Three days later, at Echostone House.
Sales associates from various luxury brands crowded the front courtyard. Talia was dressed in a custom-made couture gown, holding a catalog featuring the brands' latest designer collections for the year.
Not long ago, Caspian had informed everyone in the Ravenshire family that the young heir, Alaric, would officially return home next month. After the tragedy that befell the eldest branch of the family, a sage had once said Alaric's fate was so significant that without a way to ward off negative energy, he was in danger of an early death. Left with no other choice, the patriarch had sent him to St. Helorian Chapel. Now, seven years had passed, the bad omen had been lifted, and it was time for Alaric to come back.
The patriarch doted on this grandson, insisting that the welcome banquet had to be a grand affair—sensational enough to make waves throughout Athelvia—hell, he wanted to make headlines across the entire globe.
This gave Cedric a headache. Making waves across Aurestead City was no problem, and even the world wasn't a huge issue, but the entire planet? That was tricky, especially since the planet was also home to a host of marine life, land animals, and wild birds that didn't speak human languages.
And so, preparations for the banquet were already underway before Alaric had even returned.
All of Athelvia's upper-class society would be at the welcome banquet. As a key figure in the feud between her family and the Ravenshires, Talia was bound to attract a lot of attention, so she was being particularly meticulous about her choice of gown for the event.
With her sharp eye, Talia casually pointed a few times, selecting all of the new arrivals.
The sales reps were ecstatic and immediately crouched down to present a jewelry catalog. Even a priceless couture gown paled in comparison to custom-made high jewelry.
Suddenly, the phone on the table rang. Talia glanced at it and gestured for silence. The sales reps discreetly stepped aside. Talia answered the call, an unconscious smile gracing her lips.
"Did Barley kick you out again today?"
"Of course not!" Tessa laughed on the other end. "Our Bianca is so clever. When she realized Barley couldn't be bribed, she went off to befriend Mr. Marsh's grandson. She somehow found out the kid still wets the bed at six years old and took him to see a doctor in town."
Talia shook her head, trying to stifle her amusement. "So, did she win the kid over?"
After a moment, Talia shifted her gaze to Vivienne. Compared to Bianca, she seemed to belong to a different world entirely. Summer only borrowed its brightness from her; every single strand of her hair seemed to glow.
After a brief silence, Talia put down her phone. "Let me see that catalog again."
"Of course."
Talia flipped through a few pages, her finger stopping. "This one. Have it sent over next month along with the others."
The sales rep glanced at it and immediately made a note. "Certainly, Miss. Shall we have it altered to Miss Bianca's measurements as usual?"
"No," Talia said. "My daughter is dark-skinned and short; she can't pull off this kind of dress. Just take note of it for now. Someone will give you the measurements later."

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