Reincarnated in the Astral World

'Another banquet with the nobility?' Nyx comments excitedly in Arthur's mind. 'Who knows what interesting things might happen?'

'Yeah, interesting things…' Arthur's eyes shine with curiosity as he looks at Eliza.

Josephine, on the other hand, is concerned, yet she smiles enthusiastically at Eliza. "That sounds like a wonderful idea."

"I'm glad you think so," Eliza smiles back at Josephine, appearing as kind and friendly as ever. "In times like these, we need to stick together, and all support is welcome."

"Indeed," Josephine nods. "We will be there."

Eliza also nods before glancing at Aria, Margaret, and finally Arthur. "The invitation extends to all your family and friends, naturally."

Arthur smiles back at her, and even though it is a simple friendly smile, it's enough to make Eliza's expression light up with excitement and the other girls around him look jealous.

"We wouldn't miss it for anything," he comments, a mysterious glint flashing in his eyes.

"That's wonderful to hear," Eliza responds, looking like a little girl in joy. Her gentle smile can fool many, but not everyone, of course. "The banquet starts at eight, but you can arrive anytime before…"

She pauses, her expression becoming even more expectant as she gazes at Arthur. "I'm sure we'll get along well…"

"Sister?" Everyone is focused on Eliza and Arthur and doesn't notice another person approaching—Tobias, who already arrives casting a hostile look at Arthur and an inquisitive one at Eliza.

"Tobias?" Eliza gives him a gentle look as well, but in her eyes, opposite feelings are exposed for a fraction of a second.

Eliza masks her true emotions well and pulls the young man by the arm to stand in front of Josephine. "This is Tobias, my younger brother," Eliza introduces him lovingly, but the guy looks at everyone with the same impatient and annoyed expression.

"Oh, I don't believe we've met, young Lord," Josephine gives a slight bow to Tobias.

But he ignores her and turns his annoyed gaze back to Eliza. "We need to go, sister. We've wasted enough time with these people."

"Don't be so grumpy, Tobias," Eliza pinches her brother's cheek warmly while smiling lovingly, but he doesn't seem to like it at all.

"Sister???" Tobias seems surprised by Eliza's actions, making her act even clearer to Arthur, Aria, and Josephine.

"Ahh…" Eliza shakes her head as if a little disappointed but not truly angry. "Apologies for my little brother's behavior. We had a long journey and need to rest a bit to be prepared for tomorrow."

"Of course," Josephine responds in a friendly tone. "I could offer our best accommodations for you, but I think it still wouldn't compare to the comfort of the lake mansion… by the way, the party will be there, right?"

"Yes," Eliza nods. "As I said, you can arrive anytime. After all, you are our honored guests…"

The way Eliza speaks makes everyone uncomfortable, including Tobias, who pulls his sister by the hand towards the gate. "We need to go, sister."

"Alright, alright," Eliza follows Tobias but can't help looking back, especially at Arthur. "We'll see you tomorrow… Arthur."

"See you, your Grace," Arthur responds with a slightly ironic tone.

"No," Eliza exclaims amiably. "Just call me Eliza."

"Ok, Eliza…" Arthur smiles and speaks warmly, making her smile even wider.

The group watches as Tobias pulls Eliza by the arm to one of the carriages at the mansion gate. They both enter one of them before quickly departing, with the servants following in the other carriage.

Arthur and everyone else look at Josephine with curious and puzzled expressions. Jovi is the first to voice what most of them are thinking. "What the hell was that?"

"Lady Eliza Whittlee…" Josephine comments with a concerned expression. "She always seemed like a very smart girl, but it looks like she's become an even smarter woman…"

"Smart?" One of Oliver's cousins asks sarcastically. "She could crush us with a wave of her hand, but she seemed to want… I don't know, honestly, I don't understand why she was so friendly."

Josephine can't help but glance at Aria and Arthur before turning her attention back to the young Drummonds. "Go and inform the others; tomorrow, we need to be united to face whatever happens at this party."

"Yes, Aunt." Jovi and the others nod before going to prepare their family for the occasion.

Only Arthur and his girls, along with Oliver and Josephine, remain; even the cat-maid leaves them alone.

"Does she always act like that?" Aria asks.

"I don't know," Josephine responds honestly. "It's been more than fifty years since I last saw her, and she was just a kid then."

"But now she's clearly a woman, a very intelligent one, it seems," Oliver comments.

Josephine nods and looks at Aria and Arthur. "Maybe she didn't plan to act this way, but it's clear she adapted to the situation after seeing you…"

Arthur nods thoughtfully. "She's definitely trying to figure us out. We need to be cautious tomorrow."

Aria agrees, her eyes reflecting concern. "She's probing for weaknesses, trying to understand our dynamics. We need to stay united and vigilant."

Margaret, who had been silent, finally speaks up. "What do you think her endgame is?"

Josephine sighs. "It's hard to say. She wants to regain the trust of Lakeview's people, but she also wants to understand the circumstances of her brother's death. We need to be prepared for anything."

"Then is this a trap?" Margaret asks, still confused.

"It could be anything," Josephine responds quickly. "I don't know what to expect from someone like her. But ignoring her invitation would only make us look more suspicious, so we have to go."

"We have no reason to run either," Aria comments confidently.

"Yeah," Arthur can't hide the curious glint in his eyes. "She likes to put on a show; we can pretend too…"

--

As soon as Tobias enters the carriage after Eliza, he sits on the opposite seat from her, a long bench made of high-quality wood with upholstery as comfortable as it is beautiful.

The entire interior of the carriage can be described as luxurious, complete with its own tea table, various snacks, and fine drinks. The lighting inside is also quite impressive, with crystal lamps emitting magical light.

Tobias runs his hand over a gem on the interior wall of the carriage, and it glows, a device signaling the coachman to proceed.

As the carriage moves down the street, Eliza partially opens the side curtain and looks at Arthur through the window. Even from dozens of meters away, she sees his face perfectly, with her eyes glowing with magical symbols.

'Who are you, Arthur?' That question echoes in her mind like no other ever has.

Tobias looks at his sister with a puzzled expression. "What the hell happened there? Why did you act that way? I've never seen you so… docile?"

Eliza doesn't respond to her brother, her mind filled with thoughts of only one person.

That leaves Tobias even more frustrated. "Eliza? Don't tell me they've enchanted you or—"

'What???' Tobias stops talking as he feels the air inside the carriage turn cold, and his sister's skin grows pale.

"No—" He looks at Eliza's hand and sees her holding a silver brooch with a shining white stone. He tries to extend his hand, but a layer of ice forms around his arm and begins to spread across his body, immobilizing him.

Eliza's green eyes become cold, with thin white lines appearing on them like cracks on a frozen lake.

While holding the brooch in her left hand, Eliza raises her other hand toward Tobias. As her fingers move, the layer of ice around Tobias's body thickens. It would cause immense pain to an Elite Warrior and break the bones of those of lower rank, but for a Champion, it is only a mild inconvenience.

"Never interrupt me like that again," Eliza speaks in a cold and threatening tone.

"Sister…" Tobias pleads with clear fear and regret in his eyes.

Eliza makes opposite movements with her fingers, and the layer of ice on Tobias's body begins to recede before it reaches his neck. He coughs a bit but quickly recovers.

"I'm sorry," he says, looking at her with a mixture of confusion and concern. "I don't understand… why do you care about that trash?"

"Trash?" She shakes her head. "Don't misunderstand me. Those third-rate Drummonds mean nothing to me, but didn't you see the people with them?"

"That stupid boy and his beautiful mother?" A greedy glint passes through his eyes at the mention of Aria; after all, no man can look at her without being captivated by her beauty.

Eliza recognizes that look on her brother's face, and her eyes become even sharper. "You'd better be careful, little brother. Those people are not simple…"

"What do you mean?"

"Didn't you feel something when you were near them? Something deep within the blood running through your veins?" She asks.

"Inside my blood?" He asks, still confused. "Well, I felt something, but I don't know what it was…"

"It was our lineage, trembling before a superior lineage," Eliza explains, shocking Tobias.

"What? Their lineage is purer than ours?"

"Humm…" She makes a thoughtful expression. "I've only felt something like that in the presence of the King himself, so honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if that boy is a Royal."

"No way!!" Tobias exclaims, his eyes filled with envy and malice. "A damn bastard???"

"Why do you think he's a bastard?" Eliza asks sarcastically. "I couldn't sense anything from that woman, never met someone so mysterious before… perhaps both are Royals or nobles from a very pure lineage. Either way, they are special."

"If they're so powerful, why are they hiding in our family's territory along with members of a low-grade rival family?" Tobias questions in a hostile tone. "They may be a threat to our family, so we should eliminate them quickly!"

"Poor kid…" Eliza shakes her head in disappointment. "You're blinded by envy and greed…" She raises one finger. "First, we can't attack them without knowing more…"

Then she raises a second finger, her expression becoming excited. "Second, why kill powerful enemies if we can bring them to our side?"

"Don't tell me…" Tobias can't hide the frustration on his face. "You want to marry the boy???"

Eliza's smile grows even wider. "I've never seen a more promising suitor… not even a prince."

Tobias grits his teeth, his mind racing with conflicting emotions. He knows his sister is ambitious and shrewd, but the idea of her forming an alliance with someone as enigmatic and powerful as Arthur stirs a mix of jealousy and strategic interest within him.

"Fine," he says reluctantly. "But we need to be careful. If they are as powerful as you say, any move could backfire."

Eliza nods, her eyes gleaming with determination. "Exactly. That's why we'll approach this cautiously. Tomorrow's banquet will be the first step. We need to gather more information and understand their motives."

Tobias, though still wary, realizes the potential benefits of his sister's plan. "Alright. I'll trust your judgment, Eliza. But remember, we can't afford any mistakes."

"Don't worry, Tobias," she reassures him. "I know exactly what I'm doing."