Chapter 179 - birthday banquet

I simply grinned at that.

"Try it."

"You’ll see."

Amy looked at my grin, and excitement immediately appeared on her face.

She put on the ring and let some of her mana flow into it.

The moment she did, she understood that it was a Space Ring.

Her eyes flickered with surprise as she opened the storage space.

Inside was a mountain of food, ice cream, homemade dishes, and all kinds of other things.

She looked at me with wide eyes.

"This is full of food!"

I nodded.

"Take out a juice box."

She did as I asked and took out a juice box.

As soon as she held it, she noticed something strange.

Unlike normal stored food, it was still fresh and cool.

She looked at me suspiciously.

"Did you stock this just now?"

I almost stumbled.

Luna let out a light laugh before explaining.

"Sister Amy, this Space Ring works just like Gray’s Space Storage."

"No time flows inside."

"He learned how to make it because you’re leaving for the academy, and you might need fresh food at any time."

"So he planned it with me, and we made it together."

"Then, the entire day before yesterday, he made all kinds of food."

"He brought out most of his food stash and put it inside the ring so you’ll never run out of food at the academy."

Amy listened to everything.

Her eyes widened.

Then her expression slowly softened.

I stood there awkwardly.

Luna spilled way more than necessary.

I scratched the back of my head.

Amy smiled brighter than I had ever seen.

I had only seen that smile a couple of times before.

And every time, that smile had appeared because of something I did.

She suddenly came over and gave me a tight hug.

"Hmm."

"I really like your gift."

"You’re so thoughtful."

Luna simply watched from the side.

Mom and Grandma smiled at the sight as well.

I felt incredibly awkward.

Eventually, Amy let go and looked at the ring again.

She began exploring all the food inside it and gave me her comments on each one.

Then she asked how we had created it.

We briefly explained the process to her.

However, in the middle of our explanation, Aunt Evelyn and Cecilia came over to wish Amy a happy birthday.

Amy turned toward them and greeted them back.

After that, Cecilia stayed to talk with us while I went over to Aunt Evelyn.

"Hello, Aunt Evelyn."

"It’s been a while."

She nodded.

"Hmm."

"It has been a while, little Gray."

"You become more adorable as time passes."

I smiled.

"Thank you for the compliment."

She smiled before asking,

"So, I know you’re attached to your sister."

"Are you sad because she’s going to the academy?"

I shook my head.

"I’m a little sad."

"But I planned to go adventuring with Luna during that time."

"So it’s only another three years."

She smiled and nodded.

"Hmm."

"Adventuring, huh?"

"Isn’t that a little dangerous, little Gray?"

"After all, you two are still young."

I simply answered,

"Mom is sending someone to look after us."

She nodded.

Soon, Cecilia came over and greeted me as well.

Luna greeted her too.

I returned the greeting.

"Hello."

"It’s been a while since we last saw each other."

"I hope you’re doing well."

At a single glance, I could tell she was a hard worker.

She smiled and nodded.

"Hmm, yeah."

"I’m doing very well."

"Master takes very good care of me."

I nodded.

"Hmm, okay."

"Then enjoy the birthday."

"Don’t stress yourself."

"No one is going to judge you today."

"I presume you have a lot of responsibilities as a Saintess, so just relax and enjoy yourself."

Cecilia’s eyes widened slightly.

Aunt Evelyn heard that and nodded.

"Yeah."

"Cecilia, just enjoy today."

"You work hard enough fulfilling your duties."

Cecilia nodded and whispered,

"Thank you."

Then I pointed toward Luna.

"See?"

"She’s a princess, but she’s another slacker like me."

Luna’s eye twitched.

"Hey!"

"Don’t put me in the same position as you."

"I’m hardworking too."

I sneered.

"Must be in your dreams."

Luna glared at me.

We immediately started bickering.

Aunt Evelyn and Cecilia watched us.

For a moment, both of them were speechless.

Then they smiled.

Cecilia looked at her old friend.

Luna, who always kept her composure, had completely lost it in an instant and was happily bickering with me.

A subconscious smile appeared on Cecilia’s face.

She was happy to see Luna like this.

Eventually, I looked at them.

"Alright."

"We shouldn’t keep you here."

"Go and socialize or whatever."

"I don’t know how that stuff works."

"And I don’t like it."

Aunt Evelyn smiled.

"I can tell."

"Then, little Gray, I’ll see you around."

I nodded and greeted both her and Cecilia.

After that, Luna and I walked around the hall and enjoyed various things together.

While walking, I looked toward Amy.

Several members of the branch families were greeting her.

I almost felt like throwing up at the sight.

On their faces were smiles as they wished her a happy birthday.

But with one glance at their eyes, I could see the calculations behind those smiles.

Schemes.

So many schemes.

I decided to stay away from them.

Unfortunately for me, Mom called me over.

I looked toward Luna.

"Mom called me."

"Do you want to stay here, or come with me?"

"They look like branch family members."

"One glance is enough to tell me they’re living snacks, just waiting to bite someone or find fault with us so they can get a chance at becoming the family head."

Luna looked toward them.

Then, without hesitation, she smiled.

"I’ll come with you."

"It’s boring to stay here."

I nodded.

We headed toward Amy’s side, with Luna walking beside me.

As soon as we approached, some of the supposed family members around our age—or slightly older—looked toward Luna.

Their eyes immediately lit up with amazement.

And greed.

My face twisted into a deep frown.

I stepped in front of Luna and looked at them with a cold gaze.

They eventually shifted their attention toward me.

My eyes felt as cold as frost as I stared at them.

Mom then introduced them.

"Gray, these are your aunts."

"And these are your uncles."

I moved my gaze from them to my aunts and uncles and put on a polite expression.

"Hello, uncles and aunts."

"My name is Gray Starlight."

"It’s a pleasure to finally meet you."

They nodded and smiled.

"Hmm."

"It certainly is."

"It’s a pleasure to meet you as well, nephew."

I nodded and started a small conversation with them.

As we talked, I noticed them observing the interaction between Luna and me.

One of my aunts eventually asked,

"So, who is that beside you?"

One of the cousins who had been glancing at Luna stepped forward.

"Yeah, cousin."

I looked at him.

I could see the greed-filled look in his eyes.

He opened his mouth.

"Is she some—"

I cut him off immediately.

"She’s my fiancée."

"Luna."

Their eyes widened.

But that bastard didn’t give up.

He shamelessly continued.

"Oh, really, cousin?"

"Then you must protect her carefully."

"What if she falls for someone else?"

A dangerous smile appeared on my face.

Amy and Mom noticed it immediately.

They both sighed.

They knew that smile wasn’t a good sign.

I looked directly at him.

"Oh?"

"Thanks for your concern."

"But that isn’t necessary."

"She has eyes of her own."

"And as for falling for someone else..."

"That’s even more impossible."

"I haven’t found anyone who can compare to me for her yet."

"All I’ve seen is trash."

As I said the last word, I specifically looked at him.

I was practically daring him to do something.

"So why would I go around worrying about trash trying to steal my fiancée?"

"I can simply deal with them."

Luna covered her mouth and laughed softly.

Her laughter sounded like a silver bell.

Amy and Elena covered their mouths as well, trying not to laugh.

Grandma simply looked at me with approval.

Her expression seemed to say,

That’s my grandson.

The guy’s face turned purple with rage.

But he couldn’t do anything.

He could only mutter,

"We’ll see about that, cousin."

I smiled brightly.

"Yeah."

"We’ll see."

"I haven’t beaten someone to a pulp in a long time anyway."

Another cousin suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

He stepped between us and spoke.

"Cousin Gray, why are you talking so sarcastically?"

"Our other cousin was just pointing something out."

"Don’t get angry."

"After all, we’re all family."

"We should stay together."

My eyes widened.

What kind of green-tea man is this?

Am I going to have to deal with someone like this too?

I immediately ignored him.

I looked toward Mom.

"Mom."

"Luna said she wants some dessert."

"I want some too."

"So we’re going to get some."

"Amy can handle this."

I immediately grabbed Luna’s hand and rushed toward the dessert table.

The green-tea cousin called out to me.

I ignored him completely.

Then the aunt standing beside him spoke with a syrupy voice.

"Nephew Gray."

"Your cousin is talking to you."

"Why are you avoiding him?"

She stared at me as if she had the moral high ground.

She was clearly angry that I had ignored her precious green-tea son.

I stopped for a moment.

Then I slowly turned around and looked at her.

Throughout the entire exchange, Luna remained confused.

What dessert?

But she still cooperated with me.