Chương 884: Chapter 883: Governor of Lauryl

Lola Monet Click! I was looking at the mirror, taking deep breaths, when the door opened, and a man walked inside. A surprise appeared on my face, seeing him, before I smiled.

"I thought you wouldn't be able to make it?" I asked as I turned toward him. He looked as handsome as the first day I had met him. Even more now with the black suit he is wearing.

"How can I not for the most important day of your life?" he asked back as he stopped in front of me. Hearing that, I couldn't help but feel my stomach flutter. Whenever I see him, I feel like a teen who could barely control her emotions.

"I am glad you have come," I said, and he smiled, before bridging the distance between our lips for the kiss.

"You look beautiful," he said, stepping closer.

"Thank you," I feel my cheeks heating up. He smiled seeing it, before putting his hands in his pocket, taking out an old-looking wooden box, and opening it. Inside is a bracelet. It is made of twining silvery metal, with an emerald inlaid; they are rare and among the most expensive emeralds.

"It's beautiful," I said breathlessly as I looked at it.

"It has been in my family for generations," he replied and took it out of the box, before taking my hand in his. I looked at him.

"Your family would not like it," I said. To that, he shook his head. His family is not a big fan of me. They were always polite and didn't say a single bad word to me. That's not because they respect me, but because of my position and the legacy.

"It was given to me by my grandmother, and I want you to have it," he replied, putting a bracelet on my wrist. I looked at him and saw the love in his eyes; all the resistance in my heart vanished. Besides, I love the bracelet. It's beautiful. I have a lot of jewelry, many of the pieces are from Eva, filled with mist and emotional essence, but this one has immediately become my favourite.

"Thank you, I love it," I said, and took his lips into mine. The knock on the door interrupted us.

"Come in," I said as we separated. A moment later, a woman in her early twenties walked inside.

"It's time, my lady," she informed, and I turned to Ethan.

"I will be waiting for you in the ballroom," he said and walked out of the room. A few seconds later, I followed behind and soon reached Master Silver, who was waiting for me. He still looked tired. He has been busy every second since he came back. I wonder how he is still functioning; I read the report earlier; it was a very dangerous battle that forced him to give his all.

"Ready?" he asked. I nodded after hesitation. He smiled, and a moment later, a broochappeared in his hand. It's just like what Ina and Hardt have. The only difference is the Lauryl emblem in the middle. It is purple, with complex, interlocking metal work inlaid with rubies and diamonds. In the centre of it is a small, colorless crystal inside, which is a drop of the core essence of legacy. It makes it look exquisite. It is designed by Eva but infused with Caena's powerful witchcraft.

I could not feel it, but I know it is there. He put it on my chest, and I could feel a power I had never felt before covering me for a moment, before the sensation disappeared.

"Let's go," he said. I took a step into the ballroom of the castle with Master Silver. Immediately, hundreds of eyes fall on me. Looking at me, with love, envy, and some even with derision. Many still consider me a whore; it is something I will never be able to leave, nor do I want to. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. It is what made me who I am, and I accept it without feeling ashamed. So, I met their eyes with it and activated the skill Velvet Presence.

Immediately, the shock spread through the entire hall; only Master Silver and Margaux remained calm, smiling. Even Ethan looked shocked; I feel guilty, but I couldn't tell him. I had activated the skill and powered it up with the aura. Its power covered the whole ballroom, suppressing nearly everyone standing. Until now, they only knew two members of Velvet Garden had awakened the aura. Carla and Ina.

They do not know about the rest; we had intentionally kept it secret, and I wanted to keep it that way, but Master Silver had asked me to reveal it. He wanted me to display my own power. I already have levels, and now, with aura, I am showing them. I am more than a whore. I have something they desire but will likely never have. Aura is the greatest testament of the power; I have it, they do not.

"Dear guests, Lords and Ladies, thank you for gracing us with your presence for this wonderful occasion."

"There are many reasons to celebrate today, from defending the baronies from the enemies to making them an inseparable part of the dominion," he said, with his smooth voice that reached every ear. I was always envious of his ability to capture people's attention with a few words.

"Though the biggest item tonight is the accession of Miss Monet to the Governor of Lauryl and Steward of Nakar," he declared, turning to me with a smile. Knowing it's my time, I looked at the people.

"Thank you, my lord, for the trust you have shown in me. I promise you, the dominion and people of Nakar, I will do my utmost to serve them."

"From this day forward, I pledge to dedicate myself even more earnestly to safeguarding Nakar and ensuring the prosperity of its people."

"This is not a responsibility I can shoulder alone. I will require the support and cooperation of everyone present here, especially you, esteemed Lord Barons," I stated, turning my gaze towards the Barons.

"With your assistance and the vision of Lord Silver, we can elevate Nakar to the heights it truly deserves, and we will, it is something I believe from the bottom of my heart." I said, and raised my glass; they raised theirs with me.

"To Nakar," I said.

"To Nakar," they replied, before taking a sip from their glasses.

"Congratulations," said Margaux as she appeared beside me.

"Thank you," I replied; she smiled, and her eyes had turned misty.

"The girls are incredibly proud of you; they asked me to congratulate you on their behalf," she said, and I smiled. Hope. It's an incredibly powerful thing. Before Master Silver, we had none. When we finally got it, it pushed us to do things we never thought possible, even in our wildest dreams. If someone had told me I would be a city governor a few years ago, I would have slapped them.

"Tell them, I said thank you," I replied, my voice turning emotional. I wish they were here, but only Margaux is here from Velvet Garden. Carla couldn't come since Master Silver is here and others are busy. The same with Ina; she cannot leave her city at a time like this. Other girls are not in much better condition. There is less than a month remaining before Velvet Garden closes. There are a lot of things to do before that.

"Don't worry, after this busy period is over, they will come to meet you," she assured. I talked to Margaux for a minute before moving to the other guests, with Master Silver. There are many people to meet: nobles, merchants, and others. It was over an hour before we appeared before Ethan.

"Lord Silver," he greeted Silver.

"Ethan, I am glad you are able to make it," said Master Silver. He considers Ethan a friend, if not for it. Even with our relationship, he would never have been able to get so many benefits from Velvet Garden.

"Well, I hope you will stay. I have a few things to talk to you about," said Master Silver.

"Of course," replied Ethan. To that, he smiled and walked away, leaving us two alone. Ethan watched him before he turned to me.

"Congratulations, Governor," he said.

"Thank you, Mr. Ashav," I replied.

"Would you care for a dance?" he asked, looking at the floor, where some people were already dancing.

"I would very much love to," I replied, with a smile, and walked with him toward the dance floor. As the new song begins, we begin to dance. Ethan is an excellent dancer, even given the classes I've taken and the skills I have. I could not compare to him. He loves to dance, it is his favourite hobby, and he made me love it too. It is one of the things we do together.

"How are you feeling?" he asked softly, as always, seeming to see beyond the façade.

"I am having a hard time believing it's all true. I feel like it's all some elaborate dream." I replied and could feel my voice shaking a little. It is my biggest fear since Lord Silver sent me here. Sometimes, I do not feel that this is all real.

"It is real, my love," he replied, before his eyes turned intense.

"Most importantly, you have earned this. No one in the whole damn Greltheaven deserves this position more than you," he stated, with such intensity that I leaned forward and took his lips into mine. We have never affirmed our relationship in public, but we have never denied it. Still, we were always a little careful in public. Together, but not too intimate, hearing those words coming out of his mouth. I couldn't stop myself. He was surprised for a moment before joining in to kiss.

It lasted for a while before we finally separated. I could feel the eyes on me; nearly everyone is looking at me, but I don't care. I love this man, and I want to show it to the world, without feeling shame or fear.

"The kiss alone is worth the trip," he said, and I laughed. Soon, the song changed, but we didn't stop dancing; we kept going when it changed again.

'He has arrived,' I was enjoying myself when a voice rang out in my mind, and my expression became serious. He looked at me and arched his brow, while I only smiled.

"Give me a minute," I said, and we stepped off the floor before I walked toward the door. I stopped by it and stayed; I could feel people looking at me, their eyes curious. Soon, their curiosity will be answered. Half a minute passed, and three people appeared at the door. Two men and a woman in their late fifties, with a man in his early thirties in the middle. He is tall, with short, recently cut and shaved raven hair, and a hollowed face.

He is thin with sunken cheeks and dull skin, but his eyes are bright with life.

"Welcome home, Lord Arik," I welcomed the thin man. He is Arik Halewright, son of Baron Halewright, whom Lord Silver had helped free.

"It's good to be back, my lady," he replied and grinned. I am surprised by his decision to attend the party. I thought he would be returning home with his parents. He will tomorrow, after attending the party. Since he is doing it, we might as well use him. It's not something I am proud to do, but we need to earn the Barons' trust, and this man could play an important part in that.

"Come, Lord Arik, there are many people wishing to meet you," I said, inviting them into the ballroom as people watched- especially the barons.