SWNOVELXO Chapter 7: A DINNER PARTY
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After Alex left to meet his sister in the back garden, Rose stepped forward to guide Max, taking over with quiet efficiency. As Alex's friend, Max was naturally treated as a VIP guest, and she led him through the mansion's opulent halls with meticulous grace.
After a short two-minute walk, they stopped in front of an elegantly carved bedroom door. Rose produced a polished brass key, unlocked it, and gestured for Max to enter.
The interior was breathtaking. The room exuded luxury from every corner — plush velvet drapes framed tall windows, a grand canopy bed dominated the center with silk sheets and golden embroidery, and soft, warm light glimmered off crystal fixtures. The air was perfumed faintly with a delicate blend of sandalwood and lavender, rich and soothing, wrapping the space in understated grandeur.
"Mr. Max," Rose began, her tone polite but warm, "this will be your room. It contains everything you might need — toiletries, refreshments, even a private pool in the corridor if you'd like to unwind. I'll fetch you an appropriate suit so you can dine with the young master and mistress when dinner is ready. If you need anything else, simply press the button by the bedside and a maid will attend to you."
With a graceful bow, she excused herself and pulled the door shut behind her.
Alone, Max finally removed his mask, feeling the tension of the day ease from his shoulders. He stepped into the marble bathroom to freshen up, taking his time to cleanse himself properly under the warm, cascading water.
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Meanwhile, in the back garden — a serene oasis brimming with fragrant flowers and lush greenery that filled the air with the refreshing scent of earth and blooms — Scarlett sat comfortably in a wrought-iron chair while Alex settled into the one opposite her.
Alex spoke at length, recounting his recent adventures, his near-death experience, and, inevitably, his encounter with Max.
Scarlett raised a finely arched brow, visibly intrigued as she listened to her brother — who usually boasted only of his own looks — lavish praise on someone else's appearance.
"He really piqued my interest," Scarlett said at last, a faint smile playing on her lips. "You said he's from another world and… devilishly handsome? That's quite intriguing. But you should still be cautious around him."
Alex only chuckled softly. "It's nothing to worry about. We've already sworn brotherhood, and you know my innate ability lets me sense who I can trust. I'm sure he has no ill intentions. Sure, he keeps secrets — but then again, everyone has a few they'd rather keep hidden."
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After finishing his bath, Max rinsed his hair thoroughly and spritzed a touch of Fougère Royale into it — a wild, untamed fragrance of fern, oakmoss, and lavender, with a bold, green edge that lingered like a whisper of the forest at dusk. Draping himself in a luxurious bathrobe and slipping into soft house slippers, he left the bathroom feeling refreshed.
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," he called.
Rose stepped inside, carrying the suit she'd promised — but froze the moment her eyes fell on him. For just an instant, she was completely stunned, her composure slipping as she took in his effortlessly magnetic presence, damp hair glinting under the lights, his robe clinging just so.
She quickly recovered, though her eyes betrayed her as they kept flicking back to him, stealing glances no matter how hard she tried to keep her expression neutral.
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"Hey, sis," Alex began with a teasing grin as he lounged back in his chair, "how are you coping with Gui Nan of the Gui family? I heard he's been courting you pretty aggressively. Why don't you just accept him already?"
Scarlett's expression hardened slightly, though her tone remained calm as she replied, "He's a fake, Alex. Just because we're the weakest of all the dukes, he thinks he can pressure me into saying yes by throwing his family's weight around. After I rejected him, they even opened a competing business here, selling the same product just to hurt our sales. He's… definitely not my cup of tea."
Alex chuckled at that, shaking his head. "You know Dad wants you to find a partner already, right? He keeps saying you're more than 'ripe' for the picking." He leaned forward with a mischievous smirk. "Besides, I don't think he wants you turning into an old maid like—well, never mind."
Scarlett gave him a sharp look, then laughed softly, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "I'll find someone when I'm good and ready. Besides… you know men—especially pretty boys like you—are rarely trustworthy."
"Ha!" Alex laughed. Then he jabbed a finger at her, pretending to scold. "Just don't fall in love with my friend. I'm warning you—I won't give him up to you, no matter how charming he is."
That left Scarlett momentarily speechless, though her lips twitched in amusement.
Clearing his throat, Scarlett changed the subject. "Anyway, we've got a dinner party tonight. Gui Nan's birthday bash. He's holding it in Taurus City, probably just to show off. Starts at midnight."
"Fine," Alex said, standing. "But I'm taking Max along too."
"Of course," Scarlett replied with a knowing gaze.
Just then, a maid appeared at the garden entrance. "Miss Scarlett," she announced with a bow, "dinner is ready."
Scarlett and Alex rose together and made their way toward the dining room, the faint sound of cutlery and soft music already floating through the grand halls.
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Meanwhile, after delivering the clothes to Max, Rose excused herself politely to give him privacy. Before leaving, she added with a faint smile, "When you're ready, a maid will be waiting outside to escort you to the dining room."
Max simply nodded in acknowledgment, his cool gaze meeting hers briefly before she departed.
On the bed lay the outfit Rose had brought: a sharp, understated ensemble that somehow managed to look casual yet refined. The crisp white long-sleeve shirt bore a subtle branded monogram at the cuff, its fabric smooth as silk yet tailored to hug the shoulders and taper neatly at the waist. The black trousers were cut in a slim, modern style, perfectly balancing formality with ease. Alongside them was a golden faceless mask — elegant yet enigmatic — meant to complement the look without stealing attention.
Once dressed, Max caught his reflection in the mirror. The outfit framed his lean figure perfectly, the stark contrast of white and black giving him an air of quiet authority, while the golden mask added a hint of mystery, as though daring anyone to guess what lay beneath.
Pleased, he left the room.
Outside, as promised, a maid stood waiting for him, hands folded neatly in front of her. The moment she saw him, her eyes widened slightly, but she quickly regained her composure and dipped into a respectful bow.
"This way, sir," she said softly.
Max followed her down the hallway, his measured steps silent against the polished marble as she led him toward the dining room where the others were already gathering.
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