Royal Road of the Extra Scribe

27

It had been a few days since returning to the territory after the Samja War.

My daily life had also changed due to that war.

First, Master Iliya could no longer stay in our territory.

It was because of the presence of the mysterious master, Wade. The attention towards the master had become too high since he was the only one who could approach that figure.

It was indeed challenging for me to continue teaching martial arts in the territory now.

“I will go to Crossing to gather information. Juhras Pamelion. We can’t predict what that guy might do.”

Master headed towards Crossing.

And amidst this flow, the political situation within the Calipha Kingdom was also undergoing a rapid change.

The Salion faction and the Helian faction dramatically reconciled.

The king, judging that it was not the time for internal strife amidst the turbulent foreign affairs, urged reconciliation between the two factions. As a result, the noble family involved in the kidnapping of Erina faced complete downfall, leading to a temporary alliance between the two factions.

From that point of agreement between the two factions, the noble class became turbulent.

The lesser nobles who had stood in one place busily wagged their tails towards the other side. It was an inevitable situation to survive.

The high-ranking nobles, while resenting it, accepted it. If they coldly rejected them, they would surely completely side with the other party. Instead, they began to move quickly to absorb them.

Consequently, parties were consecutively held in the high-ranking noble families, and invitations were flying to the lesser nobles.

Our family was no exception.

“Hmm….”

Father groaned as he looked at the invitation to the party they had received.

“A party at the Helian Ducal House. It’s been a long time since we received an invitation to a Ducal House party.”

“The Ducal House’s party!”

Max, my older brother, seemed excited as he smacked his lips.

“If it’s the Ducal House’s party, many noble youths seeking marriage alliances will come. Father, please send me!”

Now in his thirties, Max was eager for marriage alliances.

Father seemed to think it was a good opportunity as he nodded, but there seemed to be a problem.

“Alth, you are the recipient of this invitation. What do you plan to do?”

“What?”

I, who had been quietly dining, finally raised my gaze.

“So, it’s an invitation for me?”

“Yes. It’s clearly specified. It was sent to Alth Illaine, the son of the Viscount Illaine. Apparently, all promising noble youths have been invited. I suppose they want to observe potential military talents for the future, considering the timing.”

“Hmm.”

There must be other intentions as well.

“I’m not particularly eager to go, but….”

Given the excuse of feeling unwell to avoid the Marquis of Millias, going to the party might not be a bad idea.

Upon hearing my words, Max looked disappointed.

If the main invitee did not attend, the entourage could not go either.

“Young one. Can you somehow make it happen? Please! A Ducal House’s party is like… a glimmer of salvation to me!”

“Sigh….”

Max’s frustration had now become a significant matter for our family.

As long as Max, the heir to the title, did not marry, his younger siblings could not marry either.

The most important thing for the nobles is their bloodline. If another sibling marries first and has children, Max’s position as the heir becomes precarious.

Miller, the second brother, seems to understand.

“I have no choice. I will attend.”

“Thank you so much, dear brother. As expected, it’s only you!”

Max’s expression started to change.

Unable to stop Miller, he shrugs and says to me, “If that’s the case, Alce. You should quickly find a partner to accompany you when entering social parties as an adult noble.”

In the past, at parties held in the capital, there was no need to bring a partner as they were victory celebrations, but this time was different.

“Can’t you just enter with Max?”

“It’s not that simple. Nobles seeking marriage partners are expected to enter alone. There’s an unwritten rule that you shouldn’t leave the party with three people. Unless it’s your mother or Julia accompanying you. If not, Max should go alone.”

“Then…”

“Yes. You’ll need to find a partner. Well, it shouldn’t be too difficult for you.”

Ignoring Miller’s words, I had no trouble finding a partner.

* * *

Two days before the party.

No longer able to use health issues as an excuse, I could feel the excitement as I headed to the academy.

It seemed like most of the aristocratic students at the academy had been invited to the party.

The noble academy students were actively seeking partners and preparing for the party, while commoners looked on with longing, hoping they might be chosen as partners.

Finally, a female academy student approached me.

“Alain, are you also attending the party this time?”

“I think so.”

“In that case, it works out well. Let’s enter together. Your face alone is enough. I’ll take you as my partner.”

She said so abruptly. I had only one response to give.

“But… who are you?”

“What?”

“No, I didn’t mean it that way. It’s just been a while since I’ve been to the academy, so my memory is a bit confused. I recognize your face, just can’t remember your name.”

“This…!”

Her face turned red rapidly. She kicked my desk with her toe in displeasure and briskly walked away.

“What am I supposed to do?”

If she wanted recognition, she should have been more proactive in conversing with me.

“Rejecting Kate’s partner offer… That takes courage.”

“Aren’t you afraid of the aftermath?”

Whispers around me.

Whether lucky or unlucky, after rejecting the offer, I stopped receiving proposals from other girls as well.

I couldn’t predict what kind of reaction I would get from Kate after rejecting her offer.

Because of that, a strange atmosphere was forming around me.

Then, in the midst of it all, another incident occurred in the classroom that caught everyone’s attention.

“Please pay attention for a moment.”

An academy teacher walked into the classroom with twenty students.

Among those twenty, I recognized at least two faces.

“Huh?”

“…hehehe.”

One familiar face. Erina looked at me, her mouth turning up.

Her appearance brought silence upon the classroom.

“These students are from the Gransel Academy. They’ve come to participate in the Helyan Ball hosted in Julia.”

This was also an event of sorts for the reconciliation of the two factions.

Just by seeing Erina Salleon, the leader of the Salleon faction’s youngsters, and Luan Chayse participating in this exchange class, one could tell.

“His name is Luan Chayse. We only have two days together, but I’ll be counting on you.”

“I believe some of you might already know me. I am Erina Salleon. Please! Remember this name!”

A joint class with the Gransel students.

This was enough to stir up the academy.

After the bustling morning class came to an end.

As I headed to the garden for lunch, a voice stopped me in my tracks.

“Wait, Wade!”

I chuckled at her sudden address.

“What’s up, Heyna.”

“You were just one letter off! It’s even more annoying when you know it!”

Her golden-haired, forbidden fruit-like presence drew attention from all around, making it a bit awkward for me.

However, with no one around to eavesdrop, we could converse freely.

“So, not only did you get all three letters wrong, but you also got the number of letters wrong? My name is not Wade.”

“You’re still being evasive.”

“Evasive or just…”

“You’re not merely guessing. I did some research on where you were during the last Carrington Battle. Would you still deny it even if I showed you the evidence?”

“Hah… Do you know the meaning of the word ‘stalking’?”

“Stalking? What does that mean?”

“Nothing at all. More importantly… Did you not properly read the reply to the letter I sent you last time?”

The reply I sent, trying to dissuade her from being too clingy.

Erina seemed to catch on and lightly bit her lower lip.

“Yes, of course, I read it. I confirmed some very peculiar and intricate coincidences.”

“If you saw that, could you please stop talking in this manner?”

“Ugh! If you acknowledge it, it’s no longer a coincidence!”

“Well, that’s true.”

I brushed her off appropriately.

Losing ground in the verbal sparring, she soon let out a frustrated sigh.

“Anyway, have you found a partner to go to the party with? If not, I could be your partner.”

“Thank you for your concern, but I’ll decline.”

Entering with the daughter of Count Salleon at the ball. I dreaded to imagine what might happen.

“Hmph!”

There was no sign of dismay as if she had expected rejection.

“I know it’s a bit blunt, but this party is definitely not small. One misstep and you could find yourself in deep trouble. Moreover, it’s decided that there will be a competition among the nobles’ descendants, showcasing their wards, so it’s best to come prepared.”

Descendants’ competition.

I let out a sigh at the thought.

The descendants’ competition was a kind of power display contest.

It was a gathering where newly minted noble youths compared the wards bestowed upon them by their families, indirectly boasting about which family wielded greater influence.

This was something usually held at high-level parties, and needless to say, this party was undoubtedly high-level.

‘Who should I bring?’

Personally, I wanted to bring Yumir, but elves tended to be looked down upon within the kingdom.

There was a risk of unnecessary trouble, so Yumir couldn’t come along.

My mentor wasn’t here, and even if she were, it wouldn’t be a situation where I could bring her, so that option was out.

That left me with only one choice.

* * *

The afternoon was followed by a special etiquette class.

Given the grand scale of the party, the Academy had specially arranged an etiquette class to ensure no mistakes were made.

And the one who had taken charge of this temporary curriculum was Joan, who had come along with Erena.

“Today’s class will be led by Joan D’Elara. She is the head of the Saleon family’s ward.”

Joan glanced at me briefly and gave a faint smile.

“First, let’s talk about table manners.”

Indeed, she was the head of a duke’s family. She delved into even the most minute details.

“Next is dance etiquette. Are there any volunteers to demonstrate? If not, I will choose. You there, Miss Ilaine. And…”

Erena was sending signals as if to ask Joan to pick her, but Joan coolly ignored her.

From the start, Joan’s selection criteria were minor noble families.

If high-ranking families’ youths got entangled, it could lead to unnecessary gossip.

“Miss Milstein.”

“Yes.”

She was a girl with neatly braided blonde hair.

As she stepped onto the platform, she gave me a slight wink.

“Long time no see, Als.”

“Indeed. It’s been a while, Beryl.”

Apart from Erena, she was one of the few students at Gransel Academy whose face I recognized. She was Beryl Milstein.

I had known her since we were very young. It was because my mother was from the Milstein family.

“Is your aunt doing well? I heard she’s pregnant with twins. Father is worried because it’s a difficult pregnancy.”

“She’s doing fine now.”

“That’s a relief. By the way, we’re planning a visit to Rivel with our grandparents soon.”

“It’s been almost a year, hasn’t it? Mother will be delighted.”

Unlike us, the Milstein family, who stood in line with the Saleon faction, had not interacted for about a year, but recently, that interaction had been rekindled.

“Ahem. Please refrain from idle chatter.”

“Oh, yes!”

Beryl stood up straight at Joan’s reminder.

I followed Joan’s instructions and asked her to dance, leading lightly as we moved to the music.

“There, you should loosen your partner’s waist a bit. Yes, well done.”

Joan nodded in satisfaction, acknowledging the value of the lessons from her butler training.

Veril seemed to relax more as we danced, feeling reassured by my lead.

“This worked out perfectly.”

She was the ideal partner for the party.

Similar in social status, aligned with the Salleon faction, there was no risk of being embarrassed by a girl named Kate.

As we whispered during the dance, Veril chuckled softly, her ears tingling.

“I’ll gladly comply. I was in a bit of a bind without a suitable partner myself.”

She whispered softly, but it seemed to carry somewhat in the quiet surroundings.

“Ugh…!”

“Hmph.”

The girl, Kate, who had suggested to me, was grinding her teeth. Erina was clutching her fan tightly.