Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Banquet 1
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A tailor came to the estate.
Neatly trimmed beard, well-arranged attire.
An extraordinary first impression.
He greeted me with a warm, amiable smile.
“Pleased to meet you.”
Sharp eyes.
‘A master craftsman.’
First impression: pass.
This was someone I could entrust things to without worry.
***
“It is an honor to be entrusted with tailoring the young master’s banquet attire.”
“You flatter me.”
He took several pieces of fabric and leather cords out of his bag.
“What color would you prefer?”
“I’m partial to navy.”
“An excellent choice.”
Apparently, it was imported fabric.
Indeed.
The color and texture had a refined quality rarely seen in the Empire.
Next, he measured my shoulders, waist, and leg length.
I had only one request.
Comfortable to move in, without losing dignity.
The tailor nodded.
“It will take about a month to complete.”
“Understood.”
It sounded long at first, but this was normal.
To create an entirely new garment, one had to be prepared to wait up to half a year.
This world had a very different sense of time compared to modern Earth.
If anything, one month was fast.
And tailoring was labor-intensive to begin with.
From procuring textiles to dyeing and sewing.
Everything was done by hand, requiring considerable time.
“How long until the banquet?”
the tailor asked.
“About two months.”
Plenty of leeway.
As expected of Father.
He must have deliberately set the date far out to accommodate guests coming from distant territories.
“Then I will take my leave.”
After seeing the tailor off, I went up to my room.
There was a mountain of things to prepare.
A banquet was not simply an event to drink and enjoy oneself.
To preserve Father’s dignity and establish his authority as host, I needed to make a good impression above all else.
‘First, think of a few conversation topics.’
Someone might approach me, after all.
I might even be asked to give a welcoming address, so I should prepare a script in advance.
And lastly—
I was the eldest son of the Tilberg family, but also a performer in my own right.
It would only be polite to present at least one piece for the guests.
What should I play?
‘If high-ranking nobles are gathering…’
The atmosphere would certainly be classical and dignified.
Something came to mind.
Selecting from Frédéric Chopin or Gabriel Fauré would work.
I was slightly more drawn to the latter.
He was not as widely known as the former,
but in terms of emotion and elegance, he was in no way inferior.
Still, why was I already feeling a bit nervous?
Though a noble in name, I had lived a life far removed from social gatherings and banquets.
Just look at the people I spent my time with—
Edward, Erdi.
Diana and Aria.
All commoners.
As for noble connections…
A few faces came to mind, but we barely knew each other.
Not close enough to call friends.
Once again, I realized how narrow my social circle was.
Perhaps this was a good opportunity to expand it.
I still had a long way to go.
I sat down at the table.
First, I needed to send a letter to Edward.
I would likely be very busy soon, so it would be best to pause the concerts for now.
In any case, the development of the mass-produced piano was delayed, and without finishing that, progress would be difficult.
Don’t rush things.
“Uncle! Sing for us!”
Just as I was holding my head in thought, Aria suddenly knocked on the door and shouted.
Was it already that late?
“Hurry!”
“I’m coming.”
For now, one thing at a time.
***
“Is everything loaded? It won’t collapse, right?”
“It’s a sturdy carriage. There’s no need to worry.”
At the southernmost edge of the Empire.
Aiolin nodded after checking the leather straps securing the cargo to the carriage.
“This should be enough.”
Not long ago, a letter had arrived addressed to her.
“A banquet hosted by the Tilberg Count family…?”
How could she ever forget that name?
It had only been a few months, yet the memory was still vivid.
A performer who honored her father, Sir Colin, and comforted the people of the territory with nothing but a single piano.
Anton Tilberg.
Through his performance, Aiolin had been reborn.
From a naive girl into the head of a household and a lord.
And now she was even invited to a banquet.
She heard it was to commemorate a promotion in rank.
There was no reason not to go.
“Please have a safe journey.”
The butler, who had come out to see her off, bowed deeply.
“Please take good care of things while I’m away.”
“Leave it to me.”
He was someone she could trust.
Even when all the retainers pointed fingers at her, he had silently stood by her side.
After adjusting her clothes one last time, Aiolin boarded the carriage.
It would take about ten days at most to reach the capital.
If things went smoothly, she would arrive within a week.
Clatter—
The carriage began to move forward with a loud rattle.
“Will he recognize me?”
Forcing herself to calm her fluttering heart, she leaned back against the seat.
***
The day of the banquet.
“Is it all right?”
“You look splendid.”
Wearing the banquet attire commissioned from the tailor, I stood before Theo.
A velvet tunic with a classical feel.
Deep navy.
Embroidery adorned the collar and cuffs.
A belt around the waist.
The trousers visible below wrapped smoothly around the legs, giving a sharp impression at the same time.
“I like it.”
Not bad at all.
There was also a cape meant to be worn over the shoulders, but I left it out.
It looked impressive, but it restricted movement.
“It’s about time to head out.”
After greeting Theo, I stepped outside.
Diana and Aria were waiting.
“Have a safe trip, young master!”
With their send-off, I boarded the carriage.
To be honest, I wanted to take Aria along as well, but I held back, thinking it might be a burden at her young age.
There would be other opportunities.
The distance from here to Father’s territory was quite short.
It would take about an hour.
After a while—
“Welcome, young master.”
We arrived at the estate.
A servant waiting at the main gate opened the door.
“Wow.”
The moment I laid eyes on the scene before me, admiration escaped my lips.
A neatly maintained garden.
Fresh green grass stretched out on both sides, and the soft dirt path in the center extended straight ahead at perfect right angles.
‘It feels different from the first time I saw it.’
That wasn’t all.
On the way here, I had taken a glance at the territory itself.
Clean, lively streets.
‘So he succeeded in the end.’
The territory restoration project.
I had wondered how he would revive the land ruined by Count Periton, but this was nothing short of a complete transformation.
‘He had better. Considering how much funding I put in…’
In any case, it was a relief.
Guided by the servant, I entered the estate.
Candlelight from chandeliers softly illuminated the walls and floor.
Flower arrangements embroidered across the tables spread a refreshing fragrance.
Faint laughter from various places.
Light footsteps.
The clinking of plates.
A subtle excitement filled the air.
“You’re here!”
Father welcomed me.
“Everyone seems busy.”
“Doesn’t that mean they’re looking forward to it?”
Together with Father, I stood at the entrance to prepare to receive guests.
***
“Welcome.”
The first to arrive was Count Harborland.
Still an imposing figure.
He extended his hand for a handshake.
“Well then. It’s an honor to be invited to such a remarkable banquet.”
“Haha. You’re too kind.”
Wait a moment.
If I thought about it carefully—
Wasn’t Count Harborland my benefactor?
Thanks to the funds he lent Father, we were able to buy a piano.
That was where everything began.
When I expressed my gratitude, he smiled broadly.
“I will personally escort you to your seat.”
Count Harborland deserved the utmost courtesy.
He was a great man.
“By the way, are you planning to perform at today’s banquet?”
“Of course.”
“Haha! I look forward to it. It’s been quite some time since I last heard you play.”
After that, guests continued to arrive.
Most of them were faces I had never seen before.
I didn’t know their faces, nor their names.
While Father handled them, I mostly stood quietly.
“So you’re the famous Anton! I’ve attended your concerts a few times.”
“Thank you.”
That was the extent of the conversation.
The reactions were more lukewarm than expected.
Well, Father was looking at me with a proud expression the entire time.
Of course, among them were some who extended their hands with openly cold expressions.
‘What’s with that?’
Perhaps our family’s sudden promotion in rank rubbed them the wrong way.
It was not an unlikely possibility.
“I came to see just how grand this banquet was, but it’s nothing special.”
“Hm…”
If you were invited, you could at least eat before leaving.
Jealousy and envy.
Truly frightening.
At that moment—
A person entered the entrance, bright orange hair fluttering.
A familiar face.
‘Aiolin Seneca.’
I had sent her an invitation as well.
Given the distance, I hadn’t really expected her to come.
Yet seeing her like this, I couldn’t help but feel pleased.
“It’s been a long time.”
“Have you been well?”
A smile spread across Aiolin’s face.
There was a hint of curiosity in her voice.
“I’ve been busy. There was a lot of work—and plenty of trouble.”
“Hehe. I’ve heard many things. You traveled a long way from the Eastern March to the Academy. Seeing you like this in the capital feels quite moving.”
As she spoke, she called over the servant standing behind her.
“A gift. It’s a specialty unique to our territory.”
Fruit.
Indeed.
With their vibrant color and impressive size, they looked delicious.
“And one more.”
This time, she handed me a small wooden box.
Personally.
“Please open it.”
When I lifted the lid, a piece of jewelry gleaming brilliantly in gold lay inside.
A brooch?
In this world, men often wore accessories like rings or brooches.
I didn’t, but still.
“It was something my father favored when he was alive. Performer—no, Sir Anton, you don’t seem to enjoy accessories much, but this is our way of repaying the kindness you showed our territory. I hope you like it.”
“Such a precious item…”
Hearing the story, it was clearly something significant.
Wasn’t it a family heirloom?
And a brooch belonging to a respected former count carried special meaning.
“Is it really all right for me to accept this?”
“Yes. Please.”
“Thank you.”
Once again, I personally escorted her to her seat.
After the banquet, I should ask Father to prepare some expensive liquor for her.
If something is given, something must be returned.
After exchanging brief greetings with Aiolin, I returned to the entrance.
There were still many guests left on the list.
Father was still deep in conversation with nobles whose names I didn’t know.
‘Is that all the familiar faces?’
Just as that thought crossed my mind—
“Duke.”
“It’s been a while, Duke.”
“Haha.”
“Thank you for coming such a long way. It’s truly an honor.”
An extraordinary figure walked confidently into the estate.
All the nobles around bowed their heads.
Myself included.
The man addressed as Duke approached Father and extended his hand.
“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Gerold Montella, head of the Montella Ducal Family.”
“Ah—!”
Father hurriedly took his hand and bowed.
‘I did send an invitation to the Academy, but to think Duke Montella himself would come…’
His standing within the Empire was overwhelming.
In terms of influence, he was beyond comparison with ordinary nobles.
Tutor to the Crown Prince, and a professor at the Academy.
Such a man had personally visited our estate.
The significance was immense.
And sure enough—
The atmosphere of the banquet hall shifted.
The nobles who had been whispering shut their mouths and began observing cautiously.
Duke Montella approached me and smiled.
“This is a celebration of your family’s promotion in rank, so I came in person. Regardless of status, are we not friends?”
“Gah…!”
Honestly—
Calling us friends was a stretch.
Not just in my mind, but objectively speaking.
That was likely calculated wording.
‘To lend weight to my shoulders?’
How seasoned.