We Live in Dragon’s Peak – Chapter 79

We live in the foothills of Dragon Peak.

The Twin Princesses

The day of the tea party has arrived.

I went to Listea’s house from the morning, and after finishing changing with the help of the servant, I was ready. Listea and Slaton also tidied themselves up, and we waited for the women’s preparations to finish.

Slaton, this is the first time I’ve seen you with your hair so neatly done.

The women’s preparations were finished before noon. I had seen Princess Serie’s formal attire when she was invited to the royal castle last time, but this was my first time seeing Creacio and Naimi in their glamorous outfits. As expected, women are unrecognizable after they put on makeup.

Once preparations were complete, we all got into Listea’s family’s carriage and departed.

This is amazing. To have a private carriage, horses, and even a coachman, Listea is so rich.

We headed to the venue, having a light lunch inside the carriage. Even though it was called a light lunch, it was more extravagant than my family’s New Year’s dinner. Before we even arrived at the venue, I could feel an out-of-place atmosphere. And as expected, upon arriving at the venue, I felt my face tense up, and I immediately wanted to go home.

The tea party was being held in the main hall of the royal family’s detached palace. The main hall was warm, and it felt like a different world from the cold winter outside. And in the main hall, many men and women who had tidied themselves up were participating.

This is different from what I heard.

I had thought this was a tea party for the dragon hunt participants to make an appearance. Yet, half of the people in the venue were women. Of course, there were many women who looked like soldiers, but I also saw many who clearly looked like daughters from good families.

There must be over a hundred people in the main hall, I think. I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of people and the vibrant atmosphere, which was more than I had expected.

“It seems like it’s also serving as a large-scale matchmaking event.”

I wonder if Listea wasn’t told the details of the tea party either. Listea and I exchanged glances and shared a wry smile. Since I was with Listea, we were able to enter the main hall of the detached palace without even checking our invitations.

However, it was from this point on that my real hardship began.

As soon as Listea and the hero’s entourage entered the main hall, they were surrounded by a large number of men and women. As for myself, I was quickly identified as not being part of the hero’s entourage and was pushed out to the edge of the crowd.

Since Slaton is the only man in the hero’s entourage, it’s easy for anyone to tell that I’m an outsider.

But I’m Listea’s friend! Couldn’t they have just ostracized me and kicked me out a little less forcefully? But on second thought, many of the people flocking to Listea and the others were wearing the crest of the Yorttenitos Kingdom on their chests. I see, it seems I’m quite disliked by the people of the Yorttenitos Kingdom.

I surveyed the main hall.

Then, I realized that all the participants in the tea party were wearing the crest of either the Armēdo Kingdom or the Yorttenitos Kingdom somewhere on their clothing. I also noticed that I had the Armēdo Kingdom’s crest discreetly attached to my chest. And those who weren’t wearing either country’s crest, and were busily moving around the main hall in matching attire, were probably the servants.

“Hmph, I never thought you’d be invited here. Did you scheme your way in by getting close to the hero? What a brazen fellow.”

As I was looking around the main hall, I was suddenly addressed by the last person I wanted to see.

“Ah, Prince Grave. H-hello.”

I hurriedly turned around and bowed deeply to Prince Grave, the source of the voice.

Are you coming at me with a jab right away in such a glamorous venue? This person truly hates me, don’t they? Or rather, isn’t their personality just awful? I kept all such thoughts to myself, not showing even a hint of them, and bowed my head.

Prince Grave, dressed in a beautiful outfit primarily in blue, similar to the armor he wore last time, looked down at me with a contemptuous gaze. But then again, I don’t really care when someone I know already dislikes me gives me a cold stare.

“If you consider it fortunate just to be able to come here, then stand in a corner of the hall where you won’t be a nuisance.”

“Y-yes. I will do so. It was worth coming today just to see Your Highness again.”

Prince Grave glared at me with a fierce look in response to my small act of defiance, but he didn’t say anything more to insult me. There are many people watching here, and it would be a matter of his own dignity to say more than that, so he probably couldn’t.

As Prince Grave advised, I quickly moved to a corner of the main hall and tried to blend into the background. In the first place, I didn’t come here because I wanted to, so I didn’t want to stand out by deliberately defying Prince Grave. If I’m told to stand in a corner, I’ll obediently do so.

I thought that no one would notice me, a plain commoner, if I suppressed my presence and stayed in a corner of the venue. However, as expected, these were the select soldiers from both countries aiming for dragon hunts. My attempt to suppress my presence made me stand out even more, and I found myself drawing more and more gazes.

Mmm, I should have just stayed quietly in the corner. I shouldn’t have tried to hide my presence.

I gave up on trying to suppress my presence and changed my plan to quietly stand in a corner of the main hall with a drink in hand. But just standing there would be boring, so I started observing the people gathered at the venue.

Listea and the others are very popular. They seem to be having a hard time being constantly surrounded by a large number of men and women. Princess Serie is also attracting a lot of people. Perhaps more men are gathered around her? Everyone knows that Princess Serie is Listea’s future wife, but her cuteness probably makes everyone want to get close to her.

Slaton is surprisingly popular. It’s rare to see him struggling, surrounded by so many women. Slaton is tall and surprisingly handsome, so when he’s dressed up in formal wear with his hair done, he probably looks quite dashing.

There are also many men and women around Creacio and Naimi. Creacio is chatting amicably with the women, and cheerful laughter erupts around Naimi.

Everyone seems popular and to be having fun. Although this tea party is also for matchmaking, it seems that people are the focus of attention, hoping for a chance to become a hero’s companion or, perhaps, a bride themselves.

While Listea and the others were drawing attention, there was also a group that clearly looked unaccustomed to such a setting. Many of them were burly young men.

Yes. I think those are the Royal Knights from both countries. Having dedicated themselves to martial arts, they probably don’t have much experience in such lively and glamorous places. The young men, gathered in groups of a few, seem unsure how to approach women.

Amidst this, there were some people who kept casting sharp glances in my direction. There’s no need to confirm. They are the Royal Knights of the Yorttenitos Kingdom. I wonder if Prince Grave told them about me? At worst, I’m frequently subjected to gazes filled with killing intent, making me feel uncomfortable.

They didn’t just tell me to stand in a corner, but they’re coming at me with more? I earnestly wish for this awkward tea party to end as quickly as possible.

However, my wishes don’t make time go any faster. So, I have no choice but to observe the tea party further.

Oh, how frustrating, but Prince Grave is also very popular. He is surrounded by even more women than Listea. While he is harsh towards me, he is, after all, the First Prince of the Yorttenitos Kingdom. Many women aiming for a rich husband are flocking to him. And the way he skillfully handles them, I can honestly admire him.

Oh? In another place over there, it looks like there are people surrounded by a crowd of men this time? The sight of men from the Armēdo Kingdom and the Yorttenitos Kingdom mingling and jostling each other is even more so than Princess Serie. No, perhaps twice as many. I turned my attention to see who was being surrounded.

Then, the cordon of men parted, and two beautiful women emerged. Moreover, these two women looked exactly alike, which surprised me. The skin visible through the luxurious attire of the two women was a healthy wheat color. Their features were a little sharp, but they were incredibly beautiful women. Their beautifully long, silver hair curled in ringlets gave them the appearance of truly prominent nobles. And their chests… Oh, how large they were. From the low-cut clothing, their overflowing twin mounds were peeking out.

The two silver-haired beauties, skillfully fending off the surrounding men, held hands and walked towards us.

Along the way, they replaced their empty drinks with new ones and came towards us.

Pushing aside the approaching men, they came towards us… why? The direction the two women are coming from has only me, quietly standing here? If the people attracting the most attention from men at the venue come this way, I’ll stand out too. This is troublesome.

Smiling and chatting amongst themselves, the two silver-haired beauties approached, indifferent to my confusion.

“Yes, this child is correct.”

“A cute child, petite with chestnut hair.”

And to my surprise, the two beauties who came right up to me pointed at me with small gestures.

“Nice to meet you, I am Yufilia, the First Princess of the Armēdo Kingdom.”

“Nice to meet you, I am Nina, the Second Princess of the Armēdo Kingdom.”

““We’ve been wanting to meet you, Elnea-kun.””

“Whaaaaat?!”

The unexpectedness of the situation made me exclaim. Wh-wh-why do the two princesses know my name? I thought maybe Princess Serie had told them something, and when I looked at Princess Serie, she was also looking at me with a surprised expression. Ah, with my exclamation, I’ve attracted the attention of the entire main hall. Everyone is looking this way.

“Well, the way she flustered is cute.”

“I want to hug her.”

As they said so, I was embraced tightly by the two beauties.

“Mmmph.”

And then, my face was buried into four large breasts.

Is this heaven?! Or hell!?