“Good… It seems like it went well for now.”
Rest let out a sigh of relief, looking at the guests who were in a buzz over the delicacies.
He had been nervous about hosting his first party, but frankly, those worries were completely unfounded.
The Rosemary Sisters had taken care of all the difficult tasks.
Aside from gathering ingredients, all Rest had done was greet the guests.
“This dish is made by slow-cooking Wyvern meat…”
“As for the alcohol, we recommend drinking it with ice. This way of drinking…”
Viola and Primula were carefully attending to the guests.
Viola, with her sociable personality, and Primula, with her extensive knowledge, were supporting each other while entertaining the guests.
“They’re really good wives… you’re being completely spoiled.”
“That’s also thanks to your efforts, Count Clover.”
As he was marveling at the Rosemary Sisters’ competence, one of the guests called out to him.
It was one of the most distinguished guests… Andrew Aiwood.
Behind Andrew, who had a friendly smile, were his close aides, Yusugos and Rilanda.
“Well, well… Prince Andrew.”
“I’m having a great time. This party is so wonderful that it’s raised the bar.”
“Raised the bar…?”
“The bar for my family’s parties… Honestly, you’ve really done it. I never thought you’d even bring out a Diamond Bear.”
Andrew’s eyes turned slightly resentful.
The more successful the party held at the Clover Count House was, the more would be expected of Andrew.
Unlike others, Andrew was royalty. He was also in a position where he was destined to descend from the royal family and become a Duke.
A party of a lower level than the one Rest had thrown would not be acceptable.
“I’m about to descend from the royal family and establish a new Duke’s House… I’m in a bit of a bind.”
“Ah… so it’s been decided.”
“It has. There won’t be many more opportunities for me to be called ‘Your Highness’.”
Andrew shrugged in a joking manner.
In the Aiwood Kingdom, there was a Crown Prince named Richard Aiwood. Since Richard was married and had children, Andrew’s importance as a spare successor was not that great.
The royal family had decided that Andrew would descend from the royal family some time ago, and they were just waiting for the right timing.
“There was talk of me marrying into another house or entering a temple as a monk… but thanks to your efforts, I’ve become a Duke with a territory, so I can’t complain too much.”
“I apologize for the trouble.”
“It’s fine… Well, there are other ways to entertain guests besides food. Since a large Rainbow Crystal was found, I’ll focus on that as the main attraction.”
Andrew drank his juice-mixed alcohol.
“However… I’d be happy if you could sell me this alcohol. Of course, I’ll pay whatever you ask.”
“I’ll prepare it for you… By the way, Prince Andrew, may I ask you something?”
“What is it?”
“That gentleman… what kind of person is Count Walnut?”
Rest casually glanced at one corner of the party venue.
There, Marquis Rosemary, Marquis Cattleya, and Duke Crocus were surrounding Count Walnut.
They were eating the Diamond Bear that the servants were bringing, drinking alcohol, and talking about something.
“Ah… that person.”
Andrew let out a short breath and downed his glass of alcohol in one gulp.
“You’ve met him before. It’s hard to tell because he’s disguised with a Magic Item.”
“Disguised…”
“Once you reach a certain status, it becomes difficult to casually attend lower-level parties. For example, if you attend Count Clover’s party, you would have to attend other Count’s parties as well, which would make the hierarchy among the Counts clear. That’s why they come in disguise like that.”
“Ah… I see, I understand who it is.”
The expression ‘lower-level’ when referring to a Count. From the fact that the powerful high-ranking nobles of the kingdom were treating him with respect, Rest guessed Count Walnut’s true identity.
However, it was probably an unspoken rule not to state it explicitly. He refrained from pointing it out on purpose.
“He’s calling himself a ‘Count’. There’s no need to be overly humble, so it’s best to leave him to the Chancellor and others.”
“…If Prince Andrew says so.”
Rest followed Andrew’s advice and decided to stop worrying about Count Walnut for the time being.
While keeping an eye on his presence, he went around to the other guests in turn.
――――――――――
[New Release]
The Golden Annihilator
~The Incompetent Hero Who Was Abandoned, But When He Threw Money, the Castle Collapsed~
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093092685255471
If you like, please read this as well!