CHAPTER 473: CHAPTER 05: HIGH COURT

"Duke Jordan?"

"Yes, this is Duke Jordan, the father of Yadu and Winnie. He’s currently helping you expand into the High Court market. The progress... well, it needs a little more time, you know how these things go."

The towering, broad-shouldered member of the Blood Clan standing before Jones, with white-green hair like his two children, gave Jones a friendly bow. "Pleasure to meet you... Apologies, I’m not quite sure how to address you. Young Master Jones? Earl Dracula? Duke? Prince? Or something else entirely? It seems you’ve never officially announced your title."

"It’s a pleasure to meet you too," Jones returned the bow cordially. "Perhaps you could just call me Jones, Uncle Jordan. Just Jones is fine. I haven’t formally declared any official title."

"I am honored that my son and daughter could share the same brotherhood with you. And I thank you for giving me an opportunity that has reignited this long-cold blood of mine. Truly, I am grateful!"

"No need to thank me. I should be thanking you."

"Alright then, we won’t disturb you any further, Uncle Jordan. We still have some exploring to do." With that, Adelle gave Duke Jordan a light pat on the shoulder.

"Alright." Duke Jordan nodded understandingly and, holding his wine glass, made his way off.

Jones mused aloud, "I didn’t know you handed the High Court market expansion to Yadu’s father."

"Perhaps there’s more you didn’t expect?" Adelle replied as he guided Jones through the crowd at the ball. Some had started noticing Adelle and Jones, while others remained oblivious.

However, even those who noticed them didn’t know who they were. In truth, very few here recognized Adelle or Jones.

Suddenly, a crisp, melodious female voice rang out from behind them: "My word! Jones!"

Adelle spun around in fright, gesturing for silence.

Luckily, the ball’s music peaked right at that moment, and the voice went unnoticed by anyone else.

Standing behind them was Belle Rizzo. Yes... one of the members of the Adelle Brother Society, the black-haired young lady whose father dealt in trade with the Elf Clan. That’s her. Among the eight members of the brotherhood, including Adelle and Jones, she was the most strikingly beautiful one.

At this very moment, she was adorned with exquisite makeup and dressed in an elegant black evening gown. Standing amidst the crowd, her wide eyes stared at Jones in astonishment, her beauty as breathtaking as a black rose blooming at this very ball. Even the shock on her face carried its own unique allure.

"Quieter!" Adelle rushed toward her immediately.

"What’s going on?" Belle asked in a hushed tone.

Adelle lowered his voice to respond, "I was just taking Jones around to soak in the atmosphere of the High Court. Do you want everyone to know that the Giant Snake City Lord is here?"

"Uh... alright, I get it." Belle passed the wine glass in her right hand to her left, then extended her hand toward Jones with a smile. "Welcome! I didn’t expect Adelle to bring you here. My goodness, the Giant Snake City Lord. The families in the High Court with unmarried daughters are going to go absolutely mad."

Jones stepped forward and kissed the back of Belle’s hand. "Why is everyone so interested in my marital affairs?"

"Is there anyone else concerned about your marriage?" Adelle asked.

"Tiris. She just told me she plans to marry me off to her cousin."

Jones spread his hands. "And?"

"I declined."

"Good job!" Adelle gave Jones a thumbs-up. "Engagement means rejecting countless women. Giving up an entire forest for one tree? There’s no greater folly. We need to keep them hoping, keep them screaming! Now, let me find the most beautiful girl in this room and introduce her to you! Hang on!"

With that, Adelle craned his neck and began scanning the room.

"Is there something specific you two are here for?" Belle whispered to Jones.

"For the hearing," Jones answered.

"Oh, that, I know. The entire High Court knows. I’m asking why you came to this ball. Are you here to meet someone important?"

Jones looked to Adelle blankly. "Adelle, are we here to meet anyone specific?"

"Meet someone? No, not at all. Like I said, it’s just so you can get a sense of the High Court," Adelle replied casually.

"Hmm... then who’s the host of this ball? Perhaps we should meet them first."

"No, we mustn’t meet the host."

"Why not?"

"Because if we meet them, they’ll realize they have no idea who we are."

Even Belle was stunned. "You came to a ball without knowing the host?"

"Yes." Adelle grinned mischievously.

"I thought you brought me here to meet Uncle Jordan and Belle," Jones said, equally shocked.

"No, that was purely coincidental. I just picked a random castle hosting a ball and brought you in. Honestly, I’ve no idea who the host is."

"Then how did you two even get in?" Belle asked, dumbfounded. "You didn’t have an invitation."

"I just flashed the Sambo family crest and walked right in. I don’t recognize the host, but maybe my cousins or uncles do? It’s perfectly normal. It’s like opening a present; you never know what’s inside until you unwrap it. Exciting, isn’t it? The High Court has countless balls every day, filled with unpredictable encounters."