Living as a Butler to the Northern Duke chapter 65

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“Oh! Young Master. You’ve arrived.”

The man’s manner was polite, his attitude gentle and warm.

As Ronen nodded slightly, a bright smile spread across the man’s face as he led Ronen into the tent.

“I never thought I’d have the honor of meeting the Grand Duke Asnel’s younger brother at the hunting festival. It’s truly an honor to make your acquaintance. My name is Euse, in service to His Majesty the Emperor.”

Inside, the tent was lively and colorful, befitting a space meant for young nobles under ten.

Everything, from the vibrant table colors to the fresh flowers, radiated an energetic atmosphere.

Even the lamps inside were far more plentiful than in other tents.

“Please, have a seat here, Young Master.”

Guided to the table at the tent’s center, Ronen nodded and took his seat, choosing to keep his words to a minimum in such a formal setting.

However, with nearly ten pairs of eyes on him, Ronen shifted uncomfortably, clearing his throat softly.

Tens, who was standing behind Ronen’s chair, immediately poured him a glass of water.

Ed, standing beside Tens, leaned in and whispered quietly.

“Are you all right, Master Ronen?”

“Mm, yes. I’m fine.”

As Ronen carefully raised his glass to drink, even that small gesture seemed to capture the full attention of those around him.

Not only the young nobles and ladies but also the servants standing behind them all turned their gazes to Ronen.

When Ronen set down his glass, a nobleman seated beside him offered a greeting.

He was larger in build and had a strong presence compared to Ronen.

“Hello.”

“Yes, hello.”

“I’m Galois, the second son of the Duke Ruin.”

A noblewoman sitting next to him also greeted him.

“I am Chains, the eldest daughter of the Marquis Jua.”

As the young nobles around the round table took turns introducing themselves, Ronen gave a polite nod in return.

“Yes, hello. Nice to meet you all.”

Though they were still young, it was clear they were trying hard to look dignified and composed, perhaps due to a sense of representing their families.

After the introductions, Galois, who seemed to feel somewhat familiar with Ronen now, looked over at him as he held his teacup.

“But how did you know? That you are actually the brother of Grand Duke Linden?”

“Ah…”

Ronen placed his teacup down, lifting his gaze to meet theirs.

The curious question drew everyone’s eyes to him, their expressions bright with intrigue.

“Well…”

As Ronen opened his mouth to answer, silence fell all around, highlighting just how much attention he was receiving.

“As soon as Asnel saw me, he immediately knew.

He said I looked just like our father did in his youth.”

The eyes that had been fixated on Ronen’s answer each sparkled in a different way.

“Oh, really? So the Grand Duke recognized Ronen as his brother at first sight? It’s such a lovely notion.”

“Isn’t it? I’d heard they were separated for a long time, but for them to recognize each other at first sight! What could be more moving? Even my nanny, who knows so many stories, would be awestruck by such a beautiful tale!”

Some took a bite of their cookies, feeling touched, while others, who were looking to pick at Ronen’s story, fell silent when the mention of the late parents came up.

Of course, even so, someone couldn’t resist speaking up.

“So that means the Grand Duke identified you as his brother solely by intuition, without any other verification or procedure?”

Ronen, who was wetting his throat with tea, slightly tilted his head.

He looked over at Galois, who had asked the question.

“Hmm, did you say you were Galois, the second son of Duke Ruin?”

“…Yes, that’s correct.”

“The question sounds a bit strange, so let me ask: Are you doubting Asnel’s judgment?”

At Ronen’s question, Galois, who had been about to take a sip of tea, quickly set his cup down, waving his hands in denial.

“Oh, no, that wasn’t what I meant.”

“Then, what did you mean?”

“I was just curious, that’s all.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, indeed.”

Ed inwardly marveled.

Before the evening hike, the Grand Duke had drilled certain responses into Ronen.

If someone behaved discourteously at the gathering, the Grand Duke instructed him to respond like this:

Look at the other person calmly.
Confirm the name of the person who asked the question.
And then say, ‘Are you questioning Asnel’s judgment?’

Thanks to Ronen’s flawless execution, only the sound of clinking teacups echoed in the yellow tent.

Ed silently hoped that time would simply pass this way.

But the calm didn’t last long.

“Oh, I see the young lord is not wearing any gold accessories?”

This time, Lady Chains spoke up.

“Today’s dress code was personally set by His Majesty the Emperor, didn’t you hear? All noble children attending this gathering must wear gold adornments. It’s meant to convey His Majesty’s deep hope that they’ll grow as bright as gold.”

Such an instruction had not been relayed.

Ed noticed Tens’s brow twitch slightly and quickly surveyed the noble children present.

They were all adorned in elegant and ornate clothing with glittering gold badges, necklaces, and hair accessories.

In the presence of the Emperor, one couldn’t wear anything more precious than what he donned, nor wear any of the same, for that would be seen as challenging the Emperor’s authority.

Only the Grand Duke’s golden adornment was allowed in the Emperor’s company, as it was a gift directly crafted by the former Emperor for his younger sister, Mela, when she relocated to the north.

Surely no noble would have dared bring gold to the hunting festival unless they valued their lives too little, except, of course, the few nobles permitted to be here.

The Emperor had likely arranged this petty gathering thinking the Grand Duke would wear that adornment on his shoulder for the evening hike.

Failing to show up with a golden ornament after the Emperor’s decree would be taken as a disregard for the Emperor’s authority.

The Emperor might use this as a pretext to strike against the Grand Duke’s family.

If the Grand Duke’s family tried to procure gold from other nobles after learning this late, it would only make them a laughingstock.

Ed felt the adornment tucked into his clothing, gauging the mood.

Would it be alright to speak?

After a moment of hesitation, Ed looked down at Ronen’s tense shoulders and spoke.

“If such a decree was issued, then the fault lies with those who failed to inform us properly, wouldn’t you say?”

At Ed’s response, Lady Chains merely waved her fan, saying nothing.

“And even if we only just learned of the dress code, it seems an easy matter to resolve. Young Master Ronen is the Grand Duke’s only brother, the only one who may bear gold before His Majesty.”

In other words, unlike all of you, he could acquire gold adornments in an instant.

Implying this subtly, Ed bowed his head to Ronen.

“Then, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll step out for a moment, Young Master Ronen.”

Outside the yellow tent, Ed let out a deep breath.

Drawing air deeply into his lungs, he moved further into the forest.

He headed to a quiet, dark place untouched by the light of magical lanterns.

With a swift glance around, he reached inside his cloak.

‘I’d rather not have anyone realize I’m carrying the Grand Duke’s prized possession.’

His fingertips closed around the finely crafted adornment, polished to a gleam.

Rustle.

At that moment, Ed quickly lifted his head, his senses alert.

He heard a rustling in the brush.