Wizard: I Have a Cultivation System-Chapter 80 - 79: Exploring the Rules of the Otherworld

Inside the reception hall of Duval Castle.

Beside the head seat, the chair reserved for the Baron was empty.

The Former Lady Baron sat alone to the left of the head seat, her deep blue gown lending her an air of severe dignity.

Bernard the butler stood behind her with his hands clasped, like a silent shadow.

Knight Terence and Cecilia sat in the guest seats.

The little girl’s back was straight, her hands folded in her lap. Her doll-like, exquisite face showed no trace of emotion.

"Knight Terence, please forgive us," the Former Lady Baron said, lifting a silver cup and taking a small sip of honey water. "Sylvan has been unwell recently. The doctor has advised him to rest, so I will be presiding over today’s reception in his stead. That boy... Ever since... well, his health has never fully recovered. It is a constant worry."

Terence understood perfectly.

’Unwell?’

’More likely an excuse for being sidelined in a power struggle.’

’This Former Lady Baron has clearly seized firm control over the Baron’s Castle, even excluding her own son from a formal diplomatic reception like this.’

Terence prayed, "May Oriane bless the Lord Baron with a swift recovery."

The Former Lady Baron turned her gaze to Cecilia, a faint smile appearing on her face. "What a beautiful child. There’s a hint of her father in her eyes. Come, step forward. Let me have a good look at you, child."

Cecilia rose as requested and stopped about three paces before the Former Lady Baron’s chair. She curtsied, her voice crisp and clear. "Good day, My Lady."

A cold sneer flickered across the Former Lady Baron’s lips. "So well-mannered. It seems the upbringing in the Hans Viscount’s Mansion is strict indeed. However, in the Duval Family, when a junior greets an elder—especially during an informal family meeting such as this—they are to step two paces closer to show intimacy. Perhaps the customs of the Viscount’s Mansion differ from those in a small, border territory like ours?"

Cecilia’s azure eyes remained calm and placid. She did as she was told, stepping forward two paces and curtsying again. "Thank you for your guidance, My Lady."

The Former Lady Baron’s eyes grew colder. She inclined her head slightly, signaling to Bernard.

The butler immediately stepped forward and handed Cecilia a crystal goblet filled to the brim with deep red wine.

The goblet was a bit too large and heavy for her small hands.

The Former Lady Baron’s tone was gentle. "You are our guest from afar. Please, try the wine produced in our own territory. According to the Duval Family’s custom of hospitality, when the host bestows wine, the guest must hold the cup with both hands, gaze upon the host, and drink a mouthful with a grateful heart to show respect for the host and this land."

This was an even more obvious attempt to make things difficult.

It was already difficult for a six-year-old child to hold a heavy goblet steady with both hands. To also maintain her composure while drinking, without letting her gaze waver, was an extremely demanding task for any child—one where it would be very easy to lose her poise.

Cecilia’s small hands steadily held the base and stem of the goblet, her knuckles turning slightly white from the effort.

She raised her eyes and met the Former Lady Baron’s gaze without flinching.

Slowly, she brought the goblet to her lips and carefully took a small sip. Her movements were slow but exceptionally steady, and not a single drop of the deep red wine spilled.

After drinking, she continued to hold the goblet steady, her gaze unwavering. In a level tone, she said, "Thank you for your hospitality, My Lady. The wine is rich and full-bodied, much like the heritage of the Duval Territory."

The smile on the Former Lady Baron’s face nearly faltered.

The girl’s response was infuriatingly perfect. Her mature, adult-like demeanor made it seem as if she had seen through all her tricks and was handling them with ease.

The attending Knight’s Attendants and officials stood with their heads bowed, not making a sound, but their silence was a form of observation in itself.

If she couldn’t make this child show even a hint of embarrassment in front of everyone, her goal of establishing dominance today would fail.

Just as the Former Lady Baron was concocting a further slight, Knight Terence’s resonant voice rang out. "My Lady, Miss Cecilia has had a long and tiring journey. She is young, after all, and I fear sitting for so long will weary her. I have long heard that Duval Castle is rich in history and boasts unique scenery, especially the Snowball Flowers in the garden, which are said to have a special charm even in early summer. Would it be possible for an Attendant to guide Miss Cecilia on a short tour of the castle, so she might stretch her legs?"

His words were courteous, his reasoning sound and proper. He didn’t outright use his status as a representative of Viscount Hans or as a Knight to pressure her, yet he made it impossible to easily refuse.

The Former Lady Baron shot Terence a glance. She took a deep breath, suppressed her displeasure, and put her graceful smile back on. "How thoughtful of you, Knight Terence. It was an oversight on my part. Bernard, arrange for a reliable maid to take Miss Cecilia for a walk in the garden. See that she is well looked after."

"Yes, My Lady," Bernard said, bowing to accept his orders.

Upon hearing this, Cecilia gently placed the goblet on a small table nearby, her movements still composed.

She curtsied to the Former Lady Baron and then to Terence. "Thank you for your consideration, My Lady. Sir Terence, I will return shortly."

Her tone was level, as if the preceding incident had never happened.

Then, she followed the maid assigned by Bernard and slowly walked out of the reception hall.

...

Cecilia followed a stone-faced maid, walking in silence through the deep corridors of the castle.

Torches on the stone walls stretched and shortened their shadows, and the sound of their footsteps echoed in the empty passage.

The maid walked quickly, twisting and turning, passing through several archways and forks in the path, and taking a circuitous route.

Cecilia followed quietly behind, but her azure eyes were carefully observing the suits of armor, the wall-hung crests, and the landmarks outside the windows, clearly imprinting the route in her mind.