The Banquet (1)

Finally, the awaited day came.

Desmond's birthday banquet and Rheannon's welcome as the new Marchioness Melchoir.

It was a day when the main Melchoir family members wore clothes to match Melchoir's signature colors: dark blue mixed with red and white. The three of them already looked like a true Melchoir family.

She hasn't complained about anything at all, Hadrian thought as he glanced at Rheannon.

Today his wife looks very royal; she doesn't look like a prisoner at all. Her hair was neatly rolled up with a hairpin Hadrian had given her adorning one side. The color of her face looks good, it doesn't show at all if she's still not completely healthy. Her expression seemed very confident as if she didn't allow anyone to look down on her.

"Nothing surprising, Marquess Hadrian. Madame Rheannon is a woman who was taught to be the leader of demon controllers by the late Earl Whitley," said Calore.

And it's not just Rheannon who looks different this time. Chas too, who appeared in a black shirt and neatly styled hair, looked more aristocratic and formal than usual. The remnants of his scornful and scornful expression were gone, turning into that of a mature man who was stern and cold. Desmond was reluctant to approach.

"Wow, really yeah, those Colton bloodlines," Hadrian heard one of his relatives comment as dance music started to play and Rheannon and Chas began to dance.

Yes, they sure do look like true Colton bloodlines, Hadrian agreed as he watched Chas and Rheannon make their way around the banquet hall together.

"Father didn't dance with Mother?" asked Desmond who was also observing the people dancing.

"Father can't dance," Hadrian confessed honestly. I'm too tall to dance with Rheannon anyway, he added to himself.

"Mother also said she didn't dance, but she still danced with Lord Chas," said Desmond.

"Because Lord Chas taught and guided her."

"Then, after this just ask to be led by Mother."

Hadrian knew that Calore had left to hide his amused expression. In contrast to Ichabod, who blatantly looked away because he couldn't help but laugh beside him.

"It can't be that easy, Desmond," Hadrian said, trying to be as patient as possible.

"Oh, I see? Sorry if I sound too pushy…"

Day by day, it seemed that Desmond was getting smarter in making Hadrian feel like a failure as a good father figure.

But this time, Hadrian couldn't let his guard down. This is the first party he's having. Moreover, the party was to introduce his rightful successor and new marchioness. Danger could arise from anywhere at a time like this.

As soon as the dance music ended, Chas returned Rheannon to Hadrian. His expression showed tension, meanwhile Rheannon… His wife looked pale for some reason.

"There was an intruder among the guests, did you know that, Your Grace?" asked Chas.

Hadrian's eyes automatically swept across his banquet hall. He exchanged glances with Ichabod who suddenly became alert.

"Young Master, please come with me," Ichabod asked Desmond. The child immediately obeyed obediently and only had time to wave at his adoptive parents before leaving.

"You read people's minds as you circled the hall earlier?" Hadrian asked Rheannon worriedly. "No wonder you're so pale."

Rheannon ignored him. "Someone from the Palace – I think," she thought. "He is very good at hiding his thoughts. Trained people."

"You deliberately let him into this residence, Marquess Hadrian?" asked Chas sharply.

"This is not the time to argue, Lord Chas. I do submit to the Kingdom, but that doesn't mean I'm happy when they intrude without permission," said Hadrian. "Right now, all that matters is that Rheannon and Desmond are safe."

"If not you… your relative?" she asked.

Hadrian squinted disapprovingly at Rheannon. "We already had a fight over this a few days ago, didn't we? Want to do it again?"

"Which do you prefer, I accuse you of poor security... or I accuse your relatives of secretly abetting the Palace?" challenged Rheannon.

"Neither," Hadrian hissed. He grabbed Rheannon's hand and pulled her away, ignoring Chas' rebuke behind them.

Intruder. There is an intruder at his estate.

Hadrian had indeed been loyal and obedient to the Palace as long as it was for the good of the Rexton Kingdom. Hadrian would have killed Rheannon if ordered to. My goodness, just now he had married and imprisoned his own wife while lying to his adopted son. Killing his wife is not a difficult matter.

The palace already trusted him so much, so why did they have to admit intruders into his estate which was supposed to be his safest place?

Hadrian felt betrayed!

"Wait–Hadrian!"

Hadrian realized that he had been rude to his wife. "Sorry," he said hastily.

He was about to check Rheannon's wrist, but the woman interrupted him, "There are two. No, three…"

"What–you mean the intruder?"

Rheannon surveyed her surroundings, then approached one of the windows and looked out. "Other than the one in the hall earlier, there are two more," she told him. She looked at Hadrian seriously. "I think I know why the guards don't know where they are."

"The demon, the contract binder," Hadrian muttered. He didn't remember there being this many contract binders at Rexton. "Rheannon, can I beg you? Whoever it is, don't kill them."

"If the circumstances weren't urgent, I wouldn't do it," Rheannon promised.

Hadrian was now looking out the window. He found one of his guards who seemed to have received directions from Ichabod or Calore. Hadrian sent him a sign and the guard nodded in understanding.

"Hadrian, I actually have something to tell you," Rheannon admonished as they continued on their way to safety.

"Now? We're busy," Hadrian said casually. He gripped Rheannon's hand a little tighter. "I can't lose you now, Rheannon."

"Suddenly, I feel loved."

"This is no time for jokes. After all, how many times do I have to say that I have promised many people that I will take care of you as best I can."

"Ah, no wonder you feel betrayed by the Palace. It turns out that you are a person who really keeps your promises, huh?"

Hadrian and Rheannon stopped suddenly. Both of them felt the presence of another person near them.

Can this woman be invited to run? thought Hadrian.

[You can just carry me.]

Hadrian and Rheannon glanced at each other, then simultaneously pulled away from each other to avoid the arrows that had suddenly shot their way.

Hadrian quickly threw his knife in the direction the arrows appeared, then immediately grabbed Rheannon. Another arrow appeared to attack them, but Hadrian easily dodged it.

"Don't get hit by the arrows, there could be poison in it," Hadrian said.

"Hadrian, when I'm too weak, carry me, will you?"

Hadrian had not expected to be under attack within his own estate.

Just you wait, if something happens to my family, I will punish them, Hadrian's determination was full of anger.