The great hall of the Debus family erupted in noise.
"This, this..."
Many nobles stared at Alice in astonishment. The only reason they could instantly recognize her as the heroine of the stone sculpture 'Awakening from a Dream' was that Lin Lei's carving skill was simply too high.
Lin Lei had already surpassed the stage of mere 'technique.' Through his stone sculpture, he had completely captured the spirit and captivating charm of a woman. The moment these nobles laid eyes on Alice, they were a hundred percent certain that the woman before them was the goddess of their dreams.
Many nobles looked at Alice, then turned their heads to look at Lin Lei.
Silence!
Abruptly, the entire hall fell into absolute quiet. Almost all the nobles had guessed at something. They understood that saying anything now would be inappropriate.
But that very silence left Alice feeling flustered and embarrassed.
Alice stole a glance at Lin Lei out of the corner of her eye. Standing beside His Majesty King Clyde, Lin Lei remained as composed as ever. He simply looked at her with calm eyes.
As for Lin Lei.
Alice's feelings toward him were very complex—there was regret, and also resentment. She resented Lin Lei's stone sculpture for preventing her from becoming the main wife, even plunging her into this awkward situation. Yet that same sculpture also showed her Lin Lei's feelings for her.
Kalan also felt somewhat uncomfortable.
"Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to make an introduction." Bernard's voice rang out, his face still wearing a smile. "My son, Kalan, will hold his engagement ceremony today with Miss Rolin and Miss Alice."
As he spoke, Bernard walked to Kalan's side, then pointed at Rolin. "This is Miss Rolin, my son Kalan's main wife. And this is Miss Alice."
Immediately, hushed discussion filled the hall, with gazes frequently shifting toward Lin Lei.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats." Bernard said with a chuckle.
The nobles and wealthy figures in the hall took their seats in order. At the banquet, some members of the Debus family were still very hospitable, though many nobles frequently looked at Alice, occasionally glancing toward Lin Lei as well.
Lin Lei carried his wine glass and walked to a corner of the hall, casually sitting down on a sofa.
"Boss, I hear a lot of people talking about you," Bei Bei said, hopping onto Lin Lei's thigh.
Lin Lei took a gentle sip of wine from his glass. "Let them talk. I'm fine, it's just... Alice probably feels terrible inside."
His feelings toward Alice now were very calm.
He understood now that his stone sculpture 'Awakening from a Dream' had indeed brought Alice great influence.
Sitting in the corner, Lin Lei quietly watched Kalan, Alice, and Rolin mingle among the guests, drinking by himself.
"Lord Lin Lei, why are you drinking alone here?" A beautiful woman with fair skin and azure long hair walked over and naturally sat down beside Lin Lei, extending her own wine glass.
Lin Lei clinked glasses with her.
"My name is Sasha. Before the banquet, I wanted to chat with you, Lord Lin Lei, but you seemed very popular with the young ladies. I didn't get a single chance," Sasha said with a smile.
Lin Lei looked at Sasha.
She was tall, and her laughter carried an alluring charm. There was also a touch of bewitching allure in her eyes and brows. This kind of woman possessed a certain femininity that those noble ladies lacked.
"Young ladies? Sasha, aren't you a young lady?" Lin Lei asked with interest.
Sasha took a small sip of red wine, then smiled and said, "Young lady? I've been married for eight years already. Still a young lady?"
Lin Lei couldn't help but feel somewhat surprised.
"However, my husband died on our wedding day," Sasha said, blinking at Lin Lei and speaking softly.
"Oh..." Lin Lei looked at Sasha in astonishment.
Seeing Lin Lei's reaction, Sasha let out a delicate laugh, then sipped her wine again, smiling at him: "Lord Lin Lei, you really are adorable."
Lin Lei couldn't help but smile.
This Sasha was quite the charmer.
"Sasha, what are you doing over here?" Duke Paterson said with a smile as he walked over.
Sasha glanced back at Paterson and pretended to be annoyed: "Duke, I was just chatting with Lin Lei for a moment, and here you are. Well, you two talk." Sasha even threw Lin Lei a flirtatious glance before leaving.
Duke Paterson watched Sasha's retreating figure for a moment before sitting down next to Lin Lei.
"Lin Lei, how are you feeling?" Duke Paterson said to Lin Lei.
"How am I feeling?"
"About Sasha." Duke Paterson winked at Lin Lei. "Lin Lei, Sasha is a beautiful woman pursued by many in noble circles. Look at her figure, those eyes, that little mouth, oh..."
Lin Lei could only smile.
"I can tell you, Sasha is probably quite interested in you. Seize the opportunity, and you could win her over." Paterson patted Lin Lei's shoulder and said quietly.
Lin Lei glanced at Paterson. "Not interested."
Paterson looked at Lin Lei with surprise.
"Lin Lei," Duke Paterson suddenly lowered his voice and said to Lin Lei, "After tonight's banquet ends, don't rush off. I have something to discuss with you."
Lin Lei was stunned.
Why so secretive?
"You wouldn't refuse to give me face, would you?" Paterson said, pretending to be annoyed.
Lin Lei looked at Paterson and thought to himself: "I'll see what you're really after." He had actually been looking for a chance to get closer to Paterson.
"Rest assured, Duke. I'll wait a while tonight," Lin Lei replied with a smile.
By a little past eight in the evening, many nobles had begun to leave. Lin Lei did not rush to depart, as he remembered his arrangement with Paterson.
"I'll see what you're really after."
Lin Lei remained quietly in the hall.
"Lin Lei, I'm heading out now," Clyde said to Lin Lei before leaving. The people in the hall grew fewer and fewer. Growing somewhat impatient, Lin Lei stepped out of the hall into the corridor, enjoying the cool night breeze.
Just then, a male attendant quietly approached.
"Lord Lin Lei, the Duke requests your presence," the attendant said in a hushed voice.
"So mysterious?" Lin Lei was inwardly surprised.
"Lead the way." Lin Lei appeared calm on the surface, while Bei Bei remained curled up in his arms. The male attendant led Lin Lei down a very narrow, gloomy path. Judging by the marks on the path, few people walked this way.