ăThatâs right. Duke Ebeneâs family has mixed halfling blood.ăthe young lady replied, having caught my mutter.
Lord Ethan came to the table and smiled, looking at everyone. He looks like a kind child⊠his blue eyes remind me of someone.
(Mimino-san⊠Are you doing well?)
When I was suddenly immersed in nostalgia, I noticed that Lord Ethanâs escort was observing me, as though being on guard. The color of her eyes was amber.
Please donât be on guard. I am a harmless boy⊠is what Iâd like to say, but itâs true that someone who is obviously as young-looking as me being completely unarmed would seem quite suspicious.
Judging based on our appearances alone, the escort and I look about the same age, but considering the case with Mimino-san, the escort is most probably older than myself.
Incidentally, ever since Lord Ethan arrived, a fancy scent has been drifting in the air. I donât know what it is exactly, but it is a perfume derived from flowers.
ăFrom House Duke Rozier, Lord Louis arrives!ă
As I looked towards the entrance, I couldnât believe what I saw.
It was a boy who had blonde hair and red eyes, just as the young lady.
But unfortunately, according to ăWorld Ruleră, the eyes were not magic eyes, only normal red eyes. Moreover, it seems that the hair was bleached light brown to make it blonde.
(That person isâŠ)\n
I was surprised by the escort behind Lord Louis.
I have seen him before. The second captain of the Holy Kingâs Knights Order, Arthur. He was promoted to the captain of the 2nd unit in his mid-twenties, and I heard he was from a well-to-do noble family.
His reddish brown hair was sleekly combed down to one side, and gray eyes sat on his finely chiseled face. Those cold-looking eyes observed the surroundings, as if assessing the quality of the escorts.
However, Lord Louis, the target of other escortsâ gazes, walked up to the table without following the servantâs lead, and instead of his own seat, he approached Lady Eva.
ăHey, daughter of House Sillys.ăhe said, pointing his index finger.
ăI will make you my fiance. Come to my house tomorrow. I will introduce you to my father.ă
Heart rate is rising, ears turning red, and his voice is trembling. Oh, I see. The boy had probably seen the young lady somewhere, so that is why he went out of his way to change his hair to blonde, and chose the banquet as a place to propose.
ăI see. Itâs the awakening of young love, huhâŠă
ăO-OUCHHH!?ă
I understood from the information provided by ăWorld Ruleră that this boy was just a cheeky kid, but for the time being, I twisted the boyâs arm behind his back.
ăW-What are you doing!? Donât think you can escape after doing this to me!ă
ăI am the young ladyâs escort, so Iâm told to eliminate any danger that approaches her.ă
ăWhat!?ă
This boy is dangerous. I am sure that the Earl would judge as such too.
If the engagement becomes an established fact, it will affect the young ladyâs life.\nWell, Iâm almost certain that the chief maid and the chief butler would faint if they heard about this, but if I donât do anything, that over-doting father⊠excuse me, His Excellency the Earl would flip out on me.
If the worst case were to occur, the whole responsibility can be dumped on me, and I would just have to disappear. Iâve worked myself for the Earl until now, so Iâm sure he would continue to search for information regarding 5-star or higher skills and Lulusha.
âŠI hope. You will, wonât you, Earl?
ăWhat are you doing!ă
Arthur, the second captain of the Holy Kingâs Knights Order, ran towards us, but his speed was slow. Since skills were disabled in this place, it may be that his natural body skills are lacking. Thatâs not good⊠especially for one in the position of Holy Kingâs Knight.
ăArthur! Kill this guy!ă
ăI donât have a weapon at hand right now. Hmm? You areâŠăArthur stopped in his tracks, noticing me.
ăArenât you the cleaner of the Knights Order? Why are you here?ă
ăI became the escort of House Sillys.ă
ăEscort!? Do you know who that person is? Release him immediately!ă
As Arthur approached, I blocked him by moving the boy between us as a shield. A skill-disabled, metal armor wearing knightâs movement is too slow. So, it was easy to get around him.
Rather, it almost seemed like he would lose in strength as well without the use of skills. Unless he can use magic.
ăArthur!ă
ăY-Yes! Stop moving!ă
You canât stop me. As I kept circling around Arthur, by using the boy as shield,\n\năâŠHoly Prince Kluvshrat-sama arrives! âŠ?!!ă
As the turmoil settled down, I heard the last bit of the announcement. Did his voice crack at the end?
Furthermore, when I was thinking that the whole venue had gone silent, a cheer, almost like a scream, rose.
ă?ă
I tried to look at the entrance, but many children of nobles were standing up. What is it? We all knew that the prince would come, right?
The boy who came in had light blue hair cut short, and his eyes were gentle, contrary to his stylish hairstyle. His big, beautiful, aquamarine eyes made me think, âIf this boy dressed up as a woman, he could even make men go crazy for him.â
The clothes he wore were interesting. A religious kimono-like, haori-like, robe with light blue sash. Is that the royal familyâs outfit or something? Also, a golden circlet was floating on his head.
Wearing that is proof of royalty, I suppose?
Iâm not sure if itâs just my imagination, but a big man with a large build, wearing the same clothes as Prince Kluvshrat, followed behind him.
ăI-Is t-thatâŠă
Lady Eva jumped up from her seat. Louis and Lady Mira, who were staring absentmindedly until now, were fixed on the entrance, with an astonished look.
He had the same hairstyle and clothes as Prince Kluvshrat, but unlike Prince Kluvshrat who had a feminine body, his whole body was solid, to say the least. He was so sturdy and big, looking almost like a moving gorilla stone statue. He had blue eyes with a lot of eyelashes and thick eyebrows that seemed to have a strong will. And the beard was connected to his sideburns. He was the exact opposite of Prince Kluvshrat.
If the garment wasnât the same, I couldnât even have imagined that he was royalty.
ăThat person isâŠăthe young lady said, with an astonished look.