Chapter 35: Birthday
Chapter 35: Birthday
The morning sun shone as Karl stood before the dressing mirror, meticulously adjusting his collar and cuffs. Today, he donned a wide-brimmed hat, a woolen overcoat, a black vest, trousers, and leather boots. His attire resembled the Byzantine style from his past life, enhanced with exquisite and intricate embroidery. This entire outfit cost him one gold pound and three shillings, an amount that would take an ordinary family a whole year to save.
The price was high, but the effect was worth it. Karl's rugged features and burn scars gave him a fierce and unapproachable appearance, but this outfit transformed his demeanor into that of a refined and successful individual.
As Karl opened the door, Jenny had already prepared breakfast. Whenever possible, Karl never skimped on himself, and with newfound wealth, he had instructed Mary and her daughter to improve the quality of their meals. This additional expense was insignificant to him, but it ensured a pleasant start to each day.
The dining table was laden with milk and cereal, bread and jam, dried fruits, and cold-cut ham... A lavish breakfast befitting a respectable noble.
"Good morning, Baron Karl," Jenny greeted, setting down a fruit plate and looking at him curiously. "Are you attending a banquet?" She asked, intrigued by his unusual attire.
"Hmm," Karl nodded. "Today is Evangeline's birthday."
"Oh!" Jenny recalled the delicate and beautiful girl, like a porcelain doll, and nodded. "Are you free tonight?"
"Why?" Karl paused with his knife and fork, looking up at her. "Is something the matter?"
"Hmm," Jenny blushed, retrieving two tickets from her person, still warm from her body heat. "Today is my first official performance, and I'd like you to come and bring a friend."
"Congratulations," Karl smiled, taking the tickets and glancing at them. He was surprised and exclaimed, "The Vium Opera House?"
This wasn't an ordinary concert hall; it was one of the top three venues in Sigono City, hosting grand ceremonies and events.
"Yes," Jenny clasped her hands, her face flushed. "The Baro Opera Group has been invited to perform at the Vium Opera House in preparation for the Divine Birthday."
"The leader said that if I do well today, I'll be officially inducted into the group to sing hymns on the Divine Birthday."
"That's wonderful," Karl nodded. "I knew you'd make it one day, but I didn't expect to see you at the Opera House so soon."
"I'll definitely be there!" Jenny beamed.
She had performed before, but only in smaller venues, and she hadn't specifically invited Karl. This time, she wanted to surprise him.
As Karl left, Jenny clenched her small fists, her face filled with excitement. "This time, I'll make you proud."
"Five pence."
The night before, it had rained, and due to Sigono City's inadequate infrastructure, puddles dotted the ground.
After paying the fare, Karl carefully navigated around the puddles, striding towards the hotel ahead. Even before reaching the hotel, the sound of commotion filled his ears.
"You hang out with a bunch of scumbags all day and hire prostitutes for fun!" Kinsey shouted. "Look at the clothes in the living room; they're all sticky! It's disgusting!"
"And you have the right to talk about me?" A familiar voice responded. "Which of my friends hasn't slept with you? You're just a whore, a slut, and a bitch!"
"Who are you calling that?"
"Shut up!"
"Clang..."
"Clatter..."
The roars and curses intertwined, occasionally interrupted by shouts and cries of pain.
"Stop fighting, please stop!"
Evangeline, dressed in a princess gown, tears welling up in her eyes, looked on helplessly at the scene before her. She cried out and rushed forward, pleading, "Today is my birthday, please stop fighting!"
"Ah!"
Suddenly, someone exerted force, pushing her back repeatedly, and she was about to crash into the liquor cabinet.
"Careful!"
Karl appeared just in time, reaching out to stop Evangeline, his face filled with surprise as he looked towards the commotion.
"What's going on here?"
This was supposed to be a joyous birthday celebration, but now it had turned into a chaotic brawl, with everyone, including relatives and other guests, entangled in the fight. Even the hotel staff couldn't break them apart.
Karl knew these relatives didn't get along well, but he never expected it to escalate to this extent, with each person fighting without holding back.
Even the women were tearing at each other like madwomen.
"Waa..." Evangeline, looking terrified and helpless, burst into tears and buried her face in Karl's chest. "Cousin Karl, waa..."
"Never mind."
Karl shook his head.
"Let's get them to stop first."
"You sit down and rest."
After settling Evangeline, Karl flashed into the center of the chaos, grabbing one person and tossing them aside effortlessly.
With his formidable physique and immense strength, he sent everyone flying with a single move, and within moments, the entire room fell silent.
Everyone was panting heavily, except for Karl, who stood in the center with an unchanging expression, even adjusting his tie.
"So..."
Scanning the room, he spoke slowly, "What's going on here?"
"Divorce!"
Suddenly, a man roared, "We're getting a divorce today!"
Karl recognized him as Kinsey's husband and his own cousin-in-law, a good-looking man.
Initially, Kinsey had married him, disregarding her family's objections, because of his appearance.
Unfortunately,
Their marriage wasn't the sweet fairytale depicted in books. Instead, they constantly bickered over trivial matters.
Within two years, they had separated, and their marital relationship existed only in name.
Every time they were together, arguments ensued, and this occasion seemed no different.
"Go ahead and divorce!"
Kinsey, dressed in a fierce manner, shouted, "I shouldn't have married you in the first place!"
"We should've divorced long ago," said Gjeril, Kinsey's father, a stout man with small eyes, without trying to stop them. Instead, he scoffed, "My daughter has been married to you for so many years; you should provide some compensation."
"Compensation?" Josi, Kinsey's husband, sneered upon hearing this, "Your family is truly eccentric, but rest assured, I'm willing to do anything as long as we divorce. I won't even ask for the manor in East City."
"That manor isn't worth much anyway," Kinsey said disdainfully and dismissively. "Don't think I don't know about the money you have in the bank, which includes a portion of mine."
"Nonsense..."
"Then let's settle this properly."
Karl shook his head, ignoring their argument, and approached Evangeline to give her a birthday gift.
"Happy birthday."
"Cousin."
Evangeline sniffled and nodded, her face red from crying.
"Thank you."
Karl turned to look at Evangeline's disheveled hair, his gaze lingering on the familiar hairpin.
"It's a birthday gift from my sister," Evangeline explained, removing the hairpin. Her voice quivered as she added, "She said she spent a lot of money on it, and I love it."
"Is that so?"
Karl seemed pensive, "As long as you like it."
Turning to look at Kinsey, who resembled a madwoman, he couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head.
People,
are always complicated.
"Cousin."
He raised his hand to signal, "I'm planning to buy a house soon, so why don't you sell me the manor in East City?"
"The price is negotiable."
(End of Chapter)
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