Levatein (2) – Kaijid and Grace Levatein
Kaijid Levatein and Grace Levatein had indeed just returned from their expedition, but they had already heard about the surge of magical beasts from the duke. It was only natural with a little thought— no matter how remote their location, they weren't cut off from communication. And there was no way a father wouldn't warn his son to be careful upon his return to the territory. Yet they had ventured into that dangerous place alone, at the duke's explicit orders.
They had been instructed to investigate the man traveling with Clarice. None other than Seong Hyun-jin, her classmate from enrollment.
Duke Elcarus Levatein knew that Seong Hyun-jin was the one who had dealt with the culprit when Clarice had gone berserk at the academy through no fault of her own. He had taken a keen interest in the man who saved his daughter, in many ways. At first, he saw him merely as a benefactor who rescued her. But after hearing about the sword strikes Seong Hyun-jin displayed at the sparring festival, his view changed.
Rumors swirled that he had replicated the sword arts of Sword Star Hakodate Karin, who had emerged from seclusion after twenty years to serve as advisor and instructor at Terastial Academy for reasons unknown. The timing matched her reappearance in the world with Seong Hyun-jin's enrollment, and the buzz about him executing her techniques made it easy to infer he was her disciple.
Elcarus found the revelation intriguing. A man with a proper heart, willing to help a stranger's daughter without hesitation, and with exceptional skill as the disciple of the Sword Star. He hoped such a person would form a good bond with his daughter— not necessarily as lovers, but even as friends would suffice. It was a father's modest wish for his child to find positive connections.
That was when Clarice invited him to the territory. Before enrolling at the academy, during her youth at the academy prep school, she had never shown interest in friends and brought no one home. Yet now she had personally invited guests, and notably, the only man among them was Seong Hyun-jin. From that, Elcarus gathered that Clarice wasn't entirely indifferent to him.
Clarice Levatein was the family's precious jewel, one they wouldn't trade for the world in their eyes. But Elcarus knew she would one day find her own partner and form bonds. If a man were to enter her life, wouldn't a kind and strong one be ideal? That was a father's heartfelt desire.
Thus, as a father, he had used Kaijid and Grace to confirm if Seong Hyun-jin was a suitable match for his daughter. The carriage sent to pick up Clarice and her guests had been tracking their position via the family's spirit magic from the start. It timed their arrival in the duchy perfectly with the newly returned couple's deployment nearby.
They had hidden escort troops in advance, in case Seong Hyun-jin didn't appear and only beasts did. Josef's emergence before the group was pure coincidence.
Of course, the sudden appearance of a frost giant among the beasts was an unforeseen variable, but Seong Hyun-jin's prowess exceeded expectations, and no issues arose.
Following the duke's directive, Kaijid had successfully gauged the man's abilities. Hearing the good report from his son, Duke Levatein smiled contentedly as he returned to the mansion and commanded the servants.
“We must welcome our esteemed guest. Prepare more meticulously than usual, without oversight.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Seong Hyun-jin arrived at the banquet hall with his face brimming with anticipation.
“Whoa!”
He expressed his admiration frankly, taking in the interior. As a celebration in the Levatein name for the successful beast subjugation and the subjugation team's return, the hall was already bustling before it even began. Not only Levatein relatives but also members of vassal families filled the space— the clan was so vast that they alone packed it.
His eyes then fell on the array of colorful dishes laid out on one side. Every one looked mouthwateringly delicious. There were so many varieties that even sampling one bite each might fill him up, yet all tempted equally— astonishing.
“You seem pleased.”
“To the point I want to dive right in.”
Seong Hyun-jin's companions, including Serena, weren't with him; instead, Kaijid Levatein, the second son of the Levatein family, and his wife Grace Levatein accompanied him. His group was still getting dressed in formal attire and hadn't arrived, so the quicker-preparing man had come down first with the couple.
“Just a bit longer, and you can enjoy freely. The banquet hasn't started yet.”
Seong Hyun-jin nodded at Kaijid's explanation.
“How much longer until it begins?”
“Precisely at six. Father will arrive then.”
“Ah, perfect timing to greet him.”
“Yes, exactly.”
Kaijid spoke with a friendly smile.
“You'll only see Father at tonight's banquet, but later you can meet my older brother and younger brother too.”
“Clarice has several brothers, huh?”
“Yes, didn't I say I'm the second son of this house?”
“Oh, right.”
“And there's one below me, so Clarice has three older brothers.”
“I see...”
A sister with three brothers— she must have been utterly adored growing up. Seong Hyun-jin found it a bit surprising that the typically stoic Clarice had turned out that way despite such a family, and asked Kaijid,
“With just one little sister, her brothers must dote on her a lot.”
“Family's natural, of course, but yes. Though Father cherishes Clarice even more than we do.”
“The duke's a total daughter-con.”
Seong Hyun-jin grew a little curious about what Duke Levatein was like. Just then, the banquet hall's attention converged on one spot.
“Oh, over there...”
A middle-aged man ascended the platform with silent steps that carried no sound, yet his robust aura and commanding presence were unmistakable.
“That's him.”
“Pardon?”
“My father, and the head of House Levatein.”
Kaijid said,
“Duke Elcarus Levatein.”
“Ah, so that's him...”
Like Clarice and Kaijid, he had striking red hair, a dignified man who aged handsomely.
'Clarice, Kaijid... the siblings here all share that look for a reason.'
Looks were truly genetic power, Seong Hyun-jin reaffirmed with a nod. A woman followed behind him. Seong Hyun-jin didn't recognize her at first, then asked Kaijid in surprise,
“...Is that Clarice?”
“Yes, it seems so.”
“Lady, you look stunning.”
She truly did. Clarice had dressed up so gorgeously that Seong Hyun-jin barely recognized her.
Was it the makeup she rarely wore? Her already delicate features stood out more vividly and beautifully. Especially her jewel-like purple eyes sparkled even more enchantingly with the eye makeup. The blue dress contrasted beautifully with her red hair, modestly covering her neck and shoulders while exposing her shoulders, collarbone edges, and full arms— not plain at all. And the prominently revealed cleavage showcased that Clarice's development was no joke. If not for the even more striking women beside Seong Hyun-jin, she commanded quite the presence herself.
He stared, unable to tear his eyes away for a moment. Had his other female companions arrived then, they might have teased him for the blatant gaze.
Sensing it perhaps, Clarice met his eyes and tilted her head slightly, as if asking why he stared so.
Seong Hyun-jin realized he'd overdone it and averted his gaze first.
“Uh, unrecognizable. Your face is pretty usually too, but you dress so plainly...”
“A woman's transformation is innocent, as they say.”
Kaijid observed Seong Hyun-jin's reaction as he spoke. He seemed quite taken with the beautifully attired Clarice.
'...Father's wish might come true easier than expected.'
Duke Levatein, atop the platform, received a glass from an attendant. In a resonant, commanding voice that filled the hall, he spoke.
“Thank you all for attending! Cheers and applause to our valiant knights and soldiers who fought bravely to protect our territory!”
As the duke briefly toasted and raised his glass, everyone followed suit or clapped, signaling the banquet's start. Clarice, beside him on the platform, lightly gathered her skirt hem and bowed to the guests.
She looked every bit the refined lady, stirring a sense of disconnect in Seong Hyun-jin from her academy self. He glanced around, tilting his head at the absence of the three still unseen.
“But are they still not here...?”
“Seems dressing takes time for them. Beautiful ladies have much to fuss over, after all.”
Kaijid suggested to Seong Hyun-jin,
“Why not greet them first?”
“Is that okay?”
“Of course. Father will be expecting it.”
At Kaijid's urging, Seong Hyun-jin approached the platform. He first greeted Duke Levatein, who had stepped down.
“Greetings, Your Grace. I'm Seong Hyun-jin, visiting at Clarice's invitation.”
“Welcome to Levatein, Seong Hyun-jin. I've heard much about you.”
“About me?”
“Didn't you help my daughter in her predicament? And word is you even repaired her sword.”
“Ah.”
Seong Hyun-jin nodded, realizing that was it. He glanced aside, locking eyes exactly with Clarice nearby. Since their gazes met without words feeling awkward, he honestly complimented her beauty.
“You look gorgeous, Clarice. Suits you perfectly.”
“Thank you. You look good too, Seong Hyun-jin.”
“Yeah? Glad to hear.”
Seong Hyun-jin grinned lightly.
“First time in something like this.”
“You should wear it more often.”
Elcarus Levatein wore a faint smile of approval at their amiable exchange. He addressed Clarice,
“Clarice. Though you're already acquainted, greet our guest as a member of the house.”
“Yes, Father.”
Clarice bowed slightly with proper etiquette.
“I am Clarice Levatein, eldest daughter of House Levatein Duke. Thank you for attending the banquet.”
“Uh... Seong Hyun-jin. Thanks for inviting me?”
Seeing his awkward response and questioning expression, Clarice smiled faintly and nodded. That smile startled Seong Hyun-jin.
'...Is it the huge difference from usual? She's insanely pretty.'
He didn't want to overreact, but it was undeniable now. The stark contrast from her norm amplified it. Seeing her sparked anticipation for the others' arrivals.
Setting that aside, Seong Hyun-jin gave the duke an abashed smile.
“Hope I did the etiquette right.”
“Haha, not used to such events?”
“Yeah, lived twenty years in the mountains...”
“It's fine. Everyone's like that at first.”
Elcarus Levatein said,
“So, first time with romance too?”
“Pardon?”
Seong Hyun-jin wondered why the duke asked such abruptly. Odd question, but from a superior, he should answer— as he opened his mouth,
“Ah, I...”
““Whoa...””
Then came gasps— not one, but many. Seong Hyun-jin, Clarice, and Elcarus naturally turned toward the sound.
Confirming the cause, Seong Hyun-jin smiled warmly, pointing and replying,
“...Romance isn't my first time.”
“...Hm?”
Seong Hyun-jin indicated the woman who had just entered the banquet hall, drawing all eyes with her beauty alone.
“That lady is my girlfriend.”