Chapter 241: Chapter 241: Audrey's Coming of Age Ceremony
Chapter 241: Audrey's Coming of Age Ceremony
As the end of the year approached, the turbulent undercurrents in the dark corners of Backlund seemed to have subsided, leaving a rare calm.
Both the noble merchants and the working-class citizens were preparing for the arrival of the new year, their faces adorned with rare smiles.
However, a significant portion of the population could only stay inside their homes, their eyes filled with envy as they watched the cheerful crowds on the streets.
The New Year is always like this, with some families rejoicing while others are sorrowful. This year, the sorrow seemed particularly intense.
The arrival of the New Year also diluted the recent assassination of Duke Negan, and the looming war clouds over the Southern Continent seemed to have dissipated somewhat.
At Mrs. Germani's villa.
"Do you have any wishes you want to fulfill this New Year?"
On the second-floor balcony, Moraka embraced Mrs. Germani from behind, their posture intimate.
"I do, but can you help me achieve it?"
"As long as it's not about Baron Hastur Campbell, I can find a way to help you."
"Then forget it."
"…"
Moraka sighed helplessly, "Your mother has given strict orders that no one from the Witch Sect should disturb your beloved, and I've already suffered the consequences last time."
"She is your mother too."
"But only you resemble her. You are the daughter she truly places her hopes on, while I am just a disposable item."
Moraka caressed Mrs. Germani's familiar yet strange face. Once, she had longed to have such a face.
Now, she was glad to have a different one. Bearing such a face was too heavy, too unfree.
"An item? Do you deserve it?"
A cold voice came, followed by a figure landing behind Moraka, gripping her chin.
"Hehe, what are you doing here!"
Moraka's face showed a look of disdain.
"I always dislike that expression of yours."
Seraphina released Moraka's chin and turned to the slightly anxious Mrs. Germani.
"Are you still so afraid of me?"
"This is reverence."
Mrs. Germani lowered her head slightly, not daring to meet her mother's eyes.
Seraphina glanced at both of them and said indifferently, "I will be staying here for the next few days."
"Hehe, does an ageless witch also want to celebrate the New Year?"
Moraka's sarcastic remark naturally earned her a resounding slap.
"Who allowed you to speak to me in that tone?"
"Haven't I always been like this?"
Moraka's stubbornness amused Seraphina. She longed for maternal love, choosing to torment herself in this way to gain her mother's attention.
Sometimes, Seraphina would play along, treating it as daily interaction between mother and daughter. Other times, she would deliberately ignore her, letting her fall into pain.
A witch could only truly grow in such an environment.
"I'll go prepare a new room."
Mrs. Germani quickly spoke to prevent further conflict.
Moraka wiped the blood from her mouth and sneered, "Why are you still lingering in Backlund? According to the plan, you should have returned to the Southern Continent to participate in the war."
Seraphina scoffed, "Plan? What do you know about the plan? Ignorant speculation."
She was indeed supposed to return to the Southern Continent after finishing her business in Backlund, to cooperate with other organization members and start a war from south to north on New Year's Eve.
But strangely, the planned war was postponed, with rumors spreading that it would happen after the New Year.
Even the Primordial One issued an oracle emphasizing this.
Thus, she had time to stay in Backlund.
But such matters were not for a Sequence 7 witch to know.
"Are you really staying here for the New Year?" Moraka's voice trembled with a mix of caution and hope.
"My daughter, don't you want me to stay?"
"…"
Moraka's expression changed several times before she coldly said, "I just don't want you to disturb my time with Germani!"
Slap!
Moraka's delicate face was slapped again, but she didn't seem angry.
…
Time flew by, and the end of the year arrived.
December 31, 1349, Friday.
In Backlund's noble circles, besides welcoming the New Year, there was another significant event.
Earl Hall's daughter, Backlund's brightest jewel, Audrey Hall, would come of age in a social sense.
The banquet was naturally extravagant, with even the Queen attending, along with many other royal members, including two unmarried princes.
Rumors had long suggested that once Miss Audrey, Backlund's brightest jewel, came of age, she would be set in the crown.
The Queen's presence tonight seemed to confirm this rumor.
As the protagonist of tonight's banquet, the absolute focus, the elegantly dressed Audrey stood in the lounge, waiting for the New Year's Eve party to begin.
Her face showed no signs of happiness, joy, or excitement. Instead, she frowned and sighed, her bright eyes glistening with tears.
In front of her was a newspaper with the headline:
"…According to preliminary statistics, over 36,000 people died directly in the great smog, and the subsequent plague claimed over 80,000 lives, including many children and healthy young people…"
"The dock area was the hardest hit by the smog, with deaths accounting for 60% of the total, and over 20,000 people still seriously ill."
"The kingdom has allocated a large sum for relief efforts for the dock workers who lost their jobs…"
Audrey's eyes blurred as she read further.
She stared at the numbers, shocked that the smog had caused tens of thousands of deaths!
How many people lived in Backlund?
And at this time, she was to celebrate her coming of age in a luxurious villa, introduced by the Queen, in front of a crowd of elegantly dressed nobles.
This was what Mr. Hastur had said about the attributes she was born with, unchangeable by her thoughts.
Audrey closed her eyes.
At that moment, Earl Hall and Countess Hall entered, praising in unison, "Your beauty surpasses everyone tonight, dear. It's time to go out; the Queen is waiting."
Audrey opened her eyes, showing a graceful and bright smile. Accompanied by her parents, she left the lounge and entered the banquet hall.
She walked up to the highest platform, amidst admiring gazes, and extended her gloved hand to the Queen.
The Queen held her hand, leading her to the edge of the platform, facing all the guests, and smiled, "Though this is a dark period in Backlund's history, we still have a gem that illuminates the entire city. Her wisdom, beauty, character, and etiquette are impeccable."
"Tonight, I formally introduce her to you."
"Miss Audrey Hall."
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Fireworks lit up the sky outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.
On the last night of 1349, Audrey officially came of age in a social sense.
Standing on the platform, Audrey maintained her elegant smile, looking at the applauding nobles below.
Were they genuinely happy for her coming of age, or just echoing the Queen's words, or was it merely a customary gesture?
When her gaze fell on Mr. Hastur in the crowd, she was certain he was sincerely blessing her coming of age.
Her gaze didn't linger long. After scanning the room, she looked at the night sky outside, where fireworks bloomed beautifully and dreamily.
If not for the shocking numbers in the newspaper, she might have naively believed that the outside world was no different from her own.
After the Queen's introduction, Audrey left the platform and began greeting the nobles, familiar or unfamiliar.
She maintained her elegance throughout, despite the exhaustion.
Especially when she saw Susie hiding in a corner, observing everyone with a detached look, her heart grew heavier.
Susie noticed Audrey's envious gaze, got up, and moved to a spot where Audrey couldn't see, continuing to observe everything as the best audience of the night.
"Susie, do you need a New Year's gift?"
A familiar voice came from behind. Susie instinctively stopped wagging her tail but soon resumed lazily.
She no longer feared Mr. Hastur as before and could now interact with him calmly.
"With your wisdom, you should delve into Emperor Roselle's philosophical works. They would suit you well."
"Woof!"
Susie was tempted.
She had mentioned this to Audrey before but was firmly rejected, told not to read too many books or strange ideas.
Now, Mr. Hastur's words made her feel she had found a kindred spirit.
It was Mr. Hastur who had first mentioned Roselle, prompting her to seek out his books and become deeply fascinated.
Unfortunately, she couldn't speak to share her thoughts on Roselle's works with Mr. Hastur.
She could only watch as Mr. Hastur was called away by Hibbert for drinks.
Undisturbed, Susie continued observing the night's events from her corner, the best audience of the evening.
(End of Chapter)
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