Transmigrated as the Villain: I will survive

Chapter 46: The Banquet ( 2 )

Despite what one would consider of a globe like building, due to its size the inside was actually quite complex including multiple floors and long halls

The Gate that the guests entered through immediately opens to a large hall, but from that hall a multitude of stairways and corridors could be seen branching out from the side connecting to the rest of the structure

’ Of course it was made to look aesthetically pleasing as well ’

Everything that this building encompassed was luxury, from the stairs and the ceiling to the very infrastructure

And this wasn’t exaggeration, the stella requiem was listed as one of the most expensive buildings in the empire by most news outlets, yet that was only through rough estimate based on the outside

Sadly, at the moment I was the very definition of exhaustion, as such I couldn’t bring myself to appreciate the beauty of it, as only the very long part seemed to register

There were two massive gates leading to the main hall and I was currently walking towards the second one alone, albert had excused himself stating he had some unfinished business to attend to, though it was obvious it was because he couldn’t stop his lips from twitching upwards

’ The reaper of the Arcanes ’

His victims would be rolling over in their graves if they could see him now, leaving that thought behind I stood before the second gate having finally arrived

’ Go in, explain, go out ’

I could hear my title getting called, so alongside a burst of light I stepped into the banquet

.....

Isabella Pov:

A bright golden shine with blue light illuminating everywhere, those where the first two things that came to view

Right after was the massive influx of stares coming from all over, I was already used to them however this time it felt rather different, more expectant

looking around showed the cliques that have been formed since the start of the academy most notably the princess’s and the heir of Ghostbloom’s, two faction that were notoriously at odds

going a little farther in the back would reveal Felipe who was also of high birth standing at the side trying to be considerate for those of lower rank

’ We should have told him to come with us ’

Watching him like that started making me feel guilty, though we weren’t close I knew him since he was a kid and he was friends with Jake, so I felt a tad bit responsible

But as I was making plans to add him to our group I realized the stares hadn’t left us yet as if waiting for something, it was only then that I turned to look around me

" ... "

Honestly at this point I was getting sick of having nothing to say, yet the more I saw the more I found myself in such a state

’ This is... ’

this time though was because of the sheer absurdity of it all

" Hey... that’s actual gold, right? "

Sophie’s dumbfounded voice reached me as she signalled at the drawings on the walls, created using precious metals such as gold and silver to paint it branching out all over the place

It would be a total waste of money normally, no one would ever use it in such a way, yet it clashed so perfectly with the stygian atmosphere of the place that you couldn’t help but stare at awe at it all

All around us stood the history of the arcane etched into soot black rock, as the gold and silver acted as highlights for the scenes

Watching it all we walked in silence as we moved towards the centre browsing the stories painted upon the wall

" It’s quite beautiful, isn’t it? "

Felipe asked having made his way towards us, I simply nodded as Jake began speaking seemingly having held it in

" It is, however, isn’t it too much? "

Hearing him I could guess why he thought so, after all despite being from a ducal household our parents had always taught us the value of moderation

This whole trip till now must have felt like a total waste of assets to him, especially this banquet hall

But instead of answering Felipe slowly raised his hand pointing upwards towards the ceiling, raising my head at the sudden gesture I finally noticed them

" Merum stones... "

The words left faster than I could stop them, I was simply that dumbfounded

" Those are actual merum stones... "

So much so that I had to repeat it once again to be sure

I felt a slender hand grabbing my wrist as I turned to see Sophie eyes shaking

" Hey bella... that guy... maybe it would be best if you... "

" Introducing the esteemed star of Arcane...."

However, I never got to hear the rest of her words

" The Marquise Nicholas Arcane has arrived "

As Nicholas had arrived the very second after

.....

The room that had barely started thawing froze up once more at his arrival, just like this morning his eyes seemed to hold no light as he stared down on us

Only a few seconds had passed yet due to the uncomfortable atmosphere it seemed much longer

’ Is he just going to stand there?

I want to talk to him, especially about this place ’

As I was thinking that the sudden sound of a piece of paper being unfolded brought my attention back to him as he continued staring at us from afar

" 1- All transportation will be handled by the arcane estate simply choose a carriage

2- Due to Sir Merlins request none of you are to enter the red flagged districts in Lunae

3- You are to treat the citizens and servants of arcane with respect if they have wronged you then come to me personally

4- All entertainment avenues and schedules will be found neatly arranged on a pamphlet in your current accommodations

5- None you got an A+ in this morning’s surprise assessment except for Christine Vargo, reason being I am unbelievably biased

6- I ask of the current heirs of the dukedoms and her royal highness to come for a little talk in the room next over, you shall be escorted

Thank you and I hope you have a pleasant stay at arcane "

Having said that he turned around closed the doors causing the music to start playing

" .... "

" .... "

" .... "

" .... "

’ What??? ’

.....

It didn’t take long before all 6 of us where escorted towards the same room, well 7 including Sophie who decided to tag along; however, I could tell both the princess and Elric weren’t quite pleased by the sudden arrangement

Still, it was a mutual agreement to all who was present to stay quiet for a moment till we come to hear what he has to say

So, entering the rather small room we stood face to face with an already seated Nicholas, having been waiting for us he simply gestured towards the sofa’s as we all took our seats before he finally began talking

" I don’t want any fighting "

Those where the first words he said staring directly at Eleanor and Elric

" I already know you both have plans set in motion to try to one up each other, I however am not fond of cleaning up other people’s mess, I have already contacted your guardians, anything happens and you’ll answer to them "

Turning away from the clearly shaken duo he began speaking with Jake

" You are forbidden from entering Lunae, the people there haven’t yet forgotten what you did the last time you entered a market "

Before turning to the rest

" I called the rest here simply to cover for those three, you can go and I hope you have a pleasant time "

’ What? ’

This was the second time that he had done this yet this time it didn’t seem like he was planning on saying anything else

he simply gestured to the door as they swung open just like this morning, the only difference was the small wave he gave to Christine as she left and that a servant handed me a letter as I was walking out

opening it revealed a promise and as always, a compliment

’ I promise to make this up to you

and you look absolutely gorgeous ’

Reading that any sort of annoyances and confusion I had towards him seemed to melt away as I gave him an excuse for his abrupt behaviour today

’ I’m sure he’s busy, I’ll talk to him about it later ’

Thinking that I made my way back to the banquet

.....

Nicholas Pov:

’ I’m going to sleep ’