MTLNOVEL #45
#45
“Everything’s ready to start the main ceremony. Come quickly!”
Hernin, dressed in elaborate clothes, walked with excited steps towards the carriage heading to the banquet hall.
“Hernin, you love birthday parties so much. You’re still such a child.”
“At fifteen, I am still a child, right?”
His parents, Marcus Gerold and Shane Gerold, followed behind him with these words. Though they seemed to be trying to calm the child down verbally, their actions – slowly stepping forward with jeweled fans at their mouths – appeared to show off their position within the Gerold family.
Marchioness Elmerila has countless nephews and nieces. Among them, there were very few children she cared about enough to personally host a birthday party for.
…Except for Jersian Gerold.
Marcus Gerold frowned, remembering the arrogant nephew. If only he weren’t around, our Hernin would be sufficient as a future heir.
Marcus had naturally assumed that over time, Hernin would inherit the position of the next family head. That is, until the day Cynthia Gerold, who had said she would marry the emperor, suddenly came to this Gerold mansion with a small child. He couldn’t understand the Marchioness’s intention of adopting an illegitimate child born without even a proper ceremony into the Gerold family.
Moreover, she cherished Jersian Gerold so much afterward that Marcus had to confront the Marchioness several times. Marchioness Elmerila endlessly poured knowledge that the family head should learn, such as how to handle the Gerold family’s knights and manage the territory’s budget, only onto Jersian, who was the same age as Hernin.
If things continued like this, Jersian Gerold would truly secure the position of family head. And now he’s even brought an elf and gotten engaged. Remembering how much Marchioness Elmerila had liked him at yesterday’s tea party introducing him, Marcus felt sick to his stomach.
Hernin Gerold was ordinary compared to Jersian. Like any child, he loved birthday parties like this, disliked studying tedious mathematics and politics, and was quick to run away from sword lessons. But with just a little more growth, he would surely become suitable heir material. Marcus Gerold nodded to himself, giving his own child very generous marks.
For now, it was important to show at the upcoming birthday party how much our Hernin had grown. If we do that, surely the Marchioness would place at least some trust in Hernin.
* * *
The place Marchioness Elmerila willingly lent was the largest ballroom in the capital. Using it for a whole day costs enough to buy a house that commoners could live in. Dozens of sparkling chandeliers hung from the ceiling, reflecting candlelight in all directions.
Hahaha, the people filling the banquet hall were all wearing luxurious dresses and suits, holding champagne in one hand.
Invitations were sent not only to the Gerold family members but also to all the prominent families in the vicinity. Well-known socialites that anyone would recognize also attended Hernin’s party.
“Beth, I really enjoyed the play you put on last time.”
“Me too, Abigail played the lead role, right? How can there be such a wonderful actor!”
“Oh my, you like Abigail Merry? I have a bit of an acquaintance with her.”
For them, a banquet was a time to gather after a long while, drink champagne, boast about their connections, and show off their wealth.
Especially parties hosted by the Gerold Marquis family were famous for being large and grand, with rumors that getting an invitation was more difficult than plucking stars from the sky.
Amidst all this, Hernin Gerold, the protagonist of this party, walked around with his chin held high. Hernin was subtly, no, overtly enjoying the envious looks and jealousy from the guests.
It was about an hour before the main ceremony was to begin. Hernin was busy greeting various people, gathering the gifts they brought in the center of the banquet hall, and showing them off.
He wanted to boast about receiving so many gifts to that annoying Jersian Gerold too, but the guy was rudely not even showing his face at the pre-ceremony events. It was while Hernin was quickly making his rounds to greet everyone in the banquet hall.
—♫♫
The sound of a servant’s trumpet announcing the Marchioness’s arrival rang through the banquet hall. Simultaneously, everyone there bowed their heads in that direction, paying respects to the Marchioness.
Marchioness Elmerila was wearing a dress that was simple but, upon closer inspection, made of expensive materials. Elmerila walked to the highest seat in the banquet hall, holding a fan to her mouth.
At the same time, the orchestra prepared in a corner of the banquet hall began to play a musical piece.
It was a song celebrating Hernin’s birthday. As the soft melody filled the banquet hall, people’s gazes naturally turned towards Hernin.
Ahem, Hernin cleared his throat once with an arrogant face and then addressed the crowd:
“Everyone, so many of you have gathered here to celebrate my birthday. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of you here.”
Hernin’s parents were watching nearby with proud faces. Meanwhile, Marcus was subtly checking Marchioness Elmerila’s mood.
It was then.
Someone was seen carefully approaching Marchioness Elmerila, who was sitting in the highest seat, and whispering something in her ear.
What are they saying? Marcus Gerold narrowed his eyes to observe. After hearing something from the servant, Marchioness Elmerila briefly stood up from her seat and walked behind the hall’s curtain.
‘…I guess there’s no chance of getting praise from the Marchioness today.’
Marcus Gerold thought as he swallowed a few sips of champagne. The taste in his mouth was more bitter than the champagne.
* * *
Marchioness Elmerila moved quickly as soon as she heard the news that someone had arrived at the banquet hall. This guest was an important figure who should not be kept waiting even for a moment.
Behind the curtain of the banquet hall, in the middle of a secret reception room, someone was standing with their back turned. Even from a distance, it was a man with jet-black hair that indicated he was from the imperial family. Recognizing his back, Marchioness Elmerila greeted him politely.
“I’m late. I apologize for unintentionally keeping such an esteemed guest waiting.”
At the Marchioness’s words, the black-haired man turned around and spoke casually.
“There’s no reason for you to apologize, Marchioness. I just arrived a moment ago.”
Speaking comfortably to the Gerold Marchioness, and a guest precious enough to have to sneak out of the banquet – he was Kemirun Del Claude, who bore the surname Claude, which only eight people on the continent possessed.
“It’s been a while, Marchioness Elmerila.”
He took the Marchioness’s gloved hand and lightly brought it to his lips. It was a perfect movement, exactly following court etiquette without any excess. Marchioness Elmerila welcomed Kemirun warmly.
“Thank you for gracing even this remote banquet with your presence, Crown Prince Kemirun.”
“Of course I had to come, since the Marchioness personally invited me.”
Kemirun answered with a smile. But his sharp gaze was not hidden.
“I only feel sorry that I can’t congratulate Hernin Gerold openly like others.”
Kemirun said, slightly nodding towards the curtain outside. But that was only natural. He was a prince close to the line of succession. There was no reason for him to take time out of his busy schedule to attend the birthday party of a mere Marquis’s nephew.
“I can congratulate Hernin enough on your behalf.”
And since Marchioness Elmerila knew it was just lip service anyway, she glossed over it.
“…”
Kemirun Del Claude, who had been looking down at her for a moment, opened his mouth.
“How is it? Do you think he has discovered it by now?”
At Kemirun Del Claude’s question, Marchioness Elmerila smiled softly and said:
“He probably has. Jersian is a very smart boy.”
I heard he was going to enter Baron Basiz’s mansion again before the main ceremony started. If it were anyone else, they might not have, but with Jersian’s keen observation skills, he would have noticed the special device on the butler’s desk at Baron Basiz’s mansion. And he would have gotten his hands on what was inside.
He will probably be shocked.
Marchioness Elmerila pulled at her lips as she imagined the scene in her mind.
It was only fitting that a child who dared to betray the grace received from the Gerold family should receive an appropriate punishment. This should be enough for even Jersian to understand. To realize how dangerous the name ‘Claude’ is.
“I see. Then I look forward to working with you in the future.”
Seemingly pleased with the Marchioness’s answer, Kemirun Del Claude also smiled with satisfaction. Though it was a smile, it somehow looked cunning.