The next morning, two maids entered the room for daily clean-up after they were told that Isolde wasn’t in the room any longer.
As one of the maids pushed the curtains aside, the other went straight to the bed. She leaned down, grabbed the duvet, and was about to pull it off when the bed suddenly collapsed!
Her eyes widened. ’What did Miss Selyne do to the bed?!’
She gasped inwardly.
***
Isolde, who sat in one of the smaller sitting rooms in the mansion, sneezed softly. She lowered the list that contained information of people that would be attending the event, gently rubbed her nose before picking up a small teacup billowing with steam from the dark brown liquid that filled the cup.
She eyed Godfrey while sipping the coffee. "You got out of hand."
"In what?" Godfrey, who sat on a sofa adjacent to hers, blinked.
Isolde rolled her eyes. "You only held that bed together with telekinesis, you brute."
"Says the woman who wouldn’t let take a bath in peace this morning." Godfrey retorted. The butler walked in at that mont, forcing Isolde to glare at him as a faint pink hue appeared on her cheeks.
The butler dropped a tray filled with snacks, bowed, and left.
"I don’t think he heard." Godfrey said, but Isolde was having none of that. She picked a biscuit and flung it at him.
Godfrey caught the biscuit and threw it into his mouth. "Don’t waste food."
"Get out." She hissed.
Godfrey blinked, obviously triggered by that word. "Another hour?"
Isolde blushed hard.
He stood up and went behind her sofa, resting both hands on her shoulders, peering at the list in her hand.
"So... is there anyone we should be worried about tonight?"
"Quite a few." Isolde replied, comporting herself. "There’s my distant uncle, Michael Pendragon, also known as the Wealthy Dragon. He’s an indispensable part of the family and the wealthiest. Not just in money but dungeon materials. He has connections with guilds, the authorities, renowned freelancers, and we suspect he funds a powerful independent group that works solely for him."
She brought the list up and pointed at his na. "Our family is divided into two. I’m amongst the Blacks and he is the unofficial leader of the Whites. It wasn’t really an unhealthy competition. Both sides were always trying to outdo the other to stay on top, but not to the extent of killing ourselves. It made us the best version of ourselves. Unfortunately, my uncle weakened us and now the Whites have the advantage."
Godfrey squinted. "So the family is a cohesive force of dragons. Quite different from the dragons of your domain."
"The summons of this family are imitations of dragons, they share lots of similarities, but core traits of the dragon kind are filtered out. We might be prideful, but not to the level of a true dragon. If I can rule them, I may be able to figure out a way to build a cohesive force of dragons. Imagine a nation of dragons all united with one purpose or goal. Together with the Pendragons, it would be the strongest force on earth. And we would be the head."
Isolde looked at Godfrey.
Earth was growing. Not just in mana but also in size, in dungeon numbers, in stronger foes and factions rging to form stronger ones or new powerful factions erging. Having a foothold on earth would also prove useful as this was his world.
Isolde looked at the list once more. "Michael is dangerous, but he’s equally important. I have to keep him. A public strife with him might harm the family’s unity. There are also other important mbers, but if we have Michael under control, they’ll follow."
Her eyes went down and sharpened. "This one is sothing else. Gwen Pendragon, the Blue nace."
"Sounds like she’s a tough one. Who’s she?" Godfrey raised an eyebrow.
"Her summon is a cannibal. It delights in eating dragons, it’s a summon that has developed a taste for blood. Fortunately is she hasn’t eaten the dragon of any Pendragon." Isolde began with a grave tone.
"She’s the oldest mber, the only living mber of the first Pendragons. She survived the Great Despair caused by the appearance of mana, she survived Cain’s Blood March that lasted ten years. She saw the Plague that took Russia like a storm. She’s the oldest mber of the family and the first head’s direct disciple."
Isolde’s eyes narrowed. "I’ve heard a lot about her, but I’ve never seen her. My father has seen her once. She’s coming tonight."
"Sounds like a nightmare." Godfrey said, and Isolde responded with a nod. "She is."
"No need to worry. I’ve got your back." He spoke warmly, making her smile.
***
Several hours passed, and the night finally ca. Lots of luxury cars drove into the mansion. Although the mansion boasted a massive courtyard, it was almost filled with cars and people.
Lots of reporters were at the gate, only a few were granted access into the courtyard, but they weren’t even allowed to enter the hall.
From a sedan with a white dragon with wings spread out, Michael stepped out with his wife Adrienne.
His son, Eiric, also ca down. Their eyes went to another Pendragon family. It was lania, the mother of Geoffrey and his sister, Ivy.
Both families nodded at each other before heading for the entrance.
Eiric studied Ivy for a while, then looked away when she noticed.
"What do you think?" Adrienne asked, tilting her head toward Eiric.
Eiric shrugged. "She’s not bad."
Adrienne, who was holding her husband, chuckled. "Once your father becos head, we would speak to her parents, your union could bring Blacks and Whites together."
Seeing his son’s expression, Micheal comforted him. "If we set aside the difference of two generations who died early due to the era they were born, we Pendragons are not of one blood. We were just a bunch of dragon summoners brought together and given one na."
"Oh."
Adrienne chuckled. "I trust your charm. Don’t make a mistake."
"Don’t you know ? Of course, I won’t." Eiric replied with confidence as they entered the hall.
The hall was massive and beautifully decorated with lots of round tables and spiral chandeliers. A white carpet from the entrance was connected to two staircases that led to the zzanine and went straight to a large platform where instruntalists sat, playing cool, soothing music that embraced everyone the mont they stepped foot in the hall.
It wasn’t just the ambience, but also the atmosphere felt like walking on clouds. An otherworldly beauty.
This hall was opened only when a head was to be appointed. This part of the hall was for the banquet, and the other part, which was currently pitch black, was for the ball.
The light there would only switch on when the mont ca.
Eiric sat down while his parents spoke to other Pendragons who were pleased to et them.
He glanced around and saw a group of young n his age secretly pointing and talking like little kids without control.
With a frown, Eiric looked at what they were so excited about. He saw an enchanting beauty on the zzanine. Her red hair was smooth and pulled back tightly from her face and neck.
It was a sleek updo, a chignon.
She wore an off-shoulder black velvet evening gown that embraced her curves.
The golden tear marks and long eyelashes drew his gaze to her draconic eyes that barely showed emotions.
Eiric forgot to breathe for a mont. She did not wear a mask, yet it looked like she did.
No one could look that exceptional.
"What an outstanding piece of art." He gasped.
His parents, who returned at this mont, heard his words.
"What?" Adrienne looked at Isolde along with her husband.
"Who’s that?" She asked.
"I have no idea." Michael responded.
"I’ll find out." Eiric left his seat and went straight for the zzanine, but after walking past several people to reach there, he couldn’t find her.
She remained in his mind while the event went on. Eventually, the ti ca for the appointnt. The ball was what actually took the ti during this event, the banquet wasn’t ant to be that long.
Arthur, dressed in an oxblood suit, stood on the platform and tapped a spoon against his cup of wine.
"Tonight, before this family, allies, and honoured guests..." He looked around. People were already glancing at Michael, who cleared his throat and adjusted his tie.
"... I declare my daughter the next head of House Pendragon."
"Daughter?" Adrienne beca confused. She wasn’t the only one, as others were visibly stunned at what Arthur announced.
Wasn’t Michael supposed to be the next head, and wasn’t Arthur’s daughter dead?!
"Selyne Pendragon." Arthur said, the hall darkened, and lights shone on the young woman descending from the zzanine.
"It’s her!" Eiric’s eyes widened. He watched Isolde make her way to the platform under the stunned gaze of several dozen influential people.
Michael’s eyes darted around. He could feel the gaze of many on him. "Arthur! What are you doing?!" Micheal rose to his feet.
...
A/N: My eyes hurt so I’m going to upload just one Chapter today.
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