Chapter 2188: Dancing

Chapter 2188: Chapter 2188: Dancing

The aggressive Bella Belindel had a different kind of initiative compared to other witches Shard had interacted with... he didn’t know why what started as just a dance had now become so intimate.

The crimson birthmark on the witch’s forehead, combined with her amethyst forehead ornament, gave her expressions a different charm than usual. She didn’t even need divination or to understand Shard’s mind; just seeing his slightly flushed ears was enough to know what he was thinking.

"Don’t worry, I won’t underestimate them."

The witch continued to whisper, her peripheral vision catching sight of the church people who had also arrived. However, when the church’s Circle Sorcerer met her gaze, he simply nodded and turned away. This meant that the church wouldn’t suspect her to be a Witch Council witch for some time.

"Although it’s confirmed that among the Seven Great Families in this era, I’m the only Circle Sorcerer, I won’t underestimate the other families’ strength. Just as I won’t assume I’ll win because of my identity, others will make the same judgment based on their trump cards. I have a strong belief in Fate and won’t think that power alone guarantees victory."

She deliberately exhaled softly, making Shard’s ears turn even redder.

"I hope this limited cooperation can bring new clues."

"It certainly will."

She laughed softly by Shard’s ear, a laughter that was entirely different from the usual laughter he heard from "her".

"Don’t be fooled by their evasiveness earlier; no one knows if that was an act. Everyone has their own agenda, but in Moon Bay now, it’s a game between us, Edington, and Hawthorn. Wright, Silver, Black, and Wood are destined to decline. I bet someone will approach me privately after this banquet, though I don’t know which family."

After all, on the surface, Belindel is the most proactive in facing the prophecy challenge.

Shard nodded, knowing this Countess was far from being an innocent girl naive about everything. That she could inherit the title with an elder sister and a grown brother still living, and no one ever questioned the legitimacy of this, spoke volumes about her means.

"What a troublesome time..."

Shard sighed softly, turning in place with the Countess in his arms, who laughed and said:

"I’ve already made some progress with the divination for the ’Light Worshipper Training Association’, but it will take more time to verify. I haven’t forgotten about revenge."

She reached down with her left hand to catch Shard’s hand and place it on her right shoulder:

"However, there is news about that Vampire Beast matter. But you know, divination is not omniscient. I’ve sent my girls out to investigate based on the information I’ve received. The current result is that the creature prefers the blood of drunken virgins under 25."

Shard nodded slightly:

"I have engagements on Friday and Saturday nights. The day after tomorrow is Sunday, so let’s move on Sunday night... Speaking of which, it’s been a week since the dock incident."

Her hair brushed against Shard’s cheek, her voice even softer:

"So, when will you tell me who you really are, Mr. John Watson?"

Cheek to cheek, her rosy lips were about half a centimeter from Shard’s face. It seemed like a whisper in the ear, but there was no contact.

"When those two ladies from the Royal Capital arrive at Moon Bay."

He said, since Miss Galina might not come this time, and with Miss Aphrola and Sister Delphine’s unknown return from the New World, that would leave only Miss Benanis and Miss Sylvia.

"Or if you’re truly curious, you can ask what you want to know now."

Upon hearing this, she seemed to smile, withdrew her face, which was almost touching Shard’s, and returned to normal dancing movements. Her golden eyes looked at him, reflecting him as well:

"I only want you to answer one question, though I’ve asked it before: Are you really male?"

"Of course, there’s no doubt about it."

"That’s a relief."

The witch whispered, continuing to sway gently with Shard to the music:

"Once you’ve met Vanessa and Sylvia, you’ll tell me who you are... I bet your relationship with them isn’t normal either."

Since this wasn’t a question, Shard felt no need to respond:

"I’m actually quite... a libertine."

He adopted the words that the ladies often used to tease him in bed, and there was no need to hide it now:

"I’m acquainted with more than one lady, it’s probably like that."

But the witch dancing with him had a different opinion:

"But why do I feel like you’re an ascetic? I’ve never seen anyone like you. You know, I’m naturally beautiful, the most beautiful in Moon Bay, so I’m very sensitive to people’s gazes. But every time you come to me, you don’t even secretly look at my maid and hardly ever take the initiative to look at me."

The beautiful golden eyes were still gazing at Shard:

"So that’s why I asked just now, for the last time, are you really a man?"

The words had a bit of a grudging tone, so Shard changed his approach:

"I’m not promiscuous; I’m greedy."

"I agree with this point. How could someone who’s not greedy desire multiple witches?"

She hummed again, but she wasn’t afraid of being criticized by Miss Benanis, as she considered herself younger and more powerful compared to the female opera singer who had gained fame across the Old Continent ten years earlier. Although she was one rank lower than the opera singer, she... was young. She believed she could hold her ground with Vanessa Benanis in the future, using her eloquent wordplay and appropriate demeanor.

The witches all knew that if you liked something, you had to actively pursue it; otherwise, you wouldn’t get any of the small treats during afternoon tea:

"If I were the first to meet you, that would be great."

She suddenly said, and Shard had heard this sentence more than once, from different witches. He then thought of Luviya’s face and felt very worried about the scene when Luviya and Miss Belindel would meet. Of course, mainly worried about the latter.

Although since becoming a witch apprentice and firmly seated in the "Fate" position, Bella Belindel had never danced with a man, her dancing skills were indeed quite good, at least better than Shard who occasionally participated in banquets and learned from Lecia and Dorothy.

She didn’t feel tired, being hugged by Shard while talking about the interesting stories from her childhood learning to dance with a family tutor, even during the breaks when the dance music stopped. As Shard took her out of the dance floor for a temporary rest, she still held Shard’s hand, making the nobles of Moon Bay suspect whether Belindel would hold a wedding this year:

"But where is that Northern Country man from exactly?"

As long as it didn’t involve the Transcendent, the church wouldn’t interfere in the nobles’ private affairs, which was the bottom line for balance between both worlds. Therefore, Shard was also not worried about his "cousin" being tracked down. While sitting and resting on the sofa, with Miss Matilda bringing them wine glasses, the witch who seemed very excited tonight quietly asked Shard in his ear:

"Can you guess what color my stockings are under my dress tonight?"

After asking, she turned her head shyly, her slightly red cheeks more seductive than usual.

[Black.]

"She" laughed and gave the answer, but Shard couldn’t give this answer.

This banquet saw the most important nobles of Moon Bay City in attendance, so the church sent people to ensure safety and prevent accidents. However, neither the Guiding Light Hermitage nor the Dragon Feast Cult seemed to have any plans to appear and do something tonight, at least as Shard thought at eight thirty in the evening.

Attending a banquet means facing socializing, which is inevitable. But the local nobles are all acquaintances among themselves, people come forward to chat a little with the Countess, and then tactfully do not interrupt Countess Belindel’s meeting with that "cousin." But guests from Velindale, even if they are the Countess, must take some time to entertain.

That was a middle-aged man holding a wine glass, appearing to be in his forties, who walked in with Earl of Hawthorn. He looked ordinary, with his right eye seemingly injured, covered with a white film. When Earl of Hawthorn introduced the other’s identity, Shard beside the Countess couldn’t help but look over:

"Earl Belindel, this is Mr. Richard from the Royal Capital, who replaces Mr. June, returning to the Royal Capital for duty and temporarily manages the local Gray Glove System."

Although Gray Glove is an agent organization, there are public office agencies in all the important cities of Carsonrick. Of course, you wouldn’t find any real secret agents in them, but these agency leaders are equally important.

"Good evening, Countess. You are indeed as beautiful as the rumors."

Mr. Richard had definitely heard of the Countess Belindel’s reputation, so he did not reach out for a handshake, instead smilingly nodded.

The Countess politely said:

"Welcome to Moon Bay, Mr. Richard. Are the Gray Gloves organizing a major operation? The last change of the Moon Bay representative was five years ago. If needed, the Belindel Family is certainly not stingy to help."

Earl of Hawthorn also said with a smile:

"Countess Belindel is really straightforward, I refrained from asking out of curiosity just now. But since you said so, then our Hawthorn Family can also provide help for Gray Glove’s activities locally. To say, starting from my great-grandfather, we’ve donated to various Kingdom agencies every year."

Even Shard could hear that they were jointly trying to pry information, and this kind of wordplay was not particularly clever. But the unskillful wordplay was itself intended for Mr. Richard with the wine glass to hear, clearly indicating the nobles of Moon Bay were rather impolite to guests from Velindale.