You Flirted With Me First?
You flirted with me first? Agh... why is the reaction like this...
The massive doors of the banquet hall that filled my entire field of vision slid open smoothly upon our arrival. But... what the heck. The reactions were...
- World affairs, grudge against monsters... whoa...
- What, continue the business talk or something... huh?
- W-what am I even looking at...? This is kinda really weird...
Suddenly, all eyes turned to me, and my body trembled with a flinch. I scanned those gazes one by one, as if peering into them.
...Is there something on my face? Why are they staring like that...
Wait, is this even the right venue for the banquet? Maybe this is for some other event, and I barged in by mistake? Yeah, thinking about it, it's pretty strange, right? All the other boys went through the side door on the right, so why do I have to enter through these gigantic main doors?
With that thought, I kept blinking rapidly. No matter how I thought about it, this wasn't the reaction I'd expected. Or... am I that ugly...? Gasp. If they're too stunned by my ugliness to speak, that'd be heartbreaking. Isn't that the only reason they're just staring at my face like that? What do those blank, dazed eyes mean, like they've encountered something utterly unimaginable? I can sense killing intent well enough, but I can't read people's hearts like some mind-reading sage.
"Young Master Kariel, please proceed forward."
"Ah, ah... Y-yes..."
I nodded at the servant attending me and stepped forward. It felt so awkward, nothing like what I'd imagined, but I shoved that discomfort deep down inside. Can't exactly bail just because it's awkward, right?
Following the servant, as I took those steps...
"Please come up this way."
"...? Here?"
"Yes. This is the seat for Kariel la Elion. Please, come up."
"Uh-uh... D-did I do something wrong? Like, maybe I entered the wrong way..."
"...You entered the banquet hall so perfectly, so flawlessly. No need to worry."
"I-is that... so..."
The servant led me to the elevated dais, higher than anywhere else. I tilted my head cautiously, wondering if I'd messed up and was about to get scolded. No, but they kept staring at me from over there like I was some precious gem, which was just burdensome. Tilting my head repeatedly at the female servant, she covered her mouth with her hand—expressionless, yet suppressing a laugh—as she spoke.
"Everyone's breathless in awe of your beauty. No need to worry."
"Ah, y-yes..."
That slight smile of hers was so suspiciously knowing. I was utterly dumbfounded right now—what was I supposed to do with reactions like that...? With a subtle expression of utter confusion, I nodded and kept following behind.
- Isn't that boy that boy...?
- You know... the Hero's youngest son...!
- Whoa, no way...! H-he actually exists? I thought it was just an imperial urban legend...
- I was wondering who would ascend the dais... If it's the Hero's son, of course we'd nod in approval.
- What... he's so cute...
- Cute is cute, but he's so pretty too...
The sycophantic whispers faintly reaching my ears made my body twist ever so slightly. I'd tried not to like this kind of thing, but hearing it from people my family knew felt way better than expected. Sure, my tuxedo was being called a 'dress,' which was a bit off, but I'd have to get used to it. With those thoughts, I moved lightly and gracefully—not frivolously—my steps trained by Skeleton.
Skeleton had drilled this into me thoroughly. This wasn't my usual behavior back home, but recalling what Skeleton taught last time, I calmed my fidgety body. The impression I made here would affect Mother's reputation. And those guys gathered over there might badmouth me as some flighty thing.
With that in mind, I settled onto the chair on the slightly elevated part of the dais.
...Ugh. This feels so weird.
I hated drawing attention from others anyway. But it felt like they were scrutinizing every inch of me, which made it even worse. Normally, Skeleton or my sisters would be watching over me...
"Ahem... whew..."
Right, Mother wasn't here. And Skeleton said he'd be watching from afar, didn't he? That should be enough. With that thought, I calmly lifted the teacup from the table. The warm aroma wafting to my nose and the soothing hot tea sliding down my throat eased my tension subtly.
As Skeleton said, maintaining this composed demeanor was a weapon in noble society. Before conversing, gauge the atmosphere first—humans instinctively size up hierarchies without realizing it. That's why I'd practiced tilting my teacup while surveying the gazes around me.
Plus, I didn't need to learn dancing or anything. No issues there.
Lost in various idle thoughts as I exhaled...
"Excuse me, are you Kariel la Elion, young master?"
"Ah, yes. That's me."
"Whoa... first time seeing you in person. Nice to meet you. I'm from the ducal house in the southern region—"
Then, people started gathering slowly. Some appeared suddenly behind me, others politely waved and took seats. I spotted a few hybrids like me—monster and human—but mostly humans. Even with the peace treaty, monsters' appearances stirred instinctive aversion.
I handled the approaching people appropriately, keeping conversations going.
"So, what are your hobbies?"
"Hmm... I do a lot of calligraphy. I got a nice fountain pen recently, so I'm working on improving my handwriting."
"Then you must know about the stories circulating in the empire lately?"
"Yes. Lately, centered around the imperial capital, the matters regarding monsters—"
This was the perfect time to use the eloquence Skeleton taught me. Most of what he'd drilled was exactly how to deal with people approaching like this. Not too curt, not too chummy. Know every current event in the empire inside out, plus have your own opinions.
I suffered so much under Skeleton for this!
Questions varied by person, so I'd prepared answers for each. Some probed to test me, others angled for my political leanings. I deftly evaded them all. I knew full well the weight my every word carried.
I nodded politely to those approaching.
"...By any chance, are you interested in girls?"
"Well, given my age, I'm thinking about it slowly—"
"Young Master Kariel must be nine already? Engagement age isn't far off."
"Y-yes... I suppose so...?"
The young lady who'd asked smiled slyly. At my affirmative reply, the other young ladies around brightened up one by one.
"...So, Young Master Kariel, what's your type in girls?"
"Y-yes...?"
"Simply put, like, among the young ladies here, which one catches your eye~?"
"Uh-uh... Th-that's..."
...Huh? Skeleton didn't teach me this!
I felt the eyes of the four or five young ladies at my table sparkling. I'd planned to join the young masters' area since their talk didn't suit me, but gave up. But suddenly hit with this question... what was I supposed to do?
"Cutie pie. It's okay, it's okay. If your ideal type is vague... then, like, which of the young ladies here has a nice look..."
"Exactly! Just pick one from the girls here."
"No need to hold back—just say which of us is your type~"
"Yeah, yeah. No one's gonna judge you, so spill it already?"
"Uh-uh... Th-that's... um, you see..."
W-what should I say? Skeleton only taught world affairs, noble etiquette. Never this topic...
They all had pretty faces... but something felt lacking...
As I fidgeted, barely opening my mouth...
"Hehe~ Looks like everyone's having a fun chat? Mind if I join?"
"...It's the princess!"
I squeezed my eyes shut and blurted it out at the sudden voice. Yeah... the princess was the best option here, right? She treated me the most 'womanly,' had a decent personality. Ignoring the creepy vibe and veiled killing intent, she was my ideal type outside Mother, sisters, and Skeleton...
...Wait, was the princess even at this table?
With that thought, I slowly opened my tightly shut eyes.
"...You."
There stood the princess, lips trembling, eyes gleaming with rapture.
"You flirted with me first?"