Chapter 130: The Celebration

When the doors to the hall opened, warm light and the aroma of food flowed out all at once into the corridor.

Long tables lined the walls, crowded with roasted meat dishes, river fish, vegetable dishes, and sweets made with fruit. It appeared to be a standing buffet, with a wide open space left in the centre for people to mingle.

The Brûlée Margrave’s house, the Caramel Viscount’s house, the Noisette Count’s house, the Vanille Count’s house, and the Sucre Viscount’s house. Their guards and attendants were there, chatting as they pleased.

Ren stood in a corner of the hall, quietly surveying the scene.

(So many people have gathered…)

The normally quiet mansion seemed to have become a different building entirely.

There had been many people at the dinner party the previous evening too, but even more now. Ren thought the reason it felt more densely packed than yesterday was probably due to the large number of guards, attendants, and servants.

Liese wore a pale green dress, and Yona wore a light blue dress, accompanying their mother as they went around greeting guests.

Yuan wore what appeared to be newly tailored clothes, with a sword at his hip, standing right beside their father. Though the sword was a bit large for a seven-year-old boy, relatives smiled and spoke to him one after another.

“How splendid.”

“As expected of one with a Swordsmanship skill.”

“We look forward to your future.”

“It suits you well.”

Yuan smiled bashfully but puffed out his chest proudly.

Eventually, Father stepped forward to the centre of the hall. The guests’ conversations quieted, and attention naturally gathered on him.

Father beckoned towards Yuan and Yona. Yuan and Yona approached Father. When the two stood flanking Father, he slowly opened his mouth, cup in hand.

“Thank you all very much for taking time out of your busy schedules to come all the way to this rural baron’s territory.”

When he bowed, the guests quietly nodded in return.

“As you all know, my fifth son Yuan has been granted the Swordsmanship skill.”

Congratulatory applause broke out here and there in the hall.

Father’s expression was prouder than Ren had ever seen it.

“And my second daughter Yona has been granted the Water Magic skill.”

Applause welled up again.

“…I’m deeply delighted that a child with the Swordsmanship skill, which has been our family’s long-cherished wish, has finally been born.”

Ren couldn’t help but lower his gaze.

(A long-cherished wish…)

Those words pricked Ren’s heart slightly. Father continued.

“And Yona’s Water Magic skill is also splendid…I expect the two of them to support this baronial house and help it prosper even further.”

Applause broke out once more.

(Father mentioned Yona’s skill too, but he seemed happiest about Yuan’s skill…)

Ren felt it slightly. Father hadn’t overtly spoken only of Yuan’s skill in his address. However, Ren felt he seemed happiest when speaking of the Swordsmanship skill.

But Father and Mother’s attitude of valuing Yuan’s Swordsmanship skill was nothing new.

Ren looked at Royce standing beside him. Royce was gazing at Yuan with a somewhat complicated expression.

Lewis was quietly applauding, but his profile revealed nothing of his inner thoughts.

Liese and Mother were applauding together with smiles.

Father raised his cup.

“Then, to the new beginning of our baronial house.”

“Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

Cups were raised high, and the hall was once again enveloped in lively conversation.

Mother immediately took Liese and Yona and began making rounds to greet relatives.

Father took Yuan and headed towards the circle of influential relatives.

“Please do visit our home sometime.”

“Do you intend to raise him as your heir?”

“No, I would welcome him as an adopted son.”

Such words could be heard here and there.

Ren held a cup of fruit water by the wall, quietly watching that circle.

A slightly different commotion occurred. Looking over, the entrance to the hall had quietly opened.

“…They have arrived.”

Someone murmured softly. The nobles who had been chatting turned their gazes towards the entrance one after another.

Obscured by people’s shadows, it was hard to see. Ren stretched and craned his neck to look, and it seemed a large-built man was standing at the entrance.