I'm a Immortal Tavernkeeper, But My S-Rank Daughter Doesn't Know That!

Victor laughed as he saw the surprised expression on the masked woman’s face. Embarrassment and sympathy were reflected in his eyes, and he felt momentarily relieved of the tension that had built up during the day with that brief exchange of laughter.

"Don’t worry," he said, catching his breath. "Sometimes laughter is the best way to deal with difficult situations."

The woman’s gaze softened. "You’re right, and in a way, I understand. I raised my son alone, too. Life throws us a lot of curves and all we can do is try to keep up, right?"

"So it’s been a long time?" asked Victor, trying to keep the conversation light.

"Yes, my son is all grown up now," she replied with a hint of pride in her voice. "He will be 21 soon. A young warrior, though I think he’s inherited a lot of his father’s personality. And your daughter?"

Victor smiled, remembering his own daughter, who had nothing to do with him. "My daughter is 18. She left home at sixteen and became a hunter. She’s determined to follow in her own footsteps, whatever the challenges, to help as many people as possible."

"Oh, she sounds great. You must have raised her very well."

"Honestly? I don’t know where I did it right. I raised her with discipline and at the same time allowed her to explore the surroundings of the village where we lived. I think it’s her natural personality that makes her kind. She’s always been that way."

The woman looked out over the city, the cool evening breeze caressing her hair.

"Knowing they will grow up strong and independent is a relief for us." She said.

Victor agreed, feeling an unexpected kinship with the woman. "It’s true."

"Sometimes I worry about my son’s future, even though I know he has the strength to overcome any obstacle. I wish I could live in a world where the dangers are smaller and not wings, red scales, and spitting fire out of their mouths."

The distant sounds of music and conversation now seemed like a comforting backdrop, a reminder that the world was still turning, even in the midst of this conversation.

"Would you mind telling me more about your son?" asked Victor curiously. "What is he like? I recently trained a boy in the art of swordsmanship, so I can learn a few things from you."

The woman smiled and didn’t hesitate. "He is brave and loyal to his friends, always ready to help others. From an early age, he showed an interest in learning to fight, and I supported him every step of the way. However, he’s a bit cold at times and doesn’t have as good a temperament as he could. I think that’s my fault for choosing to raise him away from his father."

Victor was curious to hear the rest of the story, but he didn’t want to get involved in this woman’s personal problems.

"It sounds like he has a bright future ahead of him. I’m sure you did your best to raise him well."

"Yes, that’s true," she said with a slight sigh. "And your daughter? What was it like to raise a girl as a man?"

Victor smiled. "I don’t think I had too many problems with her. She didn’t care about makeup or dressing up or learning to cook. She was always very independent and never took ’no’ for an answer. She decided at an early age that she wanted to be a warrior, and nothing stopped her. I’ve taught her everything I know, and I know she’s become stronger than me, but I still worry, as you do, about your son."

"She must be an exceptional young woman. You must be very proud of her."

"She’s my greatest joy, my greatest pride, and she’s what pulled me out of a deep hole."

For some reason, Victor opened up a lot to this woman. He couldn’t explain if it was because of the mask or because she didn’t even know his name, but he felt like he could talk.

The night breeze continued to blow gently, bringing with it the distant sound of ocean waves.

"It’s interesting how life leads us down unexpected paths," the woman said thoughtfully. "I never thought I’d end up having this conversation on a balcony with a stranger in the middle of a charity ball."

Victor laughed softly. "Sometimes it’s the unexpected moments that define us the most. I remember the first time I met a bullfrog, in the middle of the main street of a city. It was scary."

The woman started to laugh because it was funny to hear a six-foot man say that a bullfrog was scary. But she understood that he was talking about chance.

"You’re right." She was still smiling when she answered. "And it’s good to know that even in the midst of uncertainty, we can find true and meaningful connections." She moved a little closer.

They were silent again, enjoying each other’s company with no words.

"Forgive me for asking, but do you have any plans for the future?" Victor asked, breaking the silence. "Anything you hope to accomplish?"

The woman thought for a moment before answering.

"I want to see my son grow up and achieve all his dreams. I know I won’t be able to be by his side all the time and support him every step of the way, but I hope to be there waiting for him in our home. And what about you? What are your hopes for the future?"

Victor sighed and looked up at the starry sky. "I want to see my daughter happy. I want her to have the life she’s always wanted, full of adventures and the amazing hunter things she’s imagined."

She smiled, a smile of understanding. "I believe you will find that peace. You seem like a determined man. I’m sure you’ll find your way."

"Thank you," he said, truly grateful for the words. "And I wish the same for you and your son. May you both find all the happiness and success you deserve."

The woman nodded, her eyes shining in the moonlight. "Thank you, Victor. It means a lot to me to hear that. Anyway, we have time. How would you like to tell me your bullfrog story?"

They stood there for a few minutes, chatting.

Finally, a bell rang from inside, announcing the start of the auction. The woman took one last drag on her pipe and sighed. Then she extinguished the pipe and turned to him.

"Well, I guess it’s time to get back to work," she said with a gentle smile.

Victor nodded, feeling a little sorry to see the end of this moment. "Yeah, I guess so."

They walked back to the door together, pausing for a moment before entering.

"It was a pleasure talking to you," she said, holding out her hand.

"My pleasure," Victor replied, shaking her hand firmly. "I hope our paths cross again."

"I hope so too, perhaps at the end of the party..." A tender smile appeared on his lips before he disappeared through the door back into the ballroom.

They turned and walked back into the ballroom, where the guests were already settling in for the auction. Victor found a discreet seat in the back and watched the woman move gracefully through the ballroom until she was seated in one of the prominent seats, next to some white-robed nobles, their chins held high with pride. He wondered who she was, but knew that the mask and the night hid more than faces.

The auction began as the master of ceremonies introduced the first pieces, and Victor tried to focus on the event.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming!" The auctioneer said, his voice echoing throughout the room with a tone of authority and enthusiasm. "My name is Barnabas Duprat, and I will be the master of ceremonies for this special auction. I hope you are ready for an evening of great surprises!"

The sparkle of the crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling added a magical touch to the setting, and the sophistication of the guests was on another level.

"Without further ado, let’s begin with the first piece of the evening," Barnabas continued, spreading his arms in a grand gesture. "A true historical gem, something that will surely pique the interest of everyone here. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you one of the fifteen swords in the Selvarum’s personal arsenal! Obviously, it was donated by Luisa Selvarum!"

A murmur of admiration ran through the hall as two assistants brought out a magnificently decorated sword in a red velvet case.

"This sword has belonged to the famous Selvarum family, the legendary family of swordsmen, for five generations. The blade was forged over half a century ago by Lucrezia’s master blacksmiths, using techniques now lost to time. It has a pommel of fire-gold, and the titanium blade is still strong after all this time."

The assistants carefully removed the sword from its sheath, allowing the blade to sparkle under the lights. It was an impressive weapon: the blade had a silvery sheen and an edge that seemed capable of cutting through anything. And the hilt bore an emblem engraved in gold - a wolf in attack posture, the symbol of the Selvarum family.

"This was one of the most important swords that shaped the destiny of the Athenian kingdom and made it the greatest in the world," Barnabas continued. "It’s not just a weapon, it’s a piece of our history, a relic that carries the spirit and honor of the Selvarums, which is why it’s worth at least 500 gold coins!"