NOVEL SIMPLE c45
As I waited for the party to start with Mina, the inside of the castle became noisy.
The party is about to start, and it is likely that people from aristocratic families other than the main guests, the sons and daughters, entered the hall.
knock Knock
“I am the person in charge of guiding Count Dikaman-sama. May I enter the room?”
"Come in '
"Please excuse me."
The maid who came in didn't behave normally, even if I looked at the way she walked, so it would be more correct to call her an assassin rather than a maid.
Normally, I would be on my guard, but I knew from my knowledge that those who served the royal castle were passing through combat training, so I didn't take any particular precautions.
'Is there a problem with the entrance timing, as it will match that of the Countess Dickaman?'
"Ah, I see."
The timing of the entrance to this party is in descending order of title, with higher titles as the second half of the party progresses and ending with the royal family.
This year's participants were a prince and a princess, neither of whom had a fiancée, but it is also possible that they will be announced at this event.
Or rather, become.
Within the knowledge of two people who become the protagonist's companions, the princess has no fiancée, but the prince has a fiancée.
Social relations were a little awkward because the prince was sulking and saying that he would never be king.
“Do you need an explanation of this situation ?”
"I want you to explain to Mina."
"I understand."
The flow was simple; after entering the hall as instructed, I walked over to where the king was and greeted him.
Because it uses the largest hall in the royal castle, many people stare at me as I walk.
“Although we are moving, there will be a lot of attention from a lot of people, but as long as Mina-sama is respectful and aligns herself with Count Dikaman-sama, there will be no particular problem.”
"Y-yes."
“On the other hand, if Mina-sama behaves suspiciously, it will embarrass Count Dikaman-sama, so please be careful.”
I feel like this maid is kind to Mina.
Normally, she wouldn't have given this much advice, but if Mina were a noble's daughter, she would not be able to work at the royal castle for being rude.
Well, it's highly likely that she knows all the participants in this party by heart and knows that Mina isn't a noble, so she's giving her advice.
“In about five minutes, it will be Count Dikaman’s turn.
Please be ready.
It was about 40 minutes after the party started, and I don't know how many aristocrats of my age were there, but they should be able to enter in an hour at most, and for me, the real deal started after that.
"It's time; let's go."
I and Mina head to the hall while being led by a maid.
As I walked through the vast royal castle, the noise gradually became louder and louder.
``I'll stop here. If you walk straight ahead and turn right at the end, you will arrive at the hall..
There is a guard knight standing in front of the door, so I think it's easy to understand."
"Okay, thank you."
I was alone with Mina in the hallway of the royal castle, and even though there was supposed to be noise, for some reason we could hear each other's breathing.
"Aaah, fuuuuuuu..."
「……」
I can hear the sound of Mina's breathing becoming heavier and heavier; maybe she's nervous.
"Mina.
"Are you fine?"
Before turning at the end of the hallway, I paused and placed one hand on Mina's cheek, making eye contact.
"Huh..."
"I'm with you; it's okay; calm down."
"Y-yes!"
“You can walk proudly beside me.”
「……！」
This is probably okay. Mina's breathing has become normal, and her body has stopped shaking.
We started walking again, and as we turned a corner, we saw two knights standing there.
“Isn’t that Count Dikaman?”"
"Yes, it's me.
"The signal to enter will be given in a few moments, so please wait a little longer."
As I waited, I heard a voice coming from the closed door.
“Next up is the Count Dikaman family, a famous family with the best magic potion creation technology in this world.
"Please come Count Khalil Dikaman."
As soon as the door opened, I entered the hall with Mina. Amidst the sound of applause, many eyes were on me.
He headed straight and confidently towards the chair where the king was sitting.
The king is sitting in a luxurious chair, and on either side of him are nobles who have been given special positions by the king.
Entrusted with the management and supervision of the kingdom's major cities.
Head of the Marquis Barini family, “Larimel Barini”
charged with managing and improving the kingdom's economic relations.
Head of the Marquis Roeloff family, ``Susan Roeloff''
A loyal vassal who generally assists the king is given the position of prime minister.
Head of the Ducal House of Vallesen
``Migual Varesen''
These three people are different from ordinary aristocrats; they are recognized by the king and given speaking status, and they are among the most powerful in this kingdom.
“Karil Dikaman, head of the Count Dikaman family,.
My greetings to His Majesty Carius Guillaume Wengarten."
"Please continue to use your power for the sake of the country."
I kneel in front of the king, make a prearranged statement, wait for the king's response, then stand up and step aside.
"Next ..."
The next person was called, and all but one of them looked away from me and Mina.
「……」
One of them was Prime Minister Miguel Varesen.
"Next ..."
Even though the next person has been called, the Prime Minister shows no sign of taking his eyes off me.
“Next up is the Duke of Ewell, a famous family that has served and supported the kindom for a long time.
Enter Nora Ewell, daughter of Duke Ewell."
I thought about making contact with him for the future, but I heard a name that caught my attention and made me turn to the entrance.
"that……"
Next to Nora Ewell, dressed a little cheaply for a duchess, stood a red-haired man in cheap clothes who was not the equal partner of a duchess.
"Protagonist..."