Chapter 118 Clash of egos

Words : 696 Updated : Sep 28th, 2025

the grand hall was alive with activity as the guests continued to pour in, their voices blending into a melodic hum of laughter and conversation. the scent of roasted meats and exotic spices wafted through the air, and the glittering chandeliers above reflected off polished armour and delicate silks. jolthar, seated in his quiet corner, observed everything with a practiced eye, his demeanour calm and uninterested—until liliana and lorryll made their entrance. the pair walked in, their presence immediately commanding attention as they led with red-robed men around them. liliana, with her graceful yet assertive stride, wore an elegant dress that subtly emphasized her authority and beauty. beside her, lorryll moved with equal confidence, but his expression carried a distinct air of entitlement. flanking them were ten robed men, their dark attire stark against the vibrant backdrop of the hall. red-robed men were elite mages of the naemarys clan; they weren't an easy force to move or to command. they were rarely seen on the outside and moved with important people of the clan. and now they must have come with liliana, but was it just for protection or to provoke the clan, they are yet to see. the sight of such an entourage entering a formal clan banquet immediately raised eyebrows. whispers spread like wildfire among the guests, their conversations tinged with curiosity and discomfort. even jolthar, who rarely showed interest in such affairs, arched an eyebrow as his gaze shifted toward the commotion. - the knights stationed at the hall's entrance were quick to react. their leader, a stout man named clifton, stepped forward with authority. his polished armour caught the golden light as he raised a gauntleted hand to halt the procession. "these men must wait outside," clifton said firmly, his voice carrying over the murmur of the crowd. "this is a family banquet. only guests and their immediate retinues are permitted inside." lorryll's expression soured. "these men are with us. they will remain at my side." his tone was curt, laced with impatience. the knights exchanged glances, their unease evident. allowing such an unconventional group to remain would not only breach protocol but also risk upsetting the already delicate balance of the gathering. for a moment, lorryll hesitated, glancing toward liliana for support. she gave a subtle nod, her expression unreadable. elowen couldn't believe that her own son wasn't listening to her words, and the way he ignored her, it made her heart ache. he seemed to listen, but it wasn't her word that carried weight—it was his wife's. the woman stepped forward, her disappointment evident as she touched lorryll's arm. "let them wait outside, husband," she said softly. "it is of no consequence." lorryll's shoulders sagged slightly as he relented. "fine," he said curtly, motioning for the robed men to step back. - as the group entered the hall, the tension between lady elowen and lorryll's wife was impossible to ignore. elowen's disapproval was subtle but evident to those paying attention. she glanced at lorryll, her lips pressing into a thin line as if to say, you should have known better. meanwhile, lorryll's wife maintained a calm, almost indifferent demeanour. her poise was impeccable, but there was a certain defiance in the way she carried herself, as though she were silently challenging elowen's authority. the subtle battle of wills between the two women created an undercurrent of unease that rippled through the hall. those close enough to notice exchanged cautious glances, aware that this was more than a simple disagreement—it was a reflection of deeper, unspoken divisions within the clan. from his seat in the corner, jolthar watched the entire interaction unfold. his sharp eyes missed nothing—the tension between elowen and lorryll's wife, the hesitation in lorryll's stance, the calculated calmness of liliana. a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he leaned back slightly, his fingers tapping idly on the table. he found it amusing how people so desperate to assert their importance often revealed their weaknesses instead. he took a sip from his goblet, his expression neutral once more.

Chapter 118 Clash of egos

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