Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Chapter 1899 - 1898: Six Witches

Miss Aphrola agreed with a smile, and didn’t forget to wink at Shard. For young girls, this was a playful gesture, but for mature ladies like Miss Galina and Miss Aphrola, it was clearly a flirtatious look.

"What are you discussing?"

High heels tapped on the floor, and footsteps came from behind.

Dressed in a luxurious red gown, with a silver crown glimmering, Miss Galina walked over with a smile, accompanied by Miss Sylvia and Miss Benanis. Tifa and Ciris followed behind, while Lecia and Angelina were temporarily out of sight.

Miss Swift helped Granny Cassandra to stand up, and thus the six Grand Witches gathered in the corner of the banquet hall. The maids shielded their view, and Shard stepped back to give them space. Everyone raised their glasses, and under the dazzling gaslight, gently clinked them. Champagne, wine, port sweet wine, and sherry swirled lightly in the glasses.

The elderly Granny Cassandra looked particularly happy as she gazed at the young ladies raising their glasses:

"It’s been so long since it was this lively. The last time such a gathering happened was over thirty years ago."

Over thirty years ago, except for the age-unknown half-elf Megan and Audrey, the other witches weren’t witches yet.

"Granny, you can say such things many times in the future. The future will probably be even livelier than now."

The blonde Miss Benanis said, glancing at Shard, which made all the witches laugh. They all understood what Miss Benanis meant.

Tifa gently nudged Shard from behind, prompting him to wisely step forward:

"Duke Galina, it’s a pleasure to meet you in Green Lake City. Your beauty is even more stunning than rumored."

The red-haired witch smiled, but soon became serious:

"Young sir, you are Ms. Green’s date? I hope she’s not misjudged you. A man as handsome as you must have many pretty ladies around him."

Everyone smiled while listening to her teasing Shard. After Shard raised his glass, everyone took a sip of their drink and then dispersed. The banquet was not the place to discuss matters; they had plenty of time to reminisce in the coming days.

Shard initially planned to stay with Megan until the ball started, as he had no other purpose for attending this banquet. But after refraining from looking at the men playing Roder Card in the corner, Megan unexpectedly brought him to meet Miss Galina again.

That was half an hour after the six witches gathered, and next, Miss Galina was to give a public speech as the hostess of the banquet, calling for peace and such, rumored to be written with Lecia’s help.

When Shard and Megan met her, she was talking to an older noblewoman from Carsonrick, while Princess Margaret from Carsonrick spoke with Lecia nearby.

The princes and princesses from the House of Cavendish who accompanied Miss Galina were also around, but due to Miss Galina’s dominance, they were mostly just background figures. The King probably sent them to gain experience.

Seeing Shard approach, Angelina came forward to meet them. The Little Princess was in a blue and white gown, with diamond-studded pink hair accessories, making her quite distinct from Lecia and Miss Galina.

She sweetly smiled at Shard and then guided them to meet Miss Galina. Through introductions, Shard learned that the woman conversing with Miss Galina was the Duchess Simir’s wife, who was shot in an assassination attempt a week ago.

With the Duke unable to attend, she represented him at the banquet. Although not holding an official position in the delegation, the experienced Duchess was not to be underestimated.

Miss Galina introduced Megan to the Duchess, and Shard discovered that the Simir Family also had business in herbs and synthetic drugs in the United Kingdom of Carsonrick.

The Duchess seemed interested in discussing matters with Paradise Island Pharmaceuticals, and while the two talked, Shard stood at a distance from the Red-Haired Duchess, who clasped her champagne glass, seemingly observing the crowd.

But in reality, a voice appeared in Shard’s ear:

"Isn’t this banquet quite nice? Don’t look at me; just answer in your heart."

"Of course, it is."

Shard responded in his heart, then heard the witch’s laughter:

"If Lecia wasn’t busy with that now, you’d probably be dragged by her to party, right? The Princess’s restraint in the House of Cavendish is hardly visible in Lecia."

Shard discreetly glanced at Lecia not far away. She was still conversing with Margaret, and the two Princesses were elegant and beautiful, the focus of the banquet. However, Lecia was unaware of how Miss Galina was evaluating her at that moment.

"What a pity it’s not Tobesk now. Otherwise, I could invite you to dance...or perhaps you should invite me."

The witch continued to speak, and Shard also felt the regret:

"How about we dance a little after the banquet ends?"

"Of course, you think after the banquet ends, I’ll let you go?"

Her voice echoed in Shard’s ear, and he managed his expression carefully, trying not to look strange. Pretending to observe Miss Galina’s face beside him, he found her smiling at the bustling crowd, genuinely appreciating her own banquet.

Shard admired the House of Cavendish’s ability to educate its Princesses.

"Fortunately, although I can’t dance with you, neither can Lecia."

The witch continued speaking, and Shard found it hard to comment on. It seemed she hadn’t realized that the other witches didn’t have to worry about identity issues. Shard believed this might be Megan and Audrey’s revenge for the last banquet, but he couldn’t find any evidence.

His eyes scanned the crowd attending the banquet, eager to see what Luviya and Iluna were up to, when suddenly he noticed someone approaching.

It was a man dressed formally, wearing white gloves, appearing to be around thirty years old. Shard recalled for a moment and realized it was Prince Samuel Anjou, the Great Prince of the United Kingdom of Carsonrick, currently aged 29. He was the eldest among Margaret’s siblings and had long been married. However, due to their father, King Lion Laine’s excellent body state, even the most likely inheritor of the throne among the Anjou Royal Family hadn’t assumed any significant roles within the Kingdom.

If nothing unexpected happened, he would have to wait many more years to inherit the throne.

Margaret’s brother approached Miss Galina this way and stopped at an appropriate distance to greet the Duchess, indicating he was quite aware of the various rumors about Galina Cavendish.

He could speak fluent Delarion, and he first exchanged a few pleasantries with Miss Galina before smiling and saying:

"Duchess, should we make a joint speech later?"

He pointed to himself:

"For the peace and continued cooperation between the two countries, perhaps if we could issue a joint statement, it might achieve a better effect."

His face carried a remarkably perfect smile, but the Red-Haired Witch had grown accustomed to similar smiles lately:

"You mean to say, should I and your sister make a speech together?"

She said carelessly, lightly twirling the wine glass with her fingers:

"Samuel Anjou, things that can’t be achieved at the negotiating table, can they be done just by saying a few words at the banquet? You and I both know the purpose of this banquet, you don’t have to tell me these things."

"Duchess, you are indeed as straightforward as the rumors say. I heard you invited my sister to stay over tonight? I hope she doesn’t cause you too much trouble."

He didn’t bother with the topic and immediately opened a new one. But even so, Miss Galina still didn’t want to continue conversing with him.

The witch gave Shard a glance, and Shard said in his heart:

"You’re not suggesting I challenge him to a duel right here, are you?"

The idea sounded quite ridiculous, as even with his current status, Shard had no reason to speak to the Prince. But from what Shard knew about Miss Galina, it was something she might actually do.

"Help me get rid of him, and I’ll have Tifa change into a dress and dance with you later,"

she responded with a voice in his mind. So Shard glanced at the expressionless black-haired maid standing behind them, saying in his heart:

"I must remind you; I’m not getting rid of him just to dance with Tifa, I’m..."

"Oh, hurry up. As if I don’t know what’s going on between you and my maid."

Shard coughed, and Prince Samuel Anjou looked at him in surprise, then inquired:

"And this is...?"

"Hello, Your Highness, I am Ms. Green’s companion from Paradise Island Pharmaceuticals."

He pointed to Megan, who was conversing with Duchess Simir, then extended his hand to shake with Prince Samuel, confirming that he was an ordinary person, with no trace of any magical elements.

Softly apologizing in his heart, Shard triggered the effect of the Arcane Technique "Puppetry" as they interacted.

Though not acquainted with Shard, Margaret’s brother politely exchanged a few words with him. As a servant passed by carrying a tray of wine, he casually snagged a glass of champagne. With a slight shake of his hand, he accidentally spilled the champagne on his own leather shoes.

"I do apologize."

With a gentle smile, he shook his head and turned to leave, going to clean his shoes.

Miss Galina remained motionless in place, and Shard also stood silently by her side.

"Not bad at all."

She whispered softly into Shard’s ear as they both gazed at the scene under the lights, lively yet somewhat bizarre and colorful:

"If, in the future, there were no challenges or difficulties ahead, and every day could be like this, wouldn’t that be wonderful..."

"There will be such a day, Galina, there definitely will be."