Tale of a Hedonistic wizard-Chapter 416: Meeting Princess Kyra, again.
Jaegar felt a pang of empathy, touched by her sincere regret, looking at her saddened expression, and the look in her eyes told him what he needed to know.
Jaegar reached out, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "It's all right, Elder sister," he murmured, his voice calm and steady. "I didn't know anyone in the imperial family cared. But knowing that you did—it means a lot to me."
She stared at him for a second and said, "You don't know, Jaegar. Not until you give them a chance."
She sniffled, her tears gradually subsiding as she looked up at him, relief softening her features. "But thank you, Jaegar," she whispered, offering a faint smile. "I was worried you'd never want to see me again."
Jaegar gave a slight chuckle, his expression softening. "Of course not."
She laughed weakly, visibly comforted, before wiping her face once more and squaring her shoulders. "I have a lot to talk to you, but I don't want to keep you busy with me. We'll talk more after the soiree, all right?"
"Yeah," he promised, giving her a reassuring nod.
Just as they were about to part, Jacqueline's expression shifted to a teasing smirk. "Oh, and try to enjoy yourself tonight. My mother is already waiting to parade me around with my fiancé." She rolled her eyes dramatically, scoffing playfully. "The things we do for appearances."
Jaegar chuckled at her theatrical disdain, appreciating the brief moment of levity. "I'll do my best to survive the evening," he replied, amused.
With a final nod, Jacqueline turned and strode back into the hall, where her mother awaited her.
Jaegar watched her go, his thoughts still lingering on their brief but heartfelt conversation. His heart felt strangely lighter. He had come here expecting little more than an obligation to the Emperor's summons, yet he had rediscovered a family—people who, against his expectations, genuinely cared for him.
He watched Jacqueline approach a woman, a mature version of Jacqueline with enhanced charm and grace, evident in her every movement. She wore a peach-coloured floral gown, with gloves upto her elbows, and her hair was elegantly styled in a bun.
Jaegar's gaze dropped to her ample bosom, tightly bound by her dress with a hint of a little cleavage. His eyes followed her curves along her hips and down.
He then looked up, and her gaze was locked with his, and for a moment, they both stared at each other. Jaegar felt a deep, mysterious vibe from her. Suddenly she smiled at him.
And Jaegar felt his hair rising; it wasn't definitely a friendly smile, something far worse. He didn't know what, but he was sure there was something dangerous about her. Then she turned her head to her daughter.
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Standing side by side, having the same blonde hair, they looked like sisters.
Jaegar had been feeling a lot like this lately, and he sighed, shaking his head slightly.
Steeling himself, Jaegar returned to the festivities. Tonight was indeed different, he realised. In ways he hadn't expected.
Jaegar let the scene around him wash over him as he scanned the hall, eyes lingering on familiar faces—old acquaintances, academy seniors, and a scattering of nobles.
His attention, however, was sharply drawn to a particular pair near the centre of the hall.
A smile crept up on his lips with a mischievous glint in his eyes when he looked at them.
There stood Lorcan, his long-time adversary, dressed impeccably in dark attire, exuding a sense of pride that only enhanced Jaegar's disdain. Beside him stood Kyra, the princess of the evening, resplendent in a silver gown that glimmered under the chandeliers. The news of her engagement to Lorcan had been the highlight of the evening, and this soiree was, after all, arranged in her honour.
As Jaegar strode toward the couple, Kyra turned her head to see Jaegar and she froze. He noticed the subtle shift in Kyra's demeanour. Her composed expression faltered, her face paling as she recognized him.
Lorcan's reaction was more guarded, though Jaegar could detect the flicker of shock in his eyes. Despite his attempt at composure, a momentary tension tightened Lorcan's jaw.
When he reached them, Jaegar flashed a cordial smile, extending his congratulations with an air of nonchalance that belied the underlying hostility between them. "Congratulations on the engagement, Lorcan," he said, his tone light, almost mocking. "And my best wishes to you, Kyra."
Jaegar leaned in, speaking softly enough that only Lorcan could hear, the warmth of his smile contrasting with the chill of his words. "How are you holding up, Lorcan?" he murmured. "I'd suggest making the most of your days—they're numbered."
Lorcan's eyes narrowed imperceptibly, but he held his composure, his face betraying nothing of the simmering tension. Jaegar's words hung between them like a gauntlet thrown, but Lorcan made no retort, his silence speaking volumes.
As Jaegar straightened, he cast a last, lingering look at Kyra, who seemed almost in shock, her eyes darting between him and Lorcan. She had known him in ways the empire didn't, and yet she looked at him as if seeing a ghost, perhaps even unable to reconcile her past with this new revelation—that Jaegar was a prince of the empire.
The air in the hall was thick with tension; the lively chatter of the guests was almost drowned by the palpable conflict between Jaegar and Lorcan.
As Jaegar locked eyes with his cousin, the pressure seemed to mount, weighing heavily on Lorcan. His posture stiffened, a thin sheen of sweat glistening on his brow, betraying the unease he was trying so desperately to conceal.
Jaegar could see it—Lorcan's façade cracking under the weight of his scrutiny.
Just as the silence between them grew unbearable, a figure emerged from the crowd, breaking the mounting tension.
Castor, the son of the Emperor's concubine, strolled toward them with an air of calm confidence, his eyes flicking between Jaegar and Lorcan. Jaegar barely had a moment to register Castor's presence before the man intervened, his voice smooth and authoritative.
"Lorcan."
