Chapter 30

The next morning, I woke up.

Just like yesterday, I got ready and went to the breakfast area.

Then,

"Rain, I heard you saved a girl from kidnappers yesterday! Well done!"

"Yes! Thank you! It was thanks to the maids!"

"Hmm, by the way, how are you feeling about today's first party?"

"Yes! I slept well last night, so I'm in top condition."

"That's good, that's good! I'm glad to hear that!"

As I was talking with Father, Mother came over from the side.

"Rain, please don't do anything too dangerous. You know, you're strong enough to take on three people at once with your personal maids."

"Yes, I'm sorry."

At that, the meal ended, and I returned to my room.

"I got scolded."

"Of course. You could have left it to me."

"No, it wouldn't have been right to just watch from the sidelines."

"No, your safety should come first."

"I do consider my safety, you know."

As we were talking, Father came in.

"Rain, I'm coming in."

"Yes."

*Click*

(You came in so quickly! It was a "H" *Click* kind of timing!)

"You look good in that."

"I think you should say that to Leisha."

"Of course, I already did."

"S-Sure, I see. And why did you come to my room?"

I mixed in a bit of formal and informal speech to show my immaturity.

"Do I need a reason to come?"

"No, that's not what I meant."

"Hmm, you'll almost certainly end up talking to one of the princesses. You know my position, so be on your best behavior."

"I understand. If asked anything, I'll just say 'YES I do.'"

I recently found a gap in my language understanding. When I try to say something in "English," it actually becomes English, which I obviously can't understand. It might sound like I'm joking, but I'm being quite serious. The easiest way to respond to important people is with a simple "Yes" (I think).

"No... what?"

"It's a phrase I read in a book, a foreign language."

"S-So, Rain, you're still as knowledgeable as ever. If you understand, that's good. Well, see you later."

"Understood."

And he left.

After that, I read until it was time to leave.

Then, it was time to go. I was called, got into the carriage, and headed to the castle.

Incidentally, I was internally trembling with fear.

(No, I'm nervous. And it's a princess... Sigh, I'm already tired before anything has even started. I have to avoid my old habits and be careful not to show my true self.)

Leisha didn't seem particularly nervous; in fact, she looked very enthusiastic. She was probably looking for a good man and had been asking Mother all sorts of questions.

(If I don't like someone, I'll sit knee-to-knee with my sister, explain things to her, and then hit them with a STR maxed-out, fastest-class stomp and a level 6 fire spell "Gangryoku" powered by a massive amount of MP, the ultimate and most terrifying attack, Knuckle Fire. I'll fix them if they don't die immediately, so they can rest easy.)

I thought about such ridiculous things.

Prouse looked like he thought everything in the world belonged to him, with a smug expression.

(What kind of education did he get from his mother?)

"Seems like you're nervous."

"Huh, well, it's a princess, so it's natural to be nervous."

"I think you'll be fine if you act normally."

"Act normally...?"

(That's the hard part.)

As we were talking, we arrived at the castle, and the carriage stopped.

"Hey, Father, there are already a lot of carriages lined up. Did we arrive late?"

"Hahaha, no. I'm a duke, so if I arrive too early, it would be embarrassing for the lower nobles who come later. It's common to arrive neither too early nor too late."

"I see, thank you."

(Makes sense. I guess the baron who comes after the duke might feel a bit awkward.)

I could understand why it might be hard to enter.

We arrived at the door of the party venue.

Taking a deep breath,

"Shall we go in?"

*Click*, *Rustle*.

The moment the door opened, we were enveloped in a cacophony of noise.

Immediately, someone from the Orion Duke's faction called out.

"Oh! Welcome, Duke Orion!"

"Hmm, you've all worked hard."

After everyone greeted us, the attention turned to me.

(...Of course, it's on me. Ugh, I might throw up.)

But I made sure not to show it on the surface.

"I am Rain Duk de Orion, the next head of the Orion Duke's family! Thank you all for coming to this event for us children!"

(I managed to say it. *orz* The acid is rising in my throat.)

"Hahaha, Duke Orion, you have a truly excellent child. I'm envious."

"Hehe, he still has a lot to learn. Hahaha."

He seemed to be in a good mood.

The second wife quickly went to her parents' area.

"Rain, you can go talk to the other children over there."

"Yes! Understood! I'll go now."

I went to where the children from Father's faction were.

Immediately, someone greeted me.

"Good morning, Lord Rain."

"Good morning."

(I'm not in a good mood at all. I've been swallowing acid all morning.)

Now that I was only with children, I felt much more relaxed.

Just standing there, I was greeted by various people, like the third son of the Lener Marquis and the second son of the Alberdt Baron. I couldn't remember any of their names, and I didn't really want to.

For a while, I just went along with the small talk, and then the ladies started calling out to me!

(Hehehe, can I choose from among them? Is that it? Hmm, you and you and you, nice!!)

I was feeling quite pleased with myself on the inside while maintaining a pleasant demeanor on the outside. I was just happy to be fawned over by girls.

(No strike zone yet, but they're all promising. I want to take this happiness home today.)

But life doesn't always go as planned.

Suddenly,

"The arrival of Her Royal Highness, Princess Ariannorod Ampleur of the Kingdom of Pornesia!"

A loud announcement was followed by a loud fanfare.

Then, a very cute girl, who looked like the second princess, descended the stairs.

I used my divine eye to stare at her face.

"Huh?"

(No, this isn't our first meeting. I should only know a few girls. Is this just déjà vu?)

I don't think it's the same as my previous life's Japanese face.

Then, the princess clearly looked at me and smiled.

"Kufu."

I almost let out a sound when I recognized her.

(It's the girl I saved yesterday!!)

She brushed off the greetings from others and walked straight toward me.

(I can't run! Damn, what should I do?)

She walked with a suspicious smile, making me want to run.

Then, who stood in front of me...