Chapter 47: Arc 2.21 The Signing Banquet
Surely this woman has not been driven mad because of his lie that the Lady Elvina was disappointed in her priestess so she decided to deliver our desires through him. "I am not interested. Thank you for the offer." He said and stood up.
"Haldir." Vana frowned, her knees knocking against the table in her haste. Haldir was just twenty-one, and he was too young to marry a wife, however his proximity to the dark elf child that she had chosen to seal Archeal made her very uncomfortable.
"I won't hear of it again." Shen Jiyu dropped before leaving the room. He closed the door behind him and frowned. Why did she look at him like that? He stood at the end of the foyer and flipped his wings, taking to the sky. He did not come home right but flew a couple of rounds around Clearview to clear his mind. When he came back, it was in the middle of the night.
He entered quietly through the left window of the living room. He thought that Basil was already sleeping but the moment he entered, the faint sound of steady breathing entered his ears. He took out a flint and lit the candles around the table.
Basil was lying on the couch sleeping. He must have been waiting for him, Shen Jiyu could not help but move towards him.
He squatted on the floor and watched Basil. The areas around his cheeks were slightly flushed and the corners of his eyes were curved upward a little as if he was experiencing a beautiful dream.
The faint light on his face gave him a very serene atmosphere. It was as if the air around him was filled with a peaceful aura that made Shen Jiyu long to drop all guard and sleep. Feng Mian had always made him feel that way. Shen Jiyu could feel his body and bones relaxing as if on command.
He was so beautiful. Shen Jiyu reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind his ears before his eyes widened and he moved back as if he had been electrified.
He was the Realm Master of Penglai, how could he be so pathetic?
'Fool me once, shame on you, Fool me twice, shame on me' Wasn't that a quote by the mortals? He can't let himself be beguiled by Basil's charms. He should drown the droplets before they become a waving whirlpool. He was just here to complete his mission and doing his mission well was his apology for the words he had said earlier to Feng Mian.
Basil's brows twitched and he opened his eyes. Shen Jiyu froze as the other blinked slowly before he locked eyes with him. "You are back!"
"Mmh."Basil smiled as he wrapped his arms around Shen Jiyu's neck "Welcome Home."
Shen Jiyu watched his every movement attentively, like a cat suspicious and cautious but he still nodded quietly, "Thank you!"
***
The next days were filled with so much activity as negotiations continued week after week. At the end of the negotiations, a huge party was thrown. It was a party to celebrate the contract and the successful negotiations. As the main representative of the Dark Elves, Basil received an invitation and as the newly dubbed, 'Messenger of the goddess' Haldir was the first to receive an invitation.
The banquet party became the most highly talked about event in Elvina. Such a huge celebration had not been thrown in centuries. All the leaders of various industries and all the families that were a stakeholder in Elvina, the acolytes and the dark elves were incited. Not to mention that the news had spread that after the signing of the contract and the acceptance of the dark elves, their powers would return; people rushed to the banquet like the first to come would be the first to receive back their powers.
Basil tugged the neckline of his clothes a little uncomfortable. The celebratory clothing was tailored according to his body shape but it was still difficult for him to get used to.
He looked at himself in the long mirror, he looked good though.
"Ah! Who is this? I almost didn't recognize you." Shen Jiyu teased as he entered the room dressed in a similar robe.
Basil chuckled and he walked towards him. He had initially felt like something had gone wrong, but he was probably overthinking. Seeing Haldir dressed in similar clothes to him made him smile, he placed his arm by Haldir's smile and his grin grew even wider.
"You look good too."
Shen Jiyui rolled his eyes, "Just good. Just know that I am probably the best dressed and the most dashing elf in the banquet today."
He opened the window for Basil to fly out before he flew after him. The probability that today was the day was more than 80%.
The huge hall was illuminated with various bright candles and glowing artefacts. Many elegantly dressed people swirled around the halls they conversed in low tones. The moment Basiul entered, like moths drawn to the fire, a lot of elves both dark and light surrounded him.
Shen Jiyu did not feel bad when he was pushed away by the enthusiastic crowd. "I might miss this place a little. The wings were a fun deal."Realm Master would visit more exotic and interesting words."
"This one has its own charm as well." Shen Jiyu said, a little distracted. Basil glowed when he talked to those elves. He was in his element. It reminded him of when he had visited the Heavenly Court and he had seen Feng Mian as the Marquis of the Court. The way he moved and chatted with those Heavenly officials was just too smooth.
Basil caught Shen Jiyu looking at him as his lips curved upwards for a second. When the Court of Justice came, it was time for the official signing of the document. Basil and Vana climbed the stage and sighed the documents. They stood in the light above all elves receiving the awe and respect of everyone. Shen Jiyu frowned, still no shake in the barrier. The equality of both tribes had been achieved and what were they missing?
Basil smiled gently at all those who were congratulating him while searching for Haldir from the periphery of his vision. He saw the other at the back of the hall, sipping a glass of fruit wine while he looked out of the window solemnly. He instantly made his way towards him when he froze.
He saw Vana walking towards Shen Jiyu with a beautiful elf on her arm. Shen Jiyu frowned and wanted to walk away when Vana said something and he stopped in his tracks. He then stretched his hand towards the elf and led her to the dark floor.
"That is Poena. The daughter of the Chief of the Star Consortium." A voice sounded beside him and a stout middle-aged woman came from behind him with a smile, "They look good together. Do they not? I heard that there have been talks about marriage." Her eyes glinted with an almost greedy glint, "Ambassador Basil, you have celebrated your eighteenth birthday, have you not? What do you think of my Lily?"
"Excuse me." Basil forced it from his mouth as he made his way to the balcony. From the tall window, he watched as Shen Jiyu danced with the female elf and he recalled his feelings on how Shen Jiyu was being distant lately. Talks of marriage? Leaving him?
Impossible.
Impossible.
Madness, obsession, unwillingness, and all kinds of emotions began to solidify in his eyes, staining them scarlet red.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone