Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 203 - 190 It’s Kevin’s Fault

Kevin hummed a delightful tune and sat down at the dinner table. As the song ended, his once haughty fiancee also lost interest in dancing, granting him release. Although he was entangled by the old man for a while after, the conversation between father and son was genuinely comforting.

"Who is that lady, and her dance partner, I remember, seems like a classmate of yours?"

"My sister, what about it?"

"She has a certain quality, not just simple beauty, she’s quite noble."

"She is a hereditary countess of Naranya, what do you say?" Kevin recalled the conversation he had at Hamlet with Lyle, silently ridiculing his father, who was two ranks lower than his grandfather.

"...Your judgment of people is indeed not bad," Baron Borey’s eyes showed a mix of melancholy and relief.

Kevin smiled, his father had finally acknowledged his brother Lyle, even though it was by association with him.

At that moment, Kevin’s smile grew more audacious. Old man, the Lyle I fancy is stronger than you, and your favored William is now my brother. What do you have to compete with me, hahahaha.

Such satisfaction called for a big hunk of meat!

Everyone was captivated by Alianna and Lyle’s dance moves;, nobody paid attention to the oldest son of the Borey Family, ha, I can finally relax for a while. Kevin chewed vigorously, puffing his cheeks, as the delicious taste in his mouth blended with the joy in his heart, making it even better—it was his lucky night!

"Kevin..." A figure as terrifying as his own father called out from behind him.

Mr. Ralph, holding the adorable girl, sat down beside Kevin.

Under the table, Kevin’s legs trembled a bit, and he put on a smile. "What is it, Mr. Ralph?"

The cute little girl in Ralph’s arms watched him intently with wide eyes, her gaze fixated on the meat chops on his plate, and her chubby little hands reached out towards them.

"This is Nia, she’s Lyle’s daughter, have you met her?"

"I have met her, I know Nia." Of course, he was all too familiar with her; when she played with highwaymen as if they were water sprinklers, he was right there. Wasn’t that enough to recognize her? If he couldn’t, he might as well twist his head off. To speak of his daughter—she was certainly the closest to Lyle. "What about it, Mr. Ralph, you doubt Nia’s identity?"

Ralph looked at his adorable girl and handed her a fork and knife to play with, "No, I’m convinced that Nia is definitely Lyle’s child. I have an intuition that she has the blood of the Butler Family, this is how my grandniece should be. But, I’m puzzled about that girl beside Lyle; she’s outstanding, outstanding in an unrealistic way, and I’m curious, how did they meet?"

Mr. Ralph’s gaze shifted to Kevin who got the hint; Ralph considered him a matchmaker for Lyle. But for the sake of Lyle’s happiness, he decided to play along. "Ah-ha, you’ve caught me, Mr. Ralph. Actually, Alianna was indeed introduced to Lyle by me; we met during our time at the Eiffel Academy. Yes, Miss Alianna Naslan is indeed a noble friend I’m acquainted with. Shortly after I introduced her to Lyle, they confirmed their relationship, and maybe not long after that, Nia was born."

"Is that so? But Nia looks to be five or six years old?"

"Ah... ah-ha! Nia just appears older, she was raised by the Naslan Family in better conditions, and developed a bit earlier. It’s common among nobility."

"Is it? Then why don’t you appear very big?"

Kevin took a deep breath, hanging his head low, "Because I was a picky eater as a kid, didn’t get enough nutrition, so I don’t look very big now." Kevin then gestured dismissively, "Don’t worry about Alianna’s intentions, they really like each other, their relationship is very good."

Ralph stroked his chin, "So, that little rascal Lyle has been staying out all night recently, indeed heading for secret rendezvous with Alianna?"

Kevin spun another tale, "Right! Absolutely! After the Eiffel Academy closed down, they lost their secret meeting place, so they had to sneak together at night, you know, romance between nobility and commoners needs to be discreet. Really, I’ve kept watch for them a few times!"

"You, a noble’s son, kept watch for Lyle’s secret meetings?"

"Isn’t it because Lyle and I are close? Like iron-clad brothers."

Ralph nodded his head, "Well then, take care of Nia for a while, I have to leave for some time."

"All right."

——————————

Mr. Gareth’s banquet was originally very enjoyable.

Until his damn subordinate appeared once again.

"Mr. Gareth, I have a grandniece now!" Ralph’s face sported a twisted smile that was even more terrifying than the one he had when interrogating criminals. The wine in his mouth suddenly tasted off. As a competent supervisor, Gareth congratulated him. "Congratulations, Ralph, becoming a grandfather so soon, the Butler family is truly flourishing."

After Ralph left, it wasn’t long before he appeared again.

"I’m a grandfather now!"

Gareth’s mouth twitched as he looked at the subordinate with that strange grin, almost choking on the food in his throat.

Suppressing the urge to explode, he replied with a strained smile, "Congratulations, Ralph."

The third time.

"My grandniece is so adorable!"

Gareth burst out!

"You damn son of a bitch, I know you’re happy, I know I’m the only one in your barren circle of friends with whom you can talk, and I know your grandniece is indeed very cute! But you son of a bitch! You’ve repeated yourself three times in front of me within ten minutes! If you appear one more time! I’ll carve ’Grandniece is really cute’ into your face with a knife, you damn bastard!"

——————————

Kevin looked worriedly at the seemingly innocent little girl beside him who was chewing the piece of meat on her fork. Watching Nia’s cheeks puff up as she chewed, he silently prayed. Nia, don’t give yourself away, please act like a little girl should. Use the knife and fork with proficiency, as a noble child should, not out of place; eat a whole steak, noble children have large appetites, not out of place; pour a glass of red wine, you little wench put that glass down! You’re still too young to drink! In the end, Kevin almost hypnotized himself.

"Nia hates Kevin!" Looking at the fuming little girl glaring at him, Kevin downed the wine in his cup.

With a gulp of wine, Kevin seemed to see a vision, Nia’s delicate little hand seemed to turn into black and red tentacles? It wasn’t an illusion, it had really changed! Kevin quickly grabbed Nia’s hand to cover up the tentacles.

"Nia, what are you doing, stay in human form, don’t give yourself away!"

"Nia wants the pastry." Nia pointed at the cute pastries in the platter across the long table.

"If you can’t reach them, I’ll get them for you." Kevin placed the pastries on Nia’s plate, and as she began to eat, he sighed with relief. Mr. Kevin had saved the day once again.

On the other hand, Nia’s disguise was really quite convincing. Kevin kneaded Nia’s soft little hand, curiously feeling it, just like a real palm.

While Kevin was squeezing Nia’s palm, another hand was squeezing his shoulder. Ralph appeared behind Kevin, his gaze like that of someone looking at a dead man.

"I’ve been watching you for a while, Mr. Kevin, are you perhaps too interested in our little Nia’s hand? Kid, if you can’t give a good explanation, I will chop off your filthy hand."

Fear enveloped Kevin.

Suddenly, Nia began to cough; she was choking.

Ralph looked at his precious little one, patting her back gently.

Kevin seized the chance to flee.

"Hateful Kevin, making Nia choke."

Ralph continued to pat Nia’s back.

"That was clearly because you ate too fast, how can you blame someone else?"

"It’s Kevin’s fault! It’s his fault!"

"Alright, alright, it’s his fault. Next time I see him, he will get a thorough beating. Be a good girl, Nia, eat slowly."