Rahil was about to curse Ryder when a loud shout stunned them all.
"What is happening here! This is a place of Celebration, not a place of war! Please be a good guest and don't create noise. Everyone go back to your seats," someone from the Silva Clan arrived and scolded Rahil.
Rahil was furious, but he calmed down as Major General Raul patted his shoulders.
"He's right. It's a place of Celebration. Let's get to our seats. Don't argue here," he said.
Major General Raul went to his table with Rahil.
****
Everyone had settled down, and almost all seats were filled when the door on the other side of the main hall was opened.
A group of people walked inside; all of them were wearing white robes.
The man in the lead was an old man who seemed like he was in his seventies. Behind him, two middle-aged men were walking with their wives. And behind them, a girl was walking.
Ryder was shocked as he saw the face of the girl. The girl had deep blue eyes like the sea. He had brunette hair that seemed to suit her. The girl seemed to have a height of five and a half feet.
She was wearing a blue skirt that came down to her knees and a white t-shirt. Over it all, she donned a white robe.
"Brother Ryder, are you interested in her?"
Shu noticed Ryder looking at the girl and smiled as he asked Ryder.
" Who is she?" Ryder asked Shu.
"How would I know. It's not like I come here daily. Amongst all those people, I have only met the man in the lead. He's Master Rulai Silva. He is the head of the Silva Family. If I were to guess, the people behind him should be his sons, daughters-in-law, or maybe his daughters and sons-in-law. The girl you were gawking at, should be his granddaughter," Shu informed Ryder.
" The young miss of the Silva Family? How could she…" Ryder muttered as he frowned.
"Everyone, I would like to welcome all of you here," the old man took the center of the stage as he greeted everyone.
"As you all know, today is the 21st birthday of my daughter, and it's a small party I threw to celebrate that. I am grateful that you all took the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this old man's happiness," he added.
" Anyway, let's not delay it further. I would like to introduce my little family to you. This here is my Eldest son Samuel and his wife, Samantha. He's my Second Son Milam and his wife, Daila."
The old man known as Murai Silva introduced the two middle-aged men and their wives that were standing behind them.
"And lastly, My beautiful Granddaughter, Keia. She is the daughter of my Eldest Son, Samuel. It's her birthday today. Please give her your best wishes," Murai Silva said to everyone.
Everybody started wishing Keia a happy birthday. Shu also wished her.
Keia looked in the direction of Ryder with a weird look on her face.
"Happy Birthday to you," Ryder also wished her.
Soon, the cake was brought on the stage. The Cake was a giant Five Storey Cake with a diameter of 50 centimeters.
Keia took the knife in his hand and started cutting the cake.
****
Everyone walked up to Keia and gave her the birthday gifts that they had brought.
The Elders of the Silva Clan were standing talking with the guests. Only Keia was on the stage, getting gifts.
Soon, it was Shu and Ryder's turn to give gifts.
"Here, give her the gift of the Maxwell Family. You like her; you can talk to her this way," Shu gave a small box in Ryder's hand subtly.
Ryder smiled wryly as he nodded his head.
He walked up to the stage with Shu.
"A small gift for the birthday girl from the Maxwell Family. Happy Birthday," Ryder said to Keia as he gave her the gifts.
"Thank you," Keia thanked Ryder.
"This gift deserved to be in your hands. You know, a thief stole this gift from me today in the town outside. I had to chase after him to get the gift back. Fortunately, I was able to get it back," Ryder said in a low voice that only Keia would be able to hear.
"Lies. I stole your pur-" Keia immediately responded but closed her mouth. She was relieved that no one heard. Shu was standing at some distance.
"So it was indeed you, my cute little thief. Don't you feel any shame doing this despite being so rich?" Ryder asked as he smiled wryly.
"Don't you feel any shame chasing after a thief for a small purse despite being so rich?" Keia replied as she rolled her eyes.
"That's fair enough. Have a fun birthday. Also, I must say, it was fun chasing after you," Ryder did as he winked at Keia jokingly before he turned back and walked back to his seat.
"This man," Keia muttered under her breath.
Major General Raul and his son also presented the gifts.
The whole event only lasted for an hour. The gifting ceremony had ended.
****
"Everyone, We have also organized a little ball dance and a nice dinner after that. But first, you all should have lunch. Our chefs have created some incredible dishes using our ancient herbs. It would be good for your body, and it would increase your strength as well. After you have lunch, you can take a tour of our mansion as a walk after eating. Just make sure you don't try to open any doors that are closed. We'll return for the ball dance after two hours," Murai Silva informed everyone before leaving with Keia and others.
****
"They left? I didn't know what to expect but birthday celebrations are like this, it's interesting. The first part seemed normal, but lunch and a ball party then dinner. It seems a weird celebration pattern. Or maybe it's different in the world of the rich?" Ryder asked Shu.
"Nah, it's definitely odd. It's a weird pattern of celebration. Still, every family has their own tradition. I don't think we can comment. Just enjoy the good," Shu told Ryder.
Soon, the food was served. It seemed like a dish that was entirely made of herbs.
Ryder ate the food, and he was surprised to see that it was tastier than it looked. Ryder could also see that it was good for health as he heard a notification resounded in his head that his health was permanently increased by one point after he finished eating.
