Chapter 76

When I had just made my debut in society.

I couldn't keep up with the conversations of the other young ladies of my age, and even when I was invited to tea parties and evening gatherings, I could only listen in silence. I had learned etiquette and customs from the tutors my father had hired, but I knew nothing about the latest fashions, popular figures, or the charming young noblemen, which were topics of interest for those who were deeply involved in the social scene. I couldn't join in the conversations, and to me, they were all boring.

"Oh, my lady. What a very traditional outfit. From which territory have you come?"

One of the young ladies commented on my dress, which was a refashioned version of my mother's. She was very sophisticated and had many followers. She also knew a lot about the social scene. Perhaps she couldn't bear to see me just standing there. I was grateful to her for speaking to me.

These young ladies, starting with her, taught me various things. Elaborate tea parties, expensive flowers that had been improved through breeding, jewelry made with rare gems, villas built in scenic locations, dresses made by top tailors, exotic pastries from foreign lands, and new operas performed by popular actors. They said that as the children of nobility, we should know and possess these things. But I knew nothing, could do nothing, and had nothing.

"Oh, you don't know this? Your parents must be very strict. How pitiful."

They said I was pitiful for lacking all these things.

Marshall Raid is a territory that must protect the northern border of the Langdias Kingdom. The cold of winter is severe due to the mountains, and it is a land known for its simplicity and strength. There is no flourishing culture, and the people live frugally. Moreover, just traveling back and forth between the capital and the territory is expensive. I had no interest in the social scene and preferred to conduct research in the territory. I preferred to search for bargains at magic tool shops rather than fuss over fashionable dresses and jewelry. My research to make monsters safe to eat was to enrich the lives of the people, so luxury was out of the question.

When I was telling my father about what happened at the tea party, Lady Sylia, who was listening, turned red and said, "How could you not say anything back to those girls who look down on the Marshall Raid family?!" It was then that I realized they had been indirectly insulting me.

While recalling what they had said to me, I explained to Duke Ducas what a typical noble should be like, and I held Sir Aristide's hand under the table. Sir Aristide squeezed back. I felt hesitant to tell Duke Ducas about the unpleasant experience, but this was something Sir Aristide had asked me to do beforehand.

"Ducas was my overseer when I first came here. He has a strange admiration for the nobility, or rather, he has a tendency to idealize what a noble should be without knowing the reality. I've been forced to conform to his ideals many times. However, he is well-respected and is a serious and responsible fortress commander. It's not easy to reprimand him in front of other fortress commanders and subordinates..."

When a superior is reprimanded by their lord in public, the subordinates don't feel good either, especially when the superior is well-respected. Running a large organization involves a lot of unseen hardships. So, Sir Aristide, looking a bit apologetic, asked me to teach Duke Ducas about the less pleasant aspects of being a noble. That's why I told him everything I had learned and seen in the social scene. How last year's dress is out of fashion this year and can't be worn. How one must prepare dozens of dresses to avoid wearing the same one as someone else. How jewelry must be custom-made to match the dress. The same goes for shoes. The cost of clothing alone is enormous, and when it comes to food and housing, it's impossible to prepare everything in a hurry.

Duke Ducas fell silent, and Zeph, Ambry, and Patrice were all gaping. I could understand their feelings. The life of the nobility, which seems glamorous in the capital, is not just about spending money.

"But I believe that Galbreath has its own way of doing things. If I had to spend money and time on such things, I would rather use it for something more meaningful."

When I denied the "way of being a noble" that I had described, Duke Ducas seemed to relax a bit.

"I can understand how you feel, Duke Ducas. Of course, we want our lord to always be splendid and to show off his bravery and good looks. I was deeply moved to see 'The Decapitator' up close. It's impossible not to be captivated; it's so incredibly impressive."

Duke Ducas, who had been looking away, made a surprised face. Why did Yanish cover his mouth to hide a laugh? Zachary and Gilleu also had subtle expressions, while only Mullan, who was enchanted by Sir Aristide's sword skills, nodded while chewing on morsels.

"I can see how deeply you respect Duke Aristide. It must be unsettling to suddenly have a lady of questionable background and with strange rumors about her become your lord's fiancée."

"That, that's not—"

Not only Duke Ducas but probably other fortress commanders also have similar thoughts. Duke Ducas, who somewhat resembles Claude, the knight commander of Marshall Raid, is just more obvious about it. Like Claude, who criticized my engagement as a means to use my research, Duke Ducas likely suspects that I have some ulterior motive. To make them understand that I don't, words alone won't suffice. They need to see that I can be beneficial to Galbreath.

I slowly looked around at everyone who was paying attention to me, squeezed Sir Aristide's hand again, and then released it. I stood up and straightened my posture.

"I am the 'gluttonous lady' who eats monsters."

It was the first time I had called myself that. Before meeting Sir Aristide, I disliked being called that, but now I don't. It's a matter of perspective. If my gluttony can help others, then being called a 'gluttonous lady' is a cute nickname.

"I don't turn into a monster or drink blood, but I have been researching how to make monsters safe and delicious to eat. This morsel is the result of my research. Isn't it wonderful to be able to enjoy something that was previously only fit to be discarded?"

Duke Ducas hadn't eaten, but the others were all enjoying the morsels. The knights around them also seemed to have no resistance to eating monster meat and were eating heartily.

"I strongly wish to use my research for Duke Aristide and Galbreath. So, please, I ask you to see with your own eyes whether I can be of use to Duke Aristide and Galbreath."

I tried to look as much like a noble lady as possible, bent my knees, and then bowed forward while keeping my back straight. A lady's bow is elegant, but it requires hidden muscle strength to look beautiful. Even if my legs were trembling, I had to maintain a composed face, which is also a duty of a lady.

The fortress commanders, who had stood up in surprise, also assumed the posture of a knight's salute.

"Melphiera, I apologize for my subordinates' rudeness."

Sir Aristide apologized and took my hand, and I returned to my seat as he gestured. With the fortress commanders still standing, Sir Aristide continued.

"Normally, I wouldn't be able to sit at the same table or speak casually, but I am grateful for your broad-mindedness in accepting me. After all, I, as your lord, am not a model noble."

"No, Duke Aristide. I find the atmosphere of Galbreath very pleasant. It feels like a large family, and I truly want to become a part of it as soon as possible."

"Thank you, Melphiera."

Sir Aristide lightly touched the back of my right hand with his lips. Then, he waved his hand, and the fortress commanders finally returned to their seats.

"That's why, listen up, all of you. Melphiera is not just a decorative wife who dresses up and smiles. She accepts my way of being and supports my thoughts. She is a valuable presence. Moreover, she is a first-class magician who could destroy a country if she wanted to. You will see a glimpse of her power in the next expedition. If you only believe what you see, then see it with your own eyes."

"I can't miss the chance to see how she handles that incredible magic array up close."

This was said by Patrice, the commander of Galvers Fortress. With golden hair tinged with green, he somewhat resembles the head magician Odilon and is a magician himself.

"If the Ygrosh centipede is as delicious as the morsel, I have no reason to oppose it."

Gilleu, who was in charge of the strategy for the next expedition, seemed to enjoy the morsel and had been eating it non-stop. Zachary, the commander of Lieber Fortress, who was also sucking on the morsel bones, didn't seem to oppose me either.

"Ducas, that's good. Everyone, return to your seats."

Sir Aristide handed me a large wine glass (a large glass for men, filled with grain alcohol), and I stood up and took it. I had just been met with resistance from Duke Ducas, so I was wondering what he had in mind.

Looking around, I saw that the fortress commanders had also stood up and were holding their wine glasses. Confused, I looked to Chaos for help.

(Should I drink it?)

(It's a toast. A Galbreath-style toast.)

When I made a gesture of drinking and asked with my mouth open, Chaos slightly raised his glass and explained. Ah, a toast. I was interested in the Galbreath way of doing it.

Sir Aristide raised his glass.

"On this day, the name of the new warrior who will become the foundation of Galbreath is Melphiera."

Sir Aristide's clear voice made the dining hall, which had been buzzing, fall silent.

"May the new comrade, who has sworn an oath here, be blessed. Comrades who live with me, let's toast!"

"Cheers!!!!"

Everyone in the dining hall raised their glasses. The loud cheers made me jump and shrink my neck.

"Sir Aristide, what is this?!"

"A toast, Melphiera. It's a ceremony to welcome you as a warrior of Galbreath."

Sir Aristide clinked his glass against mine and drank it down in one go.

"Me, a warrior? With these thin arms?"

"What would you call someone who doesn't step back in front of a berserk Backhorn and volunteers to be a decoy? Not everyone who fights with weapons is a warrior. Here, everyone who supports them is a warrior."

It was the first time I had heard such words, and I was so happy that my nose tingled and my eyes welled up. To hide this, I quickly drained my glass.

"Lady Melphiera, you still have a good drinking capacity!"

Mullan immediately refilled my empty glass.

"Wow, the lady can drink! Hey, bring a barrel, a barrel!"

"Yanish, a barrel is a bit much."

"What are you saying, Lady Melphiera? You already beat old Gareo."

"Zeph, please keep that a secret!"

After that, a drinking contest with morsels as snacks started. In a corner of the noisy knights, I saw Duke Ducas eating the grain-stuffed morsels.