Chapter 24

The palace-sponsored evening cocktail party. This event, held regularly, serves not only as a social gathering for the upper nobility but also as an excellent opportunity to showcase the authority and power of the kingdom and the royal family to the nation.

Though it may be an unromantic topic, an event held at night is incredibly expensive. The vast hall is illuminated by numerous chandeliers of various sizes hanging from the high ceiling, but the candles burning in them are by no means cheap, even by noble standards. While "beeswax" is produced in the Kingdom of Carpia, it is not as successfully cultivated as on modern Earth, so the raw materials are scarce. The "wood wax" imported from the Eastern countries is more expensive due to the high transportation costs.

Moreover, chandeliers themselves are super-luxury items in this world. Given that glass manufacturing technology does not exist, chandeliers are made entirely of silver and natural crystal. Even a small one is a significant investment.

Furthermore, the red carpet that covers the entire spacious room is a unique piece woven by specialized craftsmen over three generations, and the tall tables used to hold food and drinks are all made from a single tree, a lavish creation.

This is a dazzling space that can make even middle and lower nobles dizzy, let alone commoners.

In fact, middle-class nobles can get excited for a whole day just by the topic of "I attended a party in the palace's grand hall last night."

Stepping into such a grand hall for the first time, Zenjiro was busy with the noble greetings, forcing a smile as he dealt with them.

"Zenjiro, let me introduce you. This gentleman is Baron Pantoha. He served as a knight captain in the last great war and now governes his territory with skill."

Aula, who had her left arm around Zenjiro's right arm, read out the name of a middle-aged man.

"It is an honor to meet you, Lord Zenjiro. I am Thomas Pantoha, granted the title of baron by His Majesty, though I feel unworthy."

"Hmm, it is a great honor for a lord to greet us personally."

"Indeed."

Zenjiro nodded graciously, and the middle-aged man who called himself Baron Pantoha raised his head.

While Aula was adjusting the large flower decoration on her left chest, Baron Pantoha left the presence of the royal couple.

Watching the man leave, Zenjiro let out a quiet sigh, unnoticed by those around him. Fortunately, the nobles of this country are not so impolite as to bombard the royal family with greetings without a moment's rest. While the surroundings were considerate enough to give him a brief respite, Zenjiro took the opportunity to imprint the appearance and impression of the person who had just greeted him in his mind.

(A middle-aged man of medium build and height, Baron Pantoha with black hair. His gaze is openly flirtatious. Overall, a bad impression... Ah, at least give me a business card, a business card!)

Zenjiro inwardly cried out.

During his time as a salaryman, Zenjiro had been tasked with remembering the faces and names of business partners, but the number was usually around ten at most. In comparison, the number of nobles he would be introduced to today was in the dozens. Moreover, there was no custom of exchanging business cards.

The only consolation was that, unlike salarymen in suits, the nobles who attended social events often wore distinctive clothing, making it somewhat easier to identify individuals. The women wore sleeveless long dresses, and the men wore short-sleeved shirts, but the colors and intricate designs were far more varied than suits. As a result, Zenjiro's mind was filled with impolite keywords like "fat man in a floral shirt" and "purple walrus lady."

From Aula's demeanor, it seemed that Zenjiro was handling the situation without any major issues so far. The cocktail party, unlike a ball that required specific skills or a public event that was strict about etiquette, was a relatively relaxed event.

It was not a bad choice for an instant royal to make his social debut. The downside of being closer to the general nobility and being kept busy with greetings was within an acceptable range.

While Zenjiro was thinking about this, Aula, who had moved away, returned with a silver cup from the table.

"Zenjiro."

"Ah, thank you, Aula."

Zenjiro, who had received the silver cup from Aula, realized how dry his throat was.

The contents of the cup were beer made in this country. It was low in alcohol, strongly bitter, and lukewarm, but it was not to Zenjiro's taste. However, it sufficiently quenched his thirst in the tropical night air.

"May I take it away?"

"Ah, thank you."

Seeing Zenjiro finish the contents of the silver cup, Aula glanced at a servant in a maid's uniform standing nearby. The servant quickly approached, took the empty silver cup from Zenjiro's hand, and retreated.

Seizing the moment, as Zenjiro relaxed a bit from the tension, the next noble approached Aula and Zenjiro.

A couple, two nobles.

Zenjiro recognized the woman. Since he had been secluded in the harem since coming to this world, the only woman he recognized, other than his wife Aula and the harem servants, was one person.

Lady Octavia, the Marchioness of Marques. Therefore, the stout middle-aged man standing next to her must be Manuel Marques, the Marquis of Marques, one of the most prominent nobles in the Kingdom of Carpia and the father of Raffaele Marques, Aula's former fiancé.

(Wow, I've heard about it, but they really are a couple with a significant age gap. A beautiful young wife is one of the romances of men, isn't it?)

Suddenly, Aula gripped Zenjiro's right arm tightly.

For a moment, Zenjiro thought his heart had been read, but he quickly remembered that it was a prearranged signal. It meant, "Please try to remember the face, name, and first impression of this important person."

"It has been a while, Your Majesty Aula. And it is an honor to meet you, Lord Zenjiro."

"Thank you for inviting us tonight, Your Majesties."

Bowing politely, the couple with a significant age gap, Aula responded with her usual forceful smile and introduced them to Zenjiro.

"Thank you for coming, Marquis Marques and Lady Octavia. Let me introduce you to Zenjiro. Marquis Manuel of Marques is one of the pillars of our country. I don't need to introduce Lady Octavia."

"You are the Marquis of Marques. I have heard of you. I am grateful to your wife."

Consciously puffing out his chest, Zenjiro answered graciously, and the Marques couple bowed again.

"Indeed. If my wife has been of any help to Lord Zenjiro, I am pleased."

"Your words are too kind, Lord Zenjiro."

Meanwhile, the surrounding nobles were watching the scene with keen interest. Even the closest ones were more than ten meters away, so they couldn't hear the conversation, but Zenjiro needed to be aware that he was in the spotlight.

Aula, who had no intention of putting her inexperienced husband in the spotlight and embarrassing him, kept her left arm around Zenjiro's right arm and took the lead in the conversation.

"Don't be modest, Marquis. Lady Octavia's talent and beauty are as rumored. I hope you will continue to use your abilities for the benefit of our kingdom."

"Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty."

"Yes, Your Majesty. If I can be of any service, I will do my best."

Principally, Zenjiro left the conversation to Aula, only nodding and saying "Oh, I see" or "Hmm, I understand" when necessary.

Thus, Zenjiro's social debut began smoothly.

However, there was no guarantee that the smooth start of the cocktail party would continue until the end.

The primary purpose of this cocktail party was to show the public that Aula and Zenjiro were getting along well.

Considering this goal, Aula could not keep holding Zenjiro's arm and supporting him indefinitely. If she did, it would have the opposite effect, leading to rumors that "Aula is restricting her husband's freedom."

Therefore, after the initial round of greetings, Aula and Zenjiro taking separate actions for a while was part of the plan.

"Phew."

After parting ways with Aula, Zenjiro slowly walked through the grand hall. Curious gazes were directed at him, but no one approached to speak to him as a royal.

In this country, it was considered disrespectful for a subordinate to address a superior. Even in a relatively relaxed setting like a cocktail party, such behavior was frowned upon. As a direct royal, Zenjiro was almost never approached.

The only people who might address him without being considered disrespectful were the lords of large territories or generals of the army. However, such high-ranking individuals were usually well-versed in etiquette and the atmosphere of the room, so they rarely took the risk of addressing a royal directly.

If such a person did approach, they would likely be someone who either disregarded etiquette and formalities or had bottomless ambition and was willing to take the risk of displeasing the royal family to gain favor.

(Well, I have no choice. I'll have to take the initiative.)

As a salaryman in a small to medium-sized company, Zenjiro had experience with not only internal work but also external visits and negotiations, so he was not particularly uncomfortable with approaching new people.

Looking for a safe person to approach, Zenjiro slowly scanned the room.

"Excuse me, Lord Zenjiro. May I have a moment of your time?"

Suddenly, a well-built middle-aged man stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and addressed Zenjiro.

(What, what, what? No way, he approached me? Who is he, anyway?)

Encountering a situation that Zenjiro had been told was "impossible," he panicked internally but maintained a composed expression, turning to face the kneeling man.

"What is it...?"

Gathering as much dignity as he could, Zenjiro turned to face the man, who was still kneeling.

Even on his knees, the man's well-built frame was unmistakably large. He wore a somewhat out-of-place, rugged outfit with black fabric and gold thread decorations, which was the third formal uniform of the Carpia Kingdom's Army Cavalry Regiment.

From the tassels on his left chest, it was clear that this man was one of the highest-ranking military officers in the current kingdom.

Under the chandelier's light, kneeling on the red carpet, he looked like a true "knight." Not a princely knight from the palace, but a rugged protector of the nation who found his purpose on the battlefield, knowing the minimum etiquette.

Zenjiro looked down at the kneeling "knight" and recalled in his mind.

The only people who could address Zenjiro without being considered disrespectful were the lords of large territories or generals of the army.

If someone did take the initiative to address him, they would likely be someone who disregarded etiquette and formalities, or a person with bottomless ambition willing to take the risk of displeasing the royal family to gain favor.

The man kneeling before Zenjiro met all these conditions.

"Is this General Pujol? What do you need?"

Zenjiro had heard the man's name multiple times. He was one of the final candidates for Aula's marriage, alongside Lord Raffaele of the Marques family, and Aula had warned him to be cautious about this person.

"Indeed, Lord Zenjiro. I have a gift that I would like you to accept. I took the liberty of addressing you, knowing it might be considered impolite. It is a small token, but I would be honored if you would accept it."

General Pujol, the commander of the Carpia Kingdom's Dragon Cavalry Regiment, remained on his knees, looking up at the queen's consort and said this.