CHAPTER 107: CHAPTER 107: THE BANQUET

Elias Lancaster knew she didn’t like hospitals, or more precisely, she was somewhat afraid of them.

Forget it. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll call the family doctor.

"Alright, let’s go home."

The man’s firm jaw was lined with stubble.

Serena Keaton was ill, so Elias Lancaster simply had his mother come to take the two little rascals back to The Lancaster Family to be cared for.

Serena didn’t want to; she hadn’t seen her babies for several days and missed them.

"They can’t stay at The Lancaster Family. You’re sick and have a cold; you might pass it on to them."

"Then... okay!"

Back to Norris Gardens.

Under Elias Lancaster’s careful care, Serena Keaton fully recovered after a week.

Actually, by the fourth day, her throat didn’t hurt anymore, and she was feeling better. She wanted to go back to work.

But no matter how much Elias disagreed, he insisted she stayed home to rest a few more days.

"Elias, I must go to the studio today. I have to go to the school this afternoon." Early in the morning, Serena started beginning.

"Alright." Elias’s words just dropped.

Serena jumped up. "Oh yeah, I can go to work now."

After getting ready, Elias dropped Serena off at the studio before heading to work himself.

As soon as Serena entered the office, Nathan Sawyer and Nia Irving surrounded her.

"Serena, you finally recovered." Nia gave her a big bear hug.

"I think you recovered long ago, just enjoying your couple’s time at home with Devil King Lancaster." Nathan teased Serena.

Serena’s thin skin made her blush instantly, "No such thing, don’t talk nonsense."

Then, Nathan looked at Nia, jesting, "Oh, someone’s about to officially call you sister-in-law."

Serena’s eyes lit up as she pulled at Nia, "Did my brother make it official?"

"Yes, on the first day back, got the certificate." Nia’s face was flushed with red.

"Ah!!" Serena jumped up happily. "That’s great, I have a sister-in-law now."

The three went out to celebrate a bit.

After lunch,

Nia and Serena went to school for class.

Serena couldn’t concentrate on class, as she hadn’t seen Yara and Yuri for several days, and although they had video calls, it just didn’t feel real.

After class, Elias brought her to The Lancaster Family to pick up the little ones.

Upon entering,

they saw Yara and Yuri sitting on the floor playing with toys.

"Yara, Yuri, mommy’s here." Serena called out.

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Yara and Yuri widened their eyes, eagerly getting up and wobbling towards the foyer at the door.

Elias, holding Serena’s hand, walked inward, and at the sight of their sons wobbling towards them, he smiled with pride.

No surprise, they are his sons; they learned to walk without any guidance.

Serena was momentarily stunned, but after realizing, she stepped forward slowly, crouched down, and opened her arms to wait for her sons’ embrace.

After a while, Yara and Yuri hugged Serena’s embrace.

Serena excitedly hugged and kissed them twice, "You guys are amazing!"

Then she looked up at Elias, "Elias, Yara and Yuri can walk now!"

"Hmm," Elias also crouched down, picked up Yara and Yuri, and sat on the couch, "Very impressive!"

Yara and Yuri laughed happily, showing their front teeth.

Yara happily kissed Elias’s face.

Yuri smiled but unlike Yara, didn’t babble.

"Elias, I want to take Yara and Yuri for their one-year-old art photos," Serena said.

"Okay." Elias looked at the two little ones in his arms, feeling a soft spot in his heart.

Back at Norris Gardens, after Serena coaxed Yara and Yuri to sleep, she returned to the bedroom.

With her brows furrowed, Elias came out after washing and saw her troubled expression.

"Baby, what’s wrong?"

"Elias, why haven’t Yara and Yuri called me mommy yet?" Serena said, troubled.

"Yara is fine, always babbling, but Yuri doesn’t say a word. Do you think there’s something wrong?"

Elias also frowned.

Logically, by this time, both children should be calling mommy and daddy. It does seem a bit concerning.

But Old Madam Lancaster had been worried too and took them for a checkup before. The doctor said they were developing well and very healthy, with no problems!

Looks like they’ll need to do a more comprehensive checkup another day.

Elias comforted her, assuring that their sons won’t have any issues and are just a bit late in speaking.

With Elias’s continuous reassurance, Serena was slightly relieved.

"Baby, you don’t have class tomorrow afternoon, I’ll have a stylist come over to do your makeup, accompany me to a banquet."

"Okay." She probably has to go out with Elias frequently for various banquets in the future, so it’s good to start early and gain some experience.

"Baby, you smell wonderful..."

Elias said as he kissed her shoulder.

She had a good night’s sleep, and it was dawn before she knew it. As usual, Elias reluctantly left for work.

But before leaving, he visited the nursery, looked at his sons’ sleeping faces, and kissed their foreheads.

Reaching out, he gently stroked their cheeks, watched for a while, then left for work.

At 3:30 in the afternoon, the stylist arrived on time to start makeup and wardrobe selection for Serena. Serena kept asking for a lighter makeup look.

The makeup artist looked at the young lady’s face in front of her, marveling at how beautiful it was, with fair skin, flawless and delicate.

Even without makeup, she’s stunning, but attending a banquet does require something to make her shine.

The makeup artist applied a very thin foundation layer, some blush, outlined her eyes, and painted an iris flower on her forehead.

Her hair was styled into a simple updo, pinned with a wooden hairpin.

Serena changed into a white Chinese-style cheongsam dress and matching high heels, leaving the makeup artist and assistant stunned.

"So beautiful, like a fairy descending to the mortal world."

"Not really," Serena said, a bit shy.

Elias had long changed into a suit, waiting on the first floor.

From time to time, he glanced towards the stairs, and the moment he saw Serena appear, his eyes deepened on her.

Even though they spent every day together, knowing his beloved’s beauty, he was still amazed at this moment.

He quickly moved forward, wrapped his arms around Serena, and kissed her lips, "Baby, I want to hide you away."

Time was running out, and Elias took her to the banquet.

Arriving at the banquet venue entrance, they handed over the invitation and walked in hand in hand.

Wherever they went, first there were astonished exclamations, followed by a buzz of discussion.

"Master Lancaster is here, this banquet host must be someone significant!"

"Everyone says Master Lancaster is not interested in women, yet look at him, so gentle with the young lady, look at that gaze..."

"Haven’t you seen her before? She’s the daughter of The J Keaton Family, the young Mrs. Lancaster Master Lancaster brought through an extravagant wedding!"

The young men and ladies of high society, all glamorous, looked at people through colored lenses.

This made Serena rather uneasy.

Despite this, everyone was still amicable towards her.

By the end of the banquet, Serena stayed by Elias’s side, meeting quite a number of people.

But it tired her out; she felt like her feet were no longer her own.

Upon returning to Norris Gardens, Elias carried her upstairs.

His eyes, clear but now filled with gentle affection, looked at the delicate person in his arms, feeling parched and his body’s blood rushing in excitement.