Strength and Rivalry 1.115

Once Viggo arrived at Kain's house, he met Flora and Tatsumi in the kitchen. They took care of Maria and Eina, while her aunts Isabel, Mikoto and Aina prepared many meals.

Kain walked over and placed his arms on Flora's shoulders. She screamed and Kain laughed. She looked at him back with a clear expression of anger. Kain smiled and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

-Dad, me too, me too- Maria of nine years old said, approaching Kain. At the same time, the little baby elf, Eina, was moving euphorically from her highchair as she watched Kain. The latter took Maria in his arms and then approached Eina, carrying her in his hand. Then he approached where his wives were preparing the food.

Viggo sat next to Flora and brought a fountain with fruit -How about it?- he asked, took a red apple, and took a bite.

-Dad is always so annoying- Flora protested.

-Dad only gives you affection, I and Tatsumi would like him to pamper us as much as you. I heard from the old man that he buys you a new necklace-

Tatsumi on the other side nodded, and Flora blushed.

-That's what, it was so beautiful- Flora said, looking down.

-Dad knows how to make jewellery, why don't you ask him to make you a necklace-

-I don't want to, it would look so rustic, I'm sure it does something simple. It is better to buy from a professional-

Viggo denied in a gesture of exasperation. Then he looked at Tatsumi and asked him -How about you?-

-I'm fine, nii-sama. Yesterday, before Dad went to the aunt's mansion, we went to the dungeon and helped me polish my technique with the katana-

-Oooh, that's good, shall we go to the courtyard?-

Tatsumi denied as he blushed and looked down, with an expression of embarrassment.

-What's wrong, Tatsu?- Viggo asked confused -before we fought more often-

-Nii-sama is very strong, so when I become strong, we will fight again-

-Well, if you want to- Viggo replied reluctantly. Then he looked at his "aunts" and asked casually -What do they do? Is something special happening today?-

Flora and Tatsumi looked at Viggo surprised.

Flora slapped him on the head and said -so much training has made you lose your brain, today is our birthday-

Viggo grabbed his head and looked into her eyes. She was telling the truth, which left Viggo lost in time. Then he began to count the time since he returned to Orario and the months coincided with him.

-It's true- Viggo said in amazement.

-Of course, it's true- Flora said in an annoying tone -Why would I be lying to you?-

-I'm not saying that because of that, it's just what...-

-Okay, nii-sama, we all know you've been busy. Dad always talks about how you progress in your training-

-Huh? Does Dad talk about me?- Viggo ask with a silly smile.

Tatsumi was going to answer, but Flora interrupted him with her laughter. She hugged Viggo by the arm as she laughed in a good mood.

-Flora, tell us the joke- Kain said from the table where the food was prepared as he held Maria and Eina in each arm.

-I'm sorry, Dad- Flora said as she laughed and wiped the tears from her eyes.

-Hey, is that an insult or a compliment?- Viggo asked frowning.

-Both, I think...- Flora replied as she laughed at times.

At the same time, Isabel, Mikoto and Aina were watching the three of them talk in a good mood. Flora looked radiant, Viggo frowned, but let her hug him while Tatsumi smiled from the other side of the table. As always, he retained his reserved character, but the joy was reflected in his face.

Much later, when the sky had turned orange and a soft breeze was running, Hera arrived in a carriage accompanied by Jason and the others. Kain greeted them along with all their children and led them to the courtyard where they had set up two long tables. The islands of flowers on the sides gave it an elegant look.

For his part, Viggo took revenge on Flora for calling him an idiot. So, when Achilles was in a good position and Flora was lined up, Viggo gave Flora a strong spanking. She screamed, jumped forward and fell into the arms of Achilles. Of course, Flora couldn't lose, so she turned around to scold whoever had hit her. Viggo had a smile from ear to ear and that bothered Flora. However, Viggo pointed his finger at her so that she would look in front of her and Flora turned to look. Then she noticed that she was in the arms of Achilles and turned red like a tomato.

Of course, Achilles just laughed and took it as a joke between the brothers.

Then they separated and Flora approached Viggo. She punched him in the shoulder while smiling. Viggo winked at her and Flora smiled as if he had been her accomplice. It was a bit difficult for Flora to get close to Achilles; the councils that Sakura and Ana gave her were good and logical, but from there to implement them there was a world of difference. However, she is being in the arms of Achilles noticed that it was as they said. When Flora was near Achilles, he would let his guard down and she could get as close as she wanted. This gave her the confidence and she understood that there was an opportunity.

An hour later, Tsubaki, Ana and Sakura arrive. Tsubaki tried to go unnoticed by her mother, but as soon as Mikoto detected her, conversations about getting married began. Kain interceded and took Mikoto away arguing that today was not a day for that kind of conversation. That way, Tsubaki was free and sat at the table while concealing her discomfort.

Viggo started a conversation that took everyone's mind away from the previous discussion and relaxed the atmosphere.

A few minutes later Semiramis and Scheherazade arrived, and they met Riveria at the door. Once they entered, it gave way to food, but different from other occasions, the distribution of the seats changed. Viggo and Kain sat with their wives at one table, while Flora and Tatsumi sat with Jason and the others at another table. Maria sat on Kain's leg while Eina slept in a crib. At the same time, Flora and Tatsumi coordinated to "distribute" themselves and Flora was seated next to Achilles.

The situation was a bit complicated by the birthday cake, but Viggo, Flora and Tatsumi agreed that this year only Maria would give it the classic bite. This in turn made Kain sigh, as it somehow marked the distance that formed between siblings and parents. Each child would take his course and walk away little by little. Viggo already had his wives, Flora had someone to her liking, and Tatsumi was forming his character little by little.

At the same time, Scheherezade sitting to the right of Viggo, asked -Why do they bite the cake?-

Viggo looked at her sideways and replied -because it's funny, Maria had a cream beard-

-Weird- Scheherezade said.

Viggo smiled, took her hand, and kissed her back -Can I ask you for something?-

Scheherezade looked at those intense lazuli eyes and smiled softly. She brought her ear closer, Viggo whispered something to her, and gave her a kiss on the cheek. She nodded and stood up.

Then Viggo looked at Tsubaki who was sitting between Aina and Sakura, almost in the center of the table -Tsubaki Can you come, please?-

Tsubaki looked at him worriedly but nodded anyway. She stood up and walked to where Viggo was. At the same time, Scheherezade walked to where Tsubaki was sitting and winked at her. Tsubaki became nervous and once she got to where Viggo was, he opened the chair next to him, where Scheherezade used to be, and stretched out his hand as if offering her a seat.

-Sit down- Viggo said

Tsubaki looked at Kain and Mikoto, both looked at her differently. Mikoto was serious and raised her eyebrows in a gesture of confusion as Kain smiled holding Maria sitting on her leg. Kain took his glass of wine with his other hand and lifted it up as if offering a toast while winking at her. Tsubaki smiled and sat next to Viggo.

At the same time, Jason at the other table put on an expression of amazement and pleasure at Viggo's attitude. He looked at Achilles and Odysseus and nodded, they nodded with a smile as they waved and drank. On the other hand, Flora and Tatsumi were left in stone, both totally surprised by the situation.

However, Mikoto was different. She looked at Kain and he nodded. Then she looked at Viggo and said in a strict tone -Viggo, I hope you are a serious man like your father and do things accordingly-

Viggo took Tsubaki's hand and kissed her on the back -yes, aunt- he said -I will be serious and I will do things properly, I will not let you down-

Mikoto nodded as tears peeked into the corner of her eyes and clung to Kain as he hugged her.

In this way, the meal continued, but Tsubaki barely ate anything.

Viggo looked at her sideways and asked -What's going on?-

-I'm just a little nervous- Tsubaki said.

Viggo took her hand and said -nothing happens, your mother is satisfied-

Tsubaki breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, then rested her face on Viggo's shoulder -I prepared for all these months to talk to my old lady- she said with a tired tone of voice -but you arranged it all in one movement. Thanks-

-You're welcome, if it worries you, it worries me too- Viggo replied

Tsubaki nodded and smiled, then sat with her back attached to the back and started eating and chatting with the rest of the girls.

When it came time to open the gifts, it was all applause, whistles, and laughter. The gifts were no longer as before, they were the gifts of boys who were becoming adults. Tatsumi received a set of two katanas made by Kain with a bluish blade. Flora received many feminine gifts such as perfumes and jewelry, but what she liked most was the new armor that Hephaestus made for her. The breastplate glowed as if it were made of silver and on the chest, it bore Kain's emblem.

For his part, Viggo received a bow made by his mother. It was made of a dark metal with red inner edges. On the outside, in the central part it had four tips that gave the impression of being two sharp pincers. At the same time, Kain excused himself that he had already given a shield to Viggo. The latter looked at him angrily, because the shield was something that Kiara had commissioned him, but since the shield was like that of his master, he turned a blind eye. Kain smiled and winked an eye, Viggo felt a relief and joy in his heart, and knew that his father was just joking. However, Kain's gift was far from what Viggo expected.

-Books?- Viggo asked, holding one of the ten books on his side of the table. Flora laughed aloud at the other table when she saw his expression of disbelief. Tatsumi also laughed, but in a more disguised way.