both of them. “Marius has spoken highly of you both over the past couple of days. We weren’t certain who would be joining us.”

  Lukas shared a glance with his cousin before Marie turned her attention to Reza. Were they surprised that I had mentioned them? That couldn’t be possible. They had to know that I would inform my siblings about their presence.

  “I see. We were uncertain about who would attend either. Lukas was still recovering and felt only strong enough this afternoon. Additionally, I requested to come to express my gratitude to Marius for saving my cousin once again. We were already mourning both him and Marcellus. However, he managed to bring one of them back to us.” She offered Reza a small curtsy. Reza felt the back of his neck flush red. He had to find a way to redirect the conversation.

  “Of course, let’s find suitable seats for both of you, and we can continue this more comfortably,” Reza guided them to a table and pulled out a seat for Marie before taking his own.

  Reza discreetly motioned for a servant and leaned in closer when the man approached, keeping his voice low to avoid attracting attention from the others. “Please locate my sister Cassia and have her join us. Also, ensure that we have our finest wine and five cups.”

  “Of course, sir.” The servant swiftly navigated through the crowd, effortlessly sliding past the guests without causing any disruption.

  Reza turned back to Marie and Tavia, who were already engaged in conversation with one another.

  “I must say, I’m thoroughly impressed with this party. Everyone appears to be having a delightful time,” Marie remarked, her eyes taking in the elemental lanterns, the enchanting music, and the lively atmosphere of people laughing, talking, and dancing throughout the garden.

  Despite noticing that many of the partygoers were giving the group the stink eye, engaging in hushed conversations all around them, Reza chose to ignore them, maintaining his focus on his new guests.

  “Thank you, my sister and I have been working tirelessly to ensure this party went smoothly, with minimal assistance from Marius,” Tavia chuckled, and Marie couldn’t help but join in, glancing towards Reza.

  “What’s this nonsense? I sacrificed my leave to help, and you spread such lies,” Reza retorted with a playful smile, vehemently defending himself. Tavia, it seemed, couldn’t resist poking fun at him in front of guests and important individuals.

  “Well, yes, he did contribute a bit. I suppose,” Tavia laughed once more.

  “I’m certain he did more than that,” Marie said, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder for a moment, offering her support.

  He glanced at the invitation, but she swiftly returned her hand to the table before he could respond. She had already refocused her attention on Tavia.

  “Beyond Parties, what do you do?” Marie inquired.

  “Oh, I have several business interests that I manage for the family in and around Arkhen,” she replied earnestly. They embarked on a discussion about the diverse businesses and trading ventures handled by Tavia, but the topic proved rather dull to him.

  Reza turned his attention back to Lukas. The young man had remained unusually quiet throughout the evening. Perhaps he should not have attended. His energy seemed to be waning slightly.

  “Do you require anything, Lukas?” Reza asked.

  “No, I’m fine, but I must admit, I haven’t been to many parties, and I’m not entirely sure what to do,” he confided.

  Reza chuckled, reminding himself that Lukas was quite young. Though as a Sulli, he was should have been to dozens of parties.

  “Most of it is talk,” he explained. “Tavia will use this opportunity to negotiate deals with potential partners and clients, while they will assist us in celebrating tonight in honor of our ancestors. Everyone benefits from this arrangement.”

  He glanced up at me. “You don’t appear to be particularly interested in what they are discussing,” he observed, gesturing towards Marie and Tavia.

  “That’s an accurate assessment,” I admitted. “I fear my skills are never quite suited for business and numbers, unlike Tavia. I have always been more adept at working with my hands, and the soldier’s life resonated with me. It’s an honorable profession, and I’m grateful for the opportunities it has provided.” Reza shrugged. For many in the lower nobility, it was one of the most likely careers, alongside joining the city’s bureaucracy.

  The servant returned, placing five cups on the table and bringing two bottles.

  “Would you like me to cut the wine?” he asked, setting the red bottle down and keeping the clear one in hand.

  “Yes, please make it half water. There’s no need to overindulge in the wine. I want to savor it,” Reza replied. “Is everyone else comfortable with that?”

  He looked to the group, and each person nodded in agreement. The waiter swiftly opened both bottles, poured the two liquids into cups, and handed them to us. He took a small sip and savored the delightful wine. The spice was just right, not overpowering the taste.

  Marie also took a taste. “This is lovely wine. Where did you get it from?”

  Tavia responded quickly, “It’s from Terrick. I partnered with a wine merchant who imports it to the city last year. I always try to keep as many bottles of it in stock as possible. It’s quite popular among the family.”

  Tavia had prepared some exceptional wines for their guests; he hadn’t realized they had any of this particular wine left at home. Each bottle of this wine could cost nearly fifty ghouls, while most wines were closer to three ghouls.

  Marie glanced over and Reza took a quick sip of the wine. “Tavia has good deals if the family ever needs wine.” He winked and smiled, hoping Marie understood his joke. It wasn’t the worst thing to think about the possibility of the Sulli family making deals with the family.

  “Lord Sulli is always open to having contacts, and I would love to discuss Tavia’s dealings further.” Marie gave Reza a knowing smile before turning her attention back to Tavia.

  Reza let them go. Their conversation was animated, and Reza knew Tavia had everything under control. Returning his gaze to Lukas, he tried to assess the young man. He had held the sword without flinching when facing death, but his fighting skills were lacking. How could a noble be so inept at combat at his age?

  “Do you have any experience in fighting?” Reza asked.

  Lukas looked up, his eyes glinting with a hint of light. “No, not beyond the basic training everyone receives. My father was never a martial person; he was more focused on managing our family’s estates south of the city. That’s why I was sent to my cousin’s legion to learn how to fight and harness my wraith abilities. I’m uncertain about my future training now, but I’m sure Lord Sulli has already made plans, and we haven’t had time to discuss them since my recovery.”

  Reza found Lukas’s words intriguing. There was something about him that seemed different from other soldiers. His words revealed a glimpse into the man’s true nature, and Reza was impressed.

  “I’m sure Lord Sulli does. From the limited time I spent with him, I was very impressed with him. And your family has certainly done well over the past few decades in maintaining their power.” Reza finished his wine.

  “Brother, why are you questioning the young man with such dull topics?” a voice behind him said. He turned to see his youngest sister, Cassia, joining the conversation.

  Reza quickly stood and offered her his seat. Cassia flushed, as if she had hurried to the table when the servant finally found her. Taking her seat, she positioned herself next to Lukas. She turned to give him her full attention, already smiling at him. The young man looked up, and his neck flushed.

  “I apologize if you feel that way, Sister. Some people would disagree with such a notion.” Reza responded, smirking and taking the seat next to Tavia. “Lukas, this is my sister, Cassia. Cassia, this is Lukas Sulli, the heir to the Sulli Family.” Reza said.

  Cassia gave Reza a bewildered look before extending her hand to Lukas. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  Lukas grasped her hand and gave it a quick kiss.

  Reza felt his stress building as he tried to catch his sister’s eye, but she remained steadfastly fixed on Lukas.

  “No, the pleasure is mine,” he said, glancing at Lukas before his attention completely shifted to Cassia.