Elf Lord, intelligence updated daily.

Chapter 18 Alan's Birthday Party

Riel was somewhat surprised to notice Xuefu's actions.

Anyone who knows Loren knows how bad his reputation is.

Didn't Xuefu hate Loren the most? When did they become so close?
Celine had the same idea.

Xuefu even cried during her engagement.

I heard she wasn't doing very well in Shashi Town. Why would she suddenly be showing affection to me?

"Mother, I have some questions I'd like to ask you privately. Is now a good time?" Xuefu asked softly.

"of course."

Xuefu looked at Loren and said, "You chat with your brother for a while, I'll be back later."

“Mm.” Lorraine nodded.

Xuefu and Mrs. Celine left.

Baron Riel looked at Loren with a puzzled expression. "It seems that you and Xuefu have been getting along quite well lately."

"Yes, Xuefu is very good to me."

“I’ve heard many rumors about you,” Baron Riel said, his eyes scrutinizing her.

"Rumors should not be believed."

"Better so."

Rilton paused, then continued, "What's the situation in Sandstone Town now? How is it developing?"

"If Your Excellency has the time, you are welcome to visit Sandstone Town in person."

Shashi Town remains underdeveloped.

Harvesting rye and barley worms can only guarantee the food supply for the residents.

It will take some time for them to escape poverty and become prosperous.

Loren believed that it wouldn't be long before Sandstone Town would take on a completely different look.

After a while, Xuefu returned to Loren's side.

Her little face was flushed, and she secretly glared at Loren, seemingly having learned quite a bit.

As the guests gradually arrived, the banquet officially began.

The guests took their seats in order of their status and position.

As hosts, Alan and Viscount Rose sat at the high table.

Next came Lady Serene, Riel, and Shirley.

Finally, there are Alan's other friends.

Alan stood up and gave a speech, "Welcome everyone to my twentieth birthday party. I hope you all have a great time."

After he finished speaking, the servants began to serve the dishes.

The menu includes appetizers, main courses, and desserts.

The menu includes meat, fish, bread, fruit, and Rose Castle's signature pastry, rose cake.

The beverage is wine or mead.

During the meal, bards and musicians perform to entertain the guests.

Loren silently noted down these details.

It might come in handy when we hold a wedding or other banquet.

If it were a banquet in Shashi Town, the dishes on the table would certainly be more abundant.

Meat shouldn't just be grilled meat.

When he gets back, he'll have to teach the chef how to cook properly.

In addition, we also need to prepare a variety of local snacks.

Drinks should not consist solely of wine or mead.

There should at least be a variety of fruit juices, right?
It would be great if we could grow watermelons.

After the meal, Alan offered a suggestion.

"Now that we've eaten and drunk our fill, how about we play a little game and have a friendly knightly duel?"

The guests in the audience expressed their agreement.

All the performers were men.

The sparring was a friendly exchange, using wooden swords, and both sides tacitly refrained from using their fighting spirit.

Alan looked at Loren, "Loren, your brother-in-law is here today too. I've heard that the Silver Moon family has exceptional knightly talent. Won't you step up and have a match, brother-in-law?"

She proposed the knights' duel just to take the opportunity to mock Loren.

The Silver Moon family is full of geniuses, but Loren is utterly ignorant and incompetent.

Xuefu saw through Ailan's thoughts and her brows furrowed slightly.

It's a simple swordsmanship contest, without any battle aura. Loren has never even learned swordsmanship.

He had previously focused on physical training and meditation.

In terms of swordsmanship, how could Loren be a match for a proper knight?

Loren helplessly spread his hands. "Miss Alan, you've come to the wrong person. For a knightly duel, you should be asking my sister."

"Are you afraid to go on stage because you're afraid of bringing shame to the Silver Moon family?"

"What if we really bring shame to the family and they come knocking on our door?"

Everyone's expressions changed.

Alan came to her senses and dared not speak.

She then realized how foolish her decision had been.

Viscount Rose quickly smoothed things over, "Today's duel is just a friendly exchange, nothing to take seriously. Just enjoy the show. Alan, what other games have you prepared? Let me see them."

Ailan seized the opportunity to back down and dared not target Loren any further.

Loren was, after all, the son of Earl Loton, and no matter how incompetent he was, he was not to be ridiculed by outsiders.

After the game ended, everyone presented gifts to Alan.

Some are precious jewels, and some are exquisite works of art.

Xuefu calmly presented the music box.

Alan was stunned.

She knew that Xuefu couldn't give anything good as a gift.

But these music boxes that can be seen everywhere on the street seem a bit too perfunctory, don't they?

“My dear sister, have you fallen so low that you can’t even afford a decent gift?”

Xuefu knew that Ailan would make sarcastic remarks.

She didn't care at all.

No matter what gift you give, Alan will always find fault with it.

She might as well send the cheapest one.

Celine hadn't expected Xuefu's gift to be so casual. "Xuefu, Alan is your sister, how could you be so perfunctory?"

Baron Riel did know some of the inside story.

Has the relationship between Alan and Xuefu deteriorated to this extent?

Loren then said, "Miss Elan, why don't you open the music box and take a look first?"

Alan felt disdain.

What kind of tricks can you make out of an ordinary music box?
Open the music box, and melodious, cheerful music begins to play.

At the same time, the words "Happy Birthday" appeared above the music box.

Because it is an illusion created by magic, the same text is seen from any direction.

Everyone looked shocked.

"This is... a magical item?"

Magical items are as rare as magicians and wizards.

Everyone looked at Xuefu.

Baron Riel asked, "Sherry, where did you buy this music box?"

Xuefu's expression was somewhat strange.

Isn't this just a music box with three gold coins that you can see everywhere on the street?
How did it become a magical item?

She suddenly remembered that just two days ago, Loren had been playing with the music box.

Did he discover the secret of the music box back then?
wrong!

How could such a magical music box only cost 3 gold coins?
Could the illusion above have been created by Loren?
How did he do it?
Xuefu quickly came up with an excuse, "I bought this from a mysterious merchant. The phantom of the blessing on it is just right to give to my sister as a birthday gift."

“It seems Mother misunderstood you; I didn’t expect you to be so thoughtful,” said Lady Celine.

Xuefu didn't expect to put in so much effort.

After presenting their gifts, everyone stood up to offer their blessings, and then left after the banquet.

Before leaving, Lady Celine found Loren.

I don't know what Xuefu said, but Mrs. Celine's expression was strange.

"Loren, when do you and Shirley plan to get married?"

"Once Shashi Town has developed, we will definitely hold a grand event, and then we will invite Mrs. Celine to attend."

"I hope I won't have to wait too long."

(End of this chapter)