Chapter 461 - 213: Distinguished Guest

That alone was enough for Howard to conclude that Sean was definitely no ordinary noble.

A true ’mortal’—a minor noble like himself, for instance—would never even dream of using something as valuable as Shark Bone for something as absurd as making soup.

Sean smiled and shook his head. "It really wasn’t me."

"Alright." Howard decided to believe him for the time being. "It doesn’t matter if it wasn’t you," he said with a smile. "We can still attend the banquet together."

Sean hesitated. "Is that really appropriate?"

’The Grev Family is hosting important guests. What business does an outsider like me have there?’

"What’s so inappropriate about it?" Howard chided good-naturedly. "Mr. Sean, don’t forget, as far as I’m concerned, you’re a distinguished guest, too."

"If the term ’distinguished guest’ feels too formal, Mr. Sean, then let me put it another way: friend."

Howard continued, "Mr. Sean, you’re my friend and a guest in my home. If other guests arrive, surely I can’t just abandon you to entertain them, can I?"

That would be a terrible way to treat a guest.

By the same token, he couldn’t just ignore the new arrivals and focus only on Sean.

They were all guests, so why not host everyone together? It was a good chance for everyone to get acquainted. You know what they say: the more friends you have, the more doors are open to you. If something ever came up, it’d be good to have people to turn to for help, right?

Sean thought about it. ’That actually makes sense.’

He didn’t come to the New World often, but more connections were always a good thing. It would save him from having to bother Olivia all the time.

So Sean agreed. "Alright. We’re on the Golden Coast, and you’re the host. I’ll follow your lead."

"Then it’s a date." Howard stood, smoothed his collar like a gentleman, and gave Sean and Elise a slight bow. He smiled. "I’ll take my leave and get some rest, then. I won’t intrude on you and Miss Elise’s private time any longer. See you tomorrow."

Sean smiled and nodded. "Alright. See you tomorrow."

...

「The next day.」

After a three-day, two-night journey, the Rose Goddess finally sailed into the harbor and docked at a port on the Golden Coast.

"Mr. Sean, Miss Elise, this way." Howard led the way, guiding them to a black van with a gray, wood-grain paint job.

It was a vehicle from the Grev Family, sent to pick up Howard.

Howard had changed into a suit and looked quite respectable. If Sean hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he would have never been able to connect this man with the fishing enthusiast he’d seen on deck, the one in the floral shirt and sun hat.

’Everyone has two faces.’ The saying was true for just about anyone.

Standing before the van was an elderly man with a ramrod-straight posture, dressed in a tailcoat. He was Howard’s personal butler, Azir.

"Young Master." The old man first bowed to Howard before turning his gaze to Sean and Elise. "And these two are...?"

"Sean and Elise," Howard introduced. "They’re old friends. This is their first time in Austin Castle, so make sure they’re well taken care of."

"Yes, Young Master." Azir immediately understood. ’So these are the Young Master’s new friends.’

’The more he insisted they were "old" friends, the "newer" they actually were.’

’He must have met them on the ship.’

Azir had been the Grev Family’s butler for decades; you could say he had watched Howard grow up. He was thoroughly familiar with the young master’s tendency to exaggerate and say the opposite of what he meant. When it came to Young Master Howard, you had to listen selectively—or interpret his words in reverse.

He turned to Sean and Elise with an amiable smile.

"So you are Mr. Sean and Miss Elise. The Young Master has spoken of you often. It is an honor to finally meet you. You are every bit as handsome and beautiful as he described."

Sean: "..."

Elise: "..."

The corner of Howard’s mouth twitched.

He didn’t say anything, though, just hurried them along. "Get in, get in! We can talk more when we get back!"

"Yes, Young Master." Azir smiled, opening the rear door for Sean and Elise. "Mr. Sean, Miss Elise, after you."

One of the men moving luggage sidled up and asked meekly, "Um, where do we sit?"

The back seats were supposed to be for them.

Sean and Elise had no luggage; for them, this was a spur-of-the-moment "trip." Howard, on the other hand, who had come out specifically to have fun, had packed a great deal, including but not limited to changes of clothes, fishing gear, golf clubs, and a portable refrigerator. That was why every time Howard returned from an outing, Azir made sure to bring two extra men along to help with the baggage.

With two extra guests, there was naturally no room for them.

Azir maintained his smile, gently shutting the car door. Then he turned around, his expression hardening. "What did you just ask?"

"Where we’re sitting?"

"There’s no room. Or did you want to sit on my lap?"

The man: "..."

"How long have you been working for me? What have I been teaching you all this time?" Azir scolded. "How can you ask such a question?"

"Even if there were empty seats, do you think you’d dare get in if I told you to?"

The man quickly lowered his head in apology. "No, sir. I wouldn’t."

The other subordinate asked in a low voice, "So how do we get back? Call a cab?"

Azir: "?"

"You want to call a cab?"

"Why don’t you just be the Young Master while you’re at it?"

His eyes bulged. "I want you to... ahem. I want you to run!"

The two men: "Huh??"

"What do you mean, ’huh’? Move it!"

And so, a peculiar spectacle unfolded in the bustling, vibrant coastal city.

A van drove down the street at a leisurely pace, tailed by two men in sunglasses and suits. One carried fishing gear on his back, the other clutched a set of golf clubs. They turned every single head.

Watching all this from the rearview mirror, Sean suddenly felt a pang of regret about agreeing to visit the Grev Family.

’Why do I get the feeling this family is a little... unhinged?’

Grev Castle was only a kilometer outside the city. It wasn’t a long drive from the port.