* * *
As expected, the people who had been chatting stood up and respectfully bowed toward the approaching figures.
From the introductions, it was clear who they were: the man with striking red hair similar to Ferdinand’s and a dignified presence was Emperor Samuel, Ludvis III, and a dominant Omega.
The woman with sleek black hair tied neatly into a single bun and a cool aura seemed to be Empress Matilda, a dominant Alpha.
“Now that I see them together, Ferdinand takes more after his father.”
Except for his sharp eyes, which he inherited from his mother.
Even so, Emperor Ludvis III wasn’t lacking in charisma, either.
It was evident that Ferdinand’s unique charisma was a hereditary gift from both parents.
“Please, enjoy yourselves as much as you wish,” Samuel said.
“May the sun’s blessings be upon the pillars of the Empire,” added Matilda.
They offered formal pleasantries with a raised hand before departing.
As the paused music resumed, the nobles relaxed again, chatting and indulging in food and drink.
At that moment, Ferdinand noticed Chaeyi and his group and sat at an empty seat at their table.
Seemingly spotting this, the two figures descended from the dais and began walking toward them.
It appeared they intended to see Ferdinand while meeting the Beta they had summoned in person.
The moment Chaeyi saw them approach, he instinctively rose to his feet.
Enoch and Leonard also turned their heads, but Samuel raised a hand to gently stop them.
“It’s fine. Please remain seated.”
As for Ferdinand, who belatedly noticed them, he looked away with a sulky expression.
Chaeyi glanced at him briefly, observing the familiar sight.
Though he had suspected it before, it seemed Ferdinand didn’t particularly like his parents for some reason.
On the other hand…
“So, you’re the one from House Lancaster—Chaeyi, is it? You must be tired from your journey, but I’m glad you’re here. Feel free to enjoy yourself. And I want to thank you personally for getting along with our Fer.”
Samuel, at least, seemed to be a parent who cared deeply about Ferdinand.
That’s how Chaeyi felt, anyway.
“Oh, not at all. It’s Ferdinand who’s been considerate of me.”
“Haha, what a pleasant thing to say.”
Samuel smiled warmly, clearly pleased.
Meanwhile, Ferdinand, hearing Chaeyi address him so formally for the first time, looked utterly stunned.
It wasn’t from displeasure but rather the shock of realizing ‘Chaeyi also saw me as someone to address respectfully.’
However, Chaeyi wasn’t someone without manners.
While he might act casually in private, he couldn’t address Ferdinand informally in front of his parents—the rulers of the Empire.
Even though they were close, Chaeyi understood that this wasn’t the place for such behavior.
To Ferdinand, though, Chaeyi’s polite demeanor was simply amusing.
He liked how Chaeyi treated him naturally despite being a Beta.
“Just drop the formalities and act like you usually do,” Ferdinand muttered under his breath, meaning to ease Chaeyi’s discomfort.
But Samuel’s expression darkened with worry upon hearing Ferdinand’s words.
“Fern. There you go again. You’re going to make Chaeyi uncomfortable. Don’t forget that you’re the only heir of House Ludvis. Honestly, acting so childishly at your age… Your father is quite concerned about you.”
After delivering his admonishment, Samuel cleared his throat, seemingly aware of the gazes around them.
Judging by his practiced tone, it was clear this wasn’t the first time he had lectured Ferdinand in public.
Ferdinand, visibly irritated, frowned deeply, while Matilda, observing the exchange, shook her head as if this was nothing new.
Chaeyi, however, found himself somewhat understanding Samuel’s perspective.
Even if the child had grown, a parent would still worry.
If it were Leonard, Chaeyi might have acted the same way.
The difference was likely in the boundary of concern—Samuel seemed overly protective.
“Just leave me alone,” Ferdinand said curtly.
“Let’s have a word in private. I have something to discuss.”
“No. You’re just going to scold me for sneaking out again, aren’t you?”
“Son.”
“Didn’t you hear me? I said, leave me alone.”
As Matilda appeared ready to intervene, someone called for her from nearby.
She excused herself and left the scene, leaving no one to mediate.
With Ferdinand refusing to budge, Samuel’s tone grew increasingly stern.
The rising tension made the surrounding nobles uneasy, and the father and son’s heated argument became a spectacle.
Watching this unfold, Chaeyi finally understood why Ferdinand seemed to dislike his parents despite their seemingly affectionate demeanor.
“Hah.”
Eventually, it was Ferdinand who gave in.
Knowing that continuing this argument would only embarrass Chaeyi and fuel gossip among the nobles, he stood up to leave.
Samuel, his expression complicated and tinged with guilt, followed suit.
Once they were gone, Enoch heaved a sigh of relief, having been caught in the uncomfortable family quarrel.
“Fern… I hope he’s okay,” Chaeyi murmured.
Leonard, who had been silently sipping his tea, glanced toward where Ferdinand had disappeared.
His gaze was fleeting, but for Leonard, who rarely showed interest in others, it was significant.
Despite the arguments, it was clear he had grown fond of Ferdinand in his own way.
Perhaps their shared experience of strained family ties created a sense of kinship.
After some light conversation with his companions, Chaeyi decided to step away.
Leonard and Enoch looked at him inquisitively.
“I’m just going to look around and maybe use the restroom.”
“I’ll come with you—”
“No, no. It’s fine. I’ll be quick.”
Chaeyi reassured Enoch with a smile before leaving the table.
Behind him, Enoch glanced at Leonard for guidance, who gestured subtly for him to follow.
Even if Chaeyi insisted he’d be fine, Leonard couldn’t overlook the potential dangers in a crowded banquet like this.
“Make sure he doesn’t notice you,” Leonard instructed.
“Understood,” Enoch replied, quietly trailing after Chaeyi.
At Leonard’s command, Enoch swiftly followed behind Chaeyi.
Silencing his footsteps and maintaining a sufficient distance, Enoch’s presence was completely drowned out by the ambient noise around them.
As a result, even Chaeyi, whose senses were unusually sharp for a Beta, remained oblivious to Enoch trailing him.
He simply continued searching for Bennax, his original goal, as he scanned his surroundings.
‘Hmm. I don’t see him… Did Bennax not come?’
Chaeyi carefully observed the throng of nobles, trying to catch sight of Bennax, but he had no luck.
He remembered that Bennax’s pheromones carried a soft, sweet scent reminiscent of plum blossoms.
If the scent were in the air, he might have found him more quickly.
However, nobles were known to view the careless release of pheromones as improper and unrefined.
From the perspective of awakened nobles, such behavior was considered either rude or a breach of etiquette.
Bennax, sharing such noble sensibilities, was no exception.
Chaeyi knew this firsthand from a previous interaction when Bennax had accidentally let his scent slip during their conversation, only to blush furiously in embarrassment.
Thus, while the easiest way to locate an Alpha or Omega was to follow their pheromone trail, that approach was futile here.
Bennax wouldn’t leave any trace of his scent in this setting.
It was at that moment.
‘Huh?’
Chaeyi stopped in his tracks as he noticed familiar figures at the corner of the Great Hall.
Squinting to make them out, he realized it was Ferdinand and Samuel, who had disappeared earlier, claiming they needed to have a conversation.
‘Are they fighting?’
From where Chaeyi stood, the distance and the ambient noise made it impossible to hear their exchange.
However, their expressions and exaggerated gestures suggested things were far from amicable.
Ferdinand was the first to turn away abruptly. He stormed out of the Great Hall with heavy steps.
Samuel, seemingly calling after Ferdinand with an outstretched hand, didn’t follow.
Instead, he remained behind, looking distressed and worried.
“……”
Chaeyi hesitated briefly before making up his mind.
He turned on his heels and left the Great Hall to follow Ferdinand.
While finding Bennax was still on his mind, he couldn’t shake his concern for Ferdinand, who had stormed off in such an agitated state.
* * *
