Chapter 64

After that, the noble exchange event continued with Duke Lingrande taking the stage to deliver a welcoming speech.

He was a man with fiery red hair slicked back, exuding a composed demeanor.

However, his eyes held a fierce, predatory gleam, and I immediately decided he was the number one person I wanted nothing to do with.

The moment I saw him, I thought, "Those are the eyes of a predator."

I wanted to believe that our eyes meeting at the end of his speech was just my imagination.

There are many gentlemen in this kingdom, so he must have been staring at Reru-chan.

Besides, Reru-chan's family is also a ducal house, so there might be various conflicts between them.

I want to believe that Duke Lingrande is a gentleman.

As the night deepened, the first day of the noble exchange event ended, hopefully without incident.

There seemed to be a party the next day as well, but when I asked Father Nord, "Since I participated today, do I have to attend tomorrow?"

He replied with a smile, "Tomorrow, members of the royal family will be present, so you absolutely must attend."

Upon hearing this, both I and Mother Elna made a bitter face, as if we had bitten into a bug.

The next morning, Mother Elna and I groaned in unison.

"I don't want to go to the party (wa)."

As soon as our words overlapped, we looked at each other and exchanged smiles.

You know, I think it's wonderful how close we are as a family.

At this, Father Nord, who was sitting in front of me, choked on his tea and started coughing.

After calming down, he smiled and said, "No, you can't. Since members of the royal family will be there, you must attend if you're in the capital."

"Whaaat?"

"Protesting won't help."

Our protests were in vain, brushed aside.

I thought he would forget by morning.

If that were the case, I should have only attended today.

"Talking to noblewomen is exhausting. You have to be on guard all the time."

"I understand, Mother."

Indeed, the gazes of the noblewomen in the hall are intense.

It feels like they are sizing you up, monitoring every movement.

Noble daughters are desperate to find a good match, so it's understandable, but...

If Silvio were walking next to me, I would have run away immediately.

It's that intense. And the whispers are shameless.

"Al isn't having such a hard time, is he? He's still a child, and yesterday he was chatting happily with Miss Misfield."

What part of that tense atmosphere looked happy? They even picked up their knives and forks at the end.

"I was surprised too. I wonder how they met?"

When Father Nord said this, Mother Elna leaned forward with shining eyes.

"No, it wasn't anything special..."

I recounted the events of my first day in the capital in brief.

Father Nord and Mother Elna let out impressed sighs.

"Wow, that happened?"

"Al would probably just take him to the guards. He's like Elina, always taking care of others."

"No, I wouldn't be that cold!"

And I don't think Elina is that caring.

"By the way, who from the royal family will be attending today's exchange event?"

Mother Elna's eyes narrowed. It was the look of someone cornering their prey.

Her voice seemed cold too.

"Probably that person."

Father Nord replied with a troubled smile.

"That wild princess, huh?"

Mother Elna said this with a smile. It seems she doesn't have a very good impression of her.

"Don't say it like that. After all, thanks to her, we can stay in our territory without getting in trouble."

"Wild princess?"

"Princess Cudelia, the second princess. She's a fan of Nord."

Ah, I see. That's why Father Nord can stay in Coriat Village without much trouble. Even though he should frequently show his face in the capital, given the economic situation.

Since she's the second princess's favorite, no one complains much.

I'm a bit scared of the second princess, though.

"Well, we have to greet her, then."

"I guess so..."

If Father Nord just flatters her, we won't have to attend the capital's parties. This makes me look forward to the Dragon Slayer play even more! The second princess seems to love it too.

What should I do today? I thought as I walked down the inn's corridor.

"That's strange! Yesterday, cookies came out of my pocket!"

"...Mina, what are you doing?"

Such voices came from the bedroom.

"There are no cookies!"

"...Cookies can't come out of Alfrid's pants."

"I saw it yesterday! Alfrid took a cookie out of his right pocket! He had a lot before too!"

"That's impossible. Has Mina finally gone mad? It's from eating too many cookies."

"It's not that!"

What a pity for Mina. It's thanks to spatial magic, not the pocket.

The maids Mina and Sara seem to be relaxing.

The party is in the evening, so there's still plenty of time.

For some reason, Father Nord and Mother Elna want us to stay in the inn, but

I had no intention of leaving the inn today anyway.

After all, we plan to stay in the capital for a while after the party, so I can explore whenever I want. With teleportation magic, it's possible anytime.

Today, I'll check the magical devices I bought besides the rotation device.

I need to see how the heat dissipation device I bought to make a kotatsu is working. I also want to check the lighting device. I remember Silvio complaining that he wanted one.

I'll buy another one next time!

"Why does time fly so quickly when we're having fun..."

I muttered quietly in the swaying carriage.

"You need to pull yourself together, Al. Your face looks more haggard than usual. You were so lively when you were playing with the magical devices."

Mother Elna shook my body.

More haggard than usual? I haven't even done the training to drain my magic power today.

"I'm not haggard, Mother Elna. This is my normal face."

"Shouldn't you call me Mother during the party?"

I dodged the question.

"It's fine, we haven't arrived yet."

"You said you would start doing that from the inn yesterday."

Damn, women really remember the little things.

Even things from a long, long time ago.

"There, we're almost there."

Father Nord said, and soon the carriage stopped. The servants put the carriage away, and we walked to the venue as they did yesterday.

The sky was already changing from a red glow to a blue twilight.

Light sources were set up around the mansion, and the lights were already on.

There were more people and carriages heading to the venue today, probably because of the royal family's presence.

The number of maids and butlers greeting us on the side of the road was also much greater than yesterday, and there were many more guards and knights in full metal armor.

They must be extra cautious. Something happening to the royal family would be disastrous.

"...Al"

"I know. No forks, no waving."

"I wanted you to say you won't cause any problems."

That's rude. With that tone, it makes me sound like a troublemaker.

Yesterday, it was just that Eric was having a sale on fights, and there was nothing I could do.

Thus, the second day of the noble exchange event began.

Can I post another chapter today?