Foreigner Of Time [Book II]

49

Mom's birthday arrived in the turn of an eye. 

The estate was already decorated with lanterns and streamers three days before, and the red silk stretched a bowshot out of the estate gates.

All of the estate businesses in the city had their entrances decorated too. 

Additionally, according to routine, all of the clan's shops must set up a porridge stall and serve free porridge during mom's birthday.

However, it was as if all of this had nothing to do with mom.

People had to queue up to deliver gifts three days beforehand, but she stayed in the 'incense offering hall' all day, chanting scriptures, burning incense, doing homework, and performing her routine duties.

All the way until the big day. 

She changed from her plain outfit to the dress that she used to wear, then she came to the main hall.

Standing next to father, the two of them still looked like a married couple who had been through thick and thin together.

Mom's birthday banquet was different this year. 

Although the scale had not changed, there were a lot more unfamiliar faces among the guests.

Perhaps father's allegiance to the Second Prince, who was now the Crown Prince, had come into effect. 

There were aristocratic figures among the guests in the estate this year.

The Magistrate of the city, Victor, attended the banquet with his wife. Since he had made the first example, the other 'masters' in the city's government office took their wife and children to the estate too.

Father's face was glowing as he mingled with the various big officials. 

They chatted about everything under the sky. 

He freely enjoyed the seeking or envious gazes of his peers in the market, just like a winner.

I was sitting in the corner, hugging a long wooden case that contained the beast-head walking stick meant for mom.

"How have you been, young master Manoban?"

I raised my head. 

Seeing the person in front of me, my breathing caught too. 

I felt very puzzled.

Why do the people who're dislikeable at first sight and whose face looks more punchable the more you look at them exist in this world?

Victor's aura of a base person getting what he wanted was truly too disgustingly strong. 

I really regretted going so easy on him last time; I should have broken his legs so that he couldn't get out of bed for a few months.

"Sir Lannister."

Victor shook his head. 

He smacked his lips, then he lifted the hem of his robe and sat down on the seat next to me, "Considering that it is Madam Stark's birthday today, this official will not pursue it."

Tolerating the nausea in my heart, I forced out a trace of a smile.

"Why don't you ask this official, what I'm not pursuing?" Victor continued on his own.

"Since you have said that you're not pursuing it, is there a need for this humble one to hold onto it?" I said with the same smile.

He pointed at the long wooden case in my arms and asked, "What is that?"