Chapter 292
Even if I've resigned myself to it, quests related to nobles are still stressful.The exchange of pleasantries with fixed smiles, all while trying to gain verbal advantages.
This soirée is no different; His Grace the Duke is busy gathering information while exchanging greetings with his subordinates.
His behavior is perfectly normal for a noble, and compared to his domineering demeanor in FBO, meant for ruling, it's quite mild.
"I suppose you could say things have changed.""What has changed?"
Seeing His Grace the Duke, who was evaluated by players as cold-blooded, now valuing interpersonal relationships, seems like a definite change from my perspective.While acting as a deterrent against men for Miss Esmeralda and Miss Iris, who had become wallflowers, I muttered this while holding a glass, which naturally drew a reaction from Miss Esmeralda beside me.
"No, it's just that not long ago, I was defeating mobs out there, and now I'm in a place like this. I was just thinking how much I've changed."
The original story's plot is information I haven't even shared with Nell or Amina.I can't possibly tell them directly, so I decided to brush it off.
"Is that so? But Liberta, you picked up dancing and manners so quickly that I just assumed...""Iris, you mustn't pry into someone's past."
That correction reignited a question Miss Iris had long held about me.It concerned my origins, my so-called birth.
About that, even I don't know.
If we're talking about my previous life, I'm a reincarnated former office worker who was heavily into FBO. But regarding this body's origins, I truly have no idea.
Normally, one would assume I'm an orphan abandoned for some reason.
There are many orphans in this royal capital, and there are orphanages that can take them in, but they can't cover everyone.So, it wouldn't be strange for someone like me to end up as a street child in this world.
Furthermore, the household registration information in this world isn't organized enough to track the origins of such orphans.
In Japan, you could investigate through blood tests, detectives, SNS, and various methods, but I can't expect that in this world.
"It's fine, please don't worry about it. Besides, if someone showed up now claiming to be my parent, it would just be troublesome."
Frankly, I have no intention of investigating.Looking at the situation when I was reincarnated into this body, it's clear the original owner was driven to the absolute limit.
The emaciated body, tattered clothes, unkempt hair.It's obvious there was no guardian, and no companions either.
It's clear they were utterly alone.
Unearthing that past is impossible, even for me with my knowledge of this world.If this body had belonged to one of the existing characters, there might have been clues, but since it's a completely unknown person, even I'm at a loss.
First of all, the dancing, the social etiquette, even the way I stand by the wall now, were all things I learned on my own.
It's not impossible to imagine, as Miss Iris does, that I might be the son of a former noble who learned manners and dancing, which would explain things. But in reality, it's due to experience points.
As I smiled and told the apologetic-looking Miss Iris that it was okay, I noticed someone approaching.I glanced over, thinking it might be His Grace the Duke, but it wasn't.
A young noble.Did I recognize this person? No, he wasn't a named character.However, he was the second son of a Count family within His Grace the Duke's faction, based on the information I'd received beforehand.
"Lady Esmeralda, I beg you, grant me the honor of the first dance later."
His attitude was as if I didn't even exist.In reality, even within the same faction, my presence isn't that widely known.
One could say this is a downside of having kept my information under wraps, but he's pushing the line right to the edge of being non-hostile.
"I shall consider it."
This applies to Miss Esmeralda as well; if she took his outstretched hand, it would mean acceptance, and she would dance the first dance with him later.Considering his status as the son of a Count, his rank is sufficient, and their ages aren't far apart.
Hiding her mouth with her fan and showing only a smiling expression in her eyes, she replied to him.Despite her pure appearance, her attitude and the natural refusal were reminiscent of a villainess from a ducal house.
The Count's second son's face twitched slightly, but he maintained his smile.
"Then, I shall await your response."
He made an elegant bow and left.
This was the scene repeating itself since a while ago.Men from families of status took turns inviting Miss Esmeralda and Miss Iris to dance, and all were uniformly refused.
Some from other factions also tried to invite Miss Esmeralda, but nobles from the same faction subtly interfered.
Watching him leave, I felt even more hateful gazes directed at me, but my expression remained cool.After all, not a single person here, even if all the soldiers were mobilized, could defeat me.
Being physically the strongest, I knew there was no need to fear those jealous glares.
"He's not coming.""It seems his leash is firmly on, one way or another."
While dealing with those nobles, our main target, with a slightly frustrated expression, was stuffing his face with food, flanked by beauties, and occasionally glancing our way, but showed no sign of approaching.
Miss Esmeralda and Miss Iris, having used all the cosmetic items I could prepare to the fullest, possessed a beauty that would make any man look back.
It was clear that other noble ladies were waiting for a chance to talk to them, intrigued by this change in their beauty.
However, the big fish we were waiting to bite was Jakaran.I had predicted that once he entered this venue and saw us by the wall, he would come over to talk.
"Lord Boldrinde isn't leaving his side.""...... Probably, he's been collared using his recent failure as leverage."
But the reality was a scene like a hungry dog stressed out, held back from the food it wants.
I can guess the reason: something happened at the underground arena where I caused trouble, creating a factor that restricted Jakaran's movements.
"In that case, we shall make him *want* to come to us. Fortunately, it seems His Majesty is also present."
Ultimately, whether we get crucial information from Jakaran or not involves luck, so if nothing happens here, that's fine too.
But having come this far, it seems a waste to do nothing, so we'll make the first move.
"His Majesty, the King, makes his entrance!!"
The host of this soirée and the top of this nation enters.
Everyone simultaneously adopts a posture of respect, placing a hand over their left chest and slightly bowing their heads to welcome His Majesty.Who among them truly acknowledges him as king? There are likely many who only go through the motions while looking down on him in their hearts.
Outwardly obedient, inwardly sticking out their tongues and mocking him.
Knowing nobles who harbor such feelings, I can agree with the players' derogatory term for him: the 'King of a Castle Built on Sand.'
Whether he lacks the capacity to manage the eccentric dukes or simply lacks charisma...
My impression of the Southern King is that he's somewhat unreliable.
"Very well, everyone, raise your faces."
At the words of His Majesty, who possesses dignity but little else, everyone raised their faces in unison.
"I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for gathering here today."
His subsequent greetings were safe and standard, starting with the history of the royal family, moving into the glories of the present era.
"Enjoy yourselves to the fullest tonight!!"
With this closing remark, he finished his address. The orchestra began to play, and several people moved to the center to dance to the music.
"Lady Esmeralda."
So, as planned beforehand, I stepped in front of Miss Esmeralda and smoothly offered my hand.
"Please grant me the honor of the first dance with you.""Yes, gladly."
Using the same line as the second son earlier, Miss Esmeralda, without hiding behind her fan this time and with a smile completely different from before, took my offered hand.
A stir ran through the surroundings, but I ignored it and moved to the center of the cleared area for dancing.
Gathering everyone's attention, we began stepping in time with the music.I was the one leading.
Flowing through the steps, guiding Lady Esmeralda, becoming one with the music being played.Yeah, thank goodness for those VR social dance lessons.
This is one of the reasons Miss Iris suspected I was a noble's son.
The creation of this skill is related to a page from my past, a youthful indiscretion you could call my 'youth.' There was a time when I seriously tried to quit being a gamer.
Once you become a working adult, there's all sorts of social interaction, and, well, you might even fall in love.There was this female senior at my company, just one year older—elegant, competent at her job, considerate, and beautiful. In my previous life, I thought she was a once-in-a-lifetime encounter, someone I might never meet again.
Her hobby was ballroom dancing, so I decided to try it too. But I hated the thought of trying it and being seen as clumsy, so I practiced like crazy *in a game*.
At that time, I neglected other games and intensely practiced VR classes for ballroom dancing and table manners. I thought I might retire from gaming at that rate.
But, think about it calmly. A woman who cares about manners at high-end restaurants and ballroom dancing... it's not like she wouldn't have a boyfriend, and even if she didn't, it's not like I *couldn't* have a chance.
Just as I was psyching myself up to make my move!!, she got married to the future president of another company and left her job as a bride.
It was the classic case of taking too long to prepare and failing.
Well, they say 'speed is the essence of war,' but because of that experience, I'm now so proficient in manners and dancing that even the nobles here say there's nothing they can teach me. It's not a bad thing, but the shock was so great that I worked hard, earned money, and poured it all into FBO, spending lavishly to make up for lost time, and reverted right back to being a gamer.
After that love affair, I thought, 'That's enough of romance for me,' and until I came to this world, my life seemed destined to end with just games.
"Liberta, please look at me now.""Understood."
I must have let my mind wander a bit while reminiscing, as Lady Esmeralda showed a slightly displeased expression.
Rather than dwelling on the past, it's better to focus on her seriously now. Regaining my focus, I performed the best dance possible, utilizing my Class 8 stats.
A dance with not a single misstep, yet flexible, filled with composure and elegance, stopped the chatter of the nobles who had been casually talking earlier and monopolized their attention.
And this dance wasn't just a mechanical performance.
**"......"**
I was genuinely enjoying this in its own way.Well, it's my first time dancing in front of people, but somehow the musicians also seemed passionate, and I could feel myself getting carried away and enjoying it too.
And so we danced for five minutes.
I thought it was a long piece for a normal song, but when it ended, I felt somewhat unsatisfied.
But since it ended, we finished cleanly.
Then, applause and cheers erupted.
Even His Majesty the King was clapping.
I saw Jakaran, who seemed to find this displeasing, crush his glass. The women attending him swiftly prepared a new one.
At that moment, I glanced towards His Grace the Duke.
"How about it, Lord Boldrinde? Shall your hero also grace us with a dance?"
I made the suggestion before the King, right after the venue's excitement had peaked, as if introducing the star performer.