Chapter 14: Best Gift

The question shattered the silence, prompting the attendees to speculate amongst themselves.

"I think he would choose Serron's gift," one woman said to her group of ladies.

"Lord Keger's gift is also worthy of being the best gift," the woman beside her remarked.

"The dwarven couple are not far behind either, and don't forget the Blakes are there as well," added another.

"So which influential family would have the honor of the best gift?"

As all the gifts were presented, people chatted freely, deeply intrigued by his choice. However, the majority were more interested in Caera's choice.

After all, rumors about Jash's lazy personality, which was unlike a noble's, were widespread and even surpassed the rumors of Caera's talent.

Amidst the chatter, Keger overheard praise for his gift. Although he disliked Jash so far, he needed to fulfill his uncle's wishes. This gift was meant to win Jash's favor and possibly sway him to their side.

'Why are they so fixated on this incompetent fool? He has no chance against Brandon!' Keger thought, recalling the argument with his uncle.

Many had approved his notion of selecting Caera over Jash as a potential heir as she had much more of a chance in the succession battle.

Yet the elders of his faction were adamant about choosing Jash over Caera, confusing the members.

'All they want is control of the Ramille Dukedom, but they fail to see that they will never achieve it with Jash...'

Keger secretly gritted his teeth in annoyance from the memory before his attention snapped back to Jash.

"I appreciate all the gifts so far, but tonight, I have chosen the most pleasing gift I have ever received as the best gift," Jash said as he took out the glass vial Serron had given him and showed it to everyone.

He thought, 'Good thing I didn't hand it over to Edward,' as he pocketed the vial and glanced at Caera.

The attendees didn't appear surprised in the slightest by Jash's predictable choice, especially since he received no gift from Duchess Evelia Arne.

Still, the captivating sight of the small vial, containing a transparent viscous liquid with twinkling golden particles, left the attendees yearning.

Oblivious to their desire, Caera spoke immediately, "I am grateful for all the gifts presented to me, but if I have to choose one of them..."

She held her breath, pausing for effect, drawing people in with her eloquent speech and melodious voice before biting her lip gently.

'What should I choose? If I choose the bow, Amelia would surely be upset, but I really like the bow...'

The dilemma gripped her heart, hesitation flashing her expression as she realized the weight of her choice and the silence hanging in the air.

"I... I–I think the b—fire type mana gem is the best gift!"

Her tone rose as she stumbled over her words, noticing Amelia's expression crumple at just hearing the letter 'b'.

Ignoring the gasping attendees, Caera focused on the shocked Amelia and her lips curled upwards inadvertently.

On her side, Jash obviously noticed the interaction, lamenting at her correct choice, 'Tsk. Would've loved to see Amelia angry at her too...'

He clicked his tongue inwardly and felt a wave of relief. 'Finally! It ended!'

Well, the banquet hadn't really ended but just began as the hosts were finally free to talk with the guests instead of only courtesies.

Jash didn't care about any of it, quite the contrary. Inside, he was actually smiling as the guests busied themselves, for their own reasons.

'This is the best chance!' He thought.

Recognizing the opportunity to scurry away, he seized it, and mingled into the crowd once the obligatory part of the event was over.

...

"Damn! Just my luck!"

Jash cursed his luck, glanced over his shoulder, and hurried his pace. He really didn't want to get entangled with another guest.

After several failed attempts to leave the main manor without alerting his parents, he finally escaped.

Yet every time someone or the other would coincidentally meet him and strike up a conversation, forcing him to return inside.

'But now I am free!'

Right when thought arose inside his mind, his body shuddered for an unknown reason.

'Just who did I offend in my past life to never be able to get rid of these coincidental meetings!?'

Without needing to be told, he turned around to see who 'coincidentally' met him, but his gaze shook when he saw who it was.

'H-how...?' His mind nearly shut down at the sight of the one person he didn't expect to see.

"Big brawthar Jash! Whare are you going?"

The mischievous, little devil with white hair and red eyes spoke in a cute, half-nonsense voice. Who else could it be but Amelia?

"I... Uhm, ahem," Jash coughed before coming up with an excuse, "Ahaha-ha, Ames, you see, big brother Jash has to go..."

"Yes, he has to go and check on his room! He forgot to close his lights!" he added, biting his lip, hoping she'd believe his lousy excuse.

"Oh? Is that sho?" Amelia tilted her head cutely before adding with a giggle, "Big brawthar is sho sthupid!"

Jash's lips twitched at her teasing, thinking, 'Yea, no way, she bought that.'

"Sigh, your big brother is really stupid. But that aside, how are you here? Does Amael know?" he asked.

When she flinched at the mention of Amael, Jash knew he was right and smiled. 'Gotcha! So easy!'

"He must be worried about you, I should send a message or maybe take you to him?" Jash asked, appearing thoughtful, placing his finger on his chin.

Seeing panic fill Amelia's watery eyes, he stifled a laugh as her little hand clung to his jacket's hem.

Since Amelia had just turned 7, she was quite small, just a little over a meter in height and barely reached his chest.

"I want tho be with brawthar. Pleassse!"

Her teary eyes and cute expression melted Jash's heart, and he sighed, taking her with him. But he didn't forget to signal a maid to inform Amael that Amelia was with him.

Looking at her walking happily beside him as if she had just avoided her worst fear, Jash wanted to tease her.

"By the way, where is my gift?" Jash asked suddenly, looking slightly down. Seeing him like that, Amelia panicked slightly, 'Oh no!'

Noticing her state, he clutched his chest and acted hurt, "Sniffle… Sniffle… It was okay if Aunty Evelia didn't bring me a gift… but to think even Ames didn't bring me a gift…"

'Hehe. Let's see what you do now!' thought Jash, smirking inwardly at his successful plan.

"Ah no! I-I… don't cry…" Amelia choked on her words as tears formed in her eyes before she suddenly recalled something. 'Wait, why am I in the wrong? Isn't he the one who made me wait for so long! Yess! It's his fault!'

Concluding everything to be Jash's fault, Amelia didn't mull over it and stopped in her tracks, confusing Jash.

"Big brawthar Jash! Hmph! It is obviously your fault for making me wait! I won't talk to you," she said, placing her hands on her hips.

Seeing the sudden change in her tone and the way she stuck her tongue out before harrumphing made Jash tense up as he realized his mistake. 'Damn! She forgot about it and I made her remember…'