Kapitel 17: Chapter 17: Leblanc
Through valleys and forests, the journey to Leblanc was full of beautiful scenery. The almost 2-week trip was relatively quiet due to the elimination of the bandits in the nearby area, thanks to Victor and his soldiers. Passing through many quaint and peaceful villages, Victor reflected on his life choices. Could he have been able to enjoy such a serene and humble life if he renounced his family?
In the end, it was a useless thought, thanks to his system his life was destined to be full of adventure and devoid of peace. However, this trip to Leblanc was a nice change of pace for Victor. In the 4 months since Conrad took over Victor's body, it had been hectic.
He had accomplished feats that the previous Victor would've thought impossible and it was due to this magical system. From defeating bandits and mercenaries to vigorously training to defeat Klaus in a duel, Victor had no time to appreciate the world he had been thrust into. During this trip, he could fully appreciate the tranquillity of nature without being interfered with by the sounds of traffic or the looming skyscrapers that had distracted him in his previous life.
Throughout the journey, a strong bond of companionship grew between Victor and the cavalrymen. Unlike the other soldiers at camp, Victor had not spent more than a day with them so being able to get to know them was a nice perk of this trip.
Arriving a day before the party, Victor and his party managed to enter the city before dusk encroached on the city. Leblanc was similar in size and population to Hannover. However, unlike Hannover, Leblanc was thriving. Due to the boom in agriculture over the decades in the region, food and other animal commodities were abundant and were sought out by poorer realms.
Leblanc was situated in the heart of the territory in the middle of a flat valley. The city was vibrant with colour and bustling with life. Artisans were out and about working, drinking, and laughing. Fantasy-like in its harmony and prosperity, the city was full of everlasting peace.
'I hope I can turn Hannover into this paradise one day,' Victor thought, marvelling at the busy street life. The party asked around and managed to find an inn near the stables to rest at for the evening. Due to the droves of visitors because of the celebration many of the inns were full, so the party were fortunate to find a vacant one near some stables.
With some homely food and simple beer, the party dined before hitting their heads on the inn's pillows.
The day of the celebration had come and Victor was sweating buckets. He had never attended an event with such prestigious and noble people. One mistake could strain relations with other dukedoms, so tonight was a night for no mishaps.
Revising his teachings alongside Sebastian and Florence Victor practiced dancing and etiquette until it was time to leave. Dressed in a light purple dress suit that matched Victor's hair, he was ready to attend the party.
With an escort of 4 cavalrymen from his Royal Scots Grey, Victor's carriage navigated the clean streets of Leblanc. Arriving at the palace gates one of Victor's escorts handed identification papers to the palace guards. With a quick, yet thorough check of the document's authenticity, Victor was allowed into the palace.
Escorted by a palace servant, Victor and Sebastian were led into the ballroom full of lavish-looking people. Florence was left at the main entrance with the gift Victor had prepared for his grandparents. Once entering the room Victor ordered Sebastian to stand with the other servants until he met his grandparents, he was to then retrieve the gift from Florence.
Victor who was famished manoeuvred through the crowd of people to the snacks and savouries tables where he began to try a few of the delicious tarts and danishs. A tad shy Victor was a bit reclusive early on. He stuck to the walls where he watched the fancy folks with extravagant dresses and dapper suits mix and mingle.
'I'll make my move wants my grandparents arrive,' Victor thought. He had not informed his grandparents that he would be attending. Victor had not seen them since they came to take Veronica away. He didn't know how they'd react after 3 years of no contact. From his memory, he wasn't sure if his grandparents even liked him but nevertheless, it was a risk he was willing to take.
A servant next to the double door at the entrance began to clear his throat. The ballroom was massive and filled with many people. As an older gentleman, the servant took a few deep breaths before speaking.
"Introducing the Duke and Duchess Cassell and their family!" Bellowed the elderly servant. The door flew open and in came a group of purple-haired nobles. There were six in total. Duke Lucious Cassell and his wife, Duchess Loraine Cassell led the group. Behind them followed their son Larys Cassell and his wife Julia Cassell. Then finally the last were two younger nobles, slighter younger than Victor. The first was Harys Cassell, grandson of the duke and duchess.
Next to Harys was a face Victor knew all too well. A sister who he had never forgotten and missed dearly, Veronica Luxenberg. Taken aback for a moment Victor could only stare. The small and shy girl he remembered was no more. She had flowered into an elegant and confident young woman.
The family sat on a raised platform at one end of the hall whilst everyone applauded and cheered. The elderly duke still springy in his old age stood up and addressed the crowd. "Thank you all for coming to celebrate my and my wife's 50th wedding anniversary. I hope you all enjoy yourselves this evening."
A short and simple remark, but warmly received by many. The party resumed people one by one went to pay their respects to family who were watching people dance and socialise. Sensing an opportunity Victor began to drift towards the part of the room where the family sat. He waited patiently as an elderly gentleman conversed with the family.
After some time the elderly gentleman was finally finished. Seizing the moment Victor approached the table. With confident strides, he reached an appropriate distance away from the table and offered a small bow.
"Congratulations on your 50th anniversary my dear grandparents," Victor said politely.
The family, exchanging confused looks, stared at Victor in silence. Aware that something was wrong, Victor stopped bowing, stood tall, and raised an eyebrow at his grandfather.
"I'm sorry but who are you calling grandparents? I do not believe we know you." Questioned Duke Cassell.
Confused Victor looked at all of their faces. Were they serious? All of them were family and yet they couldn't recognise one of them. Victor thought his purple hair would be a giveaway but clearly, they couldn't identify him.
Baffled by this whole situation Victor could smile awkwardly. Sure his grandparents and sister hadn't seen him in 3 years, but he didn't think that he changed that extremely during that time.
"Are you all serious?" Victor asked.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein