欧美亚洲中文国产综合

An mini party had been organized in a rush by the servants of the Hall estate as the circus troupe we arrived with was guided to the terrace garden. Seats and tables were laid out unlike the last time I was here and special treatment was given to the princesses, a prince, and the two teachers we were with.

The two children of Fonias and Mr. Trapped in a Box were also given a special treatment, but with more caution than welcome.

Ah, speaking of welcomes.

"This is the first time I have met these two," I spoke to Vienna.

Vienna looked away in embarrassment, a soft sigh leaving her lips. "I don\'t know how to apologize. They are both your mothers yet…"

"No, no, you don\'t have to. I can understand trauma, they are victims too."

When my gaze met with the two hosts of this make-shift tea party, both the ladies of the Hall fiefdom flinched and looked away. It was so funny to see that I wanted to keep making eye contact.

Not long after, the door behind us opened and in came the blonde ruler of this land. Pretty much everyone stood up, including the princesses and the princes, but I couldn\'t be bothered with that remained seated.

"Tch," for good measure, I clicked my tongue as well.

I could hear Ban\'s forehead twitching from the back, but he decided to ignore me for now just as much as I decided to ignore him.

The first to speak was Hoya.

"Marquis Hall, it has been a long time."

Ban shook his head and performed a graceful bow at the princess.

"It is my honor to have the jewel of our kingdom at my humble abode. I hope there were no troubles on your way here."

"None at all. This here is my friend, the third princess of the Atreus—"

Yeah, ok, I had no time to listen to their bullshit. I let them finish the greetings by themselves and bullied Luka by shaking his box. We had cut in a small hole at the top to hand over some food and air, but didn\'t let him out yet.

The group moved on and sat back down after the Marquis took his seat.

"I am honored to meet you, Marquis Hall, we have heard a lot about you as teachers in the academy," said Miss Rio.

"About me? What could it be."

"They use you as a frequent case study of a bullying victim. How you managed to be the most bullied student in the academy\'s expansive history and are still as powerful as you are is a thing that interests everyone."

My eyes widened at Irina\'s merciless fire. Did I say this person was insufferable? I liked her now. I truly did.

"That…"

"I am surprised, one would think you would be a twig but you seem like you can go head to head with our principal. I should tell the staff about such late growth spurts as well."

"Pfft."

The marquis turned toward me with a glare before turning back to Irina and letting out an awkward laugh. He seemed strangely restless with how ready he seemed to get off the chair at any moment.

Much to my dismay, the door opened once more. I was getting deeply annoyed by the growing number of people.

"The Lady of the Acacia Dukedom has arrived."

All our eyes widened and our gazes shot toward the door, especially mine.

Right on time, Lethe entered the room and the Marquis shot up from the ground.

"I OPPOSE THIS UNION!"

Lethe stepped back and I picked up a cup from the table. In a single swing, the cup and steaming hot tea went flying towards the Marquis\' head. The Marquis grasped the cup and dashed in front of Lethe faster than anyone could see.

"He is threatening you, isn\'t he? If not, then lady, you can do much better!"

Lethe took another step back, but the Marquis didn\'t stop speaking.

"That Eugene, seriously? I had my doubts from the beginning, but you\'re totally being tricked. Just blink twice and I\'ll do my best to save you, alright?"

"C-chair… I need a chair…"

"To sit? Right away!"

The Marquis handed the lady a chair. Both Anatolia and I winced and looked back.

In the next moment, the Marquis was wearing a limited edition chair from Lethe\'s fall collection.

"Haah, better. Watch your tongue, old man. I am simply giving you respect you don\'t deserve by being amicable to someone that would gladly abandon a four year old in a far off mansion."

"I…"

The tea party continued well with the entire circus. I didn\'t have to manage this business alone anymore, so all was good.

***

It was after most of them left to explore Dienin when the Marquis called me in his office.

"Young master, the marquis is waiting."

"Long time no see…"

"You remember me, young master?"

"Of course! How can I forget?"

"Oh! This Bartholomew is honored."

Ah right, that\'s who he is. Barthowhoever opened the door to the study for me and I stepped in. The same old fluttering drapes, piling papers, and mahogany walls greeted me, the Marquis at the center of it all.

"Ohoho, you\'re here, son."

"I am! FATHER!" I said. "Look, there\'s some bits of WOOD left in your HAIR!"

The Marquis ran a hand over his hair while clicking his tongue.

"Sit."

"SURE!"

"Stop speaking obnoxiously."

I pulled the chair back and sat down. "Why, does it annoy you?"

"Sure does."

"GUESS! You haven\'t LEARNED ANYTHING!"

"GAH!!"

The Marquis and I heaved after all the screaming. I was the type to be badass without being loud, so this didn\'t suit me.

"So, why have you brought a whole circus troupe along? What are you scheming."

"Ah, about that," I leaned in the chair and stretched my hands above my hands. "Can you contact the Margrave of Mirxa for me? I\'ve got an offer for both of you."

"Mirxa? What is it?"

"Fonias. As much as you can chew, I\'ll let you bite it."

The Marquis scoffed.

"Interesting…"