Chapter 150

Chapter 150: Chapter 150

The important dinner was a surprisingly small affair, the other guests included the family of the Lord who had invited the Grand Duke to dinner.

Lord Ulrin had come out to receive them when they stepped out of the carriage. The Chaos faction Lord had met Kath’tan’s unexpected presence with pleasant surprise, it was jarring.

"It is an honor to have you in my home," The Demon said generously, shaking hands with Grand Duke Yamra.

"It is always a pleasure to be here," Yamra replied in turn, speaking casually with him.

They were guided to a tea room first, Kath’tan sitting next to his mother while Grand Duke Yamra discussed important matters with Lord Ulrin.

Kath’tan had needed to teach himself diplomacy, so he sat still with ease, used to not being addressed.

Valrena on the other hand was tapping a foot, bored of sitting in the drab room with droning old men for company. "Do you want to do something else?" She leaned in to whisper to her son.

Kath’tan glanced over, curious. "What?"

"Father, Lord Ulrin, please excuse us. I wanted to take this opportunity to show Kath’tan around." She cut into their conversation.

She had been brought over for dinners at Lord Ulrin’s mansion since she was a fledgling not to know her way around.

"Very well," Lord Ulrin accepted easily, "Azra is likely still painting in the gardens, she would certainly appreciate company."

Yamra watched the two of them leave with narrowed eyes, his skeptical gaze lingering on his daughter. It was better that they occupied themselves with other things instead of whispering loudly in the background but he couldn’t help but be worried.

"I’ll say, young Kath’tan had brought the spark back into Valrena’s eyes." Ulrin complimented.

"And chaos," Yamra tagged on, his voice gruff. He didn’t seem to disapprove though, still riddled with guilt for keeping his daughter locked up for so long.

However, his hand was forced. He had to take the initiative to pronounce a punishment on her before others could, that way he could ensure her safety.

And now, the child who had been at the root of everything was fast becoming a people’s favorite without knowing.

Outside the tea room, Valrena led the way down the hallway, her pace leisurely. "I should have taken some tea cakes with me," She complained as they moved farther and farther away from the tea room.

Kath’tan had been given a detailed explanation of the guests so he knew that Azra was Lord Ulrin’s daughter and around his age. "We can always go back." He suggested, filing away for later that his mother liked sweet things.

"That old fogey already looked discomfited when he left, if we returned now, he would find a way to keep us in his line of sight." Valrena slandered her father without hesitation.

They had stepped out into the gardens now, the sky a soft, dark red from the dimming suns. Seated on a tall stool was a Chaos faction Demon with coppery blond curls, she had her back to them, her easel on her lap as she stared into the distance.

Valrena stepped forward, silently reaching out a hand to place it on Azra’s shoulder. The Fiend screamed in horror, startled, she clutched her easel to her chest, staining her apron with pigment.

"How do you fall for that every time?" Valrena tutted in disappointment.

"You walk so quietly, Lady Valrena..." Azra sulked, trailing off when she caught sight of another guest. "Is that your son?" She asked with wide, curious eyes, looking Kath’tan over.

"Yes," Valrena affirmed proudly, "Kath’tan, my son." She introduced.

"I already know that," Azra muttered dryly. "Mother is in the kitchen overseeing dinner preparations," She mentioned before Valrena could ask.

"Do you want to come with me, Kath’tan?" Valrena turned to him with barely contained excitement. "Lady Silwa makes the best pies."

"I’m sure she’s already waiting for you," Azra chimed in, absently brushing off the stains on her apron, which only served to smear it further.

Kath’tan had no interest in pies but he agreed regardless, wanting to accompany his mother. "Alright."

Azra returned to her painting as they made their way to the kitchen, the sky in the painting was an enchanting purple, crescent moons littered across the sky.

Lady Silwa was a cherubic lady, her pleasing smile brightening up her pretty face. Her coppery curls were neatly pinned back, and she wore an apron despite sitting comfortably in a corner while the kitchen bustled around her.

"Valrena!" She called out happily when they stepped into the kitchen, rising up from her chair. Her attention was abruptly diverted by the sight of Kath’tan walking in after her, he was tall enough to be seen, his dark red hair out of place.

"And you brought Kath’tan, how nice." She beamed, inviting them to her cozy corner in the kitchen.

Kath’tan didn’t expect to be treated well, being known and included as well made his chest ache.

"Now I’m glad I saved so many pies for you," Lady Silwa said, going over to bring two large pans of pie. "There’s more when you’re both done with that..." She tagged on, turning to attend to a cook that requested her attention.

Kath’tan stared down at the large pan of pie shoved into his arms as well, at a loss. He could smell the sweet tartness of the pie filling and although being given a pan of pie made his throat close up, he really didn’t like sweets.

"Won’t you eat your pie?" Valrena urged from the side, her voice muffled.

Kath’tan glanced over at his mother to see her speaking through a mouthful of pie, cream staining her cheeks. "I don’t like sweets," He admitted hesitantly, taking a forkful from his mother’s share after a pause.

Valrena generously took his own pan of pie for herself, looking at him expectantly. "Well, what do you think?" She asked curiously after he tried a bite.

Kath’tan grimaced, "Too sweet."

Valrena laughed at his expression, "Then you better run off before Lady Silwa returns, she doesn’t take no for an answer. Maybe keep Azra company, I’ll come find you when I’m done eating."