Chapter 161: Prelude to the Gala

‎The day of the Ivos Gala was slowly approaching, and apart from a few people, many noble Houses, and important individuals were happy they were going to attend the Gala.

‎Among those not excited about the Gala was Dion.

‎The Gala was the place where all the noble Houses of the Human domain would gather, including his family.

‎House Williams was a tier four House, and Dion’s status even in the family was low tier. That mainly had to do with the fact that Dion’s own mother was a mundane maid that the head of the family, which was Dion’s father took a fancy to.

‎Unfortunately for Dion though, his mother died at birth, which made his father hate him. And the lady of house Williams didn’t hate him any less, and nor did her children, or the family’s servants who didn’t show him respect, even though they didn’t outright show their lack of respect towards him.

‎Given a choice, Dion would have chosen not to attend the Gala, but he couldn’t defy his father’s will. His father had said that the entire family would attend.

‎At the Darkfell castle, Yvonne was seated in the large hall where many servants were standing, multiple dresses and suits in their hands.

‎Rose and Ariel were seated there as well. “Hmm, what do you think about this one, Mother?” Ariel asked Yvonne.

‎Yvonne glanced at the two who were trying out dresses for the Gala.

‎”You’re not kids, you can choose for yourselves,” Yvonne twirled the glass of wine in her hand.

‎”You’re not being very helpful, Mother.” Ariel shook her head and turned to Rose, asking her which clothes she preferred from the ones the servants were displaying.

‎”I think this one is fine,” Rose commented as she tried on her fifth dress.

‎”You’ll need at least six to last the whole Gala,” Yvonne informed, causing Rose to tilt her head in confusion.

‎”The Gala will last three days, Rose.” Yvonne clarified, helping both girls understand why they were trying on so many dresses. The last Ivos gala was twenty years ago, even Ariel was only two years old at that time, so it was granted that Rose didn’t know how long the gala took.

‎”By the way, have you chosen a partner for the Gala?” Ariel inquired, as the Rose struggled with the plethora of clothes she had to try on.

‎I haven’t,” Rose admitted, causing Ariel to frown.

‎Just at that moment, Damon descended from the spiral staircase, and Ariel’s attention turned to him.

‎”Damon!” she called out and he turned, confused at why she was calling him. “Have you chosen a partner for the Gala?”

‎”No, I haven’t.” he admitted, still confused at why Ariel was asking him that.” He still hadn’t found a partner- not that he was actually looking, or that there was much to choose from.

‎When he thought of it, there was only one female he was actually somewhat close to, and she was the only one who came to mind. Though, Damon’s ego was too huge to ask her.

‎Meanwhile, Ariel shook her head. “You two do not have partners? This won’t do. we have to find you partners. I won’t have you two embarrass me at the Gala.” Ariel said.

‎‎’She doesn’t have a partner?’ Damon thought looking at Rose. In the novel, Rose had partnered with Alistair. But of course, she wasn’t the only one he partnered with. Alistair partnered with Delilah, and and also Elsa.

‎Yeah, the golden boy partnered with two princesses, and a noble heiress. Alistair took the entire human domain by a storm that day.

‎‎’Seems his rizz has run out after being pummeled by Sia before everyone’s eyes.’ At this point, Damon doubted that even Delilah would ask to partner with Alistair.

‎‎”Damon, Rose,” Ariel called. “How about partnering with each other since you two don’t have dates?” Ariel asked cheerfully. She hoped that maybe this would be enough to rekindle the past kinship between the twins.

‎Unfortunately, for her, both sharply retorted simultaneously.

‎”Absolutely not!”

‎”Well, it was worth a try.” Ariel shrugged. She then turned to Yvonne and asked.

‎”Who’s hosting the Gala this time, Mother?”

‎‎”The ones hosting the Gala this time, it’s House Drake.” Yvonne replied.

‎House Drake was one of the non- royal Houses that had sufficient influence and status to host the Gala. Plus, Alistair’s existence had significantly increased their influence.

‎As the ladies continued to decide on which dresses to pick, Damon saw himself out. He had originally came down to use the royal arena. If Ariel hadn’t called out to him, he wouldn’t have stopped at all.

‎And what nonsense was Ariel spouting? Partnering up with Rose? Like hell he’d ever agree to that. Damon felt he should be competing with her on who’ll steal the show at the Ivos Gala, not joining hands with her.

‎In the novel, Alistair was the one who stole the show with three partners by his side, but this time, Damon fully intended on being the one who would steal the show.

‎There were numerous sites where the Ivos Gala had been held in the past, but the final location was only disclosed yesterday, six days before the event.

‎The previous location was set in Varos flying island, but after an attack by the dark cult a few years ago, they changed it as the head of House Drake, Alastor Von Drake, decided to host it in Kamar, on a newly built Flying Island.

‎There were multiple flying islands across Kamar, and this newly built one was far from the capital, and closer to the extensive reach between Vorde and Remea.

‎”We have arranged the accommodations for the royal and noble Families,” The Manager reported to Alisha Von Drake, who herself was present on the Flying Island.

‎‎It was five days before the Ivos Gala would open, and as the host, Alisha had to make sure everything was running well and proper, thus her presence on the island.

‎Alisha looked at the layout, and it was exactly she had told them to make it to be.

‎‎’Yes, keep these people away from each other,’ Alisha thought in her head. There simply were people that shouldn’t be allowed to meet.

‎The Drake family was incredibly respected among the upper society, and that was because of their connections to other noble families. That’s why they were given full authority to customize the Gala to their liking.

‎But there was another reason why the Drake family was given that authority: Alistair Von Drake was a member of House Drake. If nothing wrong happened, he was guaranteed to become one of the top figures in the whole of Nahaar.

‎”Gather all the people responsible for greeting the guests,” Alisha instructed as she turned and looked at the majestic castle that was the venue for this Ivos Gala.

‎Preparations went into full swing as Alisha Von Drake personally changed the way this Gala needed to be presented.

‎”I will make sure this Gala is memorable,” Alisha declared, unaware at the time that even without her extra efforts, this Gala would be something people would never forget.

‎Back at the Darkfell garden, Damon had begun training in the royal arena when he felt a ping in his pocket.

‎Placing a hand to his pocket, he realized it was his graphic mirror vibrating.

‎Opening the small black case, Damon smiled. ’Speak of the devil.’ he thought. Accepting the transmission, a face popped up on his screen.

‎Vivid scarlet hair, blood scarlet eyes, and a face so captivating and divinely otherworldly, it could make lesser and great men alike bow.

‎”What do you want?” Damon asked the moment her face popped up.

‎Anastasia looked almost offended. “Couldn’t I call to check up on a fellow classmate?” she said, but when she saw Damon’s unimpressed face that said; you’d have to try way better than that, Anastasia scoffed.

‎”Tsk, I wanted to ask if you had a partner for the Gala?” She clicked her tongue.

‎”Why do you ask?” Damon asked.

‎”Just answer the question.” Anastasia said almost exasperated.

‎”No, I don’t.” Damon replied.

‎”Great then.” Anastasia nodded to herself. “What say we partner up for the Gala?” She asked with expectant eyes.

‎Damon’s response was quick and flat.

‎”No.”

‎‎”What?!” Anastasia asked in disbelief. “I thought you also didn’t have any partner.”

‎”I don’t.” Damon confirmed.

‎”Then why…” Anastasia beagn, but suddenly paused. Then her eyes narrowed. “Dont tell me you’re refusing just so you can get me to use my favor.”

‎Damon had promised Anastasia a favor in exchange for her brutalizing Elsa.

‎”As smart as ever, Sia.” Damon grinned.

‎‎”Its not going to work.” She said as a matter of fact.

‎”We’ll just have to see who cares about it now,.can’t we Sia?”

‎*********

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