Chapter 121
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 121
Chapter Title: Arrival at the Princess's Birthday Gala
As was typical with birthday parties.
The scale varied depending on the birthday person's wealth and status.
In Jeon's previous life, kids from poor families got nothing more than seaweed soup boiled by their mothers.
Those who were doing a bit better might host a party at home and invite friends.
And the truly wealthy would rent out an entire venue for their birthday bash.
That held true in this world as well.
No, in this class-based society, the disparity in birthday parties was even more pronounced.
"So... the birthday party is being held in a park instead of the palace?"
"That's right. The palace could end up separating people into different spaces, so Her Imperial Highness wanted to see as many people as possible. She chose the Park of Peace right in front of the imperial palace as the venue."
"The park must be pretty big, then?"
"Hahaha, I guarantee it's the largest park Lady Lena has ever seen."
It might have sounded a bit dismissive toward Lena, but Dillingham's words carried no such intent.
They contained only facts, nothing more.
"It's one of the largest parks even in the capital, so feel free to look forward to it."
Jeon felt a slightly different impression watching Dillingham urge them to anticipate it.
'A birthday party... right?'
Could an imperial princess really rent out what could be called the largest park in the capital for a birthday party?
At that point, it felt like it should be called something else entirely.
Moreover, if princes and princesses threw parties like this every year, wouldn't the capital be in a constant state of massive festivals?
"Of course, not all princes and princesses hold parties like this. Princess Katrina is turning twenty-five this time, so she's scaled it up a bit."
Dillingham's words dispelled Jeon's concerns.
In other words, it was always fairly large, but this year it was exceptionally grand.
"So attending Her Highness's birthday party during your visit to the capital will be a tremendous experience."
"Wow, I'm truly grateful for the chance to have such a grand experience."
"Hahaha, no need."
With that, the two wrapped up their exchange about the birthday party.
"By the way, how exactly do I attend the party?"
"No need to worry. The party starts at 5 p.m., but waiting from 4:30 is allowed. I'll put in a word ahead of time, so entry should be smooth... I'll arrive early for the wait, so come to Entrance Seven before five."
"Ah, got it. Thank you again."
"Don't mention it. I need to go for a fitting on the clothes I commissioned, so I'll take my leave."
"Yes! See you at the party."
Judging they'd talked enough, Dillingham headed off with Celly, who had been waiting nearby, toward the fitting room.
After Dillingham departed.
"......Huuuuuuh."
Lena let out a long sigh, shaking off the tension she'd built up.
No matter that she'd lived as a noble since childhood, conversing one-on-one with imperial royalty was bound to be nerve-wracking.
"Good work."
"You did great, my lady."
Jeon approached Lena's side, patting her shoulder in encouragement, while Risar came over and offered his own words of praise.
"We handled things much faster than expected."
"Yeah."
Finding an ally right upon arrival had been part of the day's plan.
But securing someone to help with party attendance so quickly—and getting their commitment on the spot—was unexpected.
"I figured it'd take at least two days, three at minimum."
They'd planned to scramble things together just before the party, but everything was progressing so smoothly on arrival day itself.
"We've got some breathing room now?"
Jeon muttered in relief at how swiftly things had gone.
But Lena's gaze toward him was anything but ordinary.
"No, we might not have enough."
"Huh? Enough for what?"
Grab.
Lena muttered to herself before abruptly seizing Jeon's wrist without answering.
Jeon's face filled with question marks.
"What? What's up?"
"You've never had clothes properly tailored, have you?"
"Uh? Well... no?"
No matter the world of Jeon's previous life.
It was an era where off-the-rack clothes came in all sizes—you just picked what fit and wore it.
That habit carried over to this world.
Jeon always wore simple, loose-fitting garments.
There hadn't really been occasions to dress up, which only reinforced it.
But Lena had quietly resented that aspect.
"Come on, let's fix that properly this time."
"Wait, why? Do we have to?"
"Have to? You're going to what might be the empire's biggest social event looking like a slob!?"
"Uh, um... is that bad...?"
He'd wondered at first why she suddenly grabbed his wrist, but listening made her point seem valid.
Lena didn't miss Jeon softening.
"They've got pretty much everything here, so let's start from the first floor again."
"Huh? Again...?"
"Ow! Hurry up!"
Of course, amid it all, Jeon didn't miss the ominous remark that slipped by.
But Lena's determination to drag him along was stronger.
Thus, Jeon circled the luxury shop a full four times before heading to their lodgings that day.
Thanks to everything proceeding without a hitch, Jeon's group finished preparations leisurely before Princess's birthday party.
The Silvermont knights who'd departed later also arrived in the capital one after another.
"Now you finally look like the duke's daughter."
"......I always did."
Finally, on the day itself, they were properly attired like nobles.
Lena dressed for the party in an outfit selected from the Yggdrasil Luxury Shop, flanked by Risar and nine knights lined up beside her.
'Well, she is the daughter of a prominent house.'
In truth, Jeon had grown so casual with Lena—and mostly seen her in the mage tower off-limits to knights—that he'd forgotten.
But this was Lena's natural element.
"You look decent enough now, too."
"......Don't tease."
"You teased me first."
"I was serious."
"Me too."
Unlike Lena, who was accustomed to such grandeur, Jeon found his current state profoundly awkward.
His evening attire fit perfectly, hair neatly combed back by a local maid.
Accents of jewels and accessories here and there.
To a stranger, he'd pass for a noble heir.
'This feels so damn awkward.'
But to Jeon, it was uncomfortable.
He'd never dressed so extravagantly even in his past life.
And upon arriving in this world, he'd been a slave in rags, sweat streaming down his face.
That was the first version of himself he'd faced, so this polished look didn't sit right.
"But Sir Jeon, it suits you perfectly."
"......Pardon?"
"Indeed. We think so too."
"You could pass for a noble scion."
Jeon's self-assessment differed from those around him.
The knights, led by Risar, even gave thumbs-up in approval.
"Ah... uh... um... anyway, shall we head to the venue?"
"There's still time to spare..."
"Dillingham said he'd be there early, so better to arrive sooner!"
Unable to endure the flood of compliments, Jeon hastily changed the subject.
"Is that so?"
"Yes, yes! Let's go!"
Thus, Jeon narrowly escaped the praise.
'I'd rather fight an archmage.'
For praise-shy Jeon, enduring compliments was harder than battling a grand mage.
And unlike a fight, you couldn't counter praise—just sit there.
Fortunately, the ride was quiet, no such talk.
Especially once they reached the stretch packed with noble carriages—no idle chatter, utter silence.
"All those... are heading to the birthday party?"
"Not necessarily. Even without invites, some come just to glimpse faces."
As Risar said.
Not everyone clogging the roads was invited to Katrina's party.
Maybe three in ten were official guests; the rest sought to peek at celebrities and VIPs from afar.
"Ah, there's the Park of Peace."
How much farther did they go?
The Park of Peace loomed distantly, now close enough to see clearly.
"......The scale is insane."
Even from afar, Jeon could hardly believe it was a park.
Its vastness defied the eyes, plus massive fountains mid-park, colossal art sculptures and statues woven from flowers and plants everywhere.
"I've never seen anything like it..."
Lena, spotting it, realized Dillingham hadn't exaggerated.
And soon after.
"Only permitted persons from here on."
"Show your invitation or identify yourself for entry assistance."
As crowds swelled near capacity, a preliminary checkpoint appeared before the entrance.
"Aw, man, can't go farther?"
"I just wanted to see Princess Katrina from afar..."
Caught off-guard, complaints arose among arrivals.
"I am Lena Silvermont of House Silvermont."
"Yes, confirmed. Proceed to Entrance Seven."
Jeon's group simply announced and verified identity to pass smoothly.
Dillingham must have paved the way.
"Feels less crowded now."
"Yeah."
After the filter, the path cleared instantly.
They sped up their delayed carriage, reaching the distant Park of Peace shortly.
"Let's see... this Entrance Seven?"
Arriving at the park, they located their assigned entrance.
Jeon checked the time: 4:35 p.m.
Earlier than planned, but not a long wait.
"Ah, Lord Dillingham! You're already here."
"Oh! Lady Lena, early arrival."
At Entrance Seven, they spotted Dillingham, their facilitator.
Even with crowds past the checkpoint, spotting him was easy.
"That carriage... ridiculously flashy."
"Lady Celly nailed it."
As Jeon and Risar murmured, Dillingham's carriage dwarfed others in size and ostentation.
Not elegant splendor, but aggressive "look at me" flair.
Anyone could tell it was his at a glance.
"Wow, Lord Dillingham, you look so different all dressed up—I barely recognize you! It suits you perfectly!"
"You think so? Glad I put in the effort. But to me, you look like a completely different person from before. At this level, you could've attended without my help. Hahaha!"
While Jeon and Risar whispered, Lena faced Dillingham head-on.
'Hang in there, Lena.'
Jeon felt grateful anew for accompanying her.
But that reassurance didn't last.
"By the way, who is that young lord over there?"
"Pardon? Young lord...?"
Dillingham, mid-conversation with Lena, fixed his gaze on Jeon.
Despite meeting in the VVIP room, he didn't recognize Jeon and inquired outright.
"Ah, one of my attendants."
"An attendant? Goodness! He exudes such nobility."
Dillingham's eyes sparkled at Lena's explanation.
Curiosity brimmed in them, perhaps.
To Jeon, it spelled pure unease.
"Hmm... you there, care to come over here?"
Dillingham, eyes locked unwaveringly on Jeon, finally beckoned him.
'This is crazy.'
Jeon, who'd edged back from those ominous eyes, cursed inwardly.
Things had gone too smoothly—turns out it wouldn't flow only his way.