WHIT

33 - BENEVOLENT ROYS

About three weeks later.

With over 43 square kilometers in area, Orseya town wasn’t small by any means, yet about just twenty thousand people lived there. So, it was only natural that some streets would be empty intermittently, even during the daytime.

Fabby had bought a wig as she believed it’d help in getting the recommendation.

Having also bought sandals in the morning, Edgar and Fabby were taking them for a tour. Though Fabby asked for a test-walk, the shop owner didn’t agree, so she could only buy them. In the past three weeks, she never stepped out of the room, so she didn’t find the need to buy footwear, but now, she had to. The roads were hot, and unlike her brother, she could only walk on bare feet for so long.

They were testing which sandals made more noise with every footstep and discussed their comfort level.

When Fabby looked at Edgar’s feet, she was still a bit surprised. “I’m taller than you, but how come your foot size is bigger than mine?”

“Hehe, because I’m strong!” Edgar proudly said.

“No, that’s not it. There must be some other reason. But what is that?” she wondered.

“Who cares about foot size?”

“C’mon, if your feet were smaller, then your sandals will also cost less.”

Edgar was startled. “You’re right. Why didn’t I think of that?” he paused for a moment and wondered. “Is there a way to reduce their size?”

“I don’t think so…”

Currently, the siblings were strolling in a rather desolate street, with more trees lined up than houses. This street was not far away from Doce, so they were surprised that they missed this street up until now. Though there weren’t people in sight, a lot of pigeons graced the streets and feasted on tree-droppings.

When Edgar stepped on some fallen seeds, a pigeon pecked on his feet, making him cry out in pain. The encounter left a small bloody spot on his foot. Since then, he was a bit more careful and was mindful of the pigeons.

Soon they came across a building, which wasn’t so big, but everything seemed to be arranged in a compact yet eye-pleasing fashion. More than that, the hundreds of people gathered on the back side of the house was what attracted their eyes. They felt the urge to know, so they enquired the guard, only to find out that it belonged to the baronet and that a charity was taking place because it was the baronet’s son’s birthday. Before the siblings were about to ask, the guard also told them that anyone can receive gifts.

The siblings looked at each other before thanking the guard, and then they curved past the building. Hundreds stood in line, receiving clothes and a bit of money. Edgar’s eyes lit up, and he joined the line. Fabby stood behind him, and her eyes were observing not the faces of the people but their feet. They were the last in the line. The process was rather slow because they were asking the details of the attendees, like their name and locality.

However, standing in the line wasn’t a new thing for the siblings, and they passed the time without a problem. While Edgar played with Fabby’s wig, making all kinds of shapes with it, she was busy overhearing others’ conversations in plain sight. She came to know many things about the town and the baronet.

Jorge Roy was the name of the baronet, and his great grandmother, Castilla Roy, was from Orseya town, which was named after her mother, who was considered a world-renowned legend.

And Jorga Roy had such a powerful lineage.

Even though his achievements weren’t all that great, he was still given the position of a baronet because of his bloodline. Jorga wasn’t a master at fighting, but he was known for his benevolence, a trait that Roys were well-known for from a long time.

However, Jorga’s arrival didn’t bode well with the Zha Clan. Until he stepped in the town, they ruled it. But now, they had to bow to some random guy in his thirties whom some members of their clan could defeat without breaking a sweat?

After hearing one or two of the many good things about the baronet, Edgar pulled his sister’s braid and said, “He seems like a good guy. How about we go and ask him directly?”

“Don’t be foolish. He’s in an authoritative position. He can’t give his signature to people he met just recently, unless there’s a good reason.”

“Then what should we do? We only have like two to three weeks, you know, before the sect exams begin.”

“I know, but, let’s wait for a bit more time, at least until last week.”

“Mm…” Edgar, however, didn’t sound that positive. He was still fiddling with her hair, and something stomped his feet, making him cringe in pain. He couldn’t see what hit him, but he could tell it was likely his sister. So, he let go of her hair.

All the three members of the Roy family were currently distributing items together. Jorga Roy, the gray-haired fellow, was standing near the money and next to his son. Julia Roy, the blonde woman was standing on the other side of her son and near the clothes. Bravo Roy, the eight-year-old boy was standing in between his parents, with a stack of plates before him.

Julia put the clothes on the plate, and Jorga put the money atop the clothes. Bravo then handed over the plate decked with clothes and money to the attendees.

Soon, it was the siblings' turn to receive the donations.

However, to the siblings’ surprise, the plates were just finished.

Julia hurriedly ordered a worker to go and buy news plates from the shop.

“Um, we’re extremely sorry for the inconvenience,” Jorga, meanwhile, apologized to Edgar and Fabby, who were the last two in the line. “Can you please wait for a few minutes?”

“It’s okay,” replied Edgar, looking at his sister, who also nodded. Hehe, perfect! Edgar saw an opportunity, and his eyes fell upon Bravo. While the parents were busy looking around and talking with the guests, Edgar lifted his shirt a little, revealing a bronze plate that was partly stuffed in his pants.

Bravo’s eyes enlarged. He patted his mother’s hand repeatedly, and when she turned to him, he pointed his finger toward Edgar. “Mom, he has a plate with him.”

“What? What are you talking about?” Julia pulled his ear, and he tried to leave the place, but she pulled him back. “Stay put.” She then went back to doing her business.

Bravo’s eyes narrowed to a slit as he looked at the green-haired person.

Edgar raised his shirt again, just a little.

Bravo’s eyes enlarged. He then pulled his father’s long sleeves. “Dad, he has a plate.”

“Mm?” Jorga took his time to turn around, but then, he, too, like Julia, told Bravo to stay silent.

Bravo’s brows drew in together, and his cheeks ballooned in frustration.

Edgar then changed his poker face into a monkey-grinning face as he exposed the bronze plate again, and Jorga noticed it with a brief glance. Suddenly Edgar received a simple slap on the back of his head.

“Stop teasing a kid,” Fabby said casually.

Edgar didn’t say anything, but he rubbed his crown.

“Pfft,” Bravo laughed and then dangled his tongue and teased Edgar.

Edgar, however, looked away and acted like he wasn’t paying attention to the kid anymore.