NOVEL WEB Chapter 25: Shocking Gift
Everything seemed like a slow-paced movie before Asher's eyes as he watched the beautiful woman, who was once a petite young girl, move through the crowd and sit on the right-hand side of her father, William Tigris.
William Tigris had sons, but they were worthless compared to Liya. She was a mage with an S-grade talent, and she also formed an alliance between their family and the Nubis family. This feat couldn't be replicated by any of his sons, who were just swordsmen.
Slade Nubis stood before the long desk where Liya, her father, and her brothers sat and bowed toward William Tigris. "Father-in-law." He chuckled.
Willam and most nobles burst into laughter, but their breaths went cold in the next second as Slade took a beautiful golden box from a servant and presented it before the Tigris family.
Liya's ocean-blue eyes revealed hints of shock and anticipation. As her father handed it over to her, she opened the gorgeous box and saw a blue gem.
"It was created by the best in the capital and custom-made for a certain beautiful ice mage."
He winked at Liya.
Asher watched him take the gem and place it in the middle of Liya's palm. The moment it touched her palm, tiny chains came out and frost claws appeared on her fingernails!
It looked like a bracelet and, at the same time, a unique type of gauntlet.
"With that gauntlet, your magic output would increase by twofold."
Gasp!
Gasps filled the hall. Everyone could see that the item was a magical one, and it was of the silver rank. Silver-ranked magical items were extremely rare and about ten times more expensive than other items of the same rank because they were meant for mages.
"Flower Swordsman…"
"Commander Philip, son of General..."
After Slade sat beside Liya, other nobles came up to present gifts, some to Liya, some to Slade, some to William, and a few to his sons.
After a while, it was finally Asher's turn.
"Baron Asher Ashbourne, grandson of the Winter Shura and son of the Snow Swordsman!" The man calling names said with a loud voice.
Upon hearing those names, everyone in the hall focused their attention on the man in a wheelchair being pushed by his bodyguard.
No family, not even the counts, had such a powerful title. However, everyone knew it was befitting for the warrior nobles, the great Ashbournes, but their glory was now in the past. Asher's father, James Ashbourne, was once the Snow Swordsman. Unfortunately, after his wife died, he became useless.
When Liya saw the handsome young man in a wheelchair, her eyes trembled.
Asher bowed his head and lifted it back up. "Welcome back to the north, Liya Tigris."
There was an undercurrent uproar when the nobles heard the word, the north. That was the glorious name of the wastelands once had.
Alex walked up the stairs and placed a polished wooden box on the table.
"Couldn't you get any other box other than a wooden one? Is this what the Ashbournes have been reduced to?" A noble scowled.
William Tigris peered into Asher's eyes and took the box. Clearly, he did not want his daughter to lay her hands on a mere piece of wood.
"Maybe we shouldn't open it in public to avoid... some problems," Slade said amicably.
"Why is the Duke's son helping him? We all opened our gifts in public; since he dared bring one, let him open it." Baron Tyre's tone dripped with venom.
William's acute hearing caught hold of those words, and he gave it back to Alex.
"Open it."
Alex's expression changed. Handing the present back to him was a huge slap to his lord's face, and this was done before several noble families. He could hear the soft giggles of noble women. They were obviously mocking his lord!
Alex clenched his teeth.
"Alex, open it."
Asher's calm voice fell into his ears, causing him to reign in his anger.
As Alex opened it, a cool breeze gushed into the room, causing people's hair to flutter gently.
Swoosh!
Chime! Chime!
Soft, soothing chimes came seemingly from the four corners of the hall. The atmosphere changed instantly, and everyone's eyes were glued to the bracelet that floated out of the wooden box and suspended midair.
"A magical item that doesn't need Magi Force to work!" Baron Flameheart gasped, his cup threatening to fall off his grasp.
"It must have been locked in there for so long that it couldn't help but float out after being freed. I apologize for the inconvenience."
Asher said with a bow, but his words this time made the nobles unable to describe their feelings.
Unlike Slade's silver-ranked item, Asher's was perfect for a woman. It was both captivating and brought a certain charm that would suit a woman, making her stand out among others.
Many noble women already had a glint in their eyes.
"Close it."
Asher's voice rang, and Alex closed the box. Even he was shocked at the kind of item his lord brought. A proud smile crept up his face as he dropped the box and descended from the platform without an ounce of respect.
Asher and Liya's eyes met, but there was no flicker in Asher's eyes, for he realized something. He was meant to be much bigger than everyone here, and no heartbreak was strong enough to keep a knot in his heart.
With the system, the might of the Ashbournes would return. This gift was the nudge that loosened the knot, allowing him to let go of the pain in his heart.
Even while Liya gazed at him, he only maintained the same smile he had before Alex pushed him away.
....
Several young nobles and prestigious swordsmen were dancing on the dance floor with their partners. Slade and Liya occupied the middle, and many were dazzled by them, but when Liya's eyes wandered about, she couldn't see those peculiar golden eyes.
The owner of those eyes was at the balcony at this moment looking at the massive city that was still bustling even when it was night!
Asher squinted as he gazed down at Tiger City. In the middle of this great city stood a huge white tiger sculpture.
"Alex, do you know why the Count family built that tiger?"