The sileed for several minutes, which at least gave me a ce to take a closer look at the pce.

  We were he foot of the stairs. In front of us, there were 8 long tables with pastel light blue tablecloths and white embroidery. Each of them had different types of ptes filled with appetizers, sweets, and cakes. Several gsses filled with wines and juices of different fruits, and separated at some distance from each other, a kind of debra made of silver. Although these did not have dles as I expected, but carved stones simir to quartz from which emanated a warm white light.

  Several maids and butlers went around the pce carrying trays with the same appetizers and drinks them to the guests who preferred to stand age in versation among themselves; which were mostly posed of childreween 5 to 10 years of age from various echelons of the nobility. It was easy to tell because they were all wearing high-quality clothing and fshy pieces of jewelry. No matter what world you were in, dispys of opulence were intrinsic to the nobility.

  The guests were f groups acc to their allied families. Pretty obvious, as some groups gave suspicious or openly antagonistic looks to roups. Fortunately, the atmosphere was not tense enough for there to be ive enters between them. Either because they were aware that it was silly to fight here or because the party itself had quelled any bad thoughts they might have had. It calmed my mind to think that, at least today, we would not experieny flict. It's not as if I've ever experie before, though.

  My thoughts were interrupted by my father's voice, ohat sounded somewhat ed.

  "I've beeating to ask you something."

  "Ask me?" Maki replied. Dad nodded with some nervousness present on his face.

  "You've been spending a lot of time with Iri tely, haven't you?"

  "...Yes. As usual. is something wrong?" Maki's words came out with some suspi. She seemed curious about the tone my father was using, but also careful.

  Dad closed his eyes and was silent for a moment. He seemed to hesitate whether or not he should tio speak. I worried that he might be jealous of Maki. He might say something bad to her, and that scared me a little, but apparently, my fears were unfounded.

  After a while, he sighed and decided to speak.

  "Does she know that the Routschs were invited?" That simple question made the expression on Maki's face sour. She looked as if she had chewed on an i, a particurly bitter and disgusting one.

  Maki took a moment to calm her expression before looking at my father and replying, her tone drooping.

  "Not that I know of. her did I. Who thought to ihem?"

  "..."

  "It wasn't you, was it?" asked Maki with an accusatory tone.

  "No." Replied my father ftly, implying that even he abhorred the idea.

  "Then?"

  Dad sighed and folded his arms before replying resignedly. "Zenya. I didn't find out about this until it was too te. The girl wahem to attend."

  Maki looked saddened by that response. My sister was not on the list of culprits she had sidered. I was just fused, imagining who these Routsch could be that they were talking about to provoke this kind of rea.

  The atmosphere betweewo became tehey spent a while discussing how to let Mom know about these people, but before they could agree...

  "Well, everything seems to be in order for now. There have been no is and the kids seem to be having fue the tensioween families."

  Mom came back to us suddenly. Her expression showed that she was somewhat tired, but there was a cheerful freshness about her, something that immediately made my father and Maki unfortable.

  Mom ighat a straight to me, taking me from Maki's arms. She called one of the servants who was carrying a tray with sweets, taking one and it to me immediately. Of course, I didn't hesitate for a sed to devour it. Usually, she didn’t let me eat them for some strange reason, but I wasn't going to miss this strange opportunity.

  "H-honey" My father spoke. His voice sounded guilty like a child fessing to a prank.

  Mom noticed that tone, which made her frown immediately. She looked up at Maki, who slowly looked away.

  "What's the matter with you two? What did you do?"

  "N-nothing. Why do you think we did anything?"

  "My husband, your tone vino one." A look from my mother, somewhat threatening, by the way, urged my father to tinue. Even in this world wives are still uable. I feared for my future... wait… I am the wife. Fear me cute girls in the world.

  Maki spoke up, feeling resigned. "Lana the... Routsch has been invited."

  trary to both of their expectations, Mom took it quite well. Not only did she not look surprised by the news, she even rolled her eyes as if these people attendihe most normal thing in the world.

  "I know. Zenya asked my permission to ihem."

  "She did?" replied Maki surprised by her words. Dad oher hand looked somewhat relieved, but equally surprised by the ued response.

  "Yes. A few days ago, she approached me and said she wanted her grandparents to attend. She was quite aware that I didn't get along with them, but she still wao see them. She told me they were still part of the family and she wanted us all together to celebrate."

  We were all speechless at that. Zenya is the kind of girl who 't stand to see fli the family. There have been times when I have seen her be sad when our brother Losward is mentioned, and the bad retionship he has with the rest of the family.

  She has been thinking a lot about everyone's well-being, especially about improving the retionship between us. Something amazing firl her age. Truly admirable.

  Mom easily dismissed both of their s. She even pointed out that the Routschs had already arrived, indig to both of us the exact location.

  We all turo one side of the room, more specifically a few feet from the entrance. An elderly couple was talking quietly with a couple of adults, possibly the parents uardians of some of the children attending the party.

  The woman looked stately and unpromising, the embodiment of how you would imagine an elderly noblewoman to look. Her attire reflected her position in the nobility quite well, a dark gown of rich velvet adorned with intricate ce, creating a striking trast with her silver hair. Her corseted bodid high chlighted the image of severity she radiated. Her sharp gaze seemed to see beyond pretense and politeness, simir to a bird of prey analyzing which prey it should hunt.

  She noticed aze and immediately took her leave of the person she was talking to, heading straight for us.

  Every movement she made as she approached was measured and decisive. She exuded an air of authority that inspired respect. Her demeanor was marked by a haughty attitude, a reminder of the aristocracy she so proudly seemed to boast of with her calm expression, utterly self-assured, as if she owned everything her feet stepped on.

  Even though my mother said she was fih them having been invited, I could feel her tense up the instant the older resumably my grandmother, met her gaze.

  Before long, they were bht in front of us.

  "For once I see that you made an effort to do something... on par with the Baelian house." The woman said with obvious sarcasm as she watched us with arrogance overflowing ione. Her face, with some rather deep wrinkles, atuated the seriousness of her gaze and the haughty attitude of her words. Her eyes, red like my mother's, moved swiftly between us as if she was judging every inch, looking for something to criticize us for.

  "..." Mother did not answer. her she nor my father; certainly not Maki. The three of them watched her in silence, clearly used to her ways, but not happy about it. They looked annoyed by it. I could hear the grinding of teeth which, I was almost certain, came from Maki. Which surprised me, since she was, among my parents, the most posed.

  "Not even a greeting." Replied Maki after a long silence from both parties. There was annoyand disappoi in her voice, but she maintained a certain level of politeness ione. "I remind you, madam, that you are a baroness, while we are members of a ducal house. That being said, resped etiquette befitting our social statuses are expected of you."

  "Hum, I'm still the mother of this child and the duke's mother-in-w. That means I don't have to follow that... attitude you speak of, you dirty sve. You should learn from my Areden. He was the very picture of how a Maki should behave. Irna, you should teach your... pet, how to behave." Those words provoked a rea in all of us. I heard a deep growl from my father and the gnashing of Maki's teeth. My mhtened her grip, though not enough to hurt me, fortunately.

  "Baroness Genieve Routsch, I put up with a lot from you, including disrespe not being able to follow the proper etiquette of not greeting someone of higher rank properly. But I will never allow you to talk that way about MY Maki." My mother's voice, which was normally quite cheerful and eic, had pletely ged to a deep and venomous one.

  "I advise you if yoing to maintain that attitude at my daughter's birthday, please refrain from speaking to me or any member of my family. Unless of course, you wish to embarrass yourself by being thrown out of our house in front of all the guests."

  Genieve's response was silence. She held my mother's hostile gaze with her own for a while before deg that tinuing was not worth it. She seemed to realize that my mother was quite serious. Relutly, she gave a proper bow befiving her formal greetings.

  "Genieve Routsch greets Duke Baelian, the Duchess, and her Maki."

  The baroness had a 180° ge ititude, now showing due respe her greeting and eliminating the haughty expression she had worn so far. Mother nodded calmly in respoo the greeting, followed by Maki and my father. A few words were exged befenieve quietly withdrew. She did so alohough.

  The man who apanied her, her husband, and my grandfather, had a refined and distinguished figure. He was dressed in a well-made bck suit and a maroo. His silver hair, matg Genieve's, was impeccably bed and his ly trimmed beard added an air of sophistication to his appearance.

  Unlike his wife's stern presence, my grandfather exuded an aura of refined gentleness. His posture was impeccable and he moved with an air of grace. He gave the impression of being more submissive, often seeming to yield to his wife's imposing presence. But his apparele nature was marked by kindness, his warm smile, which had soured a bit due to Baroness Genieve's attitude, showed that he was quite the opposite of his wife.

  Pg his right hand on his chest, a slight bow to the front, and a sincere smile, he paid his respects and saluted—a pletely different attitude from his wife's initial one.

  "Edwar Routsch greets the leaders of the Baelian house. It is a real pleasure to see you again, Duke, Duchess, Maki Fiana. Please excuse my wife. Since Arede us, she has been... very irritable. I realize that is no excuse, but I hope you uand."

  "I know, father. Maki Areden was the one who kept Mother's attitude in check. Since he left us, it's been a loss for everyone, in more ways than one."

  "Thank you for uanding. Oh, by the way, is this little...?"

  "Yes. e on Orinthya, say hello to yrandfather."

  Feeling a little self-scious at the sudden attention, I raised and waved my hand toward the smiling old man. He responded by reag out with his hand and taking mily, stroking it with his thumb. The gesture made me feel relieved, as he decided not to press or extend his attention to me too much. Beyond being just a greeting out of obligation, it felt as if he was aware of my shyness, and was trying to keep his attitude somewhat distant to avoid making me nervous, something for which I was heartily grateful.

  After that, he proceeded to greet Maki, with whom he apologized again, this time for the insulting words that Genieve addressed to her earlier. Maki thanked him for his words with a somewhat sad expression. My father chatted with him before attempting t him over to one of the tables that had some of the fshier bottles of, what I assumed were, the more refined wines. Grandpa Edward said a quick goodbye as he was "escorted"; definitely not against his will, by my smiling father.

  "Are you okay?" my mother asked in a ed voice. She didn't answer right away, but instead g to Mom's arm, resting her head on her shoulder.

  "It's been decades sihat, but... I think it still affects me. And that it's precisely her who reminds me of it, makes it even more painful."

  "My Love, it's about time you put all that behind you. You've been my Maki for over 30 years, we've overany things together and made thousands of wonderful memories. Why are you still carrying that weight?"

  Maki sighed sadly but didn't answer, just held on tighter. I felt bad for her. I didn't know what things she was carrying, and although I could uand a little from the versation they were having, I cked information. It ainful to be able to uand, but not know anything.

  I didn't want the atmosphere betweewo of them to remain so heavy, so I moved my arms intending to reaaki, and made some noises hoping Mom would uand me and deliver me into her arms. Luckily, it didn't take her long to do so and I was weled into her warm embrace. I immediately did the best thing I could do, py with her and try to improve her mood.

  It took a while, but my babbling and pyful movements mao make her ugh, bringing joy bato her expression. That was the face I liked to see in Maki. That smile she always gives me every time I see her.

  I felt grateful that I was able to do something for her. Most of the time is painful not to be able to do anything for these people who had given me so much love.

  Even mom seemed relieved that Maki had her smile bad her ive attitude was fading away.

  Shortly after, several people began to approach us, he older children and adults who had attended, whether or not they were guardians of the young guests. They preseheir greetings, thanked us for the invitation, and engaged in small talk, which was mostly polite, or business versation.

  Curiously few of them asked about me, even though they gave me curious looks, and the few that did, looked as if they wao say something, but hesitated whether to do so or not. Maybe for any other person in this world, it would have been something normal, but I found that attitude strange. I decided to put that thought aside, after all, I couldn't do anything to get answers, and w about it didn't make much seher.

  Just as the st of them finished his versation with my mother, the music that kept the atmosphere solemn stopped, being repced by the voice of the butler who had announced our entra the beginning of the party.

  "Dear guests, your attention please. It is time to kick off the mai of the evening."

  Everyone's attention was directed to a beautifully adorned chair that had been pced in the ter of the room. At some point, Dad had approached the spot along with Zenya, who took a seat iravagant chair.

  "Once agaihank you all for being present." Began my father speaking to everyone in the room. He must have had some magical device, as his voice carried loudly and evenly throughout the pce.

  It was at this moment that I realized that, indeed, his voice could be heard throughout the room as if he had used some kind of microphone-like device that amplified his voice. I hadn't noticed it when Zenya gave her speech, but she may have also used it, as well as the butler. These are details that I have noticed that seem unimportant and that I don't give them importail much ter, perhaps because I was used to those kinds of things in my previous world. Things that I sider normal and on sense, but that certainly should not be in another world, but that strangely also exist. What a strahought on my part.

  Anyways. He looked from one side of the room to the other, smiled, and tinued with his words. "Today we celebrate the first stage in my daughter's life, her first social event. As a father, I am filled with a pride that is hard to describe. And now that she is standing at the doorstep of her future, I want to express my exhiration as I witness her first steps into this world, and eager to see how she fes each milestone in her life. How she begins to pce each piece of the person she will bee as an adult. This memory will remain in my mind until the end of time. As it was with my older children, as it will be with my you daughter, and as it will be with my children's children."

  I was impressed. That intimidating-looking man, who exuded strength from every pore of his stone-colored skin, with his menag look and warrior's attitude, was standing there, expressing his heart's tent to a bunch of strangers. His words let out a palpable pride in his daughter and a great happiness at witnessing her growing up. Something I would never expect from a man who seemed to want to escape his office to wave his sword in the courtyard. A man who, acc to the stories he told me, would fight aire army while grinning from ear to ear enjoying the joy of bloodshed. That kind of man, he was ag like...well, like a real father.

  "So, I invite you all to join me in this tradition as we present my daughter with our heartfelt gifts, tokens of our unwavering support for the journey in life that awaits her from now o us celebrate her aspirations and dreams. Let's make this event a moment to remember for a lifetime."

  With those st words, Dad gave a smile to Zenya, my sister who was trying her best not to shed a siear, barely being able to ma.

  "Thank you, Duke." The host butler regained everyone's attention. "Let's start with the handover. Let the first representative pass!"

  A boy of a horned rao less than 10 years old, walked slowly towards Zenya. He gave a bow and introduced himself as Odrias Jaloir, son of t Donsel Jaloir, and offered his gratutions on her birthday. He then beed to a man dressed as a servant, roached with a medium-sized jewelry box in his hands, which he handed directly to my sister. The tter ope, revealing a very beautiful pendant, which she carefully removed from the jewelry box.

  "A Wish from Amanesha."

  A what?

  Mom had bee speechless by the gift. The pendant, as I said, wore a strange shape to me, though it was surely something very familiar in this world if she reized it so easily. It appeared to be made of silver, with a rge blue gem in the ter and several smaller ones surrounding it.

  Spoiler

  [colpse]"Cheeky brat," Muttered Maki with annoyance. I, of course, had absolutely no idea what was going on. Was it some kind of offeo give away something like that? Or was it for some other reason?

  "He must have do without the t being aware. To think he would be foolish enough to procim her his betrothed at this party."

  His betrothed? I'm going to kill that idiot! Who does he think he is to propose to my sister? You're a million years away from even being worthy of being allowed to breathe the same air that surrounds her!

  “Even Tya is upset and she doesn't even uand what's going on. But you'll see, if you think you get away with this, you're sorely mistaken." Crossing her arms and giving the walking corpse a murderous gre, she vowed to make him pay for the brazenness of his as. Even my father was visibly upset. I couldn't see where Sarka was, but I was sure she must have the same rea as all of us. That child had decred his death without even realizing it.

  With an unfortable expression, Zenya accepted the gift gratefully. The future corpse gave another bow and walked away with a satisfied smile on his face. Possibly he thought his bullshit pn had worked, but puy, he had only dug his own grave. Eveher guests viewed him with pity, others with utter disappoi, and many others viewed him with disgust.

  Leaving this case of social suicide, the person stepped forward. A girl, perhaps a year older than Zenya, gave a very elegant bow and introduced herself as Anora Moriel, sed daughter of Baron Hakon Moriel. She carried in her arms a small white bottle, beautifully adorned, and painted with a rather striking floral design.

  "This is one of our star poduts..." there was instant silehe moment the adorable girl bit her tongue as she spoke. The poor thing could only blush profusely, but before long she recovered and tinued. "It's a potion that helps improve the circution of mana in the body, helping mages expand their mana pool. But it only be used in early childhood." The girl then approached my sister and carefully handed her the bottle. Zenya admired it with sparkling eyes. It seemed that she wao use it right then and there.

  "My family hopes that this small gift will help you reach great heights iure" With those words and a final bow, she walked away after receiving gratitude from Zenya.

  Thus, many of the guests passed by; among whom were my grandparents, which I will omit since I don't even want to mention that woman.

  Dozens of different things were handed out, from jewelry, oral ons, incredibly beautiful dresses, rag or wooden dolls; made so skillfully that no one would believe they were handmade, and even more potions with incredible effects. When it seemed that there was no one else left to deliver their presents, Sarka, who had been missing until now, emerged from the crowd, bringing behind her a servant girl carrying what looked like a tall object covered by a cloth.

  "My lovely little sister" Sarka greeted with joy on her face. For some reason, she looked a bit tousled and her dress was a bit... disheveled, but I decided not to make a big deal out of it. My attention was ohing the maid was bringing.

  "I remember a while ago you had told me that you’ve seen a very beautiful bird per your bedroom window." Zenya immediately stood up wide-eyed, surprised, and expet. Sarka let out an amused ugh, then motioo the maid, who pulled back the cloth revealing a cage with an incredibly beautiful bird inside.

  The bird was very simir to a Quetzal with its characteristig tail. It was slightly rger than the bird in my memories and its feathers were a brilliant shade of sapphire blue, with a pure white breast. Its magenta eyes were surrounded by small red feathers. Its beak and legs were a dull bck.

  Spoiler

  [colpse]

  Sarka opehe cage, letting out the beautiful bird, which immediately flew in a great circle around the room, marveling at all who saw it. After a couple more circles, it slowly desded in Sarka's dire, where it nded gracefully on her arm.

  "This little fellow is a blue Kistero. It's the same species as the one you saw that day. It took me a while to find ohat was trained as they are quite rare. They are not meant to be kept in cages; they are traio be loyal to their owners.

  As long as you treat it with affe, it will never fly away, and it will even sing its beautiful songs as thanks for your care." Sarka walked over to Zenya and, carefully helped her position herself so that the bird was now resting on her arm. My sister was fasated by the beautiful bird, who seemed tet everything else, something Sarka had to remind her of as she ughed.

  "Th-thank you, sister. This is truly a gift that is beyond what I imagined." With some disfiven that she had a bird on her arm, Zenya gave an affeate hug to our sister, who was grinning from ear to ear knowing that she had given her what erhaps, the best gift of the night. Something I noticed, because she immediately smirked at us, definitely directed at Mom and Maki. She then gave the same smile to Dad, who didn't respond a an uurbed expression.

  My whole family would be peting to see who would give Zenya the best gift. But I felt sorry for them. From the moment this day arrived, they had already lost, because I would be the oo win my sister's heart on this day.

  FivesZeta

  [colpse]I love AI.

  Anyway, that's all for today. week is the final part of the party. The chapter is 5444 words, so expect a longer ohan usual. There will also be someone very special at the end of that chapter, so look forward to it!With this im out. Until ime!