(29) Banquet and announcement

"Finish this within tomorrow." Nicokel handed a book to Mesrath, who came to fulfill his duty as his knight.

However, Nicokel just sent Mesrath away, busy preparing for the banquet starting around the evening. 

"Understood." Mesrath nodded his head, used to Nicokel's behavior. 

It was his duty to take care of Nicokel after his morning training, but he was always made to either train extra or read books by Nicokel. This has been going on for the past week, making Mesrath hesitant. 

'...Young master Nicokel turns into a monster whenever he trains me...Does he even consider me a human? How can anyone withstand such a training course?' Mesrath couldn't help but lament. 

"Go back to the Knights residence already." Nicokel shooed Mesrath away while tidying his clothes. 

"Okay..." Mesrath left with no hesitation. 

Nicokel, who felt satisfied with his appearance in the mirror, began walking out of his room. 

'They are planning on hosting the welcome party till deep into the night. According to the head butler, it must be held at the west block of the mansion.' Nicokel recalled. 

The corridor and decoration were extra clean compared to the usual. Fresh flowers filled the pots and the carpet was scot-free. 

'I wonder what kind of entertainment awaits me. I was getting bored with my daily routine at this point anyway.'

 Nicokel held in the wicked smile that threatened to leak out. 

.....

The banquet shone in the bright lights of the chancellors. 

Many counts and Marquesses gathered in a bunch, exchanging pleasantries. Most of them were nobles who worked under the Verksein family. 

This banquet was not hosted by the royal family, hence there were no strict rules to be followed. Most of them were relaxed and excited to greet the Duke Verakein. 

Allesia mixed among the nobles and greeted the people who approached her respectfully too. She represented the Blodraid family, so she had to uphold her position of higher standing. 

The knight who acted as her servant too maintained a stoic expression. 

"Is Miss Allesia planning to disband the marriage with the Verskein family?" 

Allesia was not surprised by the question. Her family had secretly spread such information, intending to break the marriage between Allesia and Nicokel soon. 

"It has not been decided yet." That was all Allesia could say in response. 

"Personally I think breaking this marriage is for the best. Not that I want to slander the Verskein family, but young master Nicokel will probably lose his position as an heir today. Mistress Allesia must have heard of it too, right?" One of the young noble heirs spoke with a sly look in his eyes. 

Many heirs were jealous of Nicokel because of this marriage. They didn't hold back from slandering him now that they got the chance. 

"Yes. I am aware of the formal duel...." Allesia's eyes shone with expectations.

If Nicokel were to lose his young master position, the marriage between them would be severed faster too. 

She had heard of Nicokel awakening his mana and even working hard. But she still hated Nicokel as a person and this marriage. 

Allesia had doubts about whether such claims were true too. 

Awakening mana at the age of 12, just who would believe such nonsense?

Not long after, Allesia could see Nicokel walking into the banquet hall with a nonchalant look. No one even bothered to go greet him at this moment. 

Many low-rank nobles had gathered around him in the past, attracted to his money, but now they too were keeping their distance. Because today, Nicokel might lose his position. Staying beside such a person might attract Gelen's animosity. 

Not bothered by the cold gazes of some nobles, Nicokel sat and ordered the servant to bring him juice. 

Nicokel's eyes were stuck to the wine bottle on the table, but he held himself back, remembering the duel that might happen tonight. 

Feeling rueful internally as he could not drink the wine, Nicokel gulped down the lemonade handed to him. 

'....There is no restriction on the drinking age in this world. Such a wonderful place, I would have already drowned myself in wine if not for the duel. Tch-tch, I will beat up that bastard till he loses consciousness.' Nicokel directed his hostility towards Gelen. 

Gelen and his mother, Trenae, were already present in the hall before Nicokel's arrival. 

Not long after, the Duke Verskein, Verselc entered the banquet hall. 

All the nobles flocked towards him immediately. However, they still maintained a formation according to rank, greeting Verselc one at a time, and offering their congratulations. 

Only after half an hour did the crowd clear out. 

'Shit...good that I decided not to become a noble. There is no way I have the patience to greet every freaking last person in a party hall. I don't ever want to go through such a strenuous act.' 

Nicokel was not someone interested in politics. The main reason was that he had to always maintain an image before others, hiding away his true feelings. He didn't like this aspect of politics in the slightest. 

"Everyone, I have an announcement for you." 

Hearing Verselc's serious voice who was in the center, Nicokel was sure that the time had come. 

The nobles quietly began listening to Verselc speak. 

"The banquet would not go on till deep in the night as planned before. I can only offer my apologies for this matter." Verselc bowed his head, with not much sorrow on his face. 

"It has been decided that a formal duel will be held tonight, between my sons, Nicokel and Gelen. I do recommend all the fine gentlemen here to attend it if you could." 

Nicokel was amazed by Verselc's way of leading everyone's attention towards the formal duel. 

And...

'Wow...I thought that it would be held tomorrow or some other day. But for them to directly change today's banquet schedule...Am I hated within the family too? They want everyone to witness me getting beaten up by Gelen.' 

Nicokel could only stare blankly at Verselc lost in his thoughts. 

Suddenly, Nicokel felt like his eyes met with Verselc. But Verselc looked away almost immediately. 

From Verselc's eyes, Nicokel was almost sure that he had given up on him. 

"Good evening, Young master Nicokel." 

Jane and Katlyn greeted Nicokel after talking with the other nobles. 

Nicokel nodded his head and greeted back naturally. Jane moved on to speak with Gelen next, not exposing their relationship. 

Jane didn't take the risk of sticking to just one side. If Nicokel were to lose, Jane's position in the Heirich merchant would be jeopardized. 

The banquet went on as intended. 

Verselc just paid respect to the two royal family heirs, who attended the party. For others, he just spoke a few words in response to them. 

"The formal duel would be held in the knight's arena. It would take a while for the two participants to get ready for the duel, so you might as well enjoy your dinner at this time. Not to worry, dinner would be provided even after the duel." 

Almost all the nobles were interested in the duel between Gelen and Nicokel. Ninety percent of them moved to the arena immediately, led by the servant — after finishing their dinner. The other people who went back deduced that the result of this duel was apparent.