Chapter 11: The Banquet VI
The Consorts and Concubine tend to work something out behind closed doors.
[There's no law against taking your father's widows, the benefit outweighs the morality.
The newly appointed Master of the House can lawfully nullify marriages concerning his father's harem, this is one of the privileges given to the victor.
If the harem agrees to his conditions, the treasury remains intact.
After all, the ladies are entitled to a percentage of the late lord's wealth. [ch1]
About 17% of Consorts, 31% of Concubines, and 49% of Lovers choose to enter relations with the successor.
Unlike the Madame, the other ladies must think about the future of their surviving offspring.
A Madame isn't prohibited from marrying again, only 3% follow through.
The second privilege is the lawful right to kill every male over the age of 17 carrying the father's blood.
However, a large number of successors forgo such an outcome for two reasons: The late lords' harem submitted, and the remnants are his father's bastards.
The successor is left with less legal action against those eyesores, his next move is stripping them of their surname. Thus eliminating future trouble.
What he may not do, is take his siblings as lovers, such behavior is outlawed.
During the reign of the 24th Emperor Mona. House Masters wantonly did as they pleased to their kins, it got to the point the deformity could no longer be hidden.
The aristocratic class pride itself on its aesthetic, How could a mutation of such magnitude exist, such things are only found among mutts.
The blow was simply too great. How can they justify their right to rule, if they were no better?
The reign of Mona was recorded down as the Great Years of Mockery.
A century later, the 25th Empress Mogu ascended the throne, her first decree; was the abolishment of incestual relations.
Her reforms were met with strong opposition, but unlike the pathetic Mona, who turned a blind eye to the hedonistic practice of the nobles.
Empress Mogu brought the noble houses to their knees, and her reformation shaped the Khan Dynasty as one of the most powerful nations on Yargo.
At the end of Mogu's reign, her era was recorded as, The Year of Unyielding Beast.
Failure to uphold the law on incest is punishable by imprisonment, along with the right to inherit the deceased Coat of Arm. [ch1]
The Khan's Law on incest doesn't apply to every nation, some are stricter, while others have a unique way of circumventing the issues.]
Caterina couldn't help being speechless at this shameless fellow, 'does he think kissing my ass will change anything?' She too has her own scheme, what does it matter to her, if you marry the Count's daughter or not.
Nathan couldn't help looking up, "Now that you mention it, the smell isn't bad, Jard open up the side window, it's a little warm in here." said Nathan
"So you like it?" said Caterina, as she gulp down a mouthful of that same white gooey substance
'Delicious!'
"It's different, but I can get used to it, just use it in moderation, could it be what's in the jar?" said Nathan
He only got a nod in return.
"Fader, I didn't see the Grand Elder, didn't she promise to come along?' said Jard
"Neither have I, why ask a stupid question?"
Nathan couldn't help being peeve, the illusive hag rarely shows herself, it was 70 years ago that he last saw her.
'You want to know her true face, keep dreaming brat…Unless you can kill your brothers, she won't let you see her!' Nathan couldn't help smirking.
….
A shadow hides within the unknown as the bird's chirps, "What an interesting bunch, to perform such a daring act. Hu! Hu! Hu! Aaah, that Oga isn't normal either, does he have a fetish for ass, I almost lost myself there….I hope he didn't see through my mask? No Way!
I must be overthinking, but he sure knows what a lady wants, I haven't felt this good in decades, and that nectar of theirs…" The belly of this figure was bloated, her hips had given out, she could barely maintain flight, but that breathtaking smile of hers could steal the heart of millions.
"I await our next encounter, Oga of House Thornbrick… and that rude brat as well.. hehe!"
The Faceless Mask, Margaret of the faint smile.
___________________________________
10:30 pm The Twin's break, The Courtyard Banquet Hall
"Welcome, welcome…" The female servants ushered the straggler inside.
Phi, Oga, and Nuu were in their seats, and Madame was running late.
A round table seating 12, occupies the room, the chandelier hung high, and the sound of Nori strumming the dulcimer livens the atmosphere, as servants shuffle back and forth.
"You're truly blessed, such a large family…I too hope to have one in the future" said Oga.
Oga meant every word, Phi has 7 boys: His first child turned out to be twins and his last born were triplets.
"It's thanks to my wonderful wives….what taking them so long though?" said Phi.
Right on cue, two ladies made their way past the entrance.
Hilda wore a thigh-slit maroon dress, the woman walking beside her wore an elegant cocktail dress, and her platinum hair was tied in a bun.
The men at the table stood up.
Hilda sat next to the triplets
The Madame sat between Phi and Oga
To no one's surprise, Nuu's seat was next to Hilda's.
'Nori, knows me best, hehe.'
"Madame Hilda, You look ravishing, Sr. Phi is blessed!" said Nuu with his lecherous gaze.
"..."
The room became a little awkward, "Lord Nuu, I must apologize, it's my fault for not correcting you earlier. Lady Hilda is my Consort." said Phi with flushed cheeks.
"Ooh, then you don't mind if I steal her away?" said Nuu
"Ha Ha Ha…Lord Nuu is quite humorous." Phi couldn't help laughing.
'Such a funny fellow' thought Phi
"Yes, yes a joke, Gu Gu Gu!"
"..."
Hilda didn't know how to react for a little while, " I'm flatter, Lord Nuu. However, hubby is the only man for me." said Hilda
The 175cm platinum hair beauty didn't seem to care, but that subtle twitch didn't escape Oga.
'She is actually human, I thought Yanis was joking. I see why Nuu wants to cuck him, they share similar sadistic traits.' thought Oga.
During the period of waiting, Oga had nothing to do, so he gathered information on Phi's family
He already had a basic idea of the family dynamic through Yanis' report.
Oga took a quick glance in Olivia's direction, a slim waist, bubble butt, blue monolid eyes, and a mole on the left cheek added to her charm.
'She's slightly prettier than Hilda, only losing out to her figure!'
"May I have everyone's attention, in a minute the food will be served. I know you must be hungry, this will only take a few seconds.
My name is Oga and to the left is Nuu Thornbrick, as you can tell, we aren't normal." said Oga with a chuckle
The hall became boisterous, the brothers stood out like sore thumbs, and their massive stature, and chairs made everyone look comical.
Hilda's lads' feet didn't touch the ground and Olivia's sons were halfling, their height was slightly better.
They stood at an impressive height of 165 cm for a halfling that wasn't bad.
"I heard from Yanis, you are currently working on a bathhouse?"
"Yes, Milord! it's in the outer district," replied Raja, the third son of Phi, an average appearance, bedside his platinum hair and scholarly presence nothing else stood out.
"Continue with your project. In 6 months, we depart from Bervin, and journey to the Outland, by carriages. It might take us a few months!" said Oga, a little murmuring here and there along with restlessness at the mention of the Outland.
The tension in the room heightened, and the Madame's complexion became deathly pale.
Hilda's apprehension grew, the only person in the family that remained calm was Phi.
Nuu left his seat and whispered something to Oga.
"..."
"There's a slight change in the plan due to my shortsightedness…we will travel by airship." A collective sigh was released.
"Please consider this your temporary home, if you need anything ask Nori." Those at the table nodded in agreement and a round of applause followed as the servants brought in trays of delicacy.
"Lord Oga isn't this too much…" Phi couldn't help worrying, such fare is quite costly
"It's a small fee, I consider you family, Phi! This is our sincerity towards you," said Nuu
Once Oga sat back down, Yanis signaled the servants to bring in the food,
The banquet table was quickly filled with expensive dishes.
The Hundred Rainbow Salmon, meat-stuffed glow shroom, roasted salamander, and a barrel of ale.
These dishes have one thing in common, increasing the vitality of mortals.
"Ga Ga Ga! Enjoy yourself, Sr. Phi, it's only fitting that such a talented person is treated to the finest things. Bedside, you haven't introduced the Madame?" said Oga
Phi was still uneasy but the praises from Oga loosened him a bit, " Oh, you're right…This here is Olivia Greyson, and you already know Grin, and Amin my eldest twins.
Raja is the one that deals with the financial side of things, and Toljr is equally as talented as me.
That Yeli and two fools over there are his brothers." Phi couldn't help smiling when he introduced the offspring of both wives.
Grin and Amin both had a garibaldi beard, they had a rugged type of handsomeness, Toljr and Raja were reserved, the only interesting thing about Olivia's children is their trademark platinum hair.
As for Hilda's triplets Yeli, Krog, and Ash, they're a lively bunch. Their hair looks as though it was on fire, Krog and Ash seem to have drunk a little too much.
Meanwhile, Amin's gaze hasn't left the sensual Nori.
He wasn't the only spectator…Yeli who was sitting next to Nuu also seems interested in the
27-years-old retainer.
'Hehe, those brats have a crush'
"Umm, Lord Nuu…your hands," said Hilda with a blush`
Nuu's hands were 'unknowingly' caressing her thighs
"It slipped," said Nuu
"..."
"Does your back still hurt, Lady Hilda?"
"Thanks for your concern, Lord Nuu, but I'm doing much better."
"Oh, that's a shame," murmured Nuu
"Eeeh, did you say something?" said Hilda
"I was just admiring your figure…would you care for more?' Nuu signals the servant to pour a little more wine.
"..."
Oga sighs internally, 'It hasn't been 10 minutes, damn you.'
Oga turned his gaze towards Olivia, "Madame Greyson, I'm a little curious, how did you and Sr. Phi meet?" said Oga
The room suddenly became quiet.
Olivia's cutting came to a halt, "Lord Oga, is it that obvious. I thought it would be different by now. After all, it has been 40 years since I last saw my homeland." said Olivia, she knew what Oga was hinting towards.
'Oh, an astute Lady' thought Oga
"Hmm, I believe it was Phi's 21st birthday, we became acquaintances. As you probably have guessed. I'm a noble from the Sandorian Empire. To be more precise a fallen nobility" said Olivia, she went right on back to cutting her loins.
"It must have been a tough transition, as a fallen noble, you're still of noble blood, won't this cause problems. Sr. Phi isn't nobility, Although he's a practitioner, he's not a Knight, so there must be some hurdles, right?"
"..."
" My apologies, that was insensitive of me, please enjoy your meal," said Oga
"Oh, think nothing of it, I have gotten used to such a situation, it doesn't bother me…If I may be so bold, Lord Nuu is a Grand Knight, right?"
She got a nod in returned
'Why is this wench bringing me into their discussion' thought Nuu
"Does the same apply to yourself?"
"..."
"Olivia, what are you doing…" Phi became startled at such a brazen question, he felt a little embarrassed that Oga brought up his commoner status.
"Ga Ga Ga, no need to be restless, Sr. Phi! Please speak what's on your mind, there's no need to beat around the bush," said Oga, he gulped down another glass of wine.
"Then please indulge my rudeness, I was told at the completion of this project, a stipend of 4.5 million ducats will be paid out, is that correct?"
Hilda also became attentive.
"Hmm, that's correct, is there a problem?"
"Not at all, Lord Oga! I would like to propose a deal that's beneficial for both households. Honey, please permit me to continue." Phi could no longer sit quietly, he signaled for his wife to stop.
"You..you..what's this embarrassment? Lord Oga, please ignore her words." pleaded Phi.
"I have already stated we're family, Sr. Phi…No, I'll address you as Phi going forward, please feel free to do the same," said Oga
Everyone at the table became shocked except Nuu.
Yanis and Nori couldn't help but frown, 'What's our Lordship thinking, I must speak to him after the banquet.'
"Lord Oga… this, this" Phi couldn't help tearing up a little
"Phi, you're being stubborn, address me by my first name."
Olivia wasn't expecting this turn of events, "Honey, I would like to continue." She looks toward Phi for guidance.
Phi no longer protests, with how well the twins have treated them. His doubts were greatly reduced.
After all, they have no reason to do so. With an overwhelming gap in rank, they could enslave his entire family, why go through the trouble of hosting a banquet?
When he thought about it a little deeper, he realized his behavior looked comical to the brothers.
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