mtl008 Chapter 1025 The Last Routine 204
Chapter 1025 The Last Routine 204
Chapter 1025 The Last Routine 204
"By the way, Miss Claire, if there's any etiquette for making friends, could you teach me? Knowing that might help me make more friends!"
"Huh?" Claire paused for a moment, then said awkwardly, "Well, unfortunately, I don't know much about making friends."
Come to think of it, she didn't have any friends.
The female guard, somewhat embarrassed by the questioning, quickly changed the subject, saying, "Well... anyway, we have to keep going! There's still a lot to do!"
The etiquette course lasted for three days, during which Kobayashi and the others were exhausted and truly felt hopeless. But on the other hand, their etiquette gradually improved, and they were able to handle the other nobles.
"Didn't you all do a great job?" Seeing the four students graduate, Claire nodded in satisfaction and praised them, a rare occurrence for her. "You've truly mastered etiquette; you're definitely growing!"
"R-really?" Wiz looked exhausted; her already pale and thin face became even paler. She whispered, "I don't know why, I just feel so tired..."
She swayed back and forth like a clock, and if Kobayashi hadn't been supporting her, she probably would have collapsed and passed out. Kobayashi put her on the sofa to rest.
Aqua pouted unhappily, hugged her knees, and squatted in the corner, saying, "I don't know why, but the food just doesn't taste good anymore."
Perhaps it's because there are too many rules that Aqua, who used to love to make a ruckus and eat and drink to her heart's content at banquets, has become restrained and has completely lost that unrestrained and free spirit.
"I'm very confident! Next time I'll definitely...!" Youyou said this very seriously and enthusiastically. Although it's a good thing that she's willing to work hard, she looks like she's going to war. For a moment, I didn't know what to say.
"Oh well," Kobayashi sighed, seeing the three of them in various poses. "It feels a bit like last-minute cramming, but it's better than nothing. Now we can talk to Alice openly and honestly in the venue!"
He had a smile on his face. After all, he had worked so hard to practice social etiquette so that he could talk to Alice at the banquet and also hoped to dance with her. Otherwise, wouldn't all his hard work have been for nothing?
“Let me make one thing clear first,” Claire bluntly poured cold water on the idea, her tone scathing: “The host of this party is Lady Alice. If you dare say anything overly intimate to her—”
“Of course, it’s against etiquette!” Youyou immediately said with a smile.
“That’s right.” Claire was pleased with her awareness and nodded, saying, “I’m glad you’ve learned so well, Your Highness. Also, please try to avoid using harsh language in the meeting room.”
The people in the hall are royalty and nobility; if someone swears, they will definitely be kicked out. In addition, Kobayashi and the others were invited by Alice, so it might implicate Alice and lower her prestige.
"Alright, if this is also for Alice's sake, then let's observe proper etiquette!" Aqua shrugged helplessly. She actually disliked doing this kind of thing the most, but Alice was still more important to her.
"You've come this far, haven't you?" Kobayashi wasn't willing to give up either. This kind of sunk cost could be fatal. He clenched his fist and said very seriously, "Be careful when the party officially starts. Don't embarrass Alice!"
"Oh!" x4
Amidst cheers, Kobayashi and his companions successfully attended the banquet hosted by Alice. Upon arrival, they underestimated the scale of the royal feast. All those present were renowned nobles and adventurers of considerable renown. Even Kobayashi, who didn't usually pay attention to other adventurers, recognized some of their names.
Alice stood on the palace balcony, looking down at the many nobles and adventurers in the courtyard—all of them were impeccably dressed and behaved with impeccable manners, indicating that they had received prior etiquette training. Kobayashi felt a slight sense of relief that he and his companions had received Claire's training; now they certainly wouldn't embarrass Alice.
Meanwhile, Alice, standing on a high position, began her speech, saying loudly, "Thank you all for gathering in the cold. Today, regardless of your status, please enjoy yourselves."
A deafening round of applause erupted in the courtyard. There was no unseemly cheering. The fact that the applause alone could elicit such a loud response from the nobles showed just how popular Alice was.
"This is a greeting from Lady Alice! Well then... cheers!!"
"Cheers!" x4
Following a greeting from a nobleman, Kobayashi and the others raised their glasses in a toast to Alice, then downed them in one gulp—this sparkling wine was quite high-class; it couldn't be some cheap liquor. Of course, this was a banquet prepared by royalty; how could it be anything less than presentable?
"What an impressive venue!" Kobayashi looked around at the vast space, the nobles coming and going, and the strange scenery all around. He exclaimed, "Look, that mansion made of ice... to be able to make something like that, they truly deserve to be royalty."
“Yes, indeed.” Wiz examined it carefully and agreed wholeheartedly. “These decorations seem to have been made by artisans in the capital. The atmosphere is elegant and wonderful.”
She could be considered the proprietress of the magic item shop, although she never made any money and had a unique eye for aesthetics.
"That igloo, I think we can go inside, right?" Youyou asked curiously, a look of anticipation on her face. "Wouldn't it be wonderful to chat with my friends there?"
"Ugh...!" Aqua bit her lip unhappily when she saw them praising the igloo, and huffed, "I can't lose either! I'll show you something later!"
"Oh dear, Miss Aqua." Kobayashi patted the somewhat agitated, idiot goddess's shoulder, a smile on his face that carried a hint of threat, and said, "Doing something like that without permission... is against etiquette, you know?"
"Oops... Oh ho ho, I was so careless." Aqua said with a fake smile, as if she realized her mistake, but in reality, her eyes showed obvious unwillingness and a strong sense of resentment.
Just then, a nobleman, perhaps in charge of managing the venue and guiding the crowd, smiled and said to them, "Without further ado, it's time for the dance. Everyone, please be sure to invite your favorite people to participate!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the band that had been prepared in the distance began to play melodious music—violins, cellos, and conch shells. These musicians were clearly professionals, and everyone wore a joyful expression. The other nobles, however, seemed quite used to this; they were adept at such occasions and naturally invited their female companions to dance in the center of the hall.
Just as Kobayashi was about to make his move, Alice unexpectedly arrived at his side first. With a somewhat apprehensive and fearful look in her eyes, she asked softly, "Brother...brother! If you haven't found a suitable dance partner yet, can you dance with me?"
“I’d be delighted!” Kobayashi said without hesitation. In fact, even a second’s hesitation would be disrespectful to Alice. But then he looked around at the other nobles and said, “But among the other guests, are there any who would like to dance with Lady Alice?”
In public, it's not appropriate to call Alice so affectionately. Whether Claire had mentioned it beforehand or Alice had also noticed it, she wasn't angry about the somewhat formal and distant way of speaking; instead, she smiled shyly.
"Hehe, don't worry." Alice smiled happily and explained, "Because no matter what, today is a happy day that has nothing to do with status."
“In that case…” Kobayashi’s lips curled up slightly, then he stepped back with one foot while bowing slightly, extending one hand to Alice, and said, “Would you do me the honor of dancing with me?”
The two began to dance in the hall. It wasn't the kind of dance that would make them look foolish. On the contrary, Kobayashi's dance moves perfectly complemented Alice's, making the already radiant girl even more gorgeous and noble.
"Brother..." Alice smiled and said after seeing Kobayashi's dance moves, "Your dance steps are great."
“Because Miss Claire taught me very well.” Kobayashi raised his head slightly and said, “Today I will lead Lady Alice.”
“…Um.” Hearing such a distant form of address, Alice felt a little uncomfortable. She leaned close to Kobayashi’s ear and whispered, “When the two of you are alone, it’s fine to use normal language, right? At this distance, no one else can hear you, so it’s okay.”
She gestured to those around them to keep their distance, saying that no one would hear them if they spoke softly, so there was no need to be so reserved. However, Kobayashi quickly refused. While leading Alice in her dance, he turned around so that Alice could see behind him and said, "No, no, no, that won't do. Look at you, Miss Claire is watching you the whole time. If I do anything inappropriate, she might send me to the guillotine!"
"Ah...!" Alice, turning around, saw the female guard baring her teeth and about to pounce on her. She immediately pouted and complained unhappily, "Claire is really something..."
"Don't worry about her, she's just worried about you." Kobayashi shifted her position again, so Claire wouldn't see Alice's complaining expression. At the same time, she smiled at the female guard who was staring intently at her and said, "Besides, playing around with these novel games once in a while... no, this kind of behavior is quite interesting, isn't it?"
"Hehe, as expected of your brother," Alice said with a smile. "I also think this way of playing is quite unique."
The two enjoyed themselves immensely, and Claire, seeing how smoothly they exchanged greetings, nodded in satisfaction and said, "Hmm, it seems there are no problems... But, I also wish to be with Lady Alice...! No, but as a subject, I cannot...!"
She clenched her fists in resentment, staring intently at Kobayashi dancing with Alice. Her clenched teeth and furious expression made it seem as if she wanted nothing more than to take her place. Her jealousy was undisguised, frightening the nobles and dignitaries nearby into keeping their distance. To be honest, compared to Kobayashi and the others, her problems were probably more serious.
"Oh dear, Miss Claire," Aqua said softly, covering her mouth with a laugh as she saw Claire looking so lonely. "You're watching the dancers so intently, do you want to dance too? I'll join you!"
"No, no need... I'm a guard, and I don't really want to dance." Claire quickly waved her hand, indicating that she didn't really want to dance, but Aqua didn't care at all. She grabbed Claire's arm and pulled her towards the center of the hall, startling Claire who shouted, "No, don't pull me!!"
She was forcibly pulled over to dance. Although it was a bit strange for two girls to dance, Claire, dressed as a guard, didn't seem too out of place.
Youyou, on the other hand, stood somewhat at a loss in the hall, looking at the smiling nobles and aristocrats, and awkwardly whispered, "Waaah, I was told to invite the person I like to dance or something, but... what should I do?"
She had absolutely no experience in that area, so she didn't know what to do. However, Youyou wasn't one to give up easily. She encouraged herself, "No way, Youyou! If this continues, the days when nobody wanted to do warm-up exercises with me in school will repeat themselves! So, I have to find—"
"Um, is it okay? If you'd like, dance with me—"
"Ta-da! Of course!" A man's voice came from beside her, and without thinking, Youyou replied loudly, "Did you see something about me that led you to invite me? Do you want to be friends with this child?!"
"Eh?"
"I'm so happy! Let's get to know each other better through dancing, and then someday we can go out together or something—"
As Youyou spoke, she became increasingly excited, her eyes gleaming with a chilling red light, leaving the man bewildered. Perhaps intimidated by her words, he quickly realized that Youyou was an incurable sissy and promptly fled.
"Sorry to bother you!"
"Eh...? Wait...! Wait...! Waaah, I failed..."
Seeing the other person's hasty retreat, Youyou lowered her head in disappointment, having missed another opportunity.
"Ah, I found it!" Just as she was feeling sorry for herself, Wiz walked over. "Miss Yoyo, um... if it's alright, would you like to dance with me?"
"Miss Wiz!? Is it...is it alright!?"
"Of course. It's a rare opportunity, and I'd love to enjoy it with Miss Youyou."
"Thank you. Well then...!"
So the two girls started dancing together. Although it was a little strange, Youyou joined in without any problem.
(End of this chapter)