章節 128: Holiday Party

"How was your day? Looks like you've been having fun lately." Vivi's voice came from behind Ben. She came here immediately after hearing that he has returned.

"Yeah, we're doing good. What about you?" Ben turned when he heard her coming from behind.

"Yeah, been busy lately." Vivi smiled warily shaking her head.

"I could see that," he said looking at the direction of the mansion. "Everyone seems really busy about it." Ben asked as he figured he'd ask the chief conspirer about it.

"Oh that? Its just a little something we use to do back in our village. Its a season of giving and loving, so I thought we could bring it here so we could celebrate after the long years work and all. We never miss it back home." Said Vivi, but at the same time her voice was laced with sadness and sorrow.

Ben was shocked speechless after confirming it from her mouth. That is mainly because it was exactly no different from the most celebrated holiday in his previous life. And if he calculated it well he'll find out it really is by this time of the year after he was brought to this world. How he misses those holidays. He could never forget Christmas. He was simply just surprised that such thing exist in this world.

"I love the idea. I hope this tradition can be spread throughout the world some day." Ben exclaimed.

"Ha-ha. That would be so far fetched, don't you think? Anyway, I wanted to know if you'd like to invite anyone over. Maybe like the Blacksmith Guild or other people that you have in mind."

"I want to decline that idea and just let my workers enjoy themselves, but I think it might be a good way to spread the tradition."

Ben arranged for invitations to be handed out to specific people. The Guild... Or more like a selected few from the Guild was at the top of his list of course. Ben tried to limit everyone coming to be of the same age group as him but it wouldn't work since he'll be inviting old blacksmiths to the party.

So instead he sent invitations to Lord Relet for one, a few friends from the Hunters Guild, and other aristocrats he knew and had business with.

The night in the mansion was buzzing and just like he expected not everyone would come. Like for one, Lord Relet himself, instead he sent someone over to represent him, and he sent Elsa, his daughter, since she and Ben had a good footing right at the beginning than his son who is still bedridden.

"Haha! I've been waiting for when you'll invite us back here. Ben, ever since I tasted your food that day I have been having a really hard time going back to my old dishes. I think I'm going to live off you food or a while." Caspian began rambling about the dish than anything else.

Cora, Tim, Crispin, Asmilia, Hoover, Suzanne and the all talkative Caspian was around. In his letter he had asked them to each bring one person of their choice if they wanted to. And they did just that. Ben could garner that the were all their students or relatives.

"But Ben, really, what's this celebration all about, anyway? I don't know why anyone would want to hold a party for no good reason, if you ask me."

"Well, that is true. But this is planned by my friends here, Vivi and her brother, Stephan. It is not a new thing to me but I think it is better to celebrate with friends and family than just yourself. So don't hold back, just enjoy the holiday."

"Holiday???" they all looked at Ben in confusion. Hope this isn't done kind of cult out maybe even church.

Ben left those from the Blacksmith Guild and went over to where the Hunters Guild stood. Even though he wasn't that close to them he let Stephan invite a few of his friends while he invited powerful people in that branch. One of then was the manager of the Guild's branch.

"Mr Ben, it is a pleasure to be here. I've heard so many things about you. Not only are you the founder of my best restaurant but you are also a Hunter who completed an S rank mission. I really am impressed." The manager said when he saw Ben walking towards them. He didn't say all that just to flatter him, he really was impressed by the young man's achievements.

The manager of the Hunters Guild in the outskirts of Nalazi was a middle aged man exuding the aura of a Fourth-level Elemental Swordsman. Ben could tell this was a real war veteran because he couldn't even restrain his aura making all those capable of perceiving aura to feel suffocated, while normies will only fell uneasy around the man. The servant practically scurry away after handing him a glass of wine.

"Please, manager Ken, there's no need to stand on ceremony. Besides I see you are about to become a late Fourth-level Elemental Swordsman, that's something to celebrate to, don't you think?." Ben said whispering the last part to Ken in a wide smile after shaking the broad hands of the manager. The manager too smiled when he heard what Ben said, it just shower Ben wasn't an easy person.

After Ben was done greeting all his guests he went to take a drink from the barman. He had his back to the crowd yet he could feel the heat of someone staring at him from behind. He didn't have to do anything against whoever it was because only a handful of people present could pose a threat to him.

"I don't see what you would gain by drilling a hole through my head with your eyes standing behind me." Ben said without turning his head to see who it was. Whoever it was would eventually come up to him.

"It has only been a little close to two years and you seem to have forgotten all about me." A small alluring voice came from a distance behind Ben.

"Why would you say so? I've just been too busy lately that's all." Ben took a sip of his wine but didn't turn around.

"Really? It seems like throwing parties is part of your 'busy' schedule, isn't it?" Else came up to the table and sat beside him ordering her own glass.

"What can I say? I just had a free time."

They laughed at their lame joke before facing each other. Ben gasp for breathe when he saw the lady sitting by his side. Else wore a off-shoulder brown lace gown. Her redish brown hair was braided in a single braid that ran down pass her shoulder blades. Her lips coated with thick lip gloss. Since her dress didn't have at straps her now ample breasts were at full view threatening to spill if any mistakes were made.

"Mama miya. Are you trying to give all the men here a heart attack?" Ben asked yet still had his eyes roaming all over her body.

Else was all red because of his words. She wasn't embarrassed but was extremely pleased that she was able to have him react the way he did. Ben wasn't going to see beauty and disregard it just because he was in the circle of the high and mighty. In his mind he was telling all those people to go to hell.

"Ahem. Well, I bring greetings from my father, Lord Relet, he wishes the Benjamin mansion well." Although her voice wasn't loud her earlier attention grabber made almost everyone hear her words.

"We all know he doesn't, but who would know?" Ben came closer to her and whispered.

"You have no idea what it took for him to let me come here, hehe. Where are the red heads anyway?" Elsa sighed dramatically with a sly smile.

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe with some friend around the place. This place is huge, how do you expect me to know Vivi is still trying to put on something presentable and Stephan is probably out there with his Hinter friends."

"Hahaha." Elsa laugh at Ben's anology because he just told her exactly where the two 'red hairs' were when claiming he has no idea where they were. With that she headed where one of the red haired were through the many gatherings were.

"Hey Elsa," Ben called out.

"Hmm?" Elsa stopped on her track and answered.

"Aren't you suppose to go up to Vivi instead of Stephan?" Ben raised a curious brow when he saw her line of destination. She was heading where he hinted Stephan would be at.

"Vivi can certainly take care of herself. I bet she has like four or five maids taking care of her too, so why bother." Elsa without another word resumed her trek toward Stephan.

When Ben saw this he was completely stomped. Is what I'm thinking happening between two people I know? Ben asked himself as he shook his head. What a turn of events Ben would have never expect to occur in a hundred years.

As it seems, Stephan was able to take the opportunity of Elsa always coming over to chat with Vivi to woo her, and he unexpectedly succeeded in that. No one would think that the nerd looking boy would be able to win the heart of one of the most beautiful girls in the city. Literally!

Ben was confident in his charisma, charm and handsomeness to win any girl over. But he won't flaunt it and turn himself into some play boy or womanizer. Nevertheless, he was very happy of his brother's achievements.