Chapter 48: Alaric And Lyra Enjoy A Feast

The grand mansion of the Bennet Family was steeped in tense silence, the once-lively hallways now thick with the scent of antiseptic and hushed murmurs.

Servants hurriedly made way for the stretcher carrying Jasper Bennet, bruised, battered, and barely conscious.

His parents, Stefano and Nicoletta, followed closely behind, their faces grim with worry and fury.

As they entered the infirmary, the Bennet Family’s best healers and physicians were already waiting, their expressions focused as they prepared to tend to their young master’s injuries.

Stefano’s jaw was set tightly, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of unease as he watched his only son’s battered form.

’This Alaric…,’ he thought, a strange mix of admiration and concern brewing within him. ’What kind of child can unleash such strength and ruthlessness at this age?’

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Bennet estate, Alaric and his mother Lyra made their way back from the training field, their expressions a blend of relief and triumph. As they strolled through the opulent halls, Lyra glanced at her son, her eyes soft with pride.

“You fought wonderfully, moonpie,” she said warmly, her voice filled with affection.

Alaric smiled, his cheeks flushing. “Thank you, Mother.” His tone was light, but as they walked in silence, a thought nagged at him. He looked up, his expression tinged with worry. “Do you think it was… a bit much, what I did to Jasper?”

Lyra smiled, an understanding gleam in her eyes. “Stefano is a smart man, Alaric. He knows the stakes of nobility. You gave Jasper the lesson he needed; his father won’t pursue enmity over a fair duel.” She placed a comforting hand on Alaric’s shoulder. “Besides, it’s rare to find someone your age with such extraordinary abilities. That talent alone ensures your protection, my dear.”

Alaric nodded thoughtfully, considering her words. He trusted his mother’s wisdom; she had been right more times than he could count.

As they reached the guest chambers assigned to them, Lyra and Alaric took some time to rest, their bodies weary from the events of the morning. They changed into comfortable clothing, no longer needing to be on guard, no longer needing to fight.

Lyra was confident that Stefano would not dare to harm her or her son, that he would not risk the wrath of the Steele Family or the power of Alaric’s magic.

Elsewhere in the mansion, Stefano remained beside Jasper as the healers mended his injuries with practiced precision.

Nicoletta knelt by her son’s side, her hand gently infusing mana into his weakened form to boost his healing.

Her face was pale with fury and grief, her gaze fixed on her son’s bruised face.

Jasper stirred, a faint whimper escaping him as his battered body began to mend.

“He has humiliated our son,” Nicoletta murmured bitterly, her voice barely a whisper. She glanced up at Stefano, her expression stormy. “Will you let this slide?”

Stefano didn’t respond at once. He was watching the slow, precise movements of the healers, their hands glowing as they tended to Jasper’s wounds. Finally, he spoke, his tone steely. “Jasper brought this upon himself.” He placed a hand on her shoulder. “I cannot risk an enmity with the Steeles over a childish scuffle. Alaric is a prodigy, Nicoletta. A talent like his could bring honor to any house.”

Nicoletta’s eyes filled with angry tears. “He’s only eight, Stefano! He had no right to treat our son like that.”

Stefano’s gaze softened, but he remained firm. “And yet, Jasper challenged him with all the pride and arrogance I have warned him against. Today, he saw what true power looks like.”

Silence fell between them as Nicoletta clenched her fists, her mind reeling from the humiliation. Despite her anger, she could see the resolve in Stefano’s eyes and knew she had little choice but to relent.

With a slow breath, Stefano turned to the lead physician. “Do what you must to hasten his recovery.”

An hour later, Stefano emerged from the infirmary, his face pale and his expression grave.

Stefano, however, knew that he had to act, that he had to take control of the situation before it spiraled out of hand.

He made his way to the dining hall, his steps steady and purposeful as he ordered the servants to prepare a luxurious feast. “Use the skin of the rare powerful magical beasts that we have stored in ice within our Bennet Family’s storage,” he commanded, his voice filled with authority. “Pull out all the stops for this feast. I want it to be a meal fit for a king.”

The servant bowed low, his expression tense. “Yes, Lord Bennet.” He disappeared into the corridor, his footsteps fading quickly as he set about his task.

A few hours later, the Bennet Family’s dining hall had been transformed. The long, polished table was laden with dishes of exquisite craftsmanship, each plated with care and adorned with rare ingredients. The tantalizing aromas filled the air, and the soft murmur of servants preparing the last details hummed in the background.

Stefano personally made his way to the guest room, his expression respectful as he knocked on the door. “Lady Steele, Young Master,” he said, his voice filled with deference. “I have come to invite you to lunch. We have prepared a feast in your honor, and I hope that you will join us.”

Lyra opened the door, her expression polite and respectful as she greeted Stefano. “Lord Bennet,” she said, her voice filled with warmth and gratitude. “We would be honored to join you for lunch.”

Alaric stood beside his mother, his expression curious and eager as he took in the sight of Stefano. He was a bit shocked to see the respect and deference in the older man’s eyes, the way he treated them with such courtesy and honor.

’Just like Mother said, Stefano is treating us respectfully despite me badly beating Jasper,’ he thought to himself, his mind racing as he tried to process the implications of this new dynamic.

Stefano led them to the dining hall, his steps steady and measured as he walked beside Lyra. He turned to Alaric, his expression filled with admiration and respect.

“Young Master,” he said, his voice filled with sincerity. “The duel today was quite amazing. I must admit, this is the first time I have witnessed a prodigy as monstrous as you. Especially a mage. I have heard that to strengthen the magic core at the heart, there really is no shortcut for a mage, and they have to slowly accumulate it. But it seems that your talent is great enough to completely surmount the understanding of the world regarding magic.”

Alaric was taken aback by Stefano’s words, his eyes widening in surprise as he took in the older man’s praise. He had not expected such high regard, such admiration from the head of the Bennet Family. He knew that Stefano was a powerful man, a man of influence and authority, and he was humbled by his words.

As they entered the dining hall, Alaric’s eyes widened in awe as he took in the sight before him. The table was laden with dishes, the scent of exotic spices and rare ingredients filling the air. The dishes were arranged with care, each one a masterpiece of culinary art, a testament to the skill and the talent of the Bennet Family’s chefs.

Stefano gestured for Lyra and Alaric to take their seats, his expression filled with pride and satisfaction as he began to introduce each dish. “This is the Roasted Flame Lightning Bison,” he said, pointing to a large platter piled high with succulent, juicy meat. “The Flame Lightning Bison is a magical beast known for its incredible strength and its ability to control both fire and lightning. Its meat is infused with these elements, giving it a unique flavor and incredible nutritional value. Only an Expert Martialist like yourself, Lady Steele, could hunt such a beast.”

Alaric’s eyes widened with excitement as he tasted the bison, its intense flavor spreading across his tongue with a satisfying heat. He felt a rush of warmth as if tiny sparks were dancing through his body.

Stefano continued, pointing to another dish. “This is the Stormhawk Wings,” he said, gesturing to a platter of crispy, golden wings. “The Stormhawk is a magical beast known for its incredible speed and its ability to control the winds. Its wings are infused with the power of the storm, giving them a unique flavor and incredible nutritional value. Again, only an Expert Martialist could hunt such a beast.”

Lyra tasted a wing, nodding in appreciation. “The flavor is exceptional, and the energy within it is quite powerful.”

She knew that these dishes were not just delicious, but also incredibly beneficial for a martialist like herself as this dish is filled with the power and the energy of the magical beasts from which they were derived.

Stefano moved on to the next dish, his expression filled with pride and excitement. “And this,” he said, pointing to a large, steaming pot, “is the Great Wild Boar Stew. The Great Wild Boar is a magical beast known for its incredible strength and its ability to regenerate its flesh. Its meat is infused with this regenerative power, giving it a unique flavor and incredible nutritional value. This stew is made from the finest cuts of Great Wild Boar meat, slow cooked with exotic spices and rare herbs to bring out the full potential of its power.”

Alaric stared at the sight of the Great Wild Boar Stew, his stomach rumbling with hunger as he imagined the taste of the rich, hearty broth. He knew that this stew would be not just delicious, but also incredibly beneficial, filled with the power and the energy of the Great Wild Boar.

Stefano continued to introduce the dishes, each one more exotic and more tantalizing than the last.

In total, there were twenty dishes on the table, each one a masterpiece of culinary art, a testament to the skill and the talent of the Bennet Family’s chefs.

Lyra and Alaric tasted and ate each one, their senses overwhelmed by the explosion of flavors, the richness of the textures, the power of the ingredients.

They knew that these dishes were not just delicious, but also incredibly beneficial, filled with the power and the energy of the magical beasts from which they were derived.

As the lunch came to an end, Alaric turned to Stefano, his expression serious and determined.

“Lord Bennet,” he said, his voice filled with conviction. “According to the conditions of the bet, I want the Bennet Family to fulfill those conditions and never pursue the matter against Rosalind or her family. And if the Bennet Family does not fulfill these conditions, I will have no choice but to stand against you openly.”

Stefano’s expression remained calm, but Alaric could see the flicker of fear in his eyes, the way his jaw tightened as he considered the implications of Alaric’s words.

“Young Master,” Stefano said, his voice filled with a forced calm. “As the head of the Bennet Family, I give you my word that we will fulfill those conditions. No member of the Bennet Family goes back on their word.”

Alaric rolled his eyes, his expression filled with skepticism.

“I’m not so sure about your son Jasper,” he said, his voice filled with a hint of contempt. “But still, I don’t want to hear something like Jasper making some sort of mistake. This is because the next time it happens, I won’t end things with just a spar against Jasper but will take more permanent actions like…killing Jasper. I don’t think that you want the situation to devolve to that extent.”

Stefano’s expression darkened, his eyes flashing with anger as he heard Alaric’s threat. But he maintained his composure, his voice steady and calm as he responded.

“I understand, Young Master,” he said. “I assure you, the Bennet Family will fulfill the conditions of the bet. And I will make sure that Jasper understands the consequences of his actions.”

Alaric nodded, his expression satisfied as he leaned back in his chair. He knew that he had made his point, that he had established his authority.

Lyra watched the exchange between her son and Stefano, her eyes filled with pride and admiration.

As the conversation had come to an end, Lyra and Alaric made their way back to the guest chambers, their bodies filled with the power and the energy of the magical beasts they had consumed.

Meanwhile, Stefano made his way back to the infirmary, his mind filled with thoughts of the lunch, and of the threat that Alaric had made.

As he entered the infirmary, he saw Nicoletta sitting by Jasper’s side, her eyes filled with tears as she held her son’s hand. Jasper was awake, his eyes filled with pain and humiliation as he looked up at his father.

Stefano’s expression softened, his voice filled with concern and compassion as he addressed his son.

“Jasper,” he said, his voice filled with a mix of sternness and sympathy. “I know that you are in pain, that you are humiliated. But you must understand, this is a lesson that you had to learn. You cannot go around bullying others, using your status as an heir of the Bennet Family to get what you want. You must be humble. At the very least, your name should not come to the forefront if you are doing something.”

Jasper’s expression darkened, his eyes flashing with anger and defiance.

“Father,” he said, his voice filled with bitterness. “How can you say that? How can you stand there and lecture me after what that brat did to me? He humiliated me—”

Stefano cut him off, his voice filled with a mix of anger and disappointment.

“And you deserved it,” he said, his voice filled with a harsh truth. “You brought this upon yourself, Jasper. You acted recklessly and fought while looking down on that kid. And today’s result has happened only because you always skip out on training. Let this incident be a lesson to you that even an eight year old kid can beat you.”

Jasper’s expression crumpled, his eyes filling with tears as he realized the weight of his father’s words.

Nicoletta looked up at her husband, her eyes filled with a mix of anger and disappointment and admiration. She knew that Stefano was a wise man, but right now he was telling their son to swallow a humiliation by that brat! She could not tolerate this.

As the hours passed by, Jasper began to heal, his body mending and his spirit strengthening.

Meanwhile, Lyra and Alaric prepared to leave the Bennet Family’s mansion, their mission accomplished, their goal achieved.

They had come to protect Rosalind and her family, to ensure their safety and their freedom, to bring them justice and to bring them peace. And they had succeeded.

As they made their way to the carriage that would take them back to the inn, they were filled with a sense of satisfaction. They knew that they had done something incredible.

They climbed into the carriage, as they made their way back to the inn.