Chapter 131: Social Gathering

Eventually, the six of them finished up and got everything they needed from the shopping district. It was also perfect timing because whatever Lily had planned was about to start and they had to leave in order to make it.

Lily brought them to a very nice part of town. Julius started to notice that everyone around them wore very fancy clothing and expensive jewelry. In comparison, Julius and the others felt out of place.

That wasn’t to say that the five of them weren’t dressed up nicely. Derek, Lily, Kyle, and Aubrey all wore clothing that anyone with a discerning eye could see was of very high quality. It was only Edgar and Julius who were wearing more simple clothing.

“Why didn’t you say we were going someplace with a dress code?” Julius asked Lily quietly.

Lily looked over at Julius and at his choice of outfit. “There isn’t. You can wear whatever you want, they aren’t going to turn us away because you aren’t wearing the newest selection from Alessio.”

“Well, I could have at least worn something more appropriate. I feel like a sitting duck out here,” Julius told her.

“Sitting duck?” Lily asked confused.

“Yeah, you know, like very vulnerable and out of place,” Julius clarified, sometimes his analogies didn’t make sense to the others but they knew better by now.

“You’ll be fine. If anyone makes trouble for you, I will handle them,” Lily laughed lightly while patting her chest.

Not too long after, the group approached a large hall-like structure in the middle of a square. It was Carnegie Hall but on magic steroids. Brilliant gold inlaid stonework decorated the entire exterior of the building. He spotted scores of nobles and other rich folk entering the large imposing doors in front.

“Oh come on. I thought you said we weren’t going to a play,” Aubrey complained.

“It’s not a play,” Lily promised her.

“Looks like one. What else would all these nobles be here for?” Aubrey asked rhetorically.

Lily just smiled and continued to the check-in station. “You’ll see in a moment.”

Julius spotted Derek off to the side who had a look of realization on his face. Julius made his way over to the older student. “It seems like you know why we are here. Want to share the secret with me?” Julius asked in a whisper.

Derek looked over to Julius with a grin of his own. “You’ll find out in a couple of minutes. I’d rather not spoil Lily’s surprise and get on her bad side.”

Julius didn’t like that answer, but he understood Derek’s reasoning. There was no need to risk receiving Lily’s ire when he would find out on his own pretty soon. Though, he did start to brainstorm what it could be.

Lily promised that it wasn’t a play, but it could still be something music-related. Like some sort of orchestra or performance. It would certainly suit the venue they were entering.

When they got in line to check in, Julius noticed that their group was receiving many looks. Not only were they the most underdressed of everyone, but they were also the youngest attendees other than some children who the adults brought with them. They stood out like sore thumbs. Luckily, most of the gazes seemed to be stuck on Derek and Lily.

Based on the whispers that Julius could hear, some of the people had recognized the scions of the Zenith and Violet families. There was even a good number who recognized Kyle, Aubrey, and surprisingly Edgar.

From the murmurs that Julius could pick up, they had recognized the large fourth-year from the year’s previous tournament. Edgar must have left an impression on the people who watched if they were able to recognize him like he was a celebrity.

It actually felt like Julius was surrounded by a bunch of celebrities. And then there was him. While the others got attention and looks of admiration, all he got were looks of confusion and indifference.

They didn’t seem to care who the hell Julius was. In fact, most of the people who even took the time to look at him, probably thought he was some servant or the group’s mascot. It wasn’t just a feeling either. He heard some of them say it very clearly, they weren’t even hiding it.

It was a little bit rude in his opinion and he wanted to go punch them, but he held himself back when he saw Aubrey’s amused smile on her face. Like she wanted to see for herself what he would do. Julius wouldn’t give her that satisfaction, not yet at least. He could control himself from this much. After all, he had heard much worse over the years he stayed at the Hyperius Estate.

At least these nobles didn’t think he was mentally retarded.

Eventually, it became their turn and Lily spoke to the lady who was standing there with a list of names. “Lily Violet, and five guests please.”

Julius watched as the lady didn’t even look at the list of names, before bowing at Lily with a graceful nod. She called over a young man from the corner. “Please escort Miss Violet and her guests to room 14,” she instructed the young man.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

The man young man nodded, and the lady turned back to the group. “If you need anything else, please don’t hesitate to ask Gerald. He will be your personal assistant for the night.” She bowed once more. “Please enjoy the auction.”

After they left the lady and followed young Gerald. Aubrey spoke up excitedly. “Auction? Really?”

“What? Were you still expecting a play?” Lily teased.

“Yes,” Aubrey said absolutely serious. “It wouldn’t be the first time you tricked us into seeing one.”

Edgar nodded his head from his spot next to Aubrey. Julius looked over at Lily who met Julius’s judgemental gaze with an embarrassed smile.