NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 147: Circus
[Lily wants to take a bubble bath!] Lily excitedly said after hearing Hervy's words.
"I wouldn't mind a hot bath either," Lucian spoke. He had not taken a shower or even a bath today because he slept in his restaurant.
"If that's what Senior wishes, my butler will take you all to your rooms," James said to Lucian, then said to his butler, who was waiting by the door, [Tell the chefs to give the food they've prepared to the families of everyone working in the mansion.]
[Yes, Master.] The butler replied respectfully.
"Esteemed guests, you can call me Carlton, Butler Carlton, or whatever you see fit." Butler Carlton, dressed in a black suit and red tie, introduced himself with a hand over his chest, then motioned for them to follow him upstairs, "Now, please follow me to your rooms to freshen up.
If you have not brought along a change of clothes, please do not fret; I have already placed clothes on your beds that can adjust to all sizes."
As Butler Carlton led them upstairs, he made a series of hand signs. Immediately after, one of the maids departed to the kitchen.
Understanding that the guests would have questions, Butler Carlton explained without turning his head around, "Before Esteemed Guests' arrival, Master informed us to prepare a feast in your honor."
"Why is that?" Lily curiously asked him, not knowing it was all for the sake of pleasing her Big Brother Lucian. Experience new stories on empire
"As I said, it was to honor your arrival," Butler Carlon said mysteriously. Even though his Master's intentions of befriending or possibly recruiting Lucian were plain as day, as a butler, he would not say such information out loud.
After a few moments of silently climbing the stairs, they arrived at the second floor, "This is your room, Miss," Butler Carlton pointed to the first door on the right of the flight of stairs.
"Thank you!" Lily excitedly thanked him and entered the room, followed by the sound of the door locking.
Sometime later, Lucian was the last person from his group to receive his room.
His room was at the far end of the hallway. After entering, he understood why. The Noble's District, similar to Thunderfall City, was built on a flattened hill. Therefore, the room's balcony offered a perfect view of the bustling city.
After appreciating the hustle and bustle for a while, Lucian entered the bathroom.
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Meanwhile, in the Celeres Universe's Immortal Hell, millions of Sinners had gathered on the Shore of the Beginning, waiting to be taken into Hell.
Sometimes later, once the number of Sinners reached a sufficient point, in the sky above the Sea of Sins, the Space distorted, and the figure of an old man in red armor with black horns appeared.
He was none other than Baron Zagum, the First Layer Ruler of this Universe's Immortal Hell.
"Welcome, Sinners, to the Immortal Hell," Zagum greeted coldly, his voice sending chills down the spines of the Sinners.
For the next few minutes, just like Zagum had done for the past four centuries, he gave a brief introduction about himself and Hell.
"Now then, wait here for the Boats of Sins to arrive, or if you think yourself strong enough, feel free to swim to the other side," Zagum smirked coldly, but then snorted in disdain when he saw none of the Sinners had moved.
"What a bunch of cowards! Even after learning I'm the weakest out of the 81 Rulers, they didn't even try to fight me ."
The Sinners, on the other hand, did not respond to his mumblings. They merely remained quiet as their gazes were directed into the distant Sea of Sins.
—----------------
Meanwhile, outside the walls of the Wang Family Manor, there was a long queue of people waiting to enter the manor.
The atmosphere was somber, and the air was chilly.
Today was a big day, or depending on how one viewed it, a terrible day. It was the day of Wang Chen's funeral. The funeral, which should have happened two days ago, had been postponed by the Wang Family Head's wife, Wang Jiangsu.
As for the reason why, no one other than the Wang Family and a select few with inside information knew.
However, that did not stop the Mages, who remained behind in Harmony City, from wanting to attend the funeral. Furthermore, it was not as though they had a choice in the matter either. For some reason, invitations were sent to all Mages in the city asking for their presence during the funeral. For the common populace, it was no different than a King's Edict from King Phutia.
Therefore, young and old were lined up in the long queue. Even many from the City Lord's Manor and Yu Family had arrived.
—----------------
Meanwhile, in the living room of James' mansion, James was reclined back with one hand behind his head and the other holding a glass of mixed fruit juice before his lips. Occasionally, he would bring the juice to his lips and take a sip. However, every time he took a sip of the drink, his frown deepened.
"It's just not the same," James sighed as he gazed at the drink.
"Is the drink not to your satisfaction, Master? Shall I get the chefs to remake it? Or perhaps you would like something else?" Carlton, who was standing in the distance like a statue, respectfully asked. He had been curious about why his Master had such a frown the entire time but found it inappropriate to broach the subject. As a butler, he should only speak when spoken to.
Even his questions just now could be seen as unprofessional and disrespectful by most people. However, it was also imperative he thought of his Master's well-being.
Swirling the mixed berry juice in the glass for a few moments, James responded with a question, "Do you remember what I wrote to you via the Long-Distance Communication Device?"
"Yes, Master."
"Now that I've tasted Senior's dishes, food and drinks made by others is bland and even slightly repulsive." James sighed and continued after a moment, "Even Heavenly Chef Ruo's dishes pale in comparison to Senior's."
"Master, please forgive my rudeness, but are his dishes that wonderful?" Carlton asks skeptically. He had not tasted Lucian's dishes; therefore, his skepticism made sense. "If I recall correctly, the self-proclaimed Heavenly Chef Ruo is now the Young Master Orchard's personal chef."
"Such an honor isn't given lightly to anyone!" Carlton added.
James chuckled. "Like you said 'self-proclaimed Heavenly Chef Ruo'. Even if he calls himself that, he will never be the best. If he was the best Chef in Arcadia, why did the Orchard Family Head not recruit him as his personal chef?"
"But your skepticism is well-founded. Even I was skeptical of Senior's dishes before I tasted them. Now, I know he's the real deal and the key to my ascension to the position of the Orchard Family Head!"
As his Master spoke, Carlton was inwardly excited. With the way the Orchard Family operated, if his Master rose to the position of Family Head, he and every one part of his 'team' would rise.
James continued, "For now, call everyone down. We have a circus to visit. Hahaha!"
As he thought about the special event happening at the Wang Family Manor, he could not help bursting into uncontrollable laughter.
Even a brief flicker of contempt and disgust flashed through Carlton's eyes before he bowed and proceeded upstairs.
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*Ding*
Sometime later, in a bathroom on the second floor, white steam filled the air, as Lucian lay completely submerged under the warm water.
Hearing the bell sound, Lucian's indifferent expression turned into a frown. After unplugging the drain, he stepped out of the bath, causing glistening water droplets to trail down his skin.
From the rack, he grabbed a towel, and wiped down his body and hair, then threw it into the laundry bin before donning another towel around his waist.
With only a towel around his waist and his six-pack bare chest exposed, Lucian walked out of the bathroom and looked on top of the bed where there was an over-the-top opulent black robe.
[He's quite thoughtful, isn't he?] Lucian said, referring to James.
[More like shameless.] The System snorted.
[Haha, can shame be eaten?] Lucian laughed in response to the System's obvious contempt for James' methods. [Being shameless is synonymous with merchants.]
After saying so, Lucian put on the robe, exited his room, and saw a familiar old man in a black suit and red tie.
When Butler Carlton saw Lucian, he bowed and respectfully said, "I hope this humble Carlton did not disturb Senior's bath."
"It's fine. I was almost done anyway." Lucian shrugged, not minding.
"If Senior does not mind please follow me. The Master wishes to see you." Carlton gestured to the stairs.
Despite finding it slightly odd, Lucian nodded.
Carlton then led him to a large room with couches, surprisingly, Lily and the rest were already there.