What kind of custom was this?!
Why were they asking everyone to hand over gifts right off the bat?!
But I hadn't prepared anything! I didn't know!
Rhode roared inwardly.
But he soon saw the guests begin approaching Terenas and his family one by one-or, more precisely, approaching Calia-and presenting her with gifts.
Apparently, he really was the only one who had forgotten this was a birthday banquet and that he needed to prepare a birthday gift.
Still, he had never encountered anyone announcing so bluntly that everyone should come forward with their gifts. Perhaps this was a custom in Lordaeron?
Right, no cash contribution was required, but a gift was a must.
Then Rhode saw all sorts of novel curiosities.
For instance, the representative of the Kingdom of Gilneas presented a black top hat, from beneath which flowers could be pulled out endlessly, as though in a magic trick.
Meanwhile, a gnome representative from Gnomeregan offered something that looked like a music box. A race so adept with gears and clockwork really did seem ideally suited to making mechanical products like this.
When he gently wound the music box, cheerful, distinctive gnomish music immediately filled the hall, bringing a smile to everyone's face.
The gift presented by the dwarf from Ironforge, however, seemed a little out of place.
It was actually a barrel of alcohol!
Hidden mechanisms inside the barrel allowed it to hold various kinds of alcohol in a single container. All one had to do was operate different switches to get different drinks.
For example, pressing the first switch dispensed apple cider, the second mead, and the third ale...
But the question was, was this really an appropriate gift for a princess?!
Still, Princess Calia thanked the dwarf with a smile and had an attendant take the