Chapter 59

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I don't really like the idea of having a party on my birthday. Anyway, today is Alfrid's seventh birthday. The birthday celebration has been put on hold due to the party. Well, considering his age, it's fine even if there isn't one.

Today is the day of the invitation, the noble exchange event hosted by the Duke of Ringrande.

The title of Duke is incredibly high. Only relatives of the royal family or those with exceptional achievements can attain it. I think the wife of the Baron Rolina, Lady Linaria, was also from a ducal family.

Since the Duke is hosting the party, I must definitely go and greet the ducal family. I've been warned to make sure I don't get their names wrong and to be polite.

Honestly, Father Nord and Mother Elna are so worried. There's no way I'd unnecessarily involve myself with such a high-ranking and troublesome person.

I already have a plan for today.

First, I'll enter the venue.

Father Nord and Mother Elna will attract attention, right?

While they are surrounded, I'll disappear and take a position at the edge, pretending to be someone else while I eat the exotic delicacies on the table.

Hehehe... Perfect, isn't it?

After that, I'll just wait for things to calm down, then paste a smile on my face and go around greeting people.

Father Nord will handle the details well.

That will be the end of today's battle.

"Al, what are you smiling about? And if you sit like that in your suit, it will get wrinkled."

N-no, I'm not planning to use Father Nord and Mother Elna as scapegoats or anything.

"Nothing, Mother."

I straighten my suit collar and sit up straight. This should make me look a bit more like a noble.

However, why do I have to wear such a suffocating thing? I'll keep the buttons undone until we enter the venue.

"Oh, you've left a long pause. And you're calling me differently than usual."

Elna Mother narrows her eyes sharply.

Mm... She's sharp.

"No, I'm just practicing not to call you Mother Elna in the venue. I almost called you Mother Elna as usual, so I paused."

Yeah, it's not a lie.

It's not because I was planning to use you as a scapegoat and got flustered or anything.

"Indeed, that makes sense. Al, you're so cute."

When I answer, Mother places her hand on my head gently—Iron Claw is digging in, ahhh!

"It hurts, Mother. Something might come out of my head."

"Oh, so this is the head that thinks bad things?"

"I, I, it hurts! What did I think!?"

I don't understand. Why am I being treated like this!

"You can look so innocent with such an evil smile."

"People have the freedom to imagine, you know."

I won't back down. I won't back down. Even if I receive unjust violence, I won't change my mind. Especially not for a judgment based on mere speculation... The name Slowlett will not be disgraced!

"I heard you saying you would use me as a scapegoat to make things easier."

"N-no, that's not it..."

That day, I wasn't allowed to go out until the party started.

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After leaving the inn and entering the noble district, we rode in a carriage for a few minutes.

We arrived at the party venue.

This is the venue of the Duke of Ringrande.

A refined three-story mansion painted white.

Even though it's night, many lights are spilling out of the windows, and cheerful music is playing.

The lush garden is also equipped with light sources and tables, creating a special nighttime illumination.

Many nobles are arriving by carriage like us. Since it's still before the official start time, those arriving now are likely barons or baronets. The rule is that those of lower status should arrive early.

The servants of the Duke's household effortlessly guide all the carriages into the grounds.

We also entrust our carriage to the servants and walk towards the entrance on a luxurious carpet.

The grounds are overwhelmingly vast.

This is probably a venue specifically for such events, and the Duke's actual residence is even more impressive.

Regularly hosting such events also serves as a show of power, demonstrating the strength of our family.

A boy around my age walking in front of me is already as stiff as a board.

His hands and feet are moving in unison.

His father, noticing this, smacks him on the head.

The boy finally starts walking normally.

"Something feels off. It's like we're being intimidated, and it's making me uneasy."

"You're sharp, Al. The people of the Ringrande ducal family are known for their strong personalities."

Mother Elna answers with an impressed expression at my small murmur.

Indeed, a person's character shows through, whether intentionally or not.

"They're always on the offensive. Even when the other party is attacking, the ducal family becomes the attacker. Or they often crush the other party before being attacked."

Wow, what kind of person... That's dangerous.

I almost said that, but I held back since we're already on the grounds.

Anyway, I'll be careful not to leave an impression on the ducal family.

With that resolve, we entered the venue.

When we entered the venue, it felt like a different world, isolated from the outside.

The space is large enough to accommodate hundreds of people, and many nobles are already there, wearing dazzling dresses to assert their presence.

Dresses that emphasize the body's lines, skirts adorned with frills, and dresses with intricate embroidery.

Just a glance at them reveals their considerable value.

Many chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and their light makes the women's beauty-enhancing accessories glow mysteriously.

Just looking at it all is tiring.

As the three of us entered the venue, the attention immediately focused on Father Nord.

Several groups quickly gathered around him.

Noble daughters who had been chatting pleasantly also stopped their conversations, changing the atmosphere.

Alright, if I leave now...

I tried to retreat quietly without making a sound, but my arm was grabbed.

"...This is the best time to offer you as a sacrifice."

Elna Mother, smiling, held my wrist.

Damn, she saw through my plan even though I didn't reveal it.

"It's been a while, Baron Slowlett. I haven't seen you at many parties recently."

"I'm glad to see you well. Baron Cabal. To be honest, I'm not very good at such events, being a nouveau riche. Please bear with me."

"You don't need to be modest. You are known as a Dragon Slayer in the capital, after all."

Wow, that word came up suddenly.

After that, it was Mother Elna's turn to introduce me.

"By the way, is that your son?"

Baron Cabal glances at me.

"Nice to meet you, Baron Cabal. I am Alfrid, the second son of the Slowlett family."

I bow politely.

I remembered the first name I heard. I'm impressive.

"Hmm, so this is your second son? He has a different aura from Lord Elinora and Lord Silvio."

Rude gaze. Looking me up and down.

You can say it outright, you know? That I'm plain compared to my sister and brother.

I might be a bit hurt if you say I'm ugly, though.

"...Is that Lord Elinora's younger brother?!"

"You must be joking. Such a dull man?! I thought he was a servant or something."

"...He doesn't look much like Lord Silvio at all."

I'm sorry. Please don't say it so bluntly.

I feel like crying.

Still, I think women's eyes are harsh.

I'll definitely avoid getting close to those flashy noble daughters.

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× × ×

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"Did you see that, the first move? He disappeared like a shadow in the bright venue."

"I'm sorry, Father. I couldn't see him at all."

"No, I only noticed it by chance. He may be more unusual than his plain appearance suggests... We'll continue to monitor him."

"Yes, Father."

Parties are fun to write about.