Chapter 95: Dinner with House Helvas.

Chapter 95: Dinner with House Helvas.

Lady Atsuko, it is a pleasure to have made your acquaintance. My name is Ellaine Fiero Helvas, daughter of Count Helvas, a young woman, with blue hair similar to her father, greeted me, curtsying with her green dress. It would be an honor if we could learn about each other more after today.

I heard you like pastries from your mother, Lady Ellaine. Please tell me if todays will be to your liking, and, if I acquire more, I would be delighted to accept your invitation, I answered her with a smile, leaving when I will come ambiguous.

Jeez, not only the son but also the daughter wants to know me better. They might be nice people, but Im already on the edge being inside their home.

Outside the supposed dining room, Ellaine, the daughter of Count and Countess Helvas, stood waiting for us. Her father introduced us and we both greeted each other for courtesys sake. She too asked me, just like her brother, for us to meet each other after this dinner to know more about me.

While it might just be normal for nobles in this country, I think it has more to do with the maid behind her. While I gave my greeting to the leading figures of this noble house, my [Detection Sensor] detected a few people eavesdropping on us. Telepathically, Saori also confirmed this maid was one of the eavesdroppers through her scent, probably having informed Ellaine about everything that occurred.

Well, I am a foreigner so it shouldnt be a surprise they wanted to know more about my background. I mean, they did send spies to surveil us. They probably wouldnt have stopped if Saori hadnt captured them.

Oh just for your information, as the lord and lady of House Helvas, it was correct to call them Lord and Lady. Jonathan and Ellaine, having not fully inherited the title, could only be addressed with their first name if their parents were around.

As I was the person representing the Atsuko name, I had to be called Lady Atsuko in a formal situation like this. Even if I was the only one with that name, as Saori was the one who gave it to me.

It was similar to how you would address the parents with Mr. and Mrs., while you could call the kids with their first name on Earth. Thankfully, Colwyn informed me about this. Otherwise, I might have made a mistake here.

Once that was done, two butlers moved towards the door and opened it for us. Entering, my eyes immediately were enraptured by all the lights released by those manatech lamps and chandeliers, brightening the room so much it seemed like everything was sparkling and shining.

White light showed off the beauty of all the furniture, highlighting them like spotlights on a show stage. From the dark, engraving-filled wooden chairs to the massive paintings decorating the walls of the room; it seems the word cost wasnt even considered with how opulent this whole room was.

As one of the maids led me to my table position, I suddenly noticed the chair before me.

This one looked different compared to the others.

While all other chairs at the dining table had armrest, mine didnt. Considering how long my tail was, it was inconvenient to sit down with it while wearing this dress, so without a place to rest it, sitting down could be quite painful.

Seeing as how Jecht, the spy, Colwyn, or even Barathan himself should have seen how long my tail was, I guess they made appropriate preparations for me. How thoughtful.

This is a beautiful chair, I mentioned as I sat down with Saoris help.

Barathan himself suggested it. I hope it is to your liking, Lady Atsuko, Lord Helvas informed me. Werarely receive beastmen guests so I am not too acquainted with accommodating dragonewts.

Understanding he was trying to be humble, I just smiled back, It is perfect, thank you very much.

The table was wide, enough to fit around twenty or so guests. As we were only five, we were all grouped on a single end. Count Helvas sat at the end as he was the head of the house, while his three family members sat together on the same side. My seat was on the opposite side, naturally.

A few seconds after everyone sat down, Barathan and the head maid came in pushing cart-like things, and behind them were two other maids and Tasianna. Each of them went to their respective masters and mistresses and began opening wooden boxes, releasing a myriad of pleasant scents similar to a field of flowers.

Lady Hestia, which tea would you like to drink? I would recommend this one, as I believe it would fit your palette, Tasianna informed me with a pleasant smile, perfectly fitting the image of a maid.

After we left Count Helvas study, the head maid had called Tasianna to follow her for dinner prep. The reason was to inform Tasianna about everything she could and had to do inside the mansion, telling her the schedule of the whole dinner. As my retainer, she had to do it.

It seems like, if a noble brought their servants with them, the servants will be responsible for serving their master. This was to ensure the servants could get a chance to taste the food for poison and to make the tea their master wanted. Saori and I had no confirmation, but we guessed it from the context. Incidentally, wouldnt [Poison Resistance] be perfect for a servant? I kinda want to see Barathans status board if this was the case. He really seems like the perfect retainer.

After brewing my tea, both Saori and Tasianna moved outside the room. I made some small talk with Ellaine and her family before my two friends returned with dinner. After serving the dishes, Count Helvas dismissed all the butlers and maids, including Saori and Tasianna. We were about to talk business, so I guess he didnt want anybody uninvolved witnessing it. Besides, a butler or maid could be called anytime with a bell.

[Have fun, Saori. Stay cool, Tasianna. Dont get caught,] I wished my friends luck.

[You will have it worse, Hestia. Enjoy the meal, it tasted alright when I taste-tested it,] Saori said before leaving the room with Tasianna.

Now, Im alone in the lions den

Let us enjoy the meal a bit before we speak. It would be an insult to both Krunal and Anuiqa if we didnt, Count Helvas stated, mentioning two subordinate gods of Zephira before beginning a prayer. Oh Goddess, we thank you for your blessing today. For showing us the rightful path and for our meeting tonight

His family closed their eyes and stayed silent as Count Helvas spoke a dinnertime prayer. I too copied this action as I had to fit in. When I first met Lorena, she gave a prayer too before we ate. Not only the villagers but also the nobility are religious, huh?

While I was listening, I went through my head as I think I remembered the name Anuiqa somewhere. Tasiannas theology lessons were currently my only source of knowledge on the gods of this world. The bible Colwyn gave me was only about Aurena, so it wasnt too helpful. Without her help, I would never have known of somebody like Anuiqa.

Krunal was the God of Weather and Harvest, and I think Anuiqa was the Goddess of Festivals and Cooking. Both were subordinate gods of Zephira, the Goddess of Wind. Considering Zephira was also the Goddess of Celebrations and Travels, those two gods really fitted her.

After the prayer was done, it was finally time for me to try out the food. Saori told me nobles in medieval times used hard bread called trenchers as plates during these times, and I was preparing myself for it. However, against my expectations, what was served before me was the appetizer in a white clay plate.

Well, to be honest, my expectations were kinda destroyed the moment I entered the mansion. There were barely any candles; all light sources came from those manatech lamps and chandeliers decorating the whole place. If you removed the clear medieval setting, most people would think this was a 21st century, modern medieval mansion. I mean, the only candles I saw were inside this room and they were scented with herbs.

Anyway, while Colwyn wasnt able to teach me how to dine like a noble, thankfully, I already new this from my time with my etiquette teacher. Several utensils were placed before me, all of them were either spoons, forks, or knife. The only difference between each type were their forms and lengths.

As the appetizer was soup, using the soup spoon, the largest of the spoons, was the choice. Even for the bread, which was still warm, there was a butter knife to apply butter to it. You dont use the dining knife, nor the salad knife, you will only and always use the butter knife.

There was also the annoying rule of having to break the bread in pieces before buttering it. You werent allowed to cut it in half and then put condiments and meat on it like a sandwich. Tear a piece off, apply butter on it, then you may eat it. Never skip a step.

While I was enjoying myself, I kept it slow. Not only did I have to temper my strength to not accidentally break everything, but I was also keeping an eye at how the nobles were behaving. Seeing them follow the rules I had to learn ever since my childhood was a relief. I hate to admit it, but I was totally in my element. Like a prim and proper young lady, I was doing everything correctly.

But that just made me crave for more. Without the sun around, hunger assaulted me like a ravenous beast. Every bite of bread and spoon of soup caused my mouth to fill with saliva, compelling me to continue eating and eating without stopping.

I was currently chewing my bread? Then my fork was already picking up some salad. Once I was crunching some salad, my fingers were already holding my soup spoon. I was an efficient eating machine.

The slow nature of formal eating was a real bore, honestly. I wasnt even allowed to eat everything, always having to leave a bit behind to show everybody I enjoyed it but that I wasnt completely hungry.

After a couple minutes passed without anybody speaking, simply enjoying their meal, the next course, the entre, arrived. After it was served to us, the wine was then poured into silver goblet adorned with engravings. Taking a sip, I could only say I didnt like it but, nevertheless, I didnt say it aloud.

The entre itself was a beautiful piece of meat seeped in a red sauce, accompanied with a small bowl of fried rice. I guess they did own a rice-farming village.

The appetizer, the soup, was a complete failure in my opinion. Seasoned with only salt, it couldnt even compare to anything Saori could make. Even the salad was only acceptable 'cause I was hungry. The only thing good about the appetizer was the bread and salted butter. The bread was hard, yes, but the nuts inside it gave it a great texture.

On the other hand, the entre was on a completely different level. Seasoned well with mouth-watering meat and firm, piping hot fried rice. It was delicious, so much I was wishing for more. I wanted to pick it up with a fork and tear each piece off with my mouth, instead of slowly cutting it with the knife. I wanted, no, I needed more!

But I kept myself from going that far. As I nearly lost myself in my ravenous side, I suddenly realized there was music in the room. Where did they come from?! Were they here the whole time?! Was I that engrossed in eating that I didnt notice them?!

Looking in their direction, my eyes were introduced to the wonderful beauty of a small band. I wasnt well-versed with old instruments as my parents instructed me in the piano and violin, so I wasnt able to name every instrument. However, among the four women playing, two were playing banduras and one a zither.

The last woman waswait that doesnt sound like strings being plucked. Wait, isnt that...!

Lady Atsuko, is something the matter? Ellaine suddenly asked, noticing me looking at the musicians.

Awakened from my trance, I turned around to see everybody at the table looking at me, having stopped moving their metal utensils. I-I was just enjoying the music, I forced myself to answer under the pressure of eight eyes.

You were? Ellaine asked while tilting her head, frowning her blue brows in confusion. I did not think you a lover of music, Lady Atsuko. You were pretty quiet during the appetizer.

Urgh, true enough. Fucking sunfang dragon always being hungry. Now Im hungry again from thinking about food!

Uh, understanding what my feeding frenzy made me do, embarrassment caused me to hesitate, forcing me to think of a suitable excuse. I was listening to it silently. It is embarrassing to say, but I was a bit nervous to speak out.

Against all my expectations, everybody was nodding their heads with an understanding expression despite my lackluster attempt of an excuse. Swinging her long blond hair around as she settled down her utensils, Countess Helvas began to speak in a calming tone, "Understandable, dear. Rank differences or not, you are still young and are alone in a foreign country's noble house."

Rank differences?

Before I could ask her what she meant, Count Helvas put down his utensils, wiped his mouth, and then added to his wife's statement, "I planned to give you some time to calm down before we speak, however, maybe it would have been wiser for me to start the conversation myself. My apologies, Lady Atsuko. He gave a short nod, swaying his short blue hair before looking back at me. Is there something we could help you with? To make you more comfortable?

It is alright, I stated as I couldnt think of something at the spot, but immediately thought of something as the music kept playing. Actually, could I ask you to give me permission to play that instrument?

Pointing at one of the women, I drew everybodys attention towards what she was playing. A wooden instrument with strings attached to it being bowed with a musical bow, resembling my favorite instrument.

You play, Lady Atsuko? Jonathan, the son, spoke up with blond hair similar to his mother. If that is the case then may I suggest we spice up this evening? A display of musical talents would definitely calm everybody down, no?

Oh, that would be wonderful! Ellaine clapped her hands together, looking excited at the prospect. Mother. Father. I would agree with brothers suggestion, especially if Lady Atsuko is asking for it. It would certainly brighten up this dinner.

You guys are the best. I will never let anybody get you guys, I stated with conviction.

Lady Hestia?! Tasianna called out as I released both of them.

Come on, guys. Lets go home. Sleep and more yeast are waiting for us, ok~

Dont mess with my friends. I dont care who you are. Nobles, Kings, Gods, whoever you are, come if you dare. The sun will incinerate you to dust.

A note from AbyssRaven

Hestia, I made Count Helvas say that, you could have caught on...

Hmm, why do I smell smoke?

If you guys want to support me, Hestia and "A Dragon Idol's Reincarnation Tale" (or just read up to 12 advance chapters + any Patreon-only chapters) please check out my Patreon: Rawr!

If you guys enjoyed this chapter then, please follow the story. If you guys want the story to grow, then giving it a rating or a favorite will do wonders: Rawr

Thank you for reading this chapter.

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Friday, October 2, 2020 4:11:07 AM Germany [Member of Zard Skwad]

Bio: Hey there, AbyssRaven here. I'm just an avid Light Novel and Fantasy story reader who randomly thought of a story and began writing about it.

I eventually found out that I've been spending a bit too much time with building, planning, and researching for the story, that I've decided to just share it with others.

Writing is mostly a hobby for me, but I would still love any kind of criticism to improve on it.

I'm also german, so please excuse anything that sounds a bit weird...I wouldn't mind you pointing it out though.

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