Chapter 69 – Chapter 3: Autumn Banquet – 3
“…”
I suffered a public humiliation.
If we kneel here, the plans we made will be in vain.
You will be ridiculed for the entire three days after the banquet ends.
I’m sorry… I had no intention of becoming like that.
How did we get here?
I walked tenaciously from faraway Brisden to Deseo with the sole intention of saving Ritz.
If you thought I would get scared by that insignificant snout and run away.
… Wrong.
“This is truly rude. Sir Rudi Piolo.”
Rudy flinched when his name was called.
Good.
I folded the cumbersome fan that covered my face.
I proudly showed a straight face and asked the guy.
“Before you ask me about my blood lineage, I was wondering if you could tell me your entire family lineage.”
The nobles had a strong sense of pride in their lineage.
Since I inherited that sacred blood, I think I am ‘chosen’.
As if it were a natural right.
Would such an arrogant guy be thankful for his ancestors?
I bet you don’t even know your grandfather’s name.
Rudy, who was embarrassed, smiled as if nothing had happened.
“Haha! What a ridiculous thing to say… “Don’t I know my family name?”
“If you know better, please answer.”
“It’s easy. From the ancestors, Ludwig III, Rhodri, Goldick, Ivanne…”
“Wrong.”
Although the plan went a bit wrong.
I really wanted to break that bastard’s sweet dream.
Towards Rudy, who looked surprised, I straightened out the family tree of the ‘Piolo family’.
“From the ancestors, the order is Ludwig III, Rhodri, Ivanne, Goldick, and Ludwig II.”
“… !”
Rudy muttered, folding his fingers one by one in disbelief.
But she soon realized that what I said was correct and shut her mouth.
People were quite taken aback when they saw him not giving a rebuttal.
If you do more, you can do as much as you want.
Staying up all night reading books and learning all the noble manners.
Because we have prepared thoroughly for this banquet.
“You don’t even know your own bloodline?”
“And you went around saying things like that… It’s a shame.”
The atmosphere of the banquet hall has changed.
I stopped laughing and began to turn the criticism that had been directed at me at Rudy.
You provoked him by talking about his qualifications, and then showed that your own qualifications were at a low level.
It is anger at behavior that is not noble.
Rudy hastily made an excuse.
“Well, I guess I was mistaken for a moment. Haha!”
“Lord Ludwig would be amazed if he found out.”
“Tsk tsk. Mistakes are bound to happen.”
“No…”
A look of nervousness appeared on his face at the cold response.
If you lose face, which a nobleman must protect, you will be immediately ignored.
It’s a cold rule in this world.
“Everyone.”
I stepped in front of Rudy who was cornered.
“Please do not criticize our friend too much. It is true that our name is unfamiliar, and I think it is enough to be suspicious.”
“Ma’am…”
“Of course, family and lineage are important, but what is more important is the fact that we are the ones who can shine that glory.”
The banquet hall suddenly became quiet.
Now everyone was looking at me.
“But do you really think that we live honorably like our great ancestors?”
“…”
“Aren’t you worried that perhaps the brilliant time may have been swept away by a violent storm and gone forever?”
“… Huh.”
Everyone was silent, but each person showed an expression of agreement.
In Deseo, they were like candles in the wind.
Although he was somehow living on the back of his family’s glory, he was gradually losing control of this city.
It is no exaggeration to say that it is a ‘crisis of nobility.’
I raised my voice.
“Please listen. From now on, ‘Modales’ business’… “It will restore our lost honor.”
Everyone asked me with surprising eyes.
How? By what means?
That time when I was waiting for the next words with an expression full of questions.
Ding-. Ding-. Ding-.
A bell rang, breaking the heightened atmosphere of the banquet hall.
It was time to end the banquet.
I held the hem of my dress and bowed politely.
“Thank you. We will continue the detailed story tomorrow.”
* * *
We returned straight to the room.
The rooms were very luxurious as they were prepared for special guests.
The bathroom was large and there was a separate bed.
Fortunately, I felt like I could sleep comfortably.
As soon as he entered the room, Mr. Posao let out a suffocating breath.
Her face was all covered with sweat.
“T, Tia… Like this, we… Oh, it’s okay… ?”
“Because the business was successfully announced. Everyone needs to be given time to think for themselves.”
“Something, I’m scared…”
“Are you okay. There is no need for us to rush. “Up to this point, we’ve done well.”
To be honest, I tried to just do it in moderation and get away with it.
As I talked to people, I got excited and made things bigger.
It is as if he has taken over the main character of the banquet.
I burst into laughter.
Even Mr. Aban wouldn’t have thought we’d do it to this extent.
Maybe it was because I had already seen the bottom, or maybe I thought I had nothing more to lose.
Rather than being nervous, I just felt comfortable.
What can I say, it feels like this is where I was supposed to be.
“B-but Tia… Ma, he speaks so well… Amazing…”
“You really like the sound of clearing your throat, right? Thanks to this, it caught my attention and made it easier to talk.”
“Ugh… Thank you…”
“And go to sleep now. They say there will be breakfast early tomorrow morning.”
It was when I went into the bathroom and was about to take off my dress.
“Uh, over there… Tia.”
“Kyaaa?!”
Suddenly, the man opened the door and came in.
Luckily she didn’t have time to lower her shoulder straps, so she quickly pulled up her clothes.
“… What’s going on?”
“That… That… This…”
“Yes?”
There was something in Uncle Posao’s hand.
A sapphire with a transparent blue glow.
It was a brooch in which crafted silver wrapped a sapphire in the shape of a ribbon.
It was different from ordinary decoration.
Although it was a brooch, it did not have much significance as a brooch, and because the size of the sapphire was so large, it could just be called a ‘jewel.’
“This… “Isn’t it yours?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Uncle Posao had three treasures.
A gold ring, an ivory goblet, and this sapphire brooch.
When I got to Deseo, I got rid of the gold ring and ivory cup.
Only the sapphire brooch remained.
“Why are you doing this to me?” ?”
“Poetry, I’m worried.”
The man stuttered to explain.
When Rudy pointed to my ruby necklace and shamed me for being shabby.
The uncle said that even though he could tolerate other things, he couldn’t tolerate that much.
He said that if he had known this would happen, he would have regretted spending some money to buy me a nice necklace.
That’s why I’m willing to lend you this sapphire brooch even now.
“Hmm…”
I stared at the sapphire.
Definitely.
If I go out to the banquet hall wearing such fancy decorations, no one will look at me strangely.
To be honest, I wasn’t embarrassed at all when I was publicly humiliated.
No. I didn’t even think about being embarrassed.
This ruby necklace is a gift from Ritz, not anyone else!
Even if you gave me a golden necklace, nothing would be more important than this.
So I tried to refuse the sapphire brooch, saying I didn’t need it.
The man is willing to lend me this expensive jewelry because he cares about my reputation.
Shouldn’t I also think about my reputation?
“… Shall we give it a try? This brooch.”
“Uh, huh! My… I will help you… Hehe…”
The man approached with heavy breathing.
And I carefully held on to the collar covering my chest.
Click.
The moment you insert a sapphire brooch into your lapel and let it go naturally.
I was a little surprised when I saw my reflection in the bathroom mirror.
“And…”
“Also… Yes, it’s pretty… He looks like a real nobleman. T, Tia…”
A blue jewel placed on a pure white dress.
Its elegance definitely stands out against my red hair.
I took a deep breath and exhaled.
As my chest rose and fell, the sapphire sparkled.
At the same time, my heart also feels like it’s sparkling.
I smiled slightly.
I decided.
I decided to wear this brooch for the three days during the banquet.
We got ready for bed and lay down on the bed.
I’m still in a daze.
It’s been about a month since I joined Deseo.
It seems like just yesterday that I was being harassed by men at a bar and sleeping on the street.
As it happened, I was now treated like a nobleman and was allowed to sleep in a luxurious bed.
When I close my eyes, everything passes quickly.
There were too many things.
Was this a warning from Shinryong, harshly urging me to leave my hometown?
As if trampling on the dreams of a girl who loves adventure and dreams of becoming an adventurer.
I realized that this world is not just bright and is full of fear.
There were times when I was completely exhausted and wanted to give up.
The harsh ordeal grabbed me by the back of my neck and prevented me from moving forward.
… But there was no law saying that there were only dark things.
Because as harsh as the world is, there are also many good people.
The royal doctor who saved Ritz’s life.
Teacher Bin, who taught me swordsmanship.
The sisters who warmly accepted me as I walked away from the donation table.
Robert, who broke down the walls of social status and taught us many things.
The children of Tsarrak who taught us pure hope.
Mr. Aban decided to show goodwill without compensation.
And…
I turned my head.
In the bedroom with the lights off, I could see a blurry image of Mr. Posao lying on the bed next to me.
Why?
The man also turned his head and was looking at me.
When our eyes met, the man greeted me awkwardly.
“Good night… T, Tia…”
It was time for me to return the same good night greeting.
The man added urgently.
“Oh, no… Should I say ‘honey’ now? Hehe…”
“…”
“Sorry…”
“… Hehe.”
I burst out laughing.
“Good night.”
I pulled the blanket up over my face.
“… “You.”
* * *
Day 2.
We skipped breakfast on purpose.
It may be because the entire process of Mr. Posao oversleeping, washing up, putting on a wig, getting dressed, and grooming took a long time.
Above all, I thought it would be more effective for the nobles to discuss my business thoroughly and then listen to my business story.
When lunch was served, we moved to the banquet hall.
Indeed, people recognized us and approached us.
I looked at each nobleman’s face and exchanged greetings, calling their names accurately.
This memory was important in building friendships.
I believe that we have to pretend to know each other first in order for our friendship to be strong.
At the end of the banquet hall tour.
I could clearly feel that the nobles trusted us.
“Mrs. Modales. “May I ask how you plan to do business?”
“Even when we talked among ourselves, we couldn’t come up with a proper answer.”
As expected, they seemed to have had a hard time discussing what the ‘business’ I was talking about was.
What is coming has come.
Instead of answering, I first called a servant.
Chuck.
The servant knelt down and lifted the ‘Rose Sabel’.
He immediately picked up the sheath and drew it skillfully.
Shiring-!
“Oh-.”
As the dazzling blade appeared, people looked at it in wonder.
Then, gently, it went around in a circle.
“Is it sword dance?”
“It’s a beautiful dance.”
It may seem like a dance to these nobles who have forgotten their glory, but it is… The basics of the basics I learned from my teacher.
It is the posture of swordsmanship.
I answered while holding a rose saber.
“My answer is ‘this.'”
