Death Frost | Deathsworn #2

Chapter 59 ❆ Compete

I did have the feeling I would meet this guy again, but I really couldn't recall whether he gave me a name. Since my brain was blank, it was either I actively blocked him out when he was talking or that he didn't give me his name at all—the latter was not exactly feasible. There was also another possibility. My brain probably deleted the information it thought it didn't need.

As he moved to slicing through the big plate of whale ribs, I recovered the impression of his name being given and him asking mine in exchange. I tried to put a name to the face, but really found that it eluded me.

Other than the letter K.

Man, I must have not liked meeting this person. My memory was usually very good.

I mean...I didn't have a bad impression, but I was reluctant to get involved.

Feeling a bit awkward, I lowered my gaze back onto my plate. No matter how interested I was on the table-side performance, I couldn't help feeling a bit awkward. I had to stuff my mouth with something to chew on to distract myself a little. Hopefully, this guy wouldn't pursue the matter of me having to play for him. Either way, I left Mistress Marian's harp back in the Temple.

To my relief, no one noticed my strangeness—or paid it heed, at least. Even Maun, who was the likeliest to see and most sensitive to my moods, was very curious about what the guy would do to the ribs.

He didn't disappoint the expectations of the people around him. Erlan and Miles were very vocal about their opinions. Arondite was more quiet and his attention was perfunctory. It was clear he wasn't that impressed.

However, when the fire flared and licked off alcohol poured on the meat enthusiastically, we marveled and clapped our hands. Maun genuinely appreciated the show, giving a beaming smile with bright eyes.

"Thank you for your praises. This is quite a big piece so I hope you enjoy this meal," the boy said, then he turned to our table as though intending to make a small talk.

I half expected him to address me. To my slight surprise, he did not turn to talk to me, but another companion of mine. "Erlan, I didn't expect that these were the friends you spoke of," he said with an amiable smile.

I sipped my drink and watched the show. Why'd I miss that? Considering how Erlan seemed to frequent this place, the two of them knowing one another should have been a one plus one logic.

"Huh? What's up with Sir Kaiser? You don't usually take the initiative to talk to me," Erlan said, dumbfounded. "Ah! But you remembered? I always thought you didn't listen whenever I'm speaking with you. I'm very flattered."

Ah, busted.

I controlled my expression as everyone else looked on with interest. Kaiser seemed to be reddening and his face was souring with embarrassment quite a bit. However, it didn't seem much like he was ashamed. Rather, it was more like he was shy.

I must say this expression suited his warm and outgoing temperament. He must think differently, though.

Trying to suppress his fluster, he cleared his throat and put on his most amiable smile. "I'm not usually a very talkative person."

Not when he wasn't interested, I would assume.

"I still have to do my part with entertaining guests though, and you're quite the frequent one here," he told Erlan. "Would you mind me talking to you through your meal?"

Erlan was more than happy to oblige. "Of course!"

I stared straight ahead, minding my own drink. However, I kept tabs on what was happening through my peripheral vision. I caught him throwing furtive glances my way. Although he tried to hide his interest by looking at each and everyone's faces, his gaze would linger a bit longer whenever he would look in my direction.