(2 months and 14 days after Klada Disaster)
[Kyrielle's POV]
A day has passed since our first arrival to the castle, where I met that ghost.
And crazily enough, it is now the rain monsoon where even in the desert it still rains once every two days, it's crazy. Weirdest part is that it's thunderstorm most of the time, even blowing winds strong enough to push away clothes that you hand outside to dry.... It's embarrassing but me and Lynn's underwear was blown off like that and I have to go around the castle searching for them.
The weather of this world just makes no sense whatsoever as it's the first time I have actually seen multiple thunderstorms in the desert. The river currents are getting almost 3 times stronger as well, since all of the water from the storms all goes to the river. But even under all these rain, the desert is still as dry as ever since all the water does stay king and seeps underground really quickly.
After I was spooked by the ghost, Lucia started teaching me the demon language. To be honest it is kind of easy as it's also a bit similar to english, just like the Ataraxian language that I am speaking.
On the day after I met the ghost, I went to see the king who's relaxing next to the pool. He had a chat with Lynn, before he finally informed us of something interesting.
"(The blue keep will hold a dance party on next week's weekend. All royalties, nobles and people of importance are invited, you two included. I would like you two to join the dinner and experience a royal's bonding experience.)"
"(I see.... I'll try to go then.)"
"(Good. I presume that Lynn and Kyrielle here knows about mannerisms and ethics for these events?)
"(No. But fret not, we can have Lucia and Linia to teach us.)"
"(I see... Since today is the final day of weekend, there will be about seven days for you two to learn then. But the twin arachnoids was assigned to you? If you don't find them creepy, then they are good tutors for things like that.)"
"(They are creepy?)"
"(Lots of guests doesn't like to have insects serve them. Perhaps Mesto, the court magician deliberately let them to be your maid just to spite you.)"
"(Is that so?... Well, it's fine anyway since we don't find those two creepy.)"
Anyway, that's how we ended up learning ethics and mannerisms together. However, Linia was assigned to teach Lynn, since she can't speak the human language. Lucia was assigned to me because she can also speak the human language.
That's why I'm learning manners right now, five days before the dinner comes.
"The first mannerisms to learn is table manners. When eating, you need to use the right utensils for the right kind of food. "
"Mmn!"
"Naturally, using the wrong utensils are fine, but it'd make you seem to be less mannered and also seem uneducated. You don't want that right?"
"No!"
"Then I'll teach you some basic table manners."
There's a lot of manners to cover, but they are all really basic. I was taught to use the right utensils for the right food, eat in small bites, don't munch or sip in loud noises, and some more.
Before I know it, Lucia has started to become like a royal mother to me, since she's teaching me all kinds of royalty ethics and simultaneously teaching me the demon language as well.
"After the table manners, the second most important is dressing manners."
"Mm!"
"Dress codes for these dinners are varied, but they are all based on one obvious thing. It's impression. The impression that a noble woman should give is elegance, gentleness, confidence and femininity."
"Mm."
"First, you shouldn't dress in baggy clothes because it hides your body line and shows that you are too unconfident about your body. A girl shouldn't be afraid to show others her body line and should make use of her body proportion to appear more elegant and feminine."
"I see...."
"Second, you shouldn't wear tight fitting clothes because it also shows that you are unconfident in your body line, and has to dress up in tight clothings to make others see your shape. Another thing about tight clothings is that they are also much harder to move around in, which is terrible for a dancing."
"Mm!"
"Dress in clothes that aren't too tight or loose, and you'll achieve the best balance."
"Makes sense."
"And finally, a good balance between showing too much skin and showing too little skin. For a woman, their sex appeal lies in their hips and their chest. However, that is why you should instead wear clothings that properly cover up these areas because it is simply too erotic, that can ruin your elegance."
"Mmm! Besides, I don't like showing my sensitive areas to others either...."
"Indeed.... But showing too little skin is also bad, because it makes you appear to be shy of others, and that is bad for a royal context. As such, the parts that is appropriate to show should only be the thigh, the shoulders, the hand and finally the face! Showing these parts wouldn't make you appear erotic, but wouldn't make you seem unconfident of your body as well. It strikes the best balance between both worlds."
"Mmn!"
"Now, let me show you how to apply all these concepts together. Since you don't have that much money nor time to get a custom made dress, and also how you and Lynn-sama travel a lot, you can just borrow one from the castle tailor."
Lucia took me to the tailor in the castle and turned me into a dress up doll. After trying on multiple dresses, she helped me borrow a really fancy red dress from the tailor. And then Lucia taught me how to apply some make up as well, though I suck at it.
"There there. Now, applying a bit of lipstick... And done!"
Lucia finished dressing me up. I looked at a large mirror in the dressing room, and I indeed look like a noble lady.
The dress is really well made; it covered my chest and my butt, but the skirt is short enough to see slightly above my knees. And then the dress also exposes my shoulder despite being long sleeved, and finally it have beautiful flower like patterns sewn into it. It's a really well designed dress, and gives off a sense of feminity and elegance, exactly what Lucia said.
"Lucia... You are too good at this, I look so beautiful now all thanks to you!"
"....You are welcomed, Kyrielle-sama."
"Then as a way to repay you, you can call me 'Kyrie'."
"Ky... rie?"
"Yes. It's a nickname meant for friends."
"Then.... does that mean Kyrielle-sama sees me as a friend?"
"Of course! Why, do you not want to be friends with me?"
"No no, of course I want to become friends with Kyrie-sama!"
"You can drop the honorifics as well."
"Then... Just Kyrie?"
"Yes!"
"...Thank you Kyrie."
"Mmn. Now, what's next to teach me about?"
"The next mannerism would be your body language. First, it's about the way you walk."
She taught me to walk up right, with my face looking slightly to the ground forward. She taught me to walk by crossing one side of my leg to the other side, in a way that models on catwalk would do. When I look into a mirror to see my walking, it amazes me how nice it looks.
"Then, outside of walking is the body language you show when you greet others. There are a few body language, but for now I'll just teach you how to do a curtsey."
"A curtsey?"
"A curtsey is like a bow, but for women only. A well executed curtsey shows off elegance and feminity."
"Mm... How do I do that?"
"To do that, you hold your dress's skirt by the sides with your fingers. Then, you bend both of your knees down in a way like this, while simultaneously bowing your head forward just a bit."
"Like this?"
I did what she just showed me. The motion seems a bit familiar because I have seen it before back on earth.... Usually done by princesses in cartoons and anime, I haven't seen a real girl do that at all, so this would be the first for me.
"No, that one looks bad because your back isn't straight. Here, I'll try to help with your form...."
She helped adjust my back and made me straighten it all up.
"Here, now do it again at the mirror."
I did what she asked and lo and behold, it looks nice. I was happy to see that I can do it so easily because Lucia easily identified what's wrong with my posture with just a glance.
"Hmm, though it could use some polishing, that will do for now. As for the next manners, it'd be a bit hard for you...."
"Why's that?"
"Well, it is about the way you talk...."
"Oh... I see... "
I can't talk in the demon language at all, that's why she's worried.
"Well, no matter. For now, I'll just do a live drill for all the things that we learned today so that you can remember it. As we do all those, I can teach you how to talk in basic sentences. Now, I want you to speak to me in the Bostnian language, and ask me for translations if you don't know the words to it."
And that is how we spent the entire week.
(6 days later...)
Right now, we are right in the dressing room at around 7 p.m....
"(Hello, little miss. May a gentleman kindly ask for your name?)"
Lucia asked me in a mock dance invitation.
"(My name is... Kyrielle. Kyrielle Buffet.)"
"(Very well. Would you like to have a dance with me?)"
"(Excuse me... But I can't dance very well...)"
"(Ah I see. It's fine, I can teach you how to dance. Please take my hand and let's head to the dance floor together.)"
"(If this gentleman insists... Then very well...)"
"Thats it! You got it this time Kyrie, you can talk slightly in the Bostnian language! Now you can at least understand enough of the language to know what it is that you were being asked!"
"Sigh... It's really hard!"
"Don't worry. I'll be right next to you as your maid, so I can always help you translate and talk in real time. Besides this, are you sure you have memorized the dance moves?"
"Mmn! I remember the moves well enough, I think I can ball dance pretty well. You rehearsed with me just an hour ago after all."
"Okay. Then, together we will now head for the ceremonial dining room. Are you ready?"
"Yes!"
Dressed in a maid uniform that is more elegant than her normal one, Lucia accompanied me as I descend down the crowded stairs of the castle. Guests, nobles and the like from all over the country had arrived at the castle for the dance party.
'Cok!... Cok!... Cok!'
Wearing the red dress I borrowed from the castle tailor, I walked down the hallway. I wore a high heels for the first time in my life, with each step I take making loud noises. I had put makeup on my face as well, under the guidance of Lucia.
Finally, I donned my twin tails once again after a really long time. When I was traveling I would tie it into a ponytail, which was more convenient and comfortable. When I'm resting around whether in the desert or in this castle, I'd let my hair down as that feels even more comfortable. Now that I have a chance to, I wanted to tie my hair into a twin tail once again because it is my favorite hair style.
Gazes settled on me as I walk down the stairs and onto the crowded hallway that leads to the dance too. While it made me happy that my practise paid off, I still got extremely embarrassed to have people stare at me as I walk by, and I could only watch the ground ahead of me to avoid making eye contact.
The fact that I'm one of the only two human at this party means I'm going to draw a lot of attention also... That's why so many people is staring now.
"(Kyrielle-sama. Remember to walk up right and elegantly. The rest of the body language will come to you naturally.)"
Using the Bostnian language, Lucia talked to me in a serious tone.
"(Right.)"
Lucia spent a lot of effort drilling into me sentences and words that would be commonly asked to me, as well as teaching me how to reply. That's why I got a general gist of the language now, although I suck at talking in it.
Together, we walked to the dinner room which is in the same room as the dance room. There, I finally met Lynn again, who is sipping wine at one of the standing table. Besides her is Linia, Lucia's sister who is also dressed in a beautiful maid uniform.
But my gaze quickly flock towards Lynn, who is now dressed in a pink dress which and has her hair tied into a braid. She looks gorgeous and elegant, just like me.
"Lynn!"
"Oh, it's Kyrie! You look really good in that dress, and I see you have finally switched back to your old hair style."
"Mm, I want to dress up for the occasion afterall. You look really pretty as well in that braid and that pink dress."
"Thank you. So can you do that thing? Ball dancing, I mean."
"I practiced with Lucia... I think I can do it really well."
"I see... Compared to you, I suck at dancing."
"You need to learn to be more lady like, grandma."
"Oh? Challenging me are you? I was just being humble with you Kyrie, but now it is on!"
"Hah! We shall see."
It seems that Linia who accompanies Lynn also had a bit to chat with Lucia. The entire room which is about 20 squared meters is full of people talking like those two. The overall mood is really lively and exciting, and you can even see people from multiple different races, from kobolds, werewolves, orc, jaguar men, undeads, and more. It's a social gathering, that's for sure.
All the chattering and banters quickly came to a halt after a while, when the King entered the room. He went on the stage and then used a magic mic to talk loudly.
Me and Lynn was personally told to come on stage and be introduced to all the people.... That's why we are spending so much time and effort on mannerisms and such. Right now, it should be about time to do this thing.
"(Good evening to every guests, nobles and royals in this gathering. I thank you for coming to this dinner, because tonight is a special night for all of us here. As all of you may know, our social gatherings is an important event to muster friendship between people of multiple different races... And so, on this very dinner, on this very night, I would like welcome two very special guest for our castle. Two person of a race that many of you wouldn't predict to even show up here in this party.
I'm sure some of you may already know, but I have repeated the word 'very' very much, and that's how important today is for me.... Most of you have already seen the two guests to our castle I presume, but if you haven't, then right now is a really great time to introduce them to you all.
The first that shall be welcomed is the Magic God of the humans. She is responsible for ending the Great War, and her magic is unrivalled in this world. She can also easily destroy this city if she chooses to, and with just one spell!)"
A lot if applause was given immediately as they all learn of Lynn's participation in this party.
"(Just last week, she was mistakenly attacked by our people. She easily repelled our attack and using just a single spell, she blown away the city's renowned barrier which is still being fixed to this day. She is none other than the one and only Magic God of our generation, and as such I welcome Lynn on to the stage to let the audience see for themselves the face of an incredible person like that!)"
"It's show time, Kyrie."
Lynn quickly walked up the stage alone, and as she walked up there, the crowds applauded even louder.
Somehow, despite being the one to kill the Supreme Demon King, she is rather respected in this Bostnia continent. Maybe Baal wasn't thought of as a good leader in the Bostnia continent as well, and so she's not considered as a villain?
"(Good evening, everyone. My name is Lynn, it is nice to be the guest of this castle and to take part in this fancy party, thank you.)"
"(Thanks to Lynn for giving us her short speech. Up next, the second guest is the travel companion that is accompanying Lynn on this journey. Despite being a human girl that is less that 15 years old, she has already learned to use Master ranked spells... A promising apprentice to a promising master!
She has also taken out a pack of 8 Rock Drakes, and one of them is even a Queen! For her age, she is way stronger than her looks, and you know someone is good when they can take an equal amount of spotlight despite being alongside the Magic God herself on stage!
But I do hope that everyone can be kind to her because unlike Lynn, she can't speak the Bostnian language really well at all, so please be patient with a little miss alright everyone? I welcome Kyrielle Buffet onto the stage!)"
I guess it's my turn now then.... Since I became the student council president of my school, my fear of social speaking had completely disappeared. That's why I can now walk so calmly and confidently in front of so many people.
The crowds applauded louder as I held my dress up to step up the stage with out it getting in the way. Grabbing the mic, I talked directly into it.
"(...Hello everyone... My name... is Kyrielle. Please take care of me...)"
"(Thank you for that really short sentence despite being unable to speak in our language, Miss. Now I hope that everyone here can be respectful towards these two new guests and help them out with uncertain things.... Like wise, they will try their best to be respectful towards us, even though there may be misunderstandings since we are all people of different cultures. May everyone have a great party tonight, thank you for listening to my speech.)"
Applause soon followed as the king went down the stage. As me and Lynn was preparing to do so as well, a few guests went on the stage to talk to us.
Particularly, a rather pushy werewolf dressed in a Western style suit kept on trying to talk to me.
"(Greetings, young human girl. I am Klemme, it is nice to meet you.)"
"(It... is nice... to meet you. As well....)"
"(I see I see! You can talk in the Bostnian language even if just a little! How exciting, I would like to hear you to talk more about your homeland, about the human world! Would be so kind as to tell me that?)"
"(Eh!... eeehhh.... I am not good at speaking....)"
"(It's fine, even just a little bit! Anything, anything that you can tell!)"
I desperately looked for Lucia in the crowds and then I saw her coming on top of the stage. I locked eyes with her and my eyes screamed 'Lucia! Please save me!' as she pushes herself through the crowds.
"(Ahem, excuse me Klemme-sama. Kyrielle-sama can't speak well at all in the Bostnian language so she's troubled about you asking so many questions. If Klemme-sama want to converse with her, then you should only ask basic questions.)"
"(Ah, I see. That is a shame, but if I am troubling her and that she can't speak well at all, then I guess I will have to act like a gentleman and refrain from stressing her.)"
I couldn't understand much of his sentence but I did understand that he is gonna leave, which made me sigh in relief.
"(However, if Miss Kyrielle wish to learn to speak in the Bostnian language, then I can offer some personal coaching. I can also hear about your stories, about your continent, as I am teaching you, so it is a win-win situation.)"
"(Thank... You...)" I tried my best to say thank you in the most clear pronunciation.
"(Of course, Ms Kyrielle. Well then, arachnoid maid, take care of your master well.)"
"(Naturally, Klemme-sama.)"
"(I'll see myself off then.)"
He walked away.... Phew...
At the dinner, I went and ate with Lucia since I couldn't converse at all. The dinner worked sort of like a buffet, which is kind of funny because my family name is also called Buffet. I guess you can call this a Kyrielle's Buffet hahaha!... Okay, that was a bad joke.
The food served was really delicious, and the party has all kinds of food ranging from exotic monster meat and corn dishes cooked with special spices.... mainly spices that was planted far East.
As I played around in the party, occasionally some guests would come and talk a little to me, but even then I'd have trouble even comprehending what they say.... I would still try my best to converse with them all though.
I sat on one of the large dinner table, and a few other people also sat here. It was kind of awkward when all I could do was stare into the balcony when others are all talking happily. Lucia also conversed with some of the people here as well....
She tucked on my sleeves to call me and then...
"Apparently... lots of the guests here find it cute that Kyrie-sama is trying her best to talk."
"Is that so? Then at least I am giving off a good impression...."
I looked around the room, and I could see Lynn taking to many people. She is really popular with the people at this party, and she also seems naturally charismatic because of her funny personality, that's why people are drawn to her.
"(Excuse me, lady?)"
I turned around to see a handsome undead's face.... On his hand is a high heel made out of what seems to be glass?... And there isn't a second one either, he only has one on his hand.
"(...Can I help you?...)"
"(I just want to see whether or not you can fit your leg into this shoe. If that isn't a problem for you, then please try it on.)"
"(...Alright then.)"
I tried on the shoe, but it was too large to fit my leg...
"(Thank you for your cooperation.)"
"(No problem....)"
"(Why are you suddenly asking for Kyrielle-sama to try on the shoe?)"
"(Ah, you see this shoe is a magic item that naturally turns it's original owner into a beauty when she wears it. I met her last month at this party as well... But she ran off and left only this shoe as a clue to her real identity.)"
I understood what he said, and I was waiting for the punchline....
"(I fell in love with her upon first sight. That's why I am determined to find out her true identity. Anyway, if you'll excuse me, I'll have to go.)"
"(Farewell....)" (2x)
He walked off just like that. He is definitely a Cinderella ripoff....
As I was thinking along those words, I heard a loud voice from the mic in the party. The master of ceremony was the one who made this announcement.
"(Attention everyone, the free-for-all ball dance will be starting now.... Anyone who wishes to dance can just find a partner and give it a try!)"
Almost immediately after the MC made that announcement, one of the guest came up to me, and then invited me to a dance.
"(Greetings Buffet-san, my name is Jeall. Would you like to take a dance with me?)
Specifically, he is a lizard human like creature, he looks exactly like the kobolds that I have seen so much of in this continent. He looks young, maybe he is still a teenager? He has scales on his body, and then a reptile's tail, but his face is human.
"Go on! Accept it!" Lucia urged me to accept his invitation as she tapped on my back.
"(...If Jeall-dono would settle with me... then sure.)"
"(Kyrielle-sama, what are you saying...?!)"
"(What?...)"
"If you talk like that, it means you are accepting their invitation as a lover! Because 'settle' means to live, and 'settle with' in Bostnian would mean 'live with' instead of 'being good with'! "
"Ehh?!!"
I looked back at Jeall, who looks a bit flustered. Oh god, don't blush for me!...
"(Haha... That was just a little language misunderstanding, Jeall-sama.)" Lucia helped me to clear the misunderstanding.
"(Haha... I see... She is new to the Bostnian language so she might be confused hahaha!... Kyrielle-san had me scared for a second there!)"
"(Ahaha... Excuse me...)" I could only laugh awkwardly in response.
"(So, I take that your answer is yes right? Then, may I have your hand?)"
"(Y-yes.)"
I put my right hand forward.... He grabbed my hand and kissed it.... He kissed it?!
I looked at Lucia, who looked away with a face that says 'Oops, I had forgotten to tell you about that' face. Damned you Lucia!
"(Okay. Now Buffet-san, let's walk to the dance floor together shall we?)"
"(Very... well.)
With my hand being held for the first time in my life, my heart pumping so fast that it's like an engine and my face bright red with blushing, we both walked forward onto the dance area.
I looked closely at the ball dance floor and saw Lynn standing with one of the guests. Someone had invited her to a dance as well.
We stood still for a moment before the piano in the end of the room started playing... And every pairs around us starts dancing as well.
"(Okay, Buffet-san, now we will start dancing. I presume that you know how to dance properly right?)"
"(Mmn, I learn to dance a bit... from my maid.... Also, please talk slower... I can't understand Bostnian that well...)"
"(At your request my lady. So, we will start dancing now, are you ready?)"
"(Y-yes... Wah!)"
As soon as I answered, he immediately pulled me closer to him, into a distance that's a bit too intimate to my liking. He hugged me on my waist and with his other hand he held my right hand together.
"(Did you not like this?... If you hate it then we can stop dan-)"
"(No... It's fine... Let's dance, Jeall-san.)"
"(If you insists, then let's start shall we.)"
Holding me by the waist and by my hand, we danced together. Stepping and turning slowly as we gazed into each other's eyes. Stepping around the room, and only focusing on the piano music that was playing, as well as the light that shoned on the dance floor...
We turned and stepped... And then turned and step again, all while gazing into the eyes of each other.
It was really relaxing as one couldn't help but be absorbed into your partner's eyes... It was a rather awkward, but also romantic moment. I wondered what it would have been like if I was dancing with Richard instead... Would I have really confessed to him if he were to hold me like this?...
The piano music gets increasingly faster and faster as it got close to stopping.
"(And.... Now!)"
He released his hug and then spread me out a bit further. I did a 360 degrees spin while still holding his hand, ending our little dance together.
The crowd clapped their hands as everyone in the dance floor finished their moves.
"(That was a splendid dance, Kyrielle-san!)"
"(Haha... Thank you, Jeall-san.... Excuse me for not being able to talk really well...)"
"(It's not a problem. If anything, it is admirable that you even have the courage to show up here at all... It must have been hard for you to learn our language, culture and manners right?)"
"(Yes... It was a bit hard... But I managed somehow...)"
"(That is a feat in and of itself. You should be proud of yourself.)"
"(Mmn. Thank you...)"
"(Alright. Well then, that was a nice dance, and I'll see you around then. Enjoy the party more!)"
"(Mmn!)"
The party ended up being really fun I must say. Getting to eat tasty food, learn about new culture, acting like a lady, meeting new people and even dancing romantically with a partner... It was a really fun experience that not a lot of people could even try out... This will no doubt become a lasting memory for me.
(Chapter 46 end)