382 The Viscounts Of The Land Of Etara
Lucius kept his expression neutral, but already took a step back to let the two engage.
Luckily, Kiana was already whispering underneath her breath so that he would understand who this individual was.
“Felldan is a sneaky man. His gift is called the Flash of Youth and allows him to maintain his youthful appearance through the use of Aether. He’s also one of the most promising and adept politician as well. Many think that he will become a Count soon in the near future. Out of everyone here, he’s the one who’s doing quite well.”
“Is that so…?” Lucius blinked and glanced once again at the youth. Everything that Kiana said so far was interesting.
Upon further inspection with the Nexus, Kiana’s words were confirmed, and it allowed Lucius to realize why Baron Harmund seemed mildly upset earlier.
‘This is truly an incredible gift. Youth has always been something that has been aspired to by many people when they reach a certain age and so it makes sense that he would be the envy of a lot of people due to his gifts. But is he really that adept in politics? What kind of man is he truly?’ Lucius thought before he quickly observed the interaction between Viscount Felldan and Count Inanis.
“Viscount Felldan. Well met.” Count Gabriel greeted the young man with a smile on his face.
“Well met indeed! It’s been so long and you look like you haven’t aged a day at all!” Viscount Felldan said.
“You jest once again, Viscount. If there’s one of us who doesn’t look like he’s barely past twenty, it’s you.” Count Gabriel shook his head amicably.
“Ah, ah, but appearances are simply one thing! You still hold the aura and regal presence that you’ve had since we’ve first met.” Viscount Felldan said. “Some people change over time, but I’m happy to see that you’re as consistent as ever. To another victory for the Inanis Clan!”
At Viscount Felldan’s words, a lot of people who had their eyes and were discreetly listening in quickly raised their voices in unison.
“To the Inanis Clan!” they chorused.
“Thank you, Viscount.” Count Gabriel nodded.
“If it were up to me, I would have held a far more grand occasion to celebrate your victory.” Viscount Felldan said. “However, Baron Hugh has already done quite a great job. It’s intimate, which is far more suitable to you, Count Inanis.”
“If you were the one who hosted the banquet, you wouldn’t have had the opportunity to linger and mingle with the younger nobility.” Count Gabriel mused.
“Oh, well, it’s always so interesting to see what the bright and young mind are thinking of.” Viscount Felldan said.
“You rather enjoy being treated as one of them, as most of them are yet unaware of your presence.” Count Gabriel said.
“Ah, well, partly, there is some excitement there. I’m sure that their parents have already warned them, but it’s a good way to hone my skills and see if I can match their temperaments.” Viscount Felldan shrugged amicably.
It wasn’t the first time that Lucius had seen Count Gabriel smile or talk with other nobility, but there was a genuine look to it that had to be noted compared to that of the others.
‘Incredible. Count Inanis does not usually engage with a lot of people amicably, but Viscount Felldan does it with certain ease. But is this truly a genuine friendship or merely something done to elevate his position? He does know his way around words, so it’s something I have to be on guard with. Or rather, notice more if he tries something like influencing Count Inanis in a certain direction.’
“So when are you going to aspire further, Count Gabriel?” Viscount Felldan asked. “You’ve won another victory for the Grantz Kingdom.”
“Viscount Drew wasn’t necessarily going against the Grantz Kingdom, only wishing to separate himself from the Land of Etara, you know that.” Count Gabriel pointed out.
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“Between the two of us, you’re the one with far more ambition.” Count Gabriel wryly said.
“We’re still young after all!” Viscount Felldan chuckled. “Of course, we’ll do our best to maintain our current positions, but if we continue to do our positions well, it only makes sense that we will elevate ourselves. Besides, it’s not only the war against Viscount Drew that I was talking about. News of Dionysia Brewery being in Inanis City has already spread fast along with the reduction of crimes. You certainly are amassing quite a good network and reputation since last year.”
“We’ll see.” Count Gabriel nodded. “You are perceptive, as always, with the happenings, Viscount Felldan… but it seems like Viscount Blackshield has arrived as well.”
Lucius glanced up to see the Viscount and quickly realized that they were a Viscountess instead.
Kiana quickly supplied the information that Asher needed to understand who this woman was.
“Viscountess Blackshield is a widow, and she did not marry again. She is someone who is a good person, in my opinion.” Kiana said. “You’ll understand when she comes here.”
Unlike Viscount Felldan, who maintained his youth through Aether and caught the attention of everyone in the circle, Viscountess Blackshield did nothing to hide her age, but it simply came off as a mature beauty instead.
However, that wasn’t what drew Lucius’ attention to her.
‘Appearances can be deceiving, but one can feel that we’re dealing with a fire of a warrior within her. Although it’s quite visible as well if you inspect closely.’
Upon a quick glance, she was dressed in a shapely raiment that was pleasing to the eyes, but if one observed Viscount Blackshield a little longer, then the muscles hidden underneath were quite visible.
It was a combination of allowing the charm of being an aesthetically pleasing woman, paired with the hidden strength underneath.
“Count Inanis and Viscount Felldan. Greetings to the two of you.” The Viscountess greeted in a calm tone.
However, it did not escape Lucius’s observation that she glanced in Viscount Felldan’s direction with some hostility.