[Onboard Party 3]
While taking care of Rivera—who had passed out with a nosebleed right after walking into the room—I kicked back and relax with everyone. Before long, the time for the party to start was approaching.
“It’s almost time for the party. Rivera, are you feeling well enough to come along?”
At Karin’s call, Rivera slowly got up.
“Y-yes. I’m truly sorry for the inconvenience.”
“You don’t have to force yourself, you know?”
“I’m fine now, really. I’ve gotten used to it.”
She repeatedly took a glance at me, but why?
“I see. Shall we go then?”
Prompted by Karin, we left the room.
I rode Bal in the middle of the group of girls as we made our way to the venue, making us stand out. Almost everyone we passed by did a double take and stared at us. I paid them no mind since it’d be a pain if I did, but their gazes sure were annoying.
“Lord Luc, everyone’s eyes are on you.”
“That’s only natural-nya.”
“No ladies can possibly hold themselves from admiring the sight of Lord Luc.”
“As expected of Master.”
The girls were saying something behind, but given Karin was smiling, so it was okay, I guess.
“Here we are,” Karin said.
The dance hall on the observation deck–which happened to be at the very top of the luxury liner–was incredibly spacious, capable of accommodating hundreds of people. The glass walls offered a breathtaking view of the ocean, adorned with the gentle glow of moonlight, creating a truly mesmerizing scene.
“Luc, this way.”
Guided by Karin to the place where the nobles of the Caribbean faction gathered, Karin introduced the gathered nobles to me.
As I casually exchanged greetings with them—remembering their names is a pain~—Tashte came over.
“Lord Luc. This is my father, who would like to introduce himself to you.”
Was that a fat mouse that came with Tashte?
“Ah, greetings, Lord Luc. Allow me to introduce myself: I am Toon Park Nezul, Tasthe’s father. I wanted to extend my sincere gratitude for always taking care of him. Your kindness is truly appreciated.”
The old man respectfully bowed with exaggerated gestures. His top hat went well with his handlebar mustache.
I had the impression a mouse-like mustache would look better on him, but the handlebar mustache made him look kind of adorable.
“Mhm ^^, that’s a nice mustache. Looks cute.”
“Well, well… is that your honest opinion?”
“Yup. I think your mustache is splendid.”
“Yes, exactly!! To be able to understand the beauty of my mustache, Lord Luc will surely become a great man.”
Yeah, this old man was easy.
“Tashte and I get along really well as friends.”
“As friends… is it? Well, well… You’re a kinder person than I thought.”
Count Nezul smiled, his eyes gentle.
“Tashte.”
“Yes. Father.”
“I understand what you were saying now. However, being a member of the Ducal House of Deskustos is a dangerous position… Do your best to protect Lord Luc.
“Yes! I’ve already had countermeasures in place. When it comes to behind-the-scenes work, none can beat us the Nezuls.”
“Good. Lord Luc. I will leave my son in your care, please use him as you see fit.”
“Huh? I have no work for him, though?”
“Well, well, I’m now more certain you’re going to become a great man in the future.”
Count Nezul bid his farewell, seemingly convinced of something—though, I had no idea what it was—and then another person approached me.
“My~, so you are li’l Luc.”
It was a 2 meters tall old man with a muscular build.
Only… he was wearing a flashy purple dress, with strong perfume and heavy make-up.
And I didn’t know why, but everyone, except for Karin and Tashte, suddenly took a knee and bowed to him.
“Oh dear, it appears you are unfamiliar with who I am.”
“Lord Luc. This is Marquis Gordon, the head of Gordon House, the very house from which Duke Deskustos’ wife—your stepmother—originates.”
Ah~ I see, the head of my stepmother’s house, huh… Now that I thought about it, House Gordon appeared as her backer in the game world, but I couldn’t seem to remember him despite his… unique appearance.
“Oh my, your adorable face betrays your confusion, my dear. It’s arousing, nonetheless.”
A chill ran down my spine.
“Tashte. Anything I should note about this person?”
“…Invincible.”
“Huh?”
“He is invincible. No one has ever defeated Marquis Gordon up to this day. The only one that may be on par with him is Duke Deskustos.”
“Tee-hee.”
Listening to Tashte’s explanation, I looked at Marquis Gordon, but he puckered his lips and threw a kiss at me for some reason.
“Err, Marquis Gordon?”
“Oh, li’l Luc. You’re my nephew, just call me Big Sister.”
Big Sister? Not Uncle? Well, whatever, thinking about it was a pain.
“Bis Sister. This is our first meeting, I believe? Nice to meet you. I’m Luc Hugaro Deskustos.”
When I called him Big Sister, the surrounding nobles looked at me with surprised faces.
“My~ li’l Luc, you’re such a well-mannered child!!! And you are so pretty too. Are you the same as me?”
“No, I love Karin and Syrup, so I’m definitely not.”
Karin’s face flushed, and the kneeling Syrup wagged her tail furiously.
“Oh dear, so you’re a straight ♂, contrary to your looks. Well, that’s perfectly fine. Since you called me Bis Sister, I’ll take your side for a little while. You’re my adorable nephew, after all.”
The strong scent approached.
Running away would be a pain, so I had Bal take over my body and waited for the storm to pass.
“This party is to celebrate the new year, but… we are also planning on using this opportunity to punish some traitors. Someone important to you may be among them.”
After whispering that, Big Sister let go of me. I really couldn’t handle the strong scent of her perfume.
“My, my, I’m sure your father doesn’t really care about you, but… still, be careful. You never know what that arrogant and petty man might do. I don’t want you to get hurt, especially since I’ve taken a liking to you.”
Could you please not throw me a wink while saying something with hidden meaning? It made me feel uncomfortable.
“Are you my enemy, Big Sister?”
“Dear me, you are quite precocious, even for a child. Why? Are you going to take me down?”
His wild and deep voice carried an overwhelming sense of pressure, making me feel like my heart was tightly gripped by an eagle.
There were hidden experts in this world, huh.
If Big Sister was in the game, he’d undoubtedly be the strongest.
“Nuh-uh. I don’t dislike you, Big Sister, so I don’t want to fight you.”
“My! Blush!”
Big Sister blushed for some reason. Yup, not cute.
“You sure know your way with words. Hehe, I still haven’t decided… but I’ll keep my silence for now.”
Leaving another line with hidden meaning with a wink, Big Sister turned around and walked away.
The sight of him waving a folding fan—which he took out from god-knows-where—as he walked left quite an impactful impression.
“I’d expect no less from Lord Luc!”
“You’re amazing, Luc. There are very few people who can engage in a proper conversation with Marquis Gordon, and you’re one of them!”
Tashte and Karin were excited, but that conversation really tired me out. He was someone you should never turn into an enemy.
If there was a hidden boss in this world, it got to be him.
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To be honest I’m actually surprised this is the first time some one called him out for being sus🤨 , I kinda just thought, “Oh, it is medieval times, so maybe it’s normal for male nobles to wear a touch of makeup.
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Well, maybe because he is always with girls, it get less sus
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