CH 118

Characters in this chapter:

Sapphiras Perfectio, 2nd son of the Earl of Aldridge

Percival Belisario, 3rd son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier

Adeline, Margravine of Vanderwall, Percival’s mother

Sandrion Timberlake, daughter of Earl Timberlake, Theodore’s fiancée

Cristella, Curtis’ fiancée

Curtis Belisario, 2nd son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier

Dylan, 4th year student, Percival’s childhood friend

Jacob, butler of the Belisario household

Susanna, servant in the Belisario household

Flavia, Evelyn’s 2nd daughter, Percival’s maternal cousin

“Well, well! You both look so good together!…… Really, I’m glad I chose this outfit. Hey, Susanna, don’t you think?”

Madam Adeline looked at Percival and I carefully from top to bottom and asked Susanna for confirmation.

“Yes, madam. The two of them look really good together.”

“Everyone did a good job. Thank you so much for all your hard work. We’ve prepared refreshments in the other room, so please make yourselves at home. Now, you two, let’s get ready to welcome our guests at the entrance.”

“Eh? Me too?”

“Yes, of course. Although you’re dressed as a pair, it’s a bit sad to see Percy standing there alone, isn’t it? It’s okay. All you have to do is smile and stand next to Percy.”

“Ha, haa……”

I never thought I would be welcoming guests.

When I went down to the entrance hall, the Belisario family was already there. The scene was truly breathtaking. The Margrave and the older brothers, who are usually dressed in military uniforms, are in sparkling formal wear, and Sandrion-san and Cristella-san are standing beside them, dressed in gorgeous attire befitting Yor.

“Well! When you two are side by side like that, it’s like a temple painting.”

“Yes……even a woman like me can’t help but let out a sigh.”

Sandrion-san and Cristella-san are full of praise. However, the two of them wearing the colours of their fiancés are also very nice. It must have been a dress given to them by the older brothers.

“Both Sandrion-san and Ms Cristella-san are very beautiful. Shining like the spirits of the snow that fell on Yor.”

“……Sapphiras-sama. It’s very kind of you to say so, but perhaps it would be better if you didn’t say such things to our guests tonight.

“Eh?”

Sandrion-san nodded with a serious face at Cristella-san’s words.

Huh? Did I say something rude?

“Percy, you must not leave Sapphiras’s side tonight. Looking at your outfits, I don’t think people with common sense would say anything superfluous, but some of them can be unreasonable among them.”

“Yes, I am aware of that.”

“……Hey, Percival. Did I say the wrong thing?”

In a way, I’m naive. Maybe there are certain words I shouldn’t say when complimenting a woman.

“No, it’s the other way round. If a Sapphiras compliments, some people may get carried away and have strange misunderstandings.

“No way! It’s fine iif it’s Percival, but it’s me? If I was complimented by someone like me, there is nothing to be happy about.”

“Haa……this is hopeless.”

Curtis-san puts his hand on his forehead and mutters in amazement.

“Curtis-sama, that’s also part of the charm of Sapphiras-sama.”

“Yes, Cris is right. Sapphiras-san is fine as he is. Anyway, Sapphiras-san, please don’t leave Percy’s side.”

“Haa……”

I nodded, not really understanding what Madam Adeline was telling me, but it would be very helpful for me if Percival would stay with me, so I could avoid inadvertently being rude. It seems like an important party and I can’t afford to cause trouble.

Soon after, the first guests arrived, escorted by Jacob-san. The elderly couple exchange greetings with Margrave and his wife. Judging from the friendly atmosphere, they must be people who are usually on friendly terms with each other. The couple, who seemed to be good-natured, looked at me and smiled, to which I responded with a smile.

After that, guests arrived one after another, but one thing became clear. Many of the families that are friends with the Margrave are from military families. In other words, most of them are overwhelmingly big people. Some of the guests, after exchanging greetings with Margrave and Margravine, glanced at me with a suspicious glare. I’m sure they’re wondering who I am, a slender, skinny man dressed in a matching outfit with Percival. I understand how you feel, so I turn a benevolent smile towards them. Most of the guests, though, were very friendly towards me. Among them, there is also a young lady and a young son who bow with their cheeks blushing. I glanced at Percival next to me, thinking, this handsome man, but the person himself, who was making their hearts flutter at their age, had a completely cool face.

“What’s wrong?”

Percival notices my gaze and tilts his head.

“……Nothing.”

I haven’t noticed this at all. Percival is also generally dull. That seriousness that doesn’t float away is also what makes him so appealing.

“Ah, Dylan-san.”

“Ya, you two……how should I put it, tonight is spirited too……the twin wings scares me. Oba-ue1伯母 (Oba): Aunt, 伯 indicates that either of Percival’s parents is the older sibling of either of Dylan’s parents. 上 (ue): honorific title has really gone at it too.”

Dylan-san looked at me and Percival from top to bottom and said with admiration.

“Oba-ue?”

“Aah, Percival and I are cousins2ok so turns out it wasn’t mentioned till now lol.. You didn’t know?’

Surprisingly, Dylan-san is the son of the younger brother of Margrave. I see, hence he should also be very capable in swordsmanship skills.

The Margrave couple and the two older brothers seemed to be having a lively conversation with Dylan-san’s parents, but Madam Adeline suddenly turned her gaze to us.

“Percy. Please show Sapphiras and Dylan to the table first.”

“Okay. Let’s go, you two.”

Huh, is that all right? I thought I was going to welcome guests in the entrance hall until the end. Certainly, there’s no point in me being here.  As for me, I’d be grateful if I could face the Yor feast as soon as possible.

In the hall, the musicians are playing elegant tunes befitting an evening of Yor. Guests are chatting and laughing over drinks and seem to be enjoying the party.

And! A variety of delicacies are lined up on the table! Not just a whole roasted bird, but a whole roasted suckling pig too! There is also a colourful array of rare dishes and colourful desserts, making it extremely luxurious. It’s a sight beyond imagination.

“Percival, can I eat this now?”

“Yes, it’s fine. Eat whatever you like.”

“All right!”

I got fired up and immediately asked the serving staff to cut up the meat. The chicken was stuffed with potatoes and spices, and the potatoes inside were also placed on a plate. The suckling pig had a nice, savoury burn on the skin, which was undeniably appetising. This is supposed to be eaten with a little sprinkling of rock salt. 

Upon receiving the plate of meat, the first thing I did was bring the chicken to my mouth.

“Oh……how delicious……!”

The chicken is so tender that you can swallow it without chewing. The stuffed sweet potato is also very flaky. The suckling pig had crispy skin, as you might expect, and the fat was slightly sweet. The saltiness of the rock salt enhances the sweetness.

I could eat the whole suckling pig.

“Sapphiras, I said you can eat as you like, but in moderation……”

When I was overwhelmed by how delicious it was, Percival, who knew that time when I was sick from eating too much, quietly pointed out.

“It’s all right, it’s all right. I have to eat dessert too, so I’ll eat in moderation.”

“Despite Sapphiras’ appearance, your appetite is amazing……wouldn’t someone who doesn’t know what’s inside be shocked when they see this?”

Dylan-san let out an exasperated voice, but I didn’t care, I tasted the food. I was really looking forward to these Yor dishes.

Because Vanderwall is a place where many different cultures come together, the cuisine is multinational, and my eye wants to eat every single one of them. I won’t be able to fully enjoy this unless I carefully plan my strategy.

“……Sapphiras. There’s some rare food over there too, so let’s move on.”

“Hmm?”

“Come on, come on. Let’s go, Sapphiras.”

Even though I’m halfway through the meat, Percival and Dylan-san urged me to move places. I don’t really understand, but I’m interested in rare food, so I go along with them.

At the table we moved to, there was a selection of rare dishes, which we had not seen in Solmontana.

“That’s amazing. I don’t know which one to choose from……Which one would you recommend?”

First of all, to start with the recommendation, I called out to the person in charge of serving.

“Percy! Why didn’t you greet me at the entrance?”

A young lady in a pale pink dress comes running towards me at a furious pace. That girl is Flavia, as I recall. She looks the same as ever, but since the last tea party……she has grown?

melon: Urgh, the little spoilt brat is back.