Arrival of guest: a golden thigh worth clinging to 1

Since they had the highest status at this feast no one would complain if they came late but Miriam would never come late to her friend's parties especially if she knew she was going to attend

To her, high and low birth didn't matter as long as she came to a friend's party she would do her best to arrive on time

Because of this method of always coming early even when she was much higher than others the rest of the families who were also invited came much earlier as a sign of respect, though not everyone was happy.

Some wondered why she didn't just come as other high nobles did so they being the lower noble can take their time to prepare but no....the woman always did the opposite

The feast time was set for twelve noon which was when the feast would begin

but already had visitors coming in as early as eight and nine, to make sure they didn't disrespect a high noble

By ten–thirty Miriam's carriage arrived, with Joram sitting with the coachman, According to how high nobles arrived for occasions coming past noon when the time was set for noon was a standard time unless they were coming to see their ruler then they would arrive way earlier than usual but for Miriam she preferred to arrive two to three hours before the occasion began most especially if it's for her dear friend

so as soon as she reached Joram jumped down and opened the door while lending his hand but before the gentle hand could reach him Kadesh came down and offered his hand instead which his mother took with a radiating smile

Kadesh could only sigh ' his mother was too naive'

Asahel on the other hand was about to jump down when Joram picked her up and placed her down

Though she was about thirteen or fourteen in this child's body and already sixteen in her previous life she was deeply malnourished on both sides which was why she had a petite figure

If not for the space and it's food she ate she wouldn't have changed so suddenly

but it didn't make her feel any happy that she was being lifted from one hand to another

Soon the family walked in and was immediately greeted by the host which was the Countess her husband and he shared pleasantries with Kadesh since it would be awkward talking with a married woman and even a high noble at that

While the two men talked Joram followed Kadesh since this was what he usually did but still he knew to keep his distance

while Asahel was stuck to Miriam who didn't let go of her hands

The Countess who was now walking along side her friend finally saw the child and felt weird, she wanted to say something but other families came to great Miriam as well so she thought to ask later

But just like her the others also felt that the child was weird but since she came with Miriam no one said anything and also Miriam didn't introduce the child neither did the child say anything or go find her age mates

normally in this era a child her age would have an excellent etiquette and wouldn't wait to be told when to greet

but did Asahel know such things as greetings.....no she didn't

she was never thaught and she never felt it was something she needed but even if she knew how and when to greet it would be useless here since she didn't know how this era worked and a certain creature had been lacking in his duties

Finally when the two women were alone the Countess finally asked what was on her mind

"Miriam this child...is he.....she yours?"

The Countess had a hard time differentiating the child's gender since she had never seen a female child with an almost bald head or a male child in a female dress, this was not only her but also others around thought the same thing as well

Asahel who heard this couldn't help but look at a certain creature who was busy drooling over all the delicacies it saw

'just you wait '

Fairy felt a shiver run down his spine and noticed it came from his master but before he could ask why such killing intent was directed at him, he heard the ladies conversation

"Yes the child is my...and it's a she" Miriam smiled as she stroked Asahel's head who grudgingly tried to avoid such petting but Miriam only found it cute

As for the Countess she didn't find this pleasant not even the least bit from the moment she saw the child and the clothes she wore she gritted her teeth but pretended anyway

This reason was because she had seen those clothes before when she visited her friend who would stay at her son's place,

although they were very close Kadesh's mother wasn't entirely stupid enough to tell her friend how she dressed her child in those female clothes instead she said she had prepared them for when she would have a daughter and if she doesn't then she'll keep them for her son's children or maybe give them out

When the Countess heard this she was very excited this was because the clothes style were top notch and each clothes was not seen in the market, there was even a time she tried having a tailor recreate the clothes but since she couldn't bring an example to show, it was hard for the tailor to do it and it looked terrible

But it became worst when her friend hardly brought those clothes out again and when she asked she was told that they were in storage and wouldn't be brought out for a long time,

this was after some years had gone and she realised she wouldn't conceive again and Kadesh had outgrown the clothes and started having a rebellious phase so she stopped persuading him

The Countess only had to ask for one or two to give to her daughter whom she had after Miriam couldn't conceive again,

But she wanted her friend Miriam to be the one to give her daughter the clothes so she could boast of how these clothes had been made specially for her daughter and as if that wasn't enough she wanted all the clothes but after some years passed she now wished she could have one of the dresses for her daughter

but unfortunately they were always kept at Kadesh's resident and his mother never talked about them but now a strange child with an almost bald head was simply wearing one of those clothes

Asahel who was unhappy at how Miriam tried petting her head but suddenly felt a familiar and an unforgettable emotion "hatred" and it came from none other the woman who was smiling at Miriam and inquiring more

"I see I'm sorry I didn't know how to address her it's just that I've never seen a female child with an almost bald head before...is she.... perhaps a sick child?"

The Countess had spoken everyone's thoughts but it didn't mean they should have heard such conversations since these two were friends it was alright to cover up anyone related to them so others may not castigate them,

but it was obvious she said it loud enough since she didn't like this child who was able to get a dress from a Duke's daughter

Asahel didn't really know how people used their words in ancient times but her emphatic persona already told her this woman didn't like her and as if to prove it a few other baronesses and viscountess came closer to the Countess and asked if the child was indeed sick

Some looked at the child with pity while some felt nothing but still tried to sympathize with the child so as to gain some recognition from the Duke's daughter

Miriam who heard this was about to speak up when these women had already gathered around and was offering their condolences as though someone was dead

She wasn't happy with this but now that she thought of it she didn't ask Asahel why her head was like that

Unlike most of the women who felt the child was weird with no hair Miriam had fallen in love with the child with or without hair it was only now that she realised that such appearances might not be good in a public place like this

"She isn't sick.....please there's no need for concern"

Miriam finally spoke up thinking it would end there which was suppose to happen since everyone here was below her status they would find it hard to ask her other questions

but nope the Countess who was supposed to be her friend and avoid others from speaking such asked again

"If she isn't sick then why is her hair all gone.....I know you haven't lived outside for long but I have and they're two reasons to situations like this...either she's sick or she stole something and her hair had to be cut to show for her actions"

Indeed this was true as such did happen in faraway fiefs, but as for why the Countess spoke like this was because she had known her friend for a long time during their coming of age and she knew her friend's sister and brothers children so this child was obviously not among them

Asahel was slowly getting angry this time she didn't need to be confused at what this lady said anymore because she now clearly understood that this woman was calling her a theif