Capítulo 159: An Invitation
[Humans are so quick to adapt to situation.]
I guess those words are true. I can no longer deny it as I've experienced it countless times.
The most recent proof to that sentence would be how me and my friends quickly adapted to Riviera's current predicament—getting involved in the skirmishes between Naraka and Cielle that sometimes the atmosphere turned gloomy.
Well, as I said before, it didn't affect our daily lives so much, so I guess that was how we were so quick to put that in the back of our minds.
Finally, another year had passed.
Sadly for me, Luca turned a year older way faster than me.
Sigh!
I am definitely the more mature one, so why is the world so unfair?
-
As Month 2 had just passed, I thought that I'd have to wait for quite a while before I could celebrate another birthday of those close to me… I mean, Iris and Leticia's birthdays would come soon on Month 5!
…Ah, Month 4 was my birthday… yes, 'was'.
I had a mixed feeling about my birthday, as at some point in my life as Reinst, I stopped having any expectation for my birthday, and felt like I didn't want to celebrate my birthday—though people used to say that a person's birthday should be their happiest day… It was the day they were born to this world, after all.
That being said, I still unconsciously looked over the date and counted for my past birthday—for Reinst's birthday. I even specifically requested some cakes or food on Day 13 Month 4—it was the food I loved as Reinst.
(PS: My current preference differed from my past self's to some degree, life was so strange, huh? Here I thought I could love the same food even if I was reincarnated.)
At least, that was what I could do to celebrate my past self's birthday. No one in this family questioned my request, as I would sometimes also ask for specific food…
Everyone even said that among all who lived in this house, I was the 'food maniac'.
…But guys, have you realized that sometimes I don't have any appetite and just eat for the sake of survival??
Please, realize this side of me, too?
*Ahem*!
Anyway, since I didn't expect to celebrate the others' birthdays before Iris and Leti's, the sudden arrival of an unexpected invitation baffled me.
"Lyra, how's school going? Do you have any big event at school around Day 27 Month 3?"
Dad suddenly asked me one day at the beginning of Month 3. His expression was quite complicated, so I wasn't sure what he was getting at…
"Uh… School is fine… Dad, I can manage just fine. What's wrong? Are we going to have any event on Day 27 Month 3? Did something happen?"
Unable to comprehend if it would be a good or a bad thing, I asked as I tilted my head.
"Dad, what about me?" Alt-nii suddenly asked in curiosity.
"Well, Altaire… You can choose not to go if you don't want. But as for Lyra… This… This…," Dad suddenly turned speechless, making the whole matter seem more mysterious to me.
"Eh? What's it, Dad?"
Come on, don't do this to me! You know that your little daughter is one curious cat, right?
At that time, Mom chuckled.
"Come on, Cyan! How can you not explain something as simple as this?" Mom jokingly slapped Dad's shoulders, and Dad could only show a bitter smile.
Eh? What is it, what is it?
"Lyra, we've got an invitation. Remember the Loera family?" Mom asked.
TING!
Suddenly, something clicked in my head.
Clyde's birthday had already passed… Ah, come to think of it, I didn't attend to his birthday parties. Dad was usually the one who appeared, since they were fellow dukes.
Nicole's birthday was at the second half of the year… so… that could only mean…
MY NEPHEW!!
Right, Clyde and Nicole had a son!!
They even brought his name up in one of our conversations…
Uhm, let me browse the folders in my mind…
Come on, Lyra, you're still a small child, aged not even 8 yet. You should have a fresh and good memory!!
"Ah, could it be the Loera family's son—Ein's birthday?" I asked after recalling the nickname that either Nicole or Clyde said before.
"Eh? You already know of their son, Lyra?" Dad's expression wasn't good…
For the sake of my overprotective Daddy, I should try to coax him!!
"Eh, well, Clyde-san or Nicole-san mentioned about him to me before, and I kinda remember his name…"
"As expected of Lyra, you can even remember the name well, though they just mentioned it briefly!" Mom suddenly said full of pride.
"…What else did they say when they mentioned their son to you?" Dad was still suspicious…
"Uh… Nothing? I don't remember," I tried to play safe here!
"Whoa, Loera family's son?!" Alt-nii chimed in.
"Mmhm. He's turning six years old this month… or on Day 27 Month 3, to be more precise. As usual, the Loera family sent us an invitation… And you see," Mom glanced a little at Dad.
Dad remained with his bitter smile, as if he didn't really want to break the news to me.
"In the letter, they specifically requested you to come, Lyra! They must have really liked you—"
Mom, Mom, Mom, please pick another word!! Don't trigger Dad any more than this!!!
"Is that why I can choose not to come and you asked Lyra, Mom, Dad?" Alt-nii asked.
"Yeah, though the six birthday is quite important that most nobles should come, but they will understand if you are sick or too preoccupied with school," Mom explained the basic rule again.
"You don't really need to fulfill those formalities if you don't feel like it, Alt, Lyra. You'll just do fine, and I can just represent the whole family," Dad suddenly said.
…Uhh, right. Dad played hokey back during his childhood, revolting against the family and always gave any kind of excuses to not attend the noble parties.
Hence, he was notorious as the [mysterious Hartmann's second son] during his era… Many gossips were there about him—but most of the gossips arose due to the fact that he was the son of the Hartmann family.
Oh well, I knew that there were some nobles that also didn't attend these kinds of parties so often, so much for the unsaid rule of "you must attend"!!!
"I don't mind! I'm quite curious about the North territory, Mom, Dad!!" Alt-nii enthusiastically replied.
"Uhm… I'd like to come as well, Mom, Dad!!" I quickly added.
"Really? It won't exhaust you that it might hinder your school?" Dad reluctantly asked.
"…You're overthinking it, Cyan. The children want to go, so we should just go together. I'll send a reply to the Loera family," Mom settled everything decisively.
While it might be true that I felt awkward and nervous whenever I had to meet Clyde and Nicole—put an emphasis on Nicole—I still want to come.
After all, considering that I was Reinst… That kid—Ein, he would be my nephew.
Besides, I couldn't imagine the child of Nicole and Clyde, so I must see him at all cost.
…Last thing! I wonder how much has the Loera family's residence changed? I visited Nicole several times before…
Based on my memories, the North territory is one wealthy territory! The North area is like the center of trades in Riviera, although the Capitol is the capital of Riviera country, where the ruler resides. The North territory's development is credited to the Loera family who's so good at thinking of strategies. Strategies to develop their territory, to be more precise.
Now that I think about it, one of the Loera clan members is the current chancellor. Well, the Loera family values knowledge the most—and they are called as the clan of traders or scholars.
…How could Clyde—who originated from a swordsman family such as Grabberton—be accepted into Loera family?
...Eeh well, Clyde was a bright kid back then, though it was mostly due to the pressure of getting the "heir" title. He couldn't be falling behind the standard that much, so he was "passable"?
REFLEXIONES DE LOS CREADORES 
LynneSuzuran
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