Aegis: Pandora's Box

A Suspicious Invitation II

A few hours ago,

I barely got out of our house and nearly got left behind by the carriage that my parents are hiding, I also witnessed how Fernan is being scolded by his parents, “Looks like I was not the only one that got scolded.” I almost burst into laughter if only my father did not pinch my ears.

“You rascal, do you have time to laugh at others?” my father says while giving me a scolding. I turn to Fernan and see him holding back his laughter as well.

After a good scolding, father tidy his clothes as mother tidies mine, “You don’t have to be that strict, he just did not notice the time. He is still just a kid. You and I always lost track of time in the past.” My mother convincingly suggested.

Seeing how mother defended me, father could not do anything and just let me off.

“Next time, be mindful Ibis. I’m letting you off this time because your mother says so. I might not be so merciful next time.” He warns as my mother winks at me, “I’m sorry father.” I apologized.

Half an hour into our travel and we can already see Sir Leone’s manor brightly lit by various eye-catching decorations, “Looks like we will arrive in a few minutes.” Father says with excitement written all over his face.

I can’t help but marvel at how delighted not only him but also the others parents invited by Sir Leone, “Well, I guess we can sit back and enjoy for their sake.” I tell myself even when a part of me is suspicious about the sudden invitation.

A few minutes later and we are entering Sir Leone’s manor, we are greeted by his attendants that are waiting outside his mansion.

____________________________________

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

“Come in.”

The door opens and reveals a young man drinking wine while watching the attendants finish the preparations.

“The guests from Floris have arrived.” The butler reports as the young man turns around and smiles, “Really? They are quite too early. Were they looking forward go coming here that much?” he mutters, and puts his glass of wine away.

“I guess I have to go and greet them myself. That’s what father asked me to do after all.” He walks out of the room and sees Ibis immediately, and he grins, “You’re here too, defective.”

The young man walks out elegantly and greets everyone from the town of Floris, “I am Joshua Von Jaejel, I am Leone Jaejel’s first son. I welcome you to our manor, please make yourselves at home.” He says with a smile and immediately captivates them, aside from Ibis.

Joshua’s impressive posture and figure is breath taking, making all the maidens drool at the sight of him.

“I don’t know why, but I feel something weird right after he appeared.” Ibis turns to the Aegis, “This feeling, this guy. He has some intentions for greeting us. Aegis is telling me go be careful.” Ibis grind his teeth as he is forced to shake Joshua’s hands after his father greet him.

“So you are, Ibis. Its nice meeting you, Ibis. Please enjoy the party. Please excuse me, I have places to be.” He says, giving Ibis a smirk and then left as the attendants guide them to the seats.

“Hey, is it just me or that guy looked at you weirdly?” Fernan ask as we head to the seats reserved for them, “I know, right? But maybe its just us. Let's just not think about it. This is a one time thing.

“And besides, we just got scolded earlier. You don’t want to go through again, right?” Ibis adds in that made Fernan ultimately agree, “Well, you have a point, but I really have a bad feeling about this.”

Ibis looks at his friend and just nod his head, “I wish I can tell Fernan what I honestly feel. But doing that will only make him on the edge too, this is a big night that our parents don’t want to mess up. All we can do is hope for the best.” He says to himself.

Although, that is what Ibis is hoping for, the worried expression on his faces makes Fernan aware that something is bothering Ibis.

“Lets just hope that nothing bad happens.” Fernan hope to himself.

A few moments later and the other guests arrive. Nobles from various household arrive and are greeted in the same manner.

Ibis and Fernan who are sitting besides each other sees the beautiful maidens from noble houses, Fernan who is easily baited out by their beauty admires them from afar. Ibis on the other hands is wary of his surroundings.

“The feeling just gotten worse when a lot of nobles arrived, it's overwhelming. Its like I am catching a cold.” He says to himself as Fernan continuously pat his shoulder whenever he sees a beautiful young lady.

“Ibis, you should get a load of this. You are missing out on so many beautiful things!” Hearing as Fernan is delighted, Ibis feels relieved that Fernan forgets about his suspicions earlier.

At the balcony of the mansion, a man comes out in a black suit, at a glance, Ibis can immediately recognize that person, “Sir Leone.” He mutters to himself and all of a sudden, the nobles as well as the people from their town clap their hands.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for answering my invitation. We welcome the townsfolk of Tala for joining us. I cannot thank you all for coming here and join us in our celebration, a joyous celebration to congratulate my first son for successfully getting admitted to Ambros Academy of Magic! Please enjoy the food and drinks!”

APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE!

“So this is what it's all about.” Ibis says to himself after finally understanding why they are invited in such a celebration. I

He then turns to his mother and sees her feeling down, and his father comforts her, “This was his aim after all. To show us what his son achieved. Is that how a brother should treat his sister?” Ibis clench hid fists as he and Joshua stare at each other.

Joshua grins and says, “Yes, this is how everything will always be.” (Inaudible) Even without hearing it directly from his mouth, Ibis fully understands what he just said, “This fucker is getting on my nerves.” Ibis says to himself.

“Calm down, Ibis. You said that we need to behave for our parents, right?” In an instant, Fernan grab Ibis’ shoulder, the latter turns to him and smiles, “You don’t look calm yourself, are you sure you’re holding yourself back?”

Fernan grinds his teeth as a few veins popped off his forehead while keeping a smile, “What are you talking about? I am perfectly calm.” Seeing his friend like that, Ibis cannot help but smile, “Yes, we should at least be able to hold ourselves back.” Ibis acknowledges.

The party goes on and the young people greet and introduce each other. Fernan greets the ladies even though he is still pissed by the fact that the entire celebration is to show them their difference.

“Are you okay?” Fernan’s mother asked Ibis’ mother, “Yes, don’t worry about me.” She says nicely as Fernan’s mother glares directly at the balcony, “If I knew this is the reason, I would have persuaded Felto not to come.” She recklessly blurts out.

“There, there, honey. None of us expected this. Calm down.” Fernan’s father console, “Lets just endure this. Looking at how the children are enjoying, this is the least we can do for them.” He adds in.

While Ibis and Fernan are getting their food, a beautiful young woman approach them, Fernan instantly tidy himself and greets the lady, “Hello milady, I am Fernan. May I have the honor to know your name?” he says with a flustered face, but she just ignores him and turn to Ibis who is busy picking his food.

“That braised chicken is made by our chef. I recommend that you try it while its hot.” Her angelic voice made Fernan melt, the softness of her voice is like music to his ears, “Wait- she is talking to Ibis?!” Fernan is blown out in surprise.

On the contrary, Ibis just turn to the beautiful woman and nod his head, “Thanks, I will try it.” He answers blankly. Fernan almost lost his mind at his empty and lifeless response, the beautiful woman seem to be calm about his response.

“Wait, is she just accepting that bland response?!” Fernan wants to pull Ibis to the side and tells him to give a good impression, but he knows that it will be pointless.

“Damn, if it was me I would have entertained her immediately!” Fernan says to himself, drowning in sorrow, “I apologize for my friend’s bland response. He is just not used to talking to beautiful woman such as yourself.” Fernan apologize, and she smiles, “Why thank you, I don’t find his response rude, so there is no need to apologize. I am grateful for you trying our chef’s dish. Please enjoy.” She says with a beautiful smile, captivating Fernan’s heart instantly.

“Ibis, you bastard! To think that you are ignoring such a beauty! I want to strangle you right now!” Ibis completely understand Fernan’s thoughts of him, “I could not care less about her at all. Because right now, I am more focused on a particular person.” Ibis thinks to himself as he and Joshua stare at each other, the latter coming towards them.

“I wonder how you are holding yourself back after realizing what this is all about. You see this? This is the proof that I am now a student of Ambros Academy of Magic!” he says to himself while showing off his insignia.