Chapter 90 - banquet
I woke up early the next morning.
After taking a shower, I returned to my room, neatly made my bed, and put on the suit Amy had prepared for me.
Standing before the mirror, I quietly looked at my reflection.
A young man with black hair and striking blood-red eyes stared back at me, dressed in a perfectly fitted black suit.
I made a few final adjustments, making sure everything looked neat.
Today, I had to present myself at my very best.
After all, as Mom always said...
"My appearance represents the Starlight Family."
Satisfied, I left my room and headed toward Amy’s room.
Knock.
"Come in."
After hearing her voice, I opened the door.
Amy was already dressed.
She wore a stunning black gown that perfectly matched my suit.
The moment she saw me, she smiled proudly.
"Hm."
"Not bad."
"My little brother is definitely the most handsome one today."
I smiled awkwardly.
"You look beautiful too."
I answered honestly.
Amy immediately flicked my forehead.
"Hey!"
"Why do you sound like you’re reading from a book?"
"Can’t you compliment a girl properly?"
I rubbed my forehead.
"Oww..."
Amy only snorted before dragging me along.
Together, we went to meet the others.
Soon, we found Elena waiting for us.
She wore an elegant white dress with only a few simple accessories.
Its simplicity only made her natural beauty stand out even more.
The moment she noticed us, she smiled warmly.
Amy immediately complimented her.
"You look beautiful today."
Elena smiled back.
"So do you."
"And your brother looks very handsome as well."
"Thank you."
I scratched the back of my head awkwardly.
Elena smiled.
"Let’s wait here."
"Luna should be here any moment."
We both nodded.
Not long afterward...
Luna arrived.
The moment I saw her...
I froze for a brief second.
She wore a beautiful ice-blue dress that suited her perfectly.
Around her neck rested a sapphire-blue diamond necklace that perfectly complemented her sapphire-blue eyes.
The combination made her already breathtaking appearance even more stunning.
For a brief moment...
She truly looked like an Ice Goddess.
I had seen beautiful people before.
But today...
Even I couldn’t help being momentarily mesmerized.
I quickly composed myself and greeted her with a smile.
Before I could say anything, Amy lightly nudged my shoulder and whispered,
"Hey."
"You straightforward brat."
"Go compliment her."
Elena overheard everything.
Covering her mouth, she quietly waited to see how I would react.
I took a deep breath.
"I’ve faced far more difficult situations than this."
"This is nothing."
I kept convincing myself.
Even so...
I couldn’t deny it.
Luna really was stunning.
I cleared my throat.
"Ahem..."
"You look beautiful today."
Luna smiled softly.
Before she could reply—
Amy lightly smacked the back of my head.
"Really?"
"That’s the best you could come up with?"
"Were you raised by blocks or something?"
She sighed dramatically.
"Honestly..."
"I’ll have to teach you how to compliment girls someday."
"You stay cooped up at home all the time."
"No wonder you don’t know how."
I looked at her helplessly.
"And whose fault is that?"
"I just said the first thing that came to mind."
Amy simply shook her head.
"What am I going to do with you..."
Meanwhile, Elena could no longer hold back her laughter.
"Oh, sis."
"Just her presence alone is enough to make him panic."
Luna quietly watched the exchange.
A warm smile naturally appeared on her face.
Compared to the countless polished compliments she had received from noble young masters...
Gray’s straightforward words somehow felt far more genuine.
She couldn’t help laughing softly.
"You look handsome today as well."
"That suit really suits you."
I smiled.
"Thank you."
"And your dress matches your eyes perfectly."
"It really looks beautiful on you."
Luna’s smile grew just a little brighter.
After chatting for a little while longer, the four of us headed toward the Empress.
When we arrived, Mom and Astrid were already waiting beside her.
Isabella stood beside the Empress, wearing a pure white dress, while the Empress herself wore an elegant royal gown befitting her status.
The moment we entered, both Mom and the Empress smiled.
We greeted them respectfully before walking over.
Amy immediately complimented Isabella’s appearance while I quietly stood beside my sister.
After exchanging a few words, Mom walked over to us.
Amy followed behind her.
"Mom."
"You should’ve seen him trying to compliment Luna."
"I practically had to push him."
"And after thinking so hard..."
"All he managed was, ’You look beautiful.’"
"It was hilarious."
Mom simply smiled.
She knew her son better than anyone.
Nothing about that surprised her.
Instead...
She was happy to watch him slowly grow while still enjoying his childhood.
The Empress, having overheard the conversation, walked over with a smile.
"Hm."
"Seraphina."
"You truly have a wonderful relationship with your children."
Mom nodded gently.
"They’re everything to me."
The Empress then turned toward me.
"So, Gray."
"How are you feeling today?"
"I’m about to announce your engagement."
"And I imagine quite a few young nobles will challenge you afterward."
She smiled teasingly.
I sighed helplessly.
"If they challenge me..."
"I’ll defeat them."
The Empress’s smile widened.
"Oh?"
"Such confidence."
"I’ve already seen your abilities."
"You’re among the finest of your generation."
"So I have high expectations for today’s performance."
Amy immediately chimed in.
"You’d better win."
"Otherwise..."
"I’m taking you shopping again."
A chill instantly ran down my spine.
I straightened my posture.
"I’ll crush them."
Everyone laughed.
After a while, the Empress turned toward Mom.
"So, Seraphina."
"Has the next head of the Starlight Family already been decided?"
Mom sighed.
"It’ll most likely be Amy."
The Empress nodded.
"I see."
"And Gray truly refused?"
Mom sighed again.
"He refused immediately."
The Empress looked at me with genuine curiosity.
"Why?"
"Many people would dream of becoming the head of one of the Great Noble Families."
"Yet you refused without hesitation."
I answered honestly.
"It’s too much work."
"And far too much responsibility."
"I’m not interested."
Amy folded her arms.
"Translation."
"He’s just lazy."
"That’s all."
The Empress laughed softly.
"That certainly is... an honest answer."
Then she clapped her hands lightly.
"Well then."
"It’s time."
"We shouldn’t keep our guests waiting."
Amy and I nodded.
The Empress, Mom, and Astrid walked ahead.
I naturally moved beside Isabella.
As we walked, she glanced at me.
"Today..."
"Stay close to Luna."
"The younger nobles enjoy provoking newcomers."
"Ignore the meaningless ones."
"But if someone insists on challenging you..."
"Don’t hesitate. Accept the challenge and defeat them."
I nodded.
"I understand."
She smiled faintly.
Together, we continued toward the banquet hall.
As the massive palace doors gradually came into view, the cheerful atmosphere slowly faded.
Amy stopped teasing me.
Elena’s smile became more reserved.
Even Luna’s expression turned calm and elegant once more.
The playful conversations from moments ago disappeared.
From this point onward...
We no longer represented only ourselves.
We represented two of the most powerful families in the Empire.
And beyond those doors...
Countless eyes were already waiting for us.
We finally entered the banquet hall.
Amy immediately pulled me along with her and led me toward one side of the hall, leaving Mom and the Empress to officially begin the banquet.
Luna and Elena followed us, while only Astrid and Isabella remained beside Mom and the Empress.
I quietly looked around.
The banquet hall was enormous.
Luxurious chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, illuminating the entire hall with a warm golden glow.
Elegant music drifted softly through the air as servants moved gracefully between the guests.
It wasn’t overly crowded, but there were still enough nobles to fill the massive hall with lively conversations.
After a single glance, I noticed something.
The nobles had naturally divided themselves into different groups.
Each group was centered around one of the Great Noble Families, with the younger generation standing beside their elders.
I didn’t pay much attention to them.
Instead, I simply followed Amy.
After a while, I walked over to Luna.
"Hey."
Luna turned toward me and smiled faintly.
"Hello."
I scratched my cheek awkwardly.
"This is my first time attending something like this."
"So... I don’t really know what I’m supposed to do."
"I’m not very good at all this noble socializing."
I rubbed the back of my head.
"And I don’t really want to wander around talking to strangers."
"So..."
"If you’re planning to walk around and greet people..."
"Would you mind letting me come with you?"
"I can’t stay beside Amy the whole time."
"She probably has her own things to do."
"And..."
"Your sister also told me to stay close to you today."
"So I figured it’d be easier if we stayed together."
Luna looked at my awkward expression for a moment before letting out a small laugh.
"Alright."
"Then let’s walk around together."
"We can look around the banquet hall first."
I smiled.
"Thanks."
Before leaving, I walked over to Amy.
"Hey."
"I’m going to look around the banquet hall with Luna."
Amy immediately smirked.
"Oh?"
"My little brother is already making his move."
I rolled my eyes.
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
"I’m just bored."
Amy only laughed.
"Sure."
"I’ll find you later."
I nodded before turning toward Elena as well.
"We’ll be back in a while."
Elena smiled.
"Alright."
"Enjoy yourselves."
With that, Luna and I quietly left together to explore the banquet hall.