' Oh, it's here.' Su Ping recognized the waiter as the maid he had enslaved.

" There's nothing wrong with having one more." Su Ping smiled and collected the wine while secretly gesturing for her to lean closer.

" Is there anything you need master." The maid reacted in kind, doing as instructed.

" I need you to send as much servants as you can, my way. Make sure not to alarm anyone in the process."

" Consider it done master." said the maid who bowed her head before leaving.

Su Ping watched as the maid approached another female waiter before whispering something into her ear. The female waiter suddenly glanced in his direction stunned before turning shy.

'....Just what did she tell her.' Su Ping winced when he felt a piercing stare from behind but he still smirked at the female waiter who slowly made her way towards him when she saw his reaction.

Su Ping turned around to see Melinda smiling at him before she gestured towards the children with her gaze. Su Ping forced a reassuring smile.

" Y-You called sir." Su Ping turned around to face the female waiter who had arrived. The waitress had a skeptical look when she saw Melinda and the kids seating at the same table but her body stiffened the next moment when her gaze briefly crossed Su Ping's, her pupils dilating slightly before reverting to normal.

" I'd like to have a different drink, this wine is a bit too strong for me." Su Ping took the glass of wine he'd just taken earlier and placed it in her tray before sending her off, but not before instructing her in the same way he'd done the first maid.

' Now all I have to do is wait. Soon I'll be able to have my own group of spies in the viscount's estate, which will make taking over the viscounty that much easier." Since he couldn't take over the mansion in one night, he might as well lay the groundwork for the future.

" Ladies and gentlemen, It is with great honor that I welcome Lord Edward Montgomery, Lady Isabella Montgomery and the star of this special occasion. Young miss Esmeralda Montgomery." The crowd applauded as the 3 of them made their way down the stairs. Like the nobles they were, Edward, his wife and daughter, were all dressed in fabulous attire's, fitting of their noble status.

Esmeralda smiled at the room full of guest's, unfazed by the countless gazes trained on her. In that moment, she had truly become the star of the occasion. Several figures were satisfied after probing and discovering her strength.

A Lvl 3 elite unit was truly remarkable, within the entirety of the county, not to mention one so young. In their eyes, she was a prodigy with a bright future, another good reason for them to side with the Montgomery's during this coming fief war.

Esmeralda could easily sense their probing, her eyes were nonchalant when faced with their looks of awe and flattery, even when she heard their words of congratulations, she would only put on a fake smile and respond in kind, since she was aware that most, if not every single one of them were only here to assess her.

She had no true feelings of belonging when placed admisst all these two faced individuals who would easily switch sides at a moment's notice, so long as it benefited them.

What they weren't aware of, was that although her strength was at Lvl 3 elite tier, she was secretly close to breaking through to rare tier.

Esmeralda continued to reply in kind towards all their words of praise till her father soon took the stage.

" Now that I have everyone's attention, I would like to formally congratulate my daughter on accomplishing such a wondrous achievement. She has done our household, as is expected for those who bear the blood of my Montgomery family."

" Well said Lord Edward, She really is an excellent child."said a plump nobleman with beedy eyes.

" I'm sure that I, as well as everyone here, believe that she has a wondrous future ahead of her."

" Indeed." Edward smiled while raising his glass. " Her's to my daughter and my house, may they both continue to prosper no matter what may come." Everyone gathered as he made a toast to honour the occasion. Following suit.

After the formalities were done, Edward began to converse with some individuals amongst the guests, as they planned their course of action against the McClain's.

It wasn't a surprise to Su Ping who was watching from the edge of the gala that the Viscount didn't introduce him in anyway.

' Either he was just suspicious of me but decided I'm not someone troubling. Or, he simply has no plans of introducing a meer commoner like myself to his associates.' Whatever reason it was, Su Ping merely sneered at the notion.

There was also a possibility that the Viscount was trying to restrain him in other to easily assimilate him into his household, but if that were the case, then the man was severely mistaken.

How could a dragon be tied down so easily, not to mention a dragon king, a king amongst legendary creatures such as dragons.

" My lady, might I be so bold as to ask you to a dance." A handsome young nobleman approached Esmeralda, with his hand stretched out in waiting.

" Forgive me sir but I'm afraid I'm already taken for tonight, perhaps another time." Esmeralda smiled apologetically before walking off.

The young nobleman was disappointed but he simply walked of to enjoy the party, the night was still young and they were countless other maidens to court.

Esmeralda who had played her part perfectly, slipt away from the bustling gala, She didn't feel the urge to mingle with the rest, all she wished was to return to her room and rest. Several young bachelor's tried persuading her to join them for a dance but the courteously rejected them all, speeding up her pace due to the constant obstructions.

Due to her hurry, She accidentally bumped into one of the servants at the gala.

" I'm sorry." Esmeralda who wasn't feeling like herself, apologized for her clumsy actions.

" There's no harm done my lady." The servant said, his expression calm.

" Now if you would please excuse me." said the servant before leaving much to her surprise.

She couldn't help but wonder if he was simply too afraid to say anything to her but when she saw the direction he was heading, her eyes blinked in surprise.

" So this is were you were." Esmeralda smiled at Su Ping not minding his obvious frown and look of displeasure.

She couldn't have noticed him if not for that suit he wore, since she was the one who hand picked it herself for him. Moreover, his proximity to Melinda and the kids also gave him away.

Esmeralda was obviously stunned by his new appearance, the thought of it being the effects of a spell naturally crossed her mind and yet she didn't seem to care, instead she only wanted to spend some time with him now that she had gotten the chance.

' Why... I just got rid of the older one now she decides to pop up to?...' Su Ping secretly glanced at the retreating waiter, a trace of irritation in his heart before focusing his gaze on the heiress.

' Thanks to her I couldn't enslave him... This blasted girl, What does she want this time.'

" I'm sorry, is it ok if I join you all." Esmeralda asked Melinda with a smile.' Su Ping was annoyed but his facial features didn't betray that.

" But of course my lady. Please help yourself." Melinda nodded.

Esmeralda sat down next to Su Ping with a smile. She felt satisfied that Melinda didn't try to stop her.

" Is there something you need young miss..." Su Ping asked, feeling uncomfortable with her gaze lingering on him, longer than he would like.

" No... I just wanted to rest here for a bit." Esmeralda said before leaning closer towards him.

" But young miss, wouldn't it be better to rest anywhere else." Su Pings lips twitched, at the same time, he gestured towards several empty tables around then with his gaze. " We're an entire family, I'm sure this table isn't the best choice to seek some momentarily relief."

" What are you talking about, of course it is." Esmeralda said before smiling towards Mel and Sal. " Which other table could offer me the chance to see these two little angels." Mel and Sal giggled towards the young misses compliments.

A deadly killing intent emerged in Su Ping's eyes but he suddenly turned towards Melinda who's hand held his beneath the table, her eyes fill with understanding yet pleading for him to please calm down.

"...?" Esmeralda turned around after an odd feeling rose in her chest but, Su Ping was simply gazing at his children as well leaving her slightly confused. Her eyes then shifted towards the crowd, her expression darkening slightly.

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