Banquet

Dad, mom, and I are getting ready to enter the banquet hall.

"Presenting the Duke and Duchess of Evernight together with Lady Evangeline."

When the door opens, I saw so many people inside the hall. How many did my parents invite for my birthday?

Hmm?

I saw Grandpapa smiling at me. I beamed at him and wave my hand. As he approached us, he was with the emperor and empress.

"Happy 1st birthday my little one." Grandpapa greeted me.

"Happy birthday, my lovely niece," Uncle said to me.

"Hello, my dear niece. You are very pretty today."

"Shank you, Tie," I replied to the empress.

Well, I can't still let other people know I can already speak fluently. Only our family knows. Mother said that if I show my gifts, some of the anti-empire faction will try to hurt me.

"Glory to the empire." My parents saluted.

"Father, where is brother Allaster?" Mother asked.

Well, I am also trying to find where is my second uncle. Also, I don't see my cousins and brothers.

"He is together with the boys. They are preparing their gift to little Evie." Grandpapa explained.

"Little niece, Aunt is going to give you this gift as my present."

Auntie put a box in my hands.

Wow!

Pure red ruby earrings. Well, I can sense some mana inside. Maybe it's a protective charm aunt has inscribed.

The empire's empress is Empress Joana Gineva Kenward Kraevia. She is also a master in inscriptions. Her attributes are wood and a rare one that is only present in the Kenward Family. The lava attribute.

"Thank you, First Sister for putting on a protective charm."

"Oh, don't mention it, Meridith."

"Well, now that the empress has given her gift. I might as well give mine. Here little niece Uncle's present for you." Uncle gave me an envelope.

Curiously, I gave it to father, and he opened it.

"A title!?" Father exclaimed.

"As I was choosing my gift, I thought I can give little Evie her land."

Awesome!

My territory. But I think I have to postpone it for now. I will have to research where I want to have my territory.

"Hahaha! Nice one son." Grandpapa laughs while patting uncle's shoulder.

"But I will not be beaten." Grandpapa suddenly pulled something from his space.

"Clang."

A sword dropped onto the floor.

"Dad! Is that what I think it is!" Uncle looks a little sad.

"It's father's battle sword Ghost Reaver, Cry of Holy Might," Father explained.

"I will give this to little Evie because it has inscriptions with space attribute. I win." He said.

"Wait, don't tell me the two of you betted on who has a more significant gift?" Mother looked at the two of them.

Is it just me or does anyone notice that Grandpapa and Uncle may have been scared with mother?

"Oh! Meridith don't mind father and Allister. You know that they just want to spoil little Evie."

"But it's excessive first sister, and it's burdening!"

Mother must have experienced this kind of extravagant gift since she was young.

"But Meridith, it's Evie's first birthday. I will try to give her a little gift on her next birthday." Grandpapa reasoned.

"Me too, little sis. I will try." Uncle said.

"Do you think I will believe the two of you? I've been hearing it since I was young and you never tried until I got Evie."

Mother certainly will not believe the two of you. Hahaha!