Chapter 83

 

***

 

No matter how cute his younger sister’s opinion was, Claude and Jeremiah could not agree with her. Just as the discussion about “absolutely inedible ingredients” was about to become more competitive.

“Excuse me.”

Ronny cautiously began to speak.

“I think it’s okay not to come to a conclusion. We should just be considerate of each other during meals. And it would be good to have these kinds of discussions a bit more often.”

Ronny had not heard the full story of why Claude and Jeremiah had previously argued.

So, Ronny had been thinking for a long time about the two, trying to guess the reasons on his own.

“We only share the name Baldwin, but in reality, we know very little about each other.”

There was no room for them to take any misunderstandings in good part because they had spent several years living separately in different places.

“So, from now on, we should.”

Perhaps because all eyes were on him, Ronny’s voice trembled with nervousness. He might have been scared.

“Study each other.”

Just as Ronny had researched the family’s preferences while preparing for the banquet over the past few days.

“Knowing about each other, we can hurt each other less and reduce misunderstandings. And sometimes, if we’re lucky.”

He looked at the plain plate in front of him.

“We might find interesting and unexpected common ground.”

Ronny picked up the stiff bread.

“To be honest, I really hate this kind of hard rye bread. Because it’s so stiff.”

Yet, he took a big bite of the bread, chewing it thoroughly. After swallowing, he announced the owner of the plate.

“This is my plate.”

This statement surprised both Jeremiah and Claude.

“After fiercely studying to find any common ground between the two, this was the only answer I came up with. So,”

Ronny looked around at his family with eyes full of determination.

“I hope that next year, my plate can have a bit more delicious dish, as we all share more stories with each other.”

Amid the quiet, Ronny once again offered his plea for more shared stories among them.

Now, whenever anyone caught his eye, they nodded in agreement.

Everyone, that is, except Jeremiah, who was the last to meet his gaze.

“…….”

Jeremiah seemed hesitant until the very end. Ronny started to worry if he had pushed his younger sibling too hard.

“I’m sorry if it was too much,” Ronny was about to apologize.

But then, Jeremiah’s head slightly nodded.

“Okay. I’ll do that,” he muttered quietly.

“……What a relief.”

Feeling a bit relieved, Ronny momentarily forgot his dining etiquette and sprawled across the table.

“Ugh…….”

Holding such a banquet with a strange order of dishes was a big adventure for Ronny.

If his intentions hadn’t been conveyed, it would have just remained as ‘a weird banquet’ in the ducal family’s embarrassing history.

He lent an ear to the happy stories buzzing around him for a moment.

Though faint, voices filled with affection were coming from everywhere, just like at any ordinary ‘banquet’.

‘I’m glad I gave up on being praised.’

If he had prepared a banquet that satisfied everyone, by now, he might have been showered with great praise.

Questions of how he managed to do all the preparations by himself.

But at this moment, hearing Claude and Jeremiah’s conversation was much more pleasant to him. Even if the topic was still rye bread.

Soon, the next dish was served, and Ronny no longer needed to step in.

With just one dish on the plate, everyone began to share their stories in turn.

And so, by the time the meal was concluded with warm tea,

The sound of someone starting to clap soon spread to everyone.

Ronny clapped along out of reflex but quickly stopped when he realized everyone’s gaze was directed at him.

“Oh, why… why?”

Ronny asked in confusion.

Honestly, it wasn’t a meal worthy of applause.

“Well, it was the finest hospitality. I’m happy to have been part of such a wonderful banquet.”

The Tower Master was the first to offer words of praise, and Jeremiah nodded in agreement, fully endorsing his opinion.

Ronny was happy just knowing that Jeremiah hadn’t disliked the occasion.

A small smile finally broke out on Ronny’s uncertain face.

“I always believed you would do well. Well done, Ronny.”

His father’s eyes were full of faith today, as they always were. It was something Ronny loved and had always desired.

Ronny’s expression brightened even more.

“Loretta found everything delicious, and the stories were so, so fun. Right, Melody?”

“Yes. I could really feel the depth of thought Master Ronny put into this.”

Passing the conversation from the two girls who always bickered, it was now Claude’s turn.

He looked at his brother, who seemed to have grown so much suddenly, with a look of affection and posed a question.

It was something he had been curious about throughout the banquet.

“This was the most exciting banquet I’ve ever been to. How did you come up with such an idea?”

After a moment’s thought, Ronny confidently tapped his palm with his fist and answered with a grin.

“Well, that’s because I’m… a genius!”

 

***

 

The banquet continued until the sun in the sky almost set, tinting the surroundings red.

Loretta danced a lot. Since dancing for her meant nothing more than holding hands and spinning around, Melody, who was not familiar with social dances, could also enjoy herself.

The Tower Master showed the children several magic tricks that they would like.

Loretta was completely enchanted by a spell that made sparkling lights float in the air like stars, dreaming, “Loretta wants to be a magician too.”

Then, Ronny put a slice of apple in Loretta’s mouth and informed her of an important fact.

“Being a magician isn’t something you become just because you want to.”

“No need to worry about that.”

Jeremiah, having heard the conversation, smiled and replied.

“It seems Loretta has the proper aptitude. With effort, she might surprisingly become a magician.”

“What?!”

Ronny wasn’t the only one surprised. Even the Tower Master extended his hand towards young Loretta.

“Come here, let’s see what potential you have, my child.”

At Owen’s eager request, Loretta hesitated for a moment before gently shaking her head.

It seemed that the long beard appeared a bit strange to the child’s eyes, as she had never approached Owen during the party, despite having danced with everyone else.

“The beard is weird… scary.”

It appears that the long beard might have looked a bit strange to her, as she was always surrounded by people who were cleanly shaven.

“……!”

The Tower Master was deeply shocked by this unexpected reaction.

There had been many children who were afraid of him before, but that fear stemmed from the instinctive recognition of the absolute difference in magical power, not because of his beard.

Moreover, his beard was always meticulously groomed, receiving frequent compliments for being “a magnificent beard.”

And now to hear it called strange! Weird because of the beard!

“The Master’s beard is the best.”

Jeremiah quickly offered consolation, noticing his shock, though it seemed to have little effect.

Jeremiah quickly tugged on Claude’s sleeve, signaling him to help improve the Master’s mood.

“Truly, it’s a splendid beard. It’s always so well-kept because of your diligent grooming.”

As Claude chimed in, Ronny also hurried over to the Tower Master. As the host of the banquet, it was his duty to ensure the guests were happy.

“The beard is always the best!”

After speaking up, Ronny nudged Melody’s arm, urging her to add her praise.

“Me, too?”

Melody, thinking she was hardly in a position to judge the Tower Master’s beard, had remained silent without much thought until now.

“Uh… um.”

So, when suddenly given the chance to speak, she found herself at a loss for words.

“Hurry and say something. The Tower Master is waiting!”

Ronny whispered urgently, and Melody chose the easiest praise she could think of.

“It’s, it’s cool.”

Then Ronny started poking Melody’s arm again, as if to say, ‘That’s not enough! Don’t you have something more convincing to say?!’

‘But you only said it was the best too!’

The girl wanted to retort to Ronny, but with the Tower Master right there, she decided to hold back.

After all, the long beard was indeed impressive, reflecting the grandeur of a great magician.

“The Tower Master’s beard is very magnificent and splendid.”

“Um, is that so?”

Perhaps her effort paid off.

A pleased smile appeared around his wrinkled eyes. Melody didn’t miss this moment and, clenching her fists, exclaimed loudly,

“Really! Anyone would envy such a beard! I’d even want one like it myself!”

Suddenly, the surroundings went quiet.

Melody, wondering if she had said something inappropriate, covered her mouth with her hands, replaying the words she had just blurted out.

“……Ah.”

Soon, the girl’s face turned red, and eventually, everyone present burst into laughter.

Of course, the Tower Master laughed the happiest.

“This must be the greatest compliment I’ve ever received.”

He said this while gently patting Melody’s head.