Death... and me

Salael quickly prepared a chair for Lamares before saying.

"Come on, brother. Sit, sit! Let's enjoy this banquet together."

Lamares laughed as he sat down.

"You seem pleased with today's event, no?"

Salael nodded straight away.

"It's truly a happy day. After all, he's a genius Formation Master who got third place in the last Formations Guild Main Branch Exam. Above all... he's Droman's direct disciple."

Salael made sure to put emphasis on the last sentence.

However, Lamares didn't seem surprised.

"That's indeed a good thing. I wonder why one of my granddaughters wasn't this lucky. Fortunately... the Communication System's blueprints are in the hands of the Imperial Family already."

Salael understood the hidden meaning behind those words. It was the same thing as saying that having Droman now wouldn't help him as much as he thought.

"Hahaha! Indeed, it's a good thing that everyone can have access to it. But who knows what Formation Master Droman and his disciple could come up with in the future, right? I'm really looking forward to it."

Lamares laughed, not minding that at all. After that, he looked at Rean.

"Hey kid, how about this? Even though you're married to my beloved brother's granddaughter, I wouldn't mind taking you in. As the first prince, I'm sure I can give you anything you want."

Salael let out a light cough as he replied.

"Big brother, you shouldn't joke in a moment like this."

Lamares shook his head as he said.

"I'm not joking. As your big brother, why wouldn't I give your grandson-in-law some help? You should be happy that I'm being so magnanimous."

Lamares continued to look at Rean.

"How about it? I'm sure you won't regret accepting this offer. Unlike my brother, I would make sure to show you deep inside the family's affairs. The fact that you're related to him doesn't bother me at all."

Salael narrowed his eyes as he asked.

"Big brother, what are you talking about?"

Lamares laughed before explaining.

"Come on, little brother. We all know how paranoid you are. Even though Rean is entering your family, you would still keep him privy to most things. I'm different. I always show my allies what they can expect from me. The fact that he's your grandson-in-law doesn't bother me at all."

Lamares then looked at Droman before continuing.

"Formation Master Droman is also more than welcome. I know that the rules of the Formation Master Guild say to not use the guild's name in the countries' affairs. But just so you know, I don't need it at all. I only need you and your disciple. There's no need to ask the Formations Guild to do anything."

Salael's expression turned dark as he rebutted.

"You are mistaken, big brother. Since Rean is part of my family, I wouldn't need to hide many things from him either. However, I do think that you're way too open. It wouldn't be a surprise if someone stabs you in the back in the future. Of course, your little brother wishes that such a thing never happens."

Droman scratched the back of his head before saying.

"Ahem... This old man is grateful for the First and Fifth Princes' interest in his meager skills. However, I'm staying on the Formations Guild side for the time being, so I couldn't get too involved in these affairs anyway, or else the Guild Leader would scold me."

Neither Lamares nor Salael found that answer surprising. Both of them knew that the path to Droman was through Rean.

Well, Rean couldn't help but find this scene funny as he tried to hold his laughter. If either of them knew that he was, in fact, supporting someone else, how would they react? Of course, he couldn't tell that right now since Calina's existence was still a secret.

"I'm grateful for the First Prince's offer. However, grandfather-in-law already made it clear that he won't keep me out of the family's affairs. Well, let's not forget that I married Qia because I love her and not because of something else, shall we? I wish we could all enjoy this happy day."

Salael laughed out loud after hearing that.

"Big Brother, we've made a fool of ourselves. That's true! This is such a joyous event. We shouldn't be bringing such gloomy words to this hall. What do you think?"

Lamares sighed with a smile on his face.

"But of course! Your oldest brother was too harsh. Come on, let's drink!"

Salael nodded as they began to drink with each other. If no one knew better, they would think that these two brothers were really on great terms with each other. However, most of the guests couldn't help but feel pressured at that scene.

Well, Rean didn't care at all. As for Roan, he didn't even waste time hearing the previous conversation. Instead, he had been glued to the dessert table all this while. However, he still narrowed his eyes as he ate them.

'Mother's desserts are better...'

Jury, Harmalia, and Turen didn't know what was happening either, so they simply smiled and pretended to agree with everything. All they could tell was that they shouldn't get involved in whatever was happening with those two.

The first ones to be served in the banquet were the two princes. After they began to drink, the others were finally able to do the same thing as well. Though, Roan totally ignored that rule in his corner.

Rean and Qia did the same thing after they saw the princes start to drink. Rean took his cup and downed everything in a single go. As a cultivator, things like alcohol were far from being able to damage one's body, so his age didn't matter anymore.

Qia followed Rean's example and began to eat and drink together with him. However, the couple failed to notice a slight change in expression in Salael's face after gulping down their cups' contents.

'That's the best way to guarantee that this marriage will be as solid as a rock.'

Soon after, he smiled and continued to drink to entertain his oldest brother as if nothing had happened.