As soon as the Grandpas finished introducing Eli, a melodic symphony started to play as the lights dimmed.
The only place that was brightly lit was the curved twin stairs, where all of the Forgeworn and Farauld family members looked excitedly.
With the atmosphere suddenly changing and the initial shock that the guests had because of the sudden revelation, everyone also looked towards the brightly lit staircase.
Their eyes stared dazedly towards the figure who first appeared on the stairs, he was a tall, aloof, handsome man, wearing a suit with subtle undertones of purple and white, perfectly complementing his frosty demeanor.
His grey eyes were deeply enchanting like the glow of the moonlight and his shoulder length pale brown hair was neatly tied, seductively showing his chiseled jaw and neckline which made the ladies gulp in intoxicating charm.
Everyone knew who this man was, it was Randel Forgeworn, Grandmaster Andvari's disciple and adopted son of Tyrel, the second master of the Forgeworn Clan.
He was also one of the most sought after bachelors in the capital despite being aloof and being firm in staying beside the Legendary Grandmaster as a butler rather than a proper son of the Forgeworn family.
He was known to act distantly with the ladies and seldom appeared at socializing events such as these types of banquets. Moreover, whenever he appeared, he would always appear as Grandmaster Andvari's aide.
But, every eye that had been glued to the staircase could see the gentleness in his eyes as he held out his hands and looked towards the lady who was about to descend to the staircase.
He looked towards her direction with a hint of doting and pride, as if he was welcoming her as part of the family.
Because of Randel's gesture, the people now directed their stares towards the lady who had already reached out on his hand.
It was none other than Eli, clad in a soft purple ball gown with a fitted bodice that perfectly accentuated her curves.
The purple ball gown was embroidered with silver threads and glittered with tiny beads of crystals all the way to the hem of the gown which was designed to have a sweep trail finish.
She was still wearing her pale brown hair wig, but it was styled in half up - half down braided updo. The rest of her hair was curled in a flowy manner as it complemented the head dress made of tiny crystal flowers generously affixed on the back of her head.
With the stunning design of the ball gown, coupled with the ensemble of the jewelry and head dress that she wore, she looked shining like a goddess descending to the earth as the light of the hall shined on her body.
Breathtaking! Truly breathtaking!!!
The people in the hall could help but exclaim praises at the pleasant scenery they were witnessing. Eli and Randel, gracefully walked down the staircase, like a pair of siblings out to go and make people submit to their beauty.
Eli's sweep trail was also causing a scene, as it was like an extension of Eli's shadow, which was not dark but instead bright!
"I never knew that the Great Inventor was such a beautiful lady!"
"Oh my goodness! Where did she get that ball gown! It was so beautiful!"
"She looked like a fairy that descended to our lands!"
"Have you noticed how she and Sir Randel looked alike? Look! Except for their different eye colors, they have the same regal yet calm demeanor, they have the same hair color too!"
"Could it be that she was Sir Randel's biological sister all along? Or maybe a distant relative!"
"I think that's possible! They look similar and both of them were talented!"
"If that was the case, then these two were lucky because the legendary clans treasured their talents well!"
Hearing the discussion, the adult members of the Forgeworn and Farauld Family were extremely satisfied.
In their hearts they also felt grateful towards Randel. It was credited to him that this kind of effect could be achieved.
During the time when Eli was collaborating with Orion in creating the human hair wig, Randel firmly insisted to donate his hair instead.
Eli was hesitant to do this as she felt great regret that Randel had to sacrifice his long luscious brown hair just for her cause.
However, Randel told them, "When the time comes that you have to show yourself to other people, with us wearing the same hair, coupled with a little bit of acting.. We might even fool the people of you being my relative."
Hearing this, the Grandpas and the rest of the Elders supported Randel's idea. Without no one to side with her, Eli could only reluctantly nod, looking at Randel with gratefulness in her eyes.
Looking back now, Eli couldn't help but whisper to Randel, as the two slowly marched their way to the stage, "Thank you, Big brother."
Although they are of the same physical age, Randel was a few months older than her.
Hearing her soft acknowledgement, Randel's lips curved slightly as he dotingly replied, "You are always welcome, my dear sister."
It was magical how their relationship evolved from being strangers to a level as close to siblings.
From "Sir" to "Big Brother".
From "Milady" to "Dear Sister".
Eli, who had already lived a lifetime being loved by someone who was not her biological mother, still couldn't help but feel amazed by the magic of the word family in this second life.
Family that was not defined by blood relations, but of mutual trust and understanding.
As she looked from the staircase, down to the Grandpas, her Pops and Papi, and the rest of her now family, she could not stop her eyes from getting moist upon seeing their warm and loving eyes.
"This is my family." She engraved these words in her heart.
At the same moment, Leon's patience and self control has been tested to the limits.
Upon seeing the lovely and radiant Eli, his heart felt a strong sense of desire and possession towards her.
How badly did he want to run up and snatch his lady off of Randel's hands! He also wanted to take Eli away and only let her stay in the cottage forever.
His heart couldn't help but feel sour, everyone was marveling at his lady's brilliance and beauty, but he couldn't announce his relationship to her.
Looking at the interested and shocked eyes of the men in the moonlight hall, he couldn't help but feel indignant!
'Look at the men who were planning to covet my lady!'
'Hmf! You can only look but not touch!! Only see but not possess!'
'You all perverse men were too late! I have already succeeded!'
'My trophy is Little Han!'
'Stay away from my future wife, you lecherous people!'
Olivier, who was attending as the third young master of the Astaze clan, saw Leon's sour expression and almost choked the wine he had been leisurely sipping as he watched his Madame's grand entry unfold!
He involuntarily let out muffled coughs to clear the pain in his throat.
The noise that he caused, of course, caught Leon's attention.
Soon, poor Olivier could feel the stinging stare from his master. One look and he already knew what his master wanted.
"Olivier, Greets the Third Prince… Master." He submissively greeted.
"I have a mission for you." Leon ordered with a cold and low tone, it was so low that only Olivier could hear his words.
"What is it, master?" Olivier gulped and listened.
"Keep your two brothers busy, do not let them bother Eli during the entire duration of the banquet!"
"P-pardon?" Olivier was so shocked that he thought that he was talking with another person.
Leon looked at him with a warning glance, reminding Oliver that his master hated saying his orders more than once.
"Roger, master!" Olivier could only nervously say.
"Remember, no one from your brothers could go near her within a 10 meter radius!" Leon sharply reminded.
"Yes, master!" Olivier immediately acknowledged the order and was about to say something, when he suddenly remembered a thought.
"But master, how about the others? I'm sure that it would not only be my brothers who would want to go near Madame?" He worriedly asked.
Leon looked at Olivier as if looking at a clueless puppy, but seeing that he really had no idea, he signaled him to look towards a certain direction.
It was the area where the Forgeworn and Farauld League of Doting Brothers were camped. Their eyes were like wolf hunters, calmly looking at their preys, waiting for the perfect moment to attack.
Feeling Leon's glance, the League of Doting Brothers looked back at him, signaling that they were ready for some 'operation'. Leon also nodded in acknowledgement.
Olivier then realized that Eli's adoptive cousins and brothers were also thinking the same as Leon.
"Do you think Eli's brothers would let her be touched by those stinking men?"
Leon then looked at the enlightened Olivier.. "Your mission is just an attempt to ease our burden. Heaven knows how many men could not wait to get close to Eli at this moment!"
