Musicians were gathered beside the entrance to the party house. They had brought in a small orchestra complete with a conductor invited to round out the ensemble. Servants bustled in and out of the venue in time with the music they played. This was because guests were arriving all at once before the main ceremony of the banquet.
In the circular garden where the sunset was descending, carriages maintained their intervals and stopped one after another in front of the exterior stairs. Among them was one vehicle that entered making an overheated engine sound and wheel noise.
Since carriages were still the symbol of authority and the main means of transportation in noble society, the crude appearance with scrap metal attached was enough to draw everyone's attention.
The door opened, and a gentleman and a lady got out of the vehicle in order. The herald on the opposite side checked the list and shouted loudly:
"Baroness Margaret Penrod and her partner Lord Henry Digliff are entering!"
Some nobles watching from the terrace turned around and whispered that she was a newly emerged noble who had just received her title and barely entered the pro-emperor faction.
"This isn't a battlefield."
"How undignified. Such a piece of metal..."
"I heard she bought her title with money."
"Surely not."
Though reactions of rejection were predominant, the lowered eyes glanced at the piece of metal with gazes full of curiosity. Of course, they didn't show it. The instinctive aversion to new things was always a prevalent tradition at pro-emperor faction banquets where old nobles were overwhelmingly numerous.
The power they had built over many years was all created this way. If they brought in unverified things or people incorrectly, the tower of status and honor they had worked hard to build would collapse in an instant.
Guards stood at four-space intervals on the stairs leading to the banquet hall. Their attire differed from those controlling the main road outside. It seemed to follow the imperial guards' uniforms exactly, with very similar decorations and designs.
These guards, imitating the imperial guards, echoed the names and titles announced by the herald:
"Baroness Margaret Penrod, Lord Henry Digliff!"
It was a boisterous welcome ceremony not done even in the imperial palace, but the Baroness, who had just received her title and was attending her first banquet, seemed to be secretly pleased. Her attendant drove the vehicle to the opposite side, and the two left behind climbed the luxurious stairs with their arms linked affectionately.
They entered the entrance and followed the wave of people through the high-ceilinged corridor. In the distance, a chandelier of overwhelming size emitted light like a sun glare.
The large banquet hall spread out beneath it was filled with dazzling jeweled ornaments and flowers. The pearls attached to ladies' dresses and the sparkle of the marble floor were also the epitome of splendor.
Perhaps because the banquet had been postponed once before being held, everyone seemed to have put effort into their adornment as if they had been preparing for it. The attendance of the Duke of Agrizendro, who had long passed the age of marriage, probably also accounted for a large share of today's banquet scale.
Though there had been some noise related to the recent trial, no one would deny the fact that he was currently the best-bred stallion in society, to put it crudely. Nobles gathered in small groups clinked their glasses with different wines and champagnes. Occasionally, they would peek toward the entrance to see if the Duke had arrived.
However, most were busy sharing laughs with those they had newly acquainted. Political and economic partners, superiors or subordinates within the institutions they belonged to. Since nobles connected by various relationships had gathered, no one paid attention to one or two unfamiliar faces passing by.
Among middle-aged men wrapped in high-quality fabrics with fedoras, Drake Duncan, wearing a fur coat made of black sable, particularly drew attention.
He was busy introducing his son who had taken over his title.
"Let me introduce the new master of Pentagove, our Count Duncan!"
"I am Richard Duncan. Thank you for taking your precious time to respond to the invitation."
"He is tall and dignified like his father. He seems destined for great things."
"I wish you prosperity. Glory to Pentagove."
"I've heard he is the most outstanding among your brilliant children."
The young noble, called the new master of Pentagove, responded to their well-wishes with a subtle smile.
"I spend my days in careful consideration, hoping to continue my father's legacy. Please do not spare your sharp advice to guide me on the right path. I will always learn and dedicate myself to the name of the honorable Pentagove and the unity of our pro-emperor faction."
"Well then, everyone—"
Drake Duncan looked around and gestured, timing it perfectly. At that, the nobles all clapped their hands and gave boisterous praise and cheers to the young master of the Count's family. As the protagonist of the banquet was gradually being established, Drake Duncan patted his son's back with a satisfied face.
"I'm proud of you."
"It's an honor, Father."
"Now, take your time greeting people until the start of the main ceremony."
After the celebratory atmosphere had subsided, Duncan led his son up the stairs to the second floor of the party house.
It was a place with a rest area doubling as a changing space for the hosting Count's family, as well as guest rooms for distinguished guests with special connections.
Duncan's expression, as he climbed the stairs panting, was different from before. As if something displeased him, he spoke with an air of gravity:
"There won't be a banquet as grand as this one among the social gatherings in the latter half of the season. Do you understand what I mean? It's rare to have a day like today when potential partners are swarming. If you are truly the new master of Pentagove, go hold the hands of some young ladies and dance before it's too late. If you miss the marriageable age, it will become difficult in the future."
"Ah, Father. I've told you before. I—"
"Silence. Do you still intend to wander even after becoming the master leading the family?"
"It's not wandering..."
"I've never heard of an heir obtained through black magic from a commoner. Only your children, obtained through the laws of nature from noble bloodlines, can become members of our Count's family."
"...Hah."
"Recently, rumors that you enjoy homosexuality have been circulating, causing me distress. How long must this father clean up after you? Remember. When you stick close to Duke Agrizendro, many will rush to pick up even the scraps. That's when you should at least get acquainted with young ladies. Better if she has a title. If necessary, absorb her wealth and honor—"
"Whoa!"
"Damn it—!"
Richard Duncan looked down at his clothes with irritation. It was because he had spilled his wine glass after bumping shoulders with a maid coming down the stairs.
"I-I'm sorry, Count."
The dark red liquid flowed down his chest, wetting his trouser hems and shoes. If there was any consolation, it was that the fabric's color was dark, so it didn't show much.
"What are you doing right now?"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."
The maid's face turned pale at the cold question, and she quickly bowed her head. She took out a handkerchief from her pocket and tried to wipe the banquet protagonist's clothes and shoes with trembling hands. However, Richard brushed away the maid's hand as if annoyed.
"Geez, really... Are your eyes just for decoration?"
"Richard, don't raise your voice on a good day. Aren't the guests looking? Haven't you learned how to behave when encountering a servant? This is why these lowborns... are only sluggish. If it weren't for the banquet..."
"Excuse me, Count."
At the sudden sound of a woman's voice, Duncan stopped scolding the maid. When he turned around with a puzzled expression, he saw a woman in a stylish suit.
Father and son glanced at each other for a moment. Then Drake Duncan rolled his eyes first and smiled awkwardly at the woman.
"Well, this is embarrassing. Don't mind it. You, go upstairs and bring the Count's clothes, quickly."
"Y-Yes. Understood."
The maid bowed her head at Duncan's instruction and hurriedly went up to the second floor. Richard hid his annoyed expression and roughly wiped his clothes with a handkerchief. Having removed the uncomfortable presence, Duncan showed his gold teeth widely and asked:
"Hmm. My memory isn't so good these days... From which family...?"
"Ah, I apologize for the late introduction. I am Margaret Penrod, who recently received a baroness title. It's an honor to meet you."
The woman who introduced herself as a baroness gave a graceful smile and greeted them with a slight curtsy. Though a veil attached to her hat half-covered her face, a certain aura was felt from the clear eyes beyond it.
For Duncan, who prided himself on having an eye for people after meeting various nobles, those eyes were quite captivating. He was well aware of a baroness who had recently received her title. She was an unmarried woman who had become wealthy overnight, with rumors even circulating that she had bought her title with money after her business greatly succeeded.
After scanning the other party in a short time, Duncan tapped his son's forearm. While still fabricating a benevolent smile, he responded to her greeting:
"I am the one who should be grateful for your brightening the occasion. This is my son, Count Duncan."
"...I am Richard Duncan."
"I've heard much about you. As I heard, your appearance and spirit are extraordinary."
At the Baroness's formal greeting, undisguised joy spread across Duncan's lips.
"I was worried that I might have approached at an impolite moment as I hurried to find an opportunity to greet you both."
"Haha, how could that be? A precious guest has come, you're welcome anytime."
"Thank you for your hospitality. As this is my first banquet as a noble, I've prepared a gift for Count Duncan who arranged such a wonderful occasion."
The Baroness handed a black briefcase she was holding to Richard Duncan. He received the gift with a bewildered face. Though he had officially become the master of the Count's family, there were still few who truly treated him as a Count. Moreover, the gift was quite heavy.
"I've put a little sincerity into it."
The Baroness curved one eye like a half-moon as if winking. Though her background was regrettable, she had plenty of money and was even flattering his son. In Drake Duncan's eyes, she was the perfect match for his son.
He took the briefcase his son had received and handed it to a servant who happened to be passing by.
"It's a precious gift, so place it carefully in the reception room where valuables are brought in on the second floor."
"Yes, understood."
The servant received the briefcase, bowed his head, and went up the stairs. He showed the bag to the guard protecting the second floor and naturally entered the lounge that only members of the Count's family could use.
The two Duncans, with their backs turned, didn't notice.
The Baroness, who had been watching this scene from her peripheral vision, took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped Richard's collar.
"If it's alright with you, would you introduce me to others? I haven't been able to speak with many people as the banquet venue is still unfamiliar to me."
"Ah, that's right. Since you haven't had your title for long, there must be many unfamiliar faces. I'll arrange a place for you. Let's move together."
"But, Father. My clothes..."
"They're not that wet, so it's fine as is. Are you planning to keep the lady waiting?"
Duncan was criticizing his tactless son when he caught himself and relaxed his expression toward the Baroness again.
The Baroness didn't add any words but smiled with her eyes, mixed with expectation. The three went back down to the banquet hall from the middle of the stairs.
A small sensor with its light turned off was attached between Richard's collar that the Baroness had touched.