While Leon and Kayden think of a way to handle the situation with the tracking knight, Eli on the other hand was busy planning with the Faraulds and Forgeworns about what would happen in the winter banquet.
The invitations for the attendees of the winter banquet were already distributed and the venue was already settled. But there was still the matter of the attire and the ceremony proper.
"Eli, what do you think of this attire?" A daughter in law of the Forgeworn clan asked her opinion while twirling excitedly in a circle of women in the dressing lounge.
"I think this one will fit you more, this dress will create a nice silhouette for your body making the people think you are a few years younger than you really are!" Eli politely communicated her opinion and pointed to a dress that was on the displayed mannequin.
The Forgeworn daughter in law beamed in excitement, "Alright I'll try this one then!"
Eli was surrounded with women who were eager to try out the dresses they had preselected to be in the selection area. Although there were stylists around, they still went around Eli and asked for her opinion.
It wasn't because they weren't confident with their stylists' talents but because they wanted to bond with Eli more. As such, Eli and the stylists could only helplessly indulge them at the moment.
The women of the two families also doted on Eli a lot, it was not only because of their excitement seeing a new female in the house but also her parenting ideas that made the children more loveable and happy ever since she officially joined the house.
They completely forgot that Eli was also a first time mommy. She only shared what she had learned through her relentless searching through the book of knowledge. She willingly shared it to her fellow mothers as well because she knew that there were things that wouldn't be discovered until a century passed in terms of motherhood and parenting.
The women were grateful to her advice, most of the time, they would even drop their appointments whenever Eli would visit the main house to visit Grandma Brygid.
But Eli was feeling far more grateful to them than what they really thought. It has been so long since she felt being sheltered and cared for by a family member, and everyone in the Forgeworn and Farauld Family treated her like a genuine member of the family.
She couldn't ask for more!
The dress rehearsal actually lasted for half a day until the women were satisfied. But because it was seldom for them to convene at the same time, they decided to have a grand dinner ahead.
"We still have time to try out your dishes Eli!"
"Yeah let's take over the kitchen and give ourselves a nice dinner later!"
"I agree! Eli, you have to go with us!"
"Guide us in the kitchen please~~"
"Alright then, let's prepare for dinner then." Eli replied with a helpless expression, however she couldn't resist the aunties and sisters around her. Their eyes were sparkling with anticipation as they asked her.
Before getting into the kitchen, Eli and the women checked the kids who were chilling in the plushie playground on the main hall. The plushie playground was also built in the main estate for Little Han and the kids to play with.
Ever since the women of the two families saw Eli's plushie playground, they also did the same. After building the playground, they could see the psychological and physical benefits of the playground on their young children.
They became more sociable and adaptable in terms of interacting with other people. Their creativity was also stimulated. Moreover, they have become more loveable and closer to their parents, as Eli encouraged them to play with their children from time to time.
This made the atmosphere of the two families more warm and family oriented, unlike the tense and pressuring environment on most of the aristocratic households.
With the supervision of the Grandmas, Baobao, Wisey and the assigned servants of the two families she heaved a sigh of relief and went to the kitchen.
Before they started, the women didn't forget to inform their husbands of the dinner gathering, and boasted that every dish to be prepared was all Eli's recipe.
The women of the Farauld and Forgeworn family obediently followed Eli's instruction in preparing the food in the kitchen. She divided the tasks in an organized manner and oriented them of the dishes they would need to prepare.
Some were tasked in cooking, some in preparing the ingredients. The women were also divided according to the dishes they had to cook.
Fortunately the kitchen of the Forgeworn Estate was big enough to accommodate them. It was also spacious and well equipped, allowing them to prepare and cook multiple dishes at the same time.
Cooking in the kitchen is a heavy and strenuous task. But none of the women, including Eli, felt weary even after preparing large amounts of food in the family. In fact they really enjoyed the work they were currently doing.
After ensuring that everything is prepared, the women took a break to freshen up themselves for dinner time.
Eli also did the same. After doing so she immediately proceeded to where Little Han was and checked if he was doing well.
"Jihihi!" Little Han couldn't help but giggle infectiously the moment he saw Eli carry him in her arms. He then snuggled right into Eli's shoulders and wrapped his two little hands on her neck.
Eli could feel Little Han slowly relax. She let Little Han drift to sleep for a little while as there was still some time before the dinner would start.
Soon, the other members of the two families arrived in the estate one by one. Even Grandpa Ben and Grandma Myrna enthusiastically attended the dinner gathering.
Seeing so many people, they decided to open the large hall and set up the dinner there. With the servant's help, everything was all set up and ready.
The family members enthusiastically spend the dinner night with each other's presence. Looking at the unusual yet appetizing array of food in the tables, they couldn't help but feel hungry.
After the prayer before meals, they immediately reached out to the food and tried everything they could get their hands too.
Waves of praises and exclamations rang in the hall. Everyone was satisfied and were in high spirits when they tasted the food. Even the children expressed their excitement by asking for second servings.
Leon and Kayden also joined the meal and were sharing a table with Randel and the rest of the young men of the family. Although Leon was part of the imperial family, he firmly insisted to sit at the same table with them because he was now together with Eli.
Moreover, as much as Leon wanted to join Eli's table, he couldn't do so because she had been helplessly monopolized by the women.
"Oh now that I remember…" A daughter in law suddenly looked at Eli and asked with deep curiosity. "Have you decided who would be escorting you to your grand entrance for the winter banquet?"
"Oh, now that you have mentioned that! I am quite curious too!" Another one followed.
The other women's ears were perked up too, who would Eli choose to be her escort during the winter banquet?
"Errmm, I haven't really thought of this one yet." Eli was clearly taken back on the sudden question and couldn't really give a good answer for the matter.
"Why not let His Highness Third Prince escort you?" Someone chimed in with a hint of teasing on her tone.
"Yeah that would be good to see!"
"Our Third Prince is really compatible with our Eli~~" The women couldn't help but tease Eli more and more.
"Ermm, I do not think it would be appropriate for His Highness," Eli explained patiently. "The noble families would immediately think that he is seeking some backing by appearing alongside me."
Eli needed not to explain everything in detail as the women of the family were already aware of Leon's status in the Imperial Family. He was forcefully suppressed by the aristocratic faction.
Aside from that, everyone would think that it is suspicious for Leon to suddenly appear close to Eli when he just came from a long duration mission out of the capital.
"Aww.. that's too bad!"
"I really want to see you two up there!"
"Yeah.. too bad~~"
Even though the women completely understood the situation, they simply felt disappointed, because they really liked the chemistry between the young couple. Besides, they have long announced to the family about their decision to formally be in a relationship and eventually be husband and wife.
pαndα`noνɐ1--сoМ "Why are you nervous about who will escort young Eli." the Grandpas and Grandmas suddenly joined the conversation.
"Let us, Grandpas, do that for her!"
"Noooo! Let us the fathers be the ones to escort her!" Pops and Papi immediately objected with a hint of possessiveness in their tone.
Usually, in an acknowledgement ceremony, it would be the father who would escort their children in the grand entrance. However in Eli's case, two families would be officially taking her in. It would not look appropriate to have two father's escorting you to your entrance!
"We object! The brothers should be the one to do such honor!" The younger generation also retaliated.
"No it must be us,the Grandpas!
"No it must be us, the Fathers!"
The atmosphere suddenly became tense as the three grounds didn't show any sign of giving way. Upon realizing this the involved parties shifted their gazes towards the shocked and confused Eli.
Eli could feel their anticipation as she met their bright and shining eyes.
All were saying, "Pick me, Pick me!!"
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