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Vol 02 Chapter 45: The Banquet

Bartolo’s child was born. The news spread among the patricians throughout King Rosais’ Country.

「Ah! Almus Aris-dono. I’m glad you could come!! And you too, Tetra-dono.」

「Yes, congratulations on this special day. Please accept this gift of alcohol as a token of our best wishes.」

I pointed to three barrels of alcohol loaded on the carriage. Ron and Roswald, who came as guards, began directing the servants to start unloading.

「Oh! Alcohol, huh? I love it.」

「Please be careful not to drink too much. It’s quite strong.」

I warned him just in case.

If he drinks it thinking it’s the same as the usual wine, he’ll regret it.

「Darling! Shouldn’t you refrain from drinking too much on such a day?」

A young woman approached Bartolo, she was holding a small baby in her arms. She was probably Bartolo’s wife.

「What are you talking about? When I’m going to drink if not today?」

The two started to argue.

But his wife looks so young, a little too much even. She might even be younger than Tetra. Bartolo is in his early thirties, right? I didn’t expect him to be a lolicon.

「Are you Almus-sama? Thank you for always taking care of my husband.」

「No, no, the pleasure is all mine. I’m always receiving help from Bartolo-dono…」

Though when I think about it, I haven’t really received that much help from him, but some things are better left unsaid.

「Is that baby your newborn child?」

Tetra asked, looking at the baby the woman was holding.

「Yes. Would you like to hold her? It’s a girl.」

Tetra nodded slightly to the question.

Tetra held the baby as if handling an expensive, fragile object.

After holding the baby for a while, seemingly satisfied, Tetra promptly returned the child to Bartolo’s wife.

「Let’s meet later then. Feel free to drink and eat as much as you like,」

Bartolo said before heading off to welcome another patrician.

「Hey Almus, do you prefer to have a boy first?」

「Either is fine by me. It’s not like a girl can’t inherit the family headship.」

In the Adernian peninsula, the common practice is male inheritance, but that’s just a tradition. In this world, there are important professions like magicians that are mainly dominated by women, so women’s status isn’t as low as the cultural level would suggest.

The hurdle for a woman to inherit the family headship is a little higher than for a man, but it’s not impossible.

However, when it comes to large inheritance issues like the position of king in King Rosais’ Country, female inheritance does seem to present various problems.

「But a boy successor might cause less trouble in the long run… Would that be better?」

「Well, I do hate trouble. So, maybe it would be better that the first child is a boy, and the second child a girl?」

I hope our children are not all of one gender—either all boys or all girls. Now that I think about it, doesn’t the main factor in determining the gender of the child come from the male side?

Well, I don’t need to think about something like that for now. There’s no sign of Tetra getting pregnant soon anyway.

「We should enjoy the banquet for nowt.」

「Do you understand today’s objective?」

「I do. To make as many friends as possible, right? I’ve remembered the names of people who seemed to be friendly towards us at our wedding. It’s all good.」

By the way, all of them were patricians opposed to the Dibel Family and supporters of King Rosais. It seems my surroundings want me to contend with the Dibel Family no matter what.

Conflicts are such a hassle though…

「Let’s try not to antagonize Rigal Dibel as much as possible. He is our neighbor, after all.」

「That’s a good idea. We have no reason to fight them, after all.」

At least for now.

「Shall we enjoy the banquet?」

◇

The banquet began.

If I have to give one impression about the banquets of this world, the first thing that caught my eye was…

There’s no such thing as manners here.

Patricians, persons of high status and supposedly possessors of high education, gulp down alcohol, wipe their hands on their clothes, make loud noises, and talk with their mouths full. Well, there aren’t utensils like spoons or forks, and grabbing the food with the hands is the norm in this world, so some things are inevitable in a way.

「But I think wiping their hands on their clothes is a bit too much.」

「We at least should use handkerchiefs to wipe our hands.」

We brought plenty of handkerchiefs, just in case. But still, it’s really inconvenient to eat without tableware.

Isn’t there any way to spread the use of forks at least?

「You really are obsessed with those pointy things, Leader.」

「Yeah. Yeah.」

Ron and Roswald should care a little more about manners, though, but… well, if it doesn’t bother them, that’s fine. It seems I am the odd one here.

「Almus-dono!! Could you share with me the story of when you defeated King Ferme?」

「Yes, I don’t mind.」

This makes it the fifth time I’ve been asked to recount that story. The patricians of King Rosais’ Country seem to have been severely affected by King Ferme, and they all want to hear about his defeat.

It’s not that I don’t want to talk about it… but telling the same story over and over again gets tiring. Also, does something like this really deepen our bonds?

There’s another problem, too.

「Almus-dono, my daughter has expressed a desire to hear your story. Would you kindly indulge her?」

「Please, Almus-sama!!」

It seems I’ve entered a phase where I’m quite popular.

There are three reasons I can think of for my sudden popularity: First, aside from Tetra, I have no other wife. Second, Tetra has yet to bear a male heir. And third, I have no blood relation with any patrician Family.

So, becoming related to me now could yield significant returns for them. Especially for the patricians who failed to gain favor with the Dibel Family, they are becoming desperate.

Talking with those girls is fine, but… Marrying them is a different matter. I don’t want to just marry a second wife right after marrying Tetra, and the repercussions of a political marriage are long-term. In the end, the patricians trying to ingratiate themselves with me are the desperate ones, who don’t have any significant power, and consequently don’t have anything to offer to me or my territory.

Well, it’s fine since Tetra scares away any young woman who tries to get too close with a glare…

「Try to be a bit more friendly.」

「It’s not a problem. Such minor patricians can be easily dismissed. Besides, I’m not really opposed to you taking a second wife, but if you must take one, then it should be someone who will be a plus to us, not a minus.」

She’s not opposed to me getting another wife, huh… She’s as detached as ever. Personally, I’d be happier if she showed a bit of jealousy.

As I was thinking this, the surroundings began to buzz with activity.

「Hm? What’s happening?」

「Ah… It seems Rigal Dibel-dono has arrived.」

The patricians who had been cozying up to me visibly lost their enthusiasm.

Do they dislike him that much?

Parting the crowd, Rigal Dibel approached. He was a head taller than me, with a muscular body, he was in his late twenties.

Behind him trailed a line of people, likely patricians under Rigal Dibel’s influence.

「Almus Aris-dono, it’s been a while. Since the wedding, I believe. Tetra-dono you are as beautiful as ever.」

「Yes. It’s good to see you well, Rigal-dono.」

All eyes around us were fixed on Rigal Dibel and me.

「Let’s both continue to support this country.」

「Yes, I will be relying on you in times of need.」

Rigal Dibel extended his hand, and I took it, gripping it firmly.

As soon as our handshake ended, he quickly left.

I’m glad he didn’t ask about that crystal decoration he gave us…

「It’s unpleasant, look at him parading around with his entourage like that.」

「Ahaha.」

I just brushed it off.

「Hey, Leader. Did you notice that the guys on his entourage were directing hostility towards us?」

「Of course, I noticed. I also saw that you guys countered with your own hostility, scaring them off.」

「It seems they see you as an enemy, Nii-san…」

Even so, I wish Ron and Roswald wouldn’t compete with them like that. Trouble is bothersome. I’d prefer to keep relations with our neighbors as peaceful as possible.

While I was lecturing Ron and Roswald, the venue buzzed with activity again. That is…

「King Rosais’ relatives have arrived, huh…」

Julia, leading the relatives of King Rosais, arrived at the venue.

Bartolo may not be part of one of the great Families, but… given his achievements in the war against King Ferme, it’s natural for Julia to be here.

Julia first spoke to Bartolo. Even Bartolo, who was tipsy from drinking the spirits I brought, straightened his back and sobered as soon as Julia arrived.

That Bartolo, he can be quite capable when he tries.

After her conversation with Bartolo ended, Julia walked straight towards me.

「Good evening, Almus Aris-dono.」

「Yes, good evening, Princess Julia.」

As I responded, Julia extended her hand towards me. I took it and we shook hands.

「I look forward to continuing our relationship.」

Julia then left my side and headed towards Rigal Dibel.

「Hmm.」

I noticed a letter left in my hand.

「Has Rigal-san been glaring at me since a while ago? Did he find out about the crystal you disassembled?」

「No way, he’s upset because Julia greeted you first.」

Tetra shook her head to deny my hypothesis.

I see. Naturally, greeting Bartolo, the host, first is a given, but who gets greeted second seems to be important.

「Hello, it has been some time since I last saw you, Almus-dono.」

A tall man approached me.

Um… who was this person again?

「Raymond Rosais. He’s Julia’s uncle.」

Tetra whispered, informing me.

Ah, that’s right, Raymond-san. I remember now. He was at the wedding.

「Yes, that’s me. It’s been a while,」

That was a blunder, but for now, we shook hands.

Raymond-san is smiling. Good, it seems he didn’t notice I forgot his name. That is a relief.

「Would you like to talk over there for a bit?」

「Yes, I don’t mind.」

The two of us stepped away from the banquet hall.

◇

「This alcohol is very strong, isn’t it? The usual drinks seem lacking in comparison… Could I possibly purchase some from you?」

「Yes, of course. Could you pay in wheat, salt, or Kirisian currency?」

「Yes, I understand. My territory has a rather large salt mine. The salt mined there is of quite high quality…」

We started making small talk, including the specialties of our territories and how we handle legal matters.

It’s nice and all… but did he call me over here just to talk about this?

As I was thinking this, Raymond-san suddenly changed the subject.

「Almus-dono, you’re aware that King Rosais’ life is drawing to a close, aren’t you?」

「Yes, I’ve heard about his illness, but…」

Honestly, I can’t imagine that crafty old fox passing away…

「He has at most three years left. It’s possible he might pass away this year, even.」

Raymond-san said while drinking.

What do you want me to do with that kind of information…?

「Who do you think should be the next king?」

「Well… wouldn’t it be simpler if you just became king? I don’t understand why Princess Julia husband has to be the king.」

Wouldn’t it be more natural for the king’s brother to become the next king rather than installing a son-in-law as king?

「We’ve discussed that thoroughly. But that would risk causing disputes over the right of succession among the king’s relatives. Besides myself, the King has three other brothers, and all of us have children. If I were to become king, it would likely cause grievances among the others. Wouldn’t it be unpleasant for the family to harbor hatred or suspicion towards one another? The most harmonious solution is for Princess Julia to take a husband whom we all support. That way, everyone would have no complaints.」

That’s true, creating a precedent for the king brothers to succeed could incite other relatives to aim for the throne. Kings have a lot of things to worry about.

「And who do you think would be suitable as a husband?」

「Considering everything, wouldn’t Rigal Dibel be the obvious choice? He’s the patriarch of the most powerful Family, isn’t he?」

When I answered, Raymond-san shrugged.

「Indeed, in terms of influence, Rigal Dibel is superior. However… I’ve heard his land management is terrible. His people often flee from his territory causing problems with the neighboring territories. Moreover, he was severely defeated by King Ferme multiple times in battle. And more importantly…」

Raymond-san looked me straight in the eye.

「He has married three women, but now only one of his wives remains. He claims they died in an accident… but it’s very suspicious. And there are rumors he abuses the more attractive women in his territory. Can I really entrust my dear niece to such a man?」

As I remained silent, Raymond-san took another drink, then emptied his glass and looked at me again.

「There is also the problem of Rigal Dibel’s entourage, vassals, and relatives. They are of quite good lineage. Once he becomes king, there’s a possibility they might try to sideline us, the Rosais Family.」

Tapping my shoulder as he prepared to leave, Raymond-san said,

「Is there someone who can rival Rigal Dibel in terms of territory, who has the capability to govern the country, who is kind enough to be entrusted with Princess Julia, and who has few enough relatives that we, the Rosais Family, wouldn’t be sidelined? If you find such an ideal son-in-law, please let me know.」

With that, Raymond-san walked away, leaving a clear hint.