CHAPTER 817 BE CLEAR

The rest of the Cao Clan members and the clan chiefs waited for Woods and Lucilla to sit down before

they did.

Meanwhile, Lucas took Queenie to the front of Woods.

"Your Royal Highness," Lucas said curtly.

Queenie let herself be led by Lucas, but hesitantly. She merely felt forced to comply. She felt like she

had no choice but to obey her sister. She did something wrong, after all. Otherwise, she would never

attend the banquet. If she had a choice, she'd prefer to go around on Rocky's magical spiritual beast

than attend a banquet.

"Lucas, how are you doing? It's been a few months since we last saw each other," Woods said with a

smile. Lucas was one of the powerful masters of the Timber Deity Empire. Woods regarded him highly.

Even when they were apart, Lucas kept a close relationship with Woods. They remained in contact with

each other. That was the only reason he accepted Lucilla's invitation to attend the banquet. He

accepted for Lucas' sake.

"Yes. I heard that you have assisted Princess Alyssa on the Gehenna Border in the past few months. I

was waiting for you to return, but I didn't expect that you went to help the disaster relief under the

command of His Majesty," Lucas responded with a smile.

"Yes, I've been very busy in the past few months. But of course, I'd happily arrange a quick meeting holds © this.

with you so we could catch up and chat." Woods nodded and then looked at Queenie. "Miss Queenie,"

he remarked, "You've become even more beautiful since the last time we saw each other. But you

seem to be in distress. How are you? You must be feeling anxious as you are about to meet someone

you like."

Queenie always went wherever Lucas went, so Woods had known her for a long time. He also knew

just how stubborn she got, so he took the opportunity to tease her and break the ice.

"You're right. So does that mean you're allowing me to see who I want, Your Royal Highness?"

Queenie said with a wink. She was itching to leave.

"Queenie, don't talk nonsense." Lucilla didn't appreciate Queenie's rude manner. She walked up to

Woods and immediately apologized in her behalf. "Your Royal Highness, I hope you forgive her. She

was only teasing!"

"Don't worry about it. It's not my first time to meet Queenie. I like her boldness. I admire you for having

such an outgoing sister!" Woods spoke amiably.

"Seriously? If you had her for a sister, I'm sure you'd be pissed and annoyed half the time!" Lucilla

stared at Queenie, but Queenie stood unfazed.

Woods burst into laughter. The two sisters amused him for they had such different personalities.

"Queenie, stay with me. You're not allowed to leave my sight tonight," Lucilla whispered to Queenie.

Queenie looked at her with pitiful eyes. She pouted her lips in protest but Lucilla was unaffected.

Dejected, Queenie followed her sister back to her seat and Lucas tagged along.

As soon as the banquet started, over ten girls walked into the hall and started dancing. They wore thin

dresses like veils, and their slender arms and delicate shoulders were exposed for everyone to see.

They danced gracefully with the music.

"Your Royal Highness, I'd like to offer a toast on behalf of the Cao Clan. We have great respect for

you!" Lucilla elegantly picked up a glass of wine on the table, held it in front of Woods and gently drank

it, slightly covering her mouth with her sleeves.

"Cheers!" Woods also offered his toast before drinking.

Right after, Lucilla approached Woods. She wanted to understand his thought process. She invited

Woods to the banquet to win his support. If he would support the Cao Clan, they could easily become

powerful enough to compete with the Qi Clan.

Their conversation was halted when the clan chiefs stepped forward to offer another toast. They also

showered him with gifts and compliments, hoping to leave a good impression. Woods was used to

being treated special, so he was able to remain calm.

Several elders and hall leaders of the Cao Clan also offered a toast to Woods. Only Raef, the Xiao

Clan's chief, remained in his seat. After everyone was done with their toasts, he flashed Mary a small

nod.

"Father, you still have time to rethink your actions," Mary reminded.

"Let's go." But Raef had already made up his mind. He got up with his glass in his hand.

Mary followed Raef. They went to Woods' table at the front of the banquet hall.

"Your Royal Highness, I am Raef, the chief of the Xiao Clan. Please allow me to offer you a toast!" Raef

said as he raised his glass to Woods.

"The chief of the Xiao Clan? The clan famous for the Beast Curing Skill?" Woods remarked.

"Oh, I didn't think you know of our prominent Beast Curing Skill! What a great honor to hear you

mention that!" Raef wore a huge smile on his face, obviously flattered by Woods' comment. "Your

Royal Highness, this is my daughter," he said, gesturing to Mary. "She admires you very much. This is

a very exciting opportunity for her, so I hope you'd let us drink a toast to you."

Woods fixed his eyes on Mary. She was a beautiful lady with a slender figure. "Your daughter is so

beautiful!" he told Raef.

"Thank you for your compliment, Your Royal Highness. I'm greatly flattered," Mary said in a seductive

voice as she raised her glass.

Woods also politely drank a toast in return.

"Mary, it's a great honor for you to see His Royal Highness. This means a lot for our Xiao Clan as well.

Why don't you just stay and serve His Royal Highness?" Raef finally said. He'd been waiting all night

for an opportunity to say it.

"Oh, she doesn't have to do that!" Woods uttered, waving his hand to refuse. He looked at Raef's eyes

and saw his intentions clearly. He conveniently brought his attractive daughter for him to meet. He

obviously had another motive apart from gratitude. Although Mary was a beautiful woman, she was not

his type. Moreover, Woods did not want Raef to easily fulfill his sneaky intentions. He wouldn't give

them a chance. Now that he was competing with several princes of the Timber Deity Empire openly

and secretly, he had to be careful. He didn't want more gossip to form behind his back. More so, he had

to avoid being in an intimate relationship with any woman. From his experience, some women could

bring great trouble.