episode_0107

-Tap, knock.

With the sound of heavy shoe heels echoing throughout the hall.

Ian appeared dressed in a suit.

The white shirt, navy blue jacket, pants, and brown shoes were simple compared to the typical attire of nobles.

Only the embroidered vest inside the jacket was flashy, but compared to other noble gentlemen, it was overly plain.

That neat outfit fit Ian’s personality perfectly.

Rather, if he had worn gold trim like ordinary noble men and puffed up his clothes to look bigger, it would not have suited Ian.

“Heo Eok… .”

Helena turned back, clutching her heart.

Kati admired the sight blankly, and Mercy savored it.

“Hmm… .”

He fiddled with the cravat (tie) around his neck as if he was uncomfortable.

The black cravat draped around his shirt collar went well with his fierce look.

Lucia looked with narrowed eyes and muttered softly.

“… Wow.”

“No matter when I wear it, I can’t get used to it.”

Compared to the reactions of the group, Ian seemed very uncomfortable.

Thanks to her neatly combed hair, her dark eyebrows were clearly visible.

Vivian looked at that and turned her head, covering her cheek with both hands.

“You don’t wear it often.”

Ruby followed along and adjusted the tightness of the collar and cravat.

“Did you try it on well?”

“I don’t really think so.”

“It suits you well, so be quiet.”

“Hmm.”

Ian frowned slightly.

He knew it too.

The things Ruby likes to decorate include herself.

I’ve asked that question before.

It seems like he is far from Ruby’s aesthetic taste, so why is that?

Ruby countered that people like Ian are valuable because they are rare.

“Would you like to stand in the middle?”

Ian stood between Vivian and Lucia.

Lucia looked up at Ian, and Vivian only glanced.

I knew he had a good physique, but it was hard to tell from his usual clothes.

But when it was properly dressed like this, it looked special.

“You really don’t recognize me?”

Lucia said softly.

“I don’t think it’s to that extent. I didn’t even wear makeup.”

“No, really. Honestly, the difference is the biggest.”

“Hmm… .”

Ruby sat down and stood up, observing the three from various angles.

Helena, who soon came to her senses, stiffened next to him and looked at Ian.

“I like the picture. I’m sure this will stand out the most out there. Yes.”

“I have no desire to stand out… .”

“Shall I follow you myself? Or should we add our kids?”

Ruby wasn’t interested in Ian’s opinion.

“… Please do whatever you feel comfortable with.”

“Mmm. There aren’t that many people, and it doesn’t take that much effort. I’ll have some kids follow.”

“Okay.”

While Ruby went to recruit personnel for a while.

Vivian timidly called out to Ian.

“Stir… . Ian… .”

“Yes?”

“Listen for a moment… .”

As Ian bent down, Vivian gently whispered in his ear.

“It suits you so well… .”

I was so embarrassed that I only whispered it, but it seemed different to others.

A very red face.

A shy but somewhat excited expression.

Ian tiptoes for a friendly whisper and leans slightly toward her.

It was a perfect composition for misunderstanding.

“Thank you. Vivian also suits her well.”

Kati quietly watched the two of them.

“This is the list, and I told you to arrive the same way according to the schedule.”

Ruby handed me a list of employees who would help.

As soon as Ian received it, he headed to the locker room.

“Uh huh!”

Mercy immediately followed and blocked him.

“Where are you going right away!”

“Do you know how frustrating this is?”

“I can’t do it because my eyes don’t feel stuffy.”

“… What are you talking about? I didn’t wear it to please you.”

“Ahh! I don’t know about that!”

“You can’t use it separately.”

Other people’s voices flew in behind Ian as he turned around again.

“Jo, I think it would be good if you wore a little more… .”

“That’s right! It’s precious to see this… No, that’s rare! rare! Wouldn’t it be a shame to just let the case go?”

“Yes. Let’s show you some more of what you already do. I also brag about it.”

[master.]

“… … .”

Ian didn’t answer and tried to move on.

At that time, Ruby’s whispering pierced my ears.

“They might be doing that on purpose to look expensive.”

I was so taken aback by those words that I almost didn’t change my clothes.

Ian immediately came to his senses and explained.

“First of all. I hate this frustration of not being able to respond flexibly whenever I am attacked.”

“Master. I have… .”

“Second, I feel uncomfortable wearing a suit because it feels like I am openly pretending to be cool.”

“Not pretending, but really cool… .”

Vivian, who was muttering something, hastily covered her mouth.

Ian, who couldn’t hear the sound because it was too quiet, walked back to the locker room as if the explanation was over.

Lucia whispered as she watched him walking away.

“Aren’t you embarrassed?”

Mercy nodded.

“You’re probably half right. In the past, you complimented me every time I wore it, right? It’s always been like that.”

“I don’t think it would be easy to see Ian dressed up like that. It’s a pity.”

“So, that’s right. At some banquets, there are times when you don’t wear a suit, so it’s even more precious… .”

No matter how disappointed his companions were, Ian made up his mind.

***

“Tsk.”

I clicked my tongue as I tied my cravat in front of the mirror.

This was a guest room prepared at Fiorene Castle.

The day has come to attend the auction banquet.

‘stuffy… .’

It’s a banquet invited by the imperial family, so I can’t dress casually.

You cannot refuse to participate because of that artifact.

I was frustrated with the situation and the clothes, but it was something that could not be helped.

The attendants sent by Ruby took care of my hair, and since I could wear my own clothes, the only ones left were Lucia and Vivian.

When I finished arranging things roughly, I blurted out.

[master.]

Kati called me.

[Can I come in?]

The guest room was divided into several rooms, and I had a small room all to myself.

It goes without saying.

‘huh.’

I didn’t know what was going on, but I allowed it.

I changed all my clothes.

Kati opened the door and looked at me without saying a word.

“… I know it doesn’t suit me, man.”

Kati neither confirmed nor denied.

Without saying a word, he just walked towards me, grabbed my left hand, and lifted it up.

“Why the hands?”

“Finger.”

“Finger?”

Kati wrapped her hand around me and folded everything except the ring finger of my left hand.

Then, he suddenly brought his ring finger to his mouth.

“What are you doing… .”

-Whoosh!

“Evil!”

Before I could even ask what he was doing, he bit me.

The recent bites have been pretty strong.

This will leave a mark.

“… Are you sick?”

I ask while gently rubbing the bitten spot.

“No, well… . The problem isn’t that it hurts, but what is it?”

“Sorry. just… .”

Kati, who was looking down at my hand, added quietly.

“I got a little anxious… .”

“Are you anxious? What?”

“Nothing.”

“No, it’s not something.”

Kati shook her head and slowly backed away to leave the room.

“No, hey! Speak up! What does being anxious have to do with biting?”

In the end, Katy didn’t answer until the end.

… What on earth is this?

Judging by the expression on his face, it doesn’t seem like it’s a major or serious problem.

If it was a problem of that level, I would have talked about it.

Then for what reason… .

“Ian? I’m ready.”

Lucia’s voice was heard outside.

Okay, for now, let’s focus on what needs to be done right away.

*

I showed the invitation to the manager in front of the large door and entered the banquet room.

As soon as the door was opened, colorful lights poured in along with lively music.

A red carpet was spread, and a male servant dressed as a butler walked around carrying a tray.

The nobles, laughing, chatting and greeting each other, freely took the drinks or food held in the hands of their servants.

“Wow… .”

Vivian looked around with her eyes shining.

“Oh… .”

Lucia nodded and admired.

There is some time left until the actual auction begins.

I checked the auction items with the manager before coming in, so all I had to do was wait.

The artifact I wanted was definitely on the list.

“Lee, Ian, perhaps… Are you dancing… ?”

Vivian asked, glancing toward the center of the banquet hall.

In the spacious place, there were several noble couples dancing lightly to the music with their partners.

Before the actual auction begins, a free dance is held, and that is where the stage is.

When the auction begins, the host will bring out the items and introduce them.

“No, I don’t like dancing. I don’t even know how to dance.”

“I just need to learn, right? I learned ballroom dancing.”

Lucia asked with a grin.

“I have no particular intention of learning… .”

As I answered, I saw Grace in the distance.

As the host, she was sitting alone in a high seat looking down at the banquet hall.

Unlike his usual immature chick-like appearance, the way he sat and looked down looked solemn, contrary to his appearance.

It may look even more so because of the neatly tied up hair and rich dress.

Next to him was Leon of Aegis, dressed in armor, but he seemed to have come as a protector rather than a companion to the banquet.

“First, let’s say hello to the host.”

I approached the princess with Vivian and Lucia.

She smiled brightly when she saw me.

The authoritative look that had been showing the audience just now disappeared like melting snow.

“Ian!”

“Meet the princess.”

Vivian and Lucia followed me and said hello.

“Up to Ian’s two warriors.”

Grace even came down from where she was sitting to see him off.

“I’m really glad you came. Anyway, the purpose is the auction, not me, right?”

“Wouldn’t it be worse if the princess was the target?”

“There’s no reason not to!”

“… Anyway, thank you for inviting me.”

“Nothing to say. I hope you enjoy it to the fullest and win the bid for the item you want.”

I was going to say goodbye and then go back and wait.

“Ian.”

Grace asked, extending her hand gracefully.

“Please, will you dance with me?”

“… … .”

ah.

Surely you didn’t expect this situation?

It is a request from the princess.

I don’t know how Grace usually behaves at a banquet, but judging from the way she was sitting just now, it doesn’t seem like she is actively enjoying it.

She even asked to dance… .

‘Still, I have to refuse.’

Let alone not liking dancing.

There is even something I said to Lucia and Vivian, and if I accept it here, it will no longer be… .

“Do you think it would be good?”

Lucia hinted.

“Ma, that’s right… ! Dancing with the princess, how many opportunities will there be like this?”

Vivian agreed.

When I turned around, I seemed to have seen the two of them having a silent conversation through their gaze for a brief moment.

… Is it because of my mood?

“It would be a waste not to come to a place like this and dance, right?”

“Yes! It might be a good experience… .”

Grace smiled and tilted her head once.

It means, what should I do?

“I might step on the princess’s toes.”

“Willing.”

I tried to wait until the auction started… .

“… It’s an opportunity to step on the princess’s feet to your heart’s content, so you can’t miss it.”

I held Grace’s hand.