[Invitation]
Upon hearing Hazen saying, “I invited them,” Dudbahan was so shocked his jaw practically hit the floor. It was unheard of for someone of the lowest of the low noble standing to extend an invitation to the head of a prestigious noble family ranked among the top five in status.
And to add to the shock, the prestigious noble wasn’t his direct liege.
Volt Donaire. He was a brave general with over a thousand battlefields under his belt since his teenage years. Once counted among the Empire’s Four Counts, he retired from active duty in his thirties to establish Thena Academy, which swiftly ascended to become one of the Empire’s most esteemed educational institutions within a decade.
Despite having stepped down a rank after retiring from active duty, he still wielded considerable influence among high nobility. Naturally, his status was leagues above that of Dudbahan, who was standing at the bottom of the high-rank nobility ladder.
As soon as Volt caught sight of Hazen, he eagerly made his way over.
“Hazen, it’s been too long. I’ve heard about your successes from my daughter. Rising to the rank of lieutenant in such a short span up north—you’ve been quite the wild one, haven’t you?”
“Just fulfilling my duties diligently.”
“Hahaha! Still as humble as ever, I see,” Volt laughed heartily.
Beside him, the lovely young woman sighed deeply and shot Hazen an exasperated glance. “Honestly, you always spring things on me so suddenly.”
“Emma, thanks for coming. I’m glad to see you.”
“…! J-just so you’re aware, I’ve been quite busy myself,” the young woman, her beauty rivaled only by her elegant dress, blushed as she responded to Hazen’s words.
“I see. Tell me some insider information you have, then.”
“I-I know you just want to chat but don’t make it sounds like you’re conducting an interrogation!!!” She answered in frustrated manner when suddenly noticed Yan. “This girl is?”
“Oh, this is Yan. My sister.”
“Eh?! You have a sister?!”
“Made her one just recently.”
“I-I don’t think you can just ‘make’ a sister,” Emma replied, clearly taken aback. Meanwhile, Yan, having observed the nobles around her and following the teachings of her book, gracefully bowed in an aristocratic manner.
“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I’m Yan Heim.”
“S-so adorable. You don’t resemble Hazen at all, and I mean that in a good way,” Emma murmured to the little girl, resisting the urge to scoop her up in a hug.
“I got her at a bargain.”
“…! Don’t treat such a cute little girl like a commodity!”
In the middle of their conversation, Dudbahan slid up beside them.
“Ahem…” He cleared his throat. Did he catch a cold?
“She may seem small, but you wouldn’t believe how useful she is.” Hazen remarked, ignoring Dudbahan.
“…Haa. I feel sorry for you.” Emma said, looking at Yan with pity.
“I feel sorry for myself, too.” Yan said.
“Gahahahaha. She must be extraordinary for you to speak so highly of her. Now I want her to be my granddaughter,” Volt commented.
“…….”
The four of them were engrossed in their conversation, treating Dudbahan like air.
“Ahem, ahem. Ahem, ahem, ahem.”
“…Pardon me, Lord Dudbahan.”
“Hmm? Ah, Hazen, what is it?”
“If you’re feeling unwell, why not visit the infirmary? We wouldn’t want your cold spreading to everyone.”
“Ugh… Hazen, come with me for a second.”
“Understood.”
Dudbahan pulled Hazen away by his sleeve, leaving Emma and Volt behind.
“You… why didn’t you introduce me to them?!”
“Oh, you wanted me to introduce you?”
“Kh… it’s not that I wanted you to introduce me, but it’s your duty as someone lower-ranked than me!”
“Duty? I’m not sure such a system exists between nobles of different ranks.”
“It’s the etiquette! E-T-I-Q-U-E-T-T-E! Learn it! Embrace it! You incompetent!”
“I see. I’m truly sorry,” Hazen apologized without a shred of hesitation before coming back to Volt and Emma. “Allow me to introduce you, this is Dudbahan Jariat. He is my direct liege.”
Upon Hazen’s introduction, Dudbahan puffed out his chest and smiled broadly, “Lord Volt, I’ve had the great honor of attending your banquet twice. I felt it would be impolite not to greet you. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”
“…Who?”
?!
“F-Father! Isn’t that rude?!” Emma hurriedly tried to rectify the situation, but Volt still looked puzzled as he regarded Dudbahan.
“However… have we really met before? I’m confident I’d recognize someone I’ve met twice.”
“I-I mean… with your esteemed status, Lord Volt, someone of my humble standing couldn’t easily approach you, so indeed, this actually is our first face-to-face meeting.”
“Huh! Wahahaha! Why didn’t you just say so? That means we’re complete strangers!”
“Hngh… y-yes, that’s correct.”
Dudbahan looked down, his face flushed with embarrassment.
“Please forgive him. My father doesn’t mean any harm. He’s just a bit lacking in tact,” Emma apologized with a deep bow. Seeing her graceful gesture, Dudbahan smiled warmly.
“N-no offence taken, Lady Emma. But I must say, you are truly beautiful. I’ve heard rumors that you’re one of the most beautiful among the talented women appointed as general officers this year, but I never imagined you’d be this breathtaking.”
“…Dudbabon, wasn’t it?”
“…It’s Dudbahan, my lord.”
At Volt’s interjection, the bottom rank high noble corrected him in a slightly displeased tone.
“You won’t do. But Hazen would be more than welcome.”
“F-Father?!”
“……”
Dudbahan looked down, gritting his teeth as he observed Emma’s flustered, flushed face.
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