Chapter 37 (2/2)

“But I feel that you are more impressive. You and Sir Mayop are like blood brothers.”

“I take after my mother more.”

“Your mother must be a graceful and gorgeous lady.”

“Actually, I don’t quite remember her appearance. She passed away when I was two.”

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have mentioned it.”

“It’s all right.”

Then, they finished the rest of the dance in silence. He returned to his seat during the pause. Defying his expectations, Asina followed him.

She sat next to him and found another topic. “My family is based in White Fish City. Our castle doesn’t have a name. I have a brother who is married to Lydia, Viscount Xavier’s daughter. They met in a ball in Taro Castle last year.”

“Well, that explains why your brother is not here today.” Liszt was not very interested.

“He and Lydia love each other very much.” Asina blinked. “My father is famous for his hospitality. Liszt, you should drop by if you have time.”

“I’m afraid I can’t. Since Grandpa is getting well, I’ll return to Coral Island tomorrow.”

“When will you come again?”

“The New Year.”

“Okay.”

Liszt and Asina had another dance when another song started. Then, he refused Asina’s request for more dances with the excuse that the dancing floor was too stuffy.

He roamed around the castle. When he returned, the ball had reached its end.

As the music stopped, Mayop announced the end of the ball. The nobles whose homes were nearby returned on wagons, and those far away went to the guest rooms under the lead of servants. Liszt was also ready to go back to his room.

But Asina came to him again and said, “Good night, Liszt.”

“Good night, Asina.”

Before he left, Mayop approached him. “Liszt, did you have a good time with Asina?”

“We only had two dances.”

“I can tell that Asina is interested in you. What’s on your mind?”

“Nothing.”

Realizing that Liszt was not joking, Mayop nodded. “All right, got it. Have a good rest. Right, Grandfather said that he would give you a gift for your coming of age. He’s always regretful that he didn’t attend the ceremony, and he hopes that a gift can make up for it.”

“Grandfather is too generous.”

“Good night.”

“Good night.”

…

The hour was late, but Liszt couldn’t go to sleep. He wondered what the marquis’s gift could be. It couldn’t be anything cheap.

Maybe a magic sword?

The gifts from seniors to juniors were mostly weapons, an implication that knights must earn their glory with blades and spears.

The marquis’s gift, should it be a weapon, must be a magic one.

Magic weapons were very rare. He had never used any yet. So, the more he thought about it, the more excited he became. His excitement was also partly due to Asina, who apparently hinted that she liked him and wanted to be a baron’s wife.

It’s always a delightful thing to be liked by a beautiful lady.