Not far away from Seth, five children were playing with each other. Three boys and two girls. He simply decreased his pace as he stared at them.

After a few minutes of walking, Seth finally arrived at their house. An aroma of meat and herbs soon tickled his nostrils, making him realize that he was already in the kitchen.

"Oh Seth, just in time." His mother blew the steamy soup in the ladle and tasted it.

Seth took out the two bowls from the table and approached her mother.

"Let me serve the food, mother."

Raising a brow, she handed him the ladle.

"Sure."

Seth filled up both bowls with broth, making his mouth watery during the process, and headed to the dining table with each of his palms occupied. After placing the other bowl for his mother on the table, he sat across her with his right hand already touching the spoon.

"Let's eat," his mother smiled.

Thinking that the words she said were a go signal, Seth impatiently took a mouthful of savory soup. It must have been delicious because he greedily took a sip directly from the bowl afterward.

While Seth was relishing his meal, he glanced at his mother. His mother was staring at him with a calm look, yet the words "where are your manners" were written in her eyes.

Seth cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Um mother, have you seen a small white box that has a necklace inside it?"

Lowering her eyebrows, she replied. "No, I haven't."

"Hmm, okay."

"Was it for Lyn?"

"Yeah." Seth drank some water.

"Why don't you try finding it in your room?"

"I plan to, later."

"Mm." Seth's mother's gaze seemed to focus somewhere behind Seth for a second. "In the meantime, I'll try to look around the house as well."

"You don't have to, mother."

"It's fine. I don't want my son to become heart-broken just because of that missing necklace." She winked.

Seth felt a sudden twitch in his left eye.

"It's just a gift."

This time, his mother's tender smile turned playful. "A necklace is suspicious you know~."

"Y-yes, I agree on that. But I think it would look as if I'm mocking her if I continue giving her those carved, wooden toys," he reasoned.

"You should've chosen something that is less suspicious, like clothes or weapons."

"Weapons..." Seth shook his head. "She's not even good in physical combat."

"Then clothes?"

"No way." Swaying a hand, Seth promptly declined her suggestion. "I'm not good at picking clothes."

Because to him, as long as it's dark, it's fine.

"Oh, so you don't want to rely on your mother?"

"...I'd end up getting teased for the whole day."

"True," she chuckled. "But Seth, seriously, I'll help you find the necklace."

"Thanks, mother." Seth drank some water once more and stood up from his seat. "I'll go to my room now."

"Good luck!" She continued eating her meal.