Banquet (1)

After the conversation ended, a small banquet began.

In a small banquet hall prepared within the mansion, family members from both houses and guests gathered to enjoy a small banquet with food, drinks, and conversation.

Of course, the guests referred to Senior Iris and Lilu who were staying at the mansion.

Both of them borrowed dresses from mother, entered the banquet hall, exchanged simple greetings, and participated in the banquet.

Duke Grace was a bit surprised to see Lilu, but after hearing that she was an elf from another clan who helped us at the attack site, he expressed his gratitude.

If it hadn’t been for Lilu, something worse might have happened.

As the banquet officially began, people started gathering in small groups to converse or dine.

I was alone now.

Riel, who had been with me, had gone out to the terrace with Carlena Grace, who wanted to chat with her.

They were acquainted, and as fellow Duke’s daughters, they probably had things to talk about.

As I was heading toward the food to satisfy my hunger, I found Lilu dining.

“The taste of northern cuisine is quite good.”

“Haha, it might get tiresome since it’s mostly meat-based.”

“That’s fine, I like meat.”

Lilu said this while diligently cutting meat and bringing it to her mouth.

…In my previous life, I had a preconception that elves were vegetarians, but they normally enjoyed meat.

When living in the forest, they hunted under the pretext of population control and ate meat, and now that they’ve left the forest, they also buy it normally.

I looked at the dishes on the table.

Most were meat dishes, mainly meat from livestock and fish.

Vegetables and grains all have to be bought from other territories, and there aren’t many merchants who come to trade in this harsh northern region.

In the end, our Count family has to bring them directly, but since there’s a limit to the quantity, after distributing among the territory’s residents, there isn’t much left for us to take.

Still, now that the resources from the County are known, merchants wanting to trade have increased significantly, so the situation has improved.

But even so, the north has developed cooking methods mainly using meat, resulting in dishes filled with meat like this.

After eating a few pieces of meat, I heard the voices of Duke Grace and father while going to get a drink.

“Whew, this is very strong but has a good taste.”

“Northern alcohol is at this level at a minimum, but once you get used to it, you won’t be satisfied with ordinary alcohol.”

It seems father brought out his special liquor for the esteemed guest.

Father had a hobby of collecting alcohol in his room.

I could see several bottles I’d glimpsed in father’s room on the table.

Judging by their slightly reddened faces, both seemed to be feeling the effects of the alcohol.

“This is a style that’s recently become popular in our Duchy.”

“Oh my, it’s pretty, but it might be too thin to wear here.”

Mother and the Duchess were talking about clothing brought as a gift by the Duke’s family.

Befitting a territory where art is developed, the Grace Duchy is also one step ahead in design and interior sectors.

Since mother is also quite interested in clothing, they would have a lot to talk about.

“Brother.”

“Asta, are you enjoying the banquet? …What’s the matter?”

Asta had approached me and called out.

Looking at Asta, who seemed somewhat urgent, he motioned with his head in one direction.

Turning to that direction, I saw Kino caught by the Grace Duke family’s second daughter, Vaniella Grace.

Vaniella was chattering enthusiastically and Kino was just listening, but as a brother, I could tell.

That kid Kino’s consciousness has completely drifted far away.

My younger sister Kino, though she usually hides behind her chuunibyou state, is actually a very timid person.

Once her mask has fallen off, she’s extremely incompatible with bright and active types like Vaniella.

“…Wouldn’t it be good to help her?”

“That’s true, but why aren’t you helping?”

“I… I…”

Looking at Asta, who was flustered with a red face, I narrowed my eyes.

Right, I had forgotten about that too.

“Sigh, how are you going to attend the academy next year like this?”

“…I’m ashamed.”

Asta Wentos.

This kid always sings about wanting a girlfriend, but he’s an extreme shy guy.

Especially since Vaniella Grace, like her sister, had quite a beautiful appearance.

For Asta to charge into that situation alone would be like jumping into a fire pit.

“Can’t be helped. Let’s go together.”

“Yes, brother.”

We approached where Kino and Vaniella were.

Vaniella, who had been chattering enthusiastically, seemed to notice me, as her eyes widened slightly before she smiled.

“Hello, Mr. Kyo.”

“Lady Vaniella, are you enjoying the banquet?”

Lady Vaniella, with blonde hair reaching her shoulders, smiled brightly and said:

“Yes, the food and drinks are delicious, and above all, I’m so happy to have made a friend of the same age and gender!”

“Haha, that’s fortunate indeed.”

As I learned during the introductions earlier, Vaniella Grace was the same age as my siblings.

She also said she would enter the academy next year, and showed subtle intimacy toward Kino.

I put my hand on Kino’s shoulder and said:

“My sister isn’t very talkative, so it might be good to match her pace a bit.”

“Oh my, that was careless of me. I’m sorry, Miss Kino.”

“Ah… yesss…”

Kino, who had slightly regained her senses, bowed her head deeply and spoke softly.

With her chuunibyou mask removed by mother, and the lively Vaniella sticking to her, Alukinon of the Blood Wind was completely dead.

I had hoped she would graduate from it quickly since she had to go to the academy next year, but I didn’t expect such side effects.

While we were talking about this, I saw Riel and Lady Carlena coming in from the terrace.

“Hmm, I would have liked to chat more, but I should get going now. Let’s see…”

I grabbed the arm of Asta who was hiding behind me and pushed him forward.

“We greeted earlier, but this is my brother Asta, Kino’s twin brother.”

“Huh? B-Brother?!”

Seeing Asta flustered as he was suddenly brought forward, Lady Vaniella smiled.

“Now, properly escort Lady Vaniella, Asta.”

“What? Wait a moment? Brother!”

“Oh my, I’ll be in your care. Mr. Asta.”

After offering Asta to Vaniella, I bowed and left the place.

I could see Asta’s blank expression, but it couldn’t be helped.

This is all for your sake, Asta.

When you go to the academy, half the students will be girls, so it’s necessary to get used to girls your age here.

And from what I heard during the introductions earlier, Lady Vaniella is free.

…You’ve been singing about wanting a girlfriend, so give it a try.

A few minutes earlier.

Riel, who had been with Kyo Wentos, was called by Lady Carlena the Duke’s daughter and was out on the terrace with her.

The terrace originally had cool winds blowing, but due to the magic cast by the Countess for the banquet, it was enveloped in warmth.

As the sun was setting, the white snowfield turned red, creating a splendid view.

“Beautiful scenery, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is.”

Riel nodded and agreed with Carlena’s words.

Come to think of it, when she came to the Wentos County before, she didn’t think to view such a sunset from the terrace.

“I really like this scenery, I didn’t think I’d see it again.”

“Is that so…?”

“Ah, right. Congratulations on your relationship with Mr. Kyo.”

“Y-Yesss…”

Riel’s face flushed anew at Carlena’s words.

“Fufu… I was half in doubt when I saw you at the academy, but I became certain after seeing you earlier.”

“Ah… uhh…”

In truth, Riel knew that it was inappropriate for her to join a meeting meant for family members.

Wondering if it was okay to do this when she hadn’t even clearly promised a future with him.

However, the truth was she felt a bit anxious.

The existence of Carlena Grace, who was a Duke’s daughter like herself and had a beautiful appearance, made Riel a bit nervous.

And Riel’s psychology like that.

“Were you anxious because of me?”

“Whaat?!”

Carlena Grace had already read it.

Carlena Grace has been active in social circles from a young age.

Perhaps because of that, she could clearly read the psychology of other women just by looking at their faces.

The face she saw on Riel was similar to the faces of women who would be nearby when men were talking at social gatherings.

Anxiety, jealousy, something like that.

“Well, if I were to say whether I have feelings for Mr. Kyo or not, I would say I do have some.”

“Whaaat?!”

“He has wealth, he’s the heir to a promising family that could be said to oversee the north, he has good abilities himself, and his face isn’t bad.”

“His… his face is quite handsome at that level, I think!?”

“Fufu.”

Carlena laughed as if finding Riel’s reaction amusing.

“But aren’t you forgetting one thing? I’m the person who will inherit the Grace Duke title.”

“Ah…”

“And he’s the person who will inherit the Wentos Count title. So there’s no need to be wary of me.”

At Carlena’s words, Riel felt like she’d been hit on the head.

Thinking about it, that was true. She felt so foolish for being so wary.

“Well, I’d like to build a friendship for the future, but I have no such intentions.”

“That… that’s true.”

“So you don’t need to be so guarded. Rather, I’d appreciate it if we could be close.”

Saying this, Carlena smiled and offered a handshake.

Riel hesitantly took Carlena’s hand.

“I look forward to our relationship, Miss Riel.”

“I… I look forward to it too.”

As the two were shaking hands, Carlena smiled mischievously and said:

“Ah, but you might need to be careful of Vaniella?”

“?!”