Three crystal chandeliers hung high above, and flames lit up the wall sconces around them, illuminating every corner of the first-floor hall.
A luxurious light-red carpet stretched from the hall toward the dining room, with two rows of maids in black-and-white uniforms standing neatly on both sides.
Entering the dining room, a long table was placed lengthwise, covered with all kinds of exquisite bowls, plates, and cutlery. The maids moved in an orderly manner, beginning to prepare.
Earl Hall sat at the head of the table in a formal tailcoat, his expression as calm as ever, giving no hint of any emotion.
His authoritative gaze immediately fell upon Hastur the moment he stepped into the dining room.
Seated to Earl Hall's right was the intelligent and elegant Countess Hall. With a gentle smile, she also turned her eyes toward him.
Audrey sat next to the countess.
Tonight, Audrey wore a long white-and-pink dress, with a string of emerald-green gemstones hanging from her ears. A circle of pink gemstones adorned her slender swan-like neck. With her golden hair and blue eyes, her stunning beauty lived up to the title of Backlund's most dazzling jewel.
Hibbert briefly introduced, "Allow me to introduce this promising young man, Baron Hastur Campbell, heir to the Campbell family, and a friend I personally acknowledge."
'Mr. Hastur is also my friend!'
Audrey added quietly in her heart as she slipped into the Spectator state, curiously examining tonight's Mr. Hastur.
Maybe it was her imagination, but she felt that Mr. Hastur seemed unusually stiff tonight, as if he carried a hint of unease.
Although his outward demeanour appeared calm and composed, there were faint ripples in his emotions.
'How rare, Mr. Hastur also has moments like this.'
'Is it because Father's presence is too overwhelming?'
Audrey secretly glanced at Earl Hall from the corner of her eye.
After observing for a moment, her eyes widened slightly. Earl Hall also didn't seem as composed as usual. His heart was burdened with many emotions, giving off a stance of someone facing an enemy.
How could this be!
Her own father was treating Mr. Hastur as an enemy?
And not just any enemy, one he must defeat with his full strength!
Could she have misunderstood?
At that moment, Earl Hall withdrew his gaze from Hastur and said calmly, "Not bad."
"Indeed, quite good, better than the rumors say." Countess Hall added with a smile.
Hibbert looked toward Audrey and asked with a grin, "My beautiful sister, Miss Audrey, what about your praise?"
"Baron Campbell is indeed a young and accomplished nobleman, knowledgeable as well."
Finally, Hibbert turned to Hastur. "Hastur, it seems my family members all approve of you."
It sounded ordinary, but different people took it in different ways.
Even Hastur felt a sudden jolt in his heart.
The atmosphere subtly shifted. Hastur bowed slightly and said, "Tonight's compliments will be etched in my memory for life."
Countess Hall seemed very satisfied with his humble attitude, her smile growing a little brighter.
Hibbert's lips carried a faint smile, though his eyes reflected emotions difficult to discern.
Audrey wanted to add a sentence, but in this kind of setting, she felt it was better to speak less, and to maintain a safe distance from Mr. Hastur.
Although she didn't know what was special about tonight's invitation, she had a faint intuition.
Earl Hall kept a stern face. "Sit and dine."
"Please." Hibbert took his seat at the lower left of Earl Hall, guiding Hastur to sit beside him, directly across from Audrey.
By then, the maids had finished placing the tableware and began bringing dishes one after another.
When Earl Hall picked up his utensils to taste the food, the others followed.
No one spoke during the meal. Even the maids serving dishes walked with extremely light steps.
Every time a plate or utensil was set down, not even the slightest sound was made.
The scene resembled a silent pantomime*.
And the only one who witnessed this entire silent performance was Susie, lying on the second-floor corridor railing.
Her gaze carried a wisdom that seemed to pierce through human affairs. Her two front paws were crossed elegantly, head slightly raised as she calmly and gracefully observed the humans below.
Tonight, at this moment, she alone was the true audience.
Silence continued, and an invisible pressure seemed to hang over the dining table.
As long as Earl Hall said nothing, no one dared speak first.
Yet Hastur found the dining experience quite satisfactory. The Earl's chef clearly possessed remarkable skill, able to turn even common ingredients into extraordinary delicacies.
His own family's chef was good, but could not compare to Earl Hall's.
Hastur even felt tempted to spend a fortune to hire a master chef back home.
Audrey, sitting across from him, was not enjoying herself nearly as much.
Tonight's dinner felt suffocating to her, as if invisible rules confined everything tightly, leaving no freedom.
She wanted to tell Mr. Hastur that their family dinners weren't usually this dull. Sometimes, Earl Hall even told jokes to lighten the mood.
But tonight, he seemed to be in a bad mood, perhaps something went wrong while handling affairs earlier.
After thinking for a bit, she could only silently continue eating.
When the main course ended, the maids brought out several beautifully crafted desserts.
As the desserts were placed on the table, Audrey keenly noticed the flash of surprise in Hastur's eyes.
She couldn't help feeling a little pleased.
She knew he liked sweets, so she had specially instructed the pastry chefs to reduce the sugar, ensuring the desserts were sweet but not greasy.
While Hastur was quietly savoring the master-level desserts, Earl Hall finally spoke.
"Tonight's desserts are a bit bland."
"Indeed, lighter than usual," added the countess.
'Oh no!'
Audrey stiffened slightly, panic rising. She had forgotten that her father preferred rich sweetness.
How was she supposed to explain this?
Seeing her flustered, Hibbert chuckled softly. "I asked the kitchen to tone down the sweetness. It better suits our guest's taste."
Earl Hall and the countess both glanced over. Hastur paused his eating, expressing gratitude for Hibbert's thoughtful arrangement.
Earl Hall withdrew his gaze, his expression unreadable. Countess Hall smiled. "You seem to know desserts well?"
"It's just a personal preference. I enjoy trying different foods," Hastur answered truthfully.
With that opening, the atmosphere suddenly softened.
Hibbert smiled. "Hastur, what do you usually busy yourself with at home?"
"Besides managing the factories and the law firm, I usually stay in my study reading, or tasting food. Occasionally, I go out to enjoy Backlund's beauty."
"Don't you get bored spending so much time alone?" Countess Hall asked next.
"Sometimes I meet up with Greg, Glaint, and other friends."
Then the countess and Hibbert took turns asking casual, everyday questions, and Hastur answered them honestly.
They were ordinary daily topics, almost like small talk.
Hastur felt a bit awkward at first, but soon adapted.
Chatting while eating, rather pleasant.
If not for considering that Earl Hall preferred maturity and steadiness, Hastur would've even told a small joke to liven things up.
Audrey, who had been worried earlier, finally relaxed and occasionally joined the conversation.
Only Earl Hall remained silent, quietly eating.
After a while, Earl Hall stood up and left first. Hastur also put down his utensils.
Hibbert laughed. "Hastur, you don't need to be so tense. Our father always leaves early, to give us juniors space to talk."
The countess also stopped eating, though she didn't leave. She said with a smile, "Tonight, you are the guest. Everything goes according to your preference."
"Thank you for your kindness." Hastur only finished what remained on his plate before stopping.
He wasn't used to letting others wait, it felt rude.
After dinner, Hibbert signaled the maids to clear the table.
"Hastur," he invited, "would you mind accompanying our countess for a chat?"
"It would be my honor."
Hastur stood and followed Hibbert, the countess, and Audrey toward the garden behind the villa.
Upstairs, the only audience, Susie, watched them leave, then stood up, shook her body lightly, and followed them toward the back garden.
--------------------
*Silent pantomime, also known as mime, is a theatrical art form that uses gestures, body language, and facial expressions to tell a story and convey emotions without speaking