The Goddess Granted Me the [Hatching] Skill and Somehow I Became the Strongest Tamer, Commanding Mythical and Divine Beasts - 152

Chapter 152: Popkins Count Family

The party venue was wrapped in an eerie atmosphere.

I’d joined parties a few times before, but I’d never seen a venue this quiet.

Normally, conversations between guests would be buzzing, and people would be constantly moving around the place, but everyone had crowded near the entrance, waiting for me to come in.

I could feel the guests focusing on me whether I liked it or not.

It was like they were eyeing each other to see who would speak first, holding each other back with glances, and it gave me the strange feeling of being tossed into a grassland with meat in my hands.

(Big brother, this is scary.)

Celia was shrinking back in fear. It was only natural for her to react that way at her first noble party, with everyone staring at her.

The guests were sending curious looks not just at me, but at my companion Celia too.

“For now, let’s head inside.”

I put my left hand on my hip, and Celia clung to my arm.

While everyone watched us, we made our way to the center of the venue.

The center seemed to be where the cooks were preparing food, and fancy dishes were lined up on the table right in front of us.

If it weren’t for a time like this, both Celia and I would never run out of interest in the tasty-looking food, but of course, we couldn’t start eating in a situation like this.

“At a time like this, Carol would probably demand food with total confidence, huh.”

“Big brother, that’s kind of rude to Carol, don’t you think?”

Maybe because I mentioned her friend, Celia went back to her usual self and whispered to me.

“She actually did that at the national adventurer conferral ceremony too.”

Remembering Carol, who was staying home again today, we both thought,

“Should we get something wrapped up on the way back?”

“That sounds good.”

We’d been thinking exactly the same thing.

“Lord Klaus, it’s been a while.”

Just as I let my guard down like that, someone suddenly called my name from behind.

It was a voice I recognized, but I couldn’t place it.

When I turned around, a noble’s daughter in a bright red dress studded with scarlet diamonds was approaching.

“Oh, Angie. Long time no see.”

Her name was Angie. She was the daughter of the Popkins Count family, a woman I had some connection to.

The connection wasn’t anything close, though—in fact, it was more like a grudge, so I hadn’t expected her to come talk to me.

“For what happened back then, you were a great help.”

But Angie didn’t show a hint of that; she pinched the skirt of her dress and gave an elegant curtsy.

The people watching around us even let out sighs at how graceful her movements were.

“No, that was just part of the request, so there’s no need to thank me.”

I raised my right hand and replied to her.

“After passing that exam to become a national adventurer, you even got the baron title faster than anyone—your rise is truly impressive, Lord Klaus.”

Angie praised me lavishly in a loud voice that everyone around could hear.

The nobles nearby nodded too, and overall, the mood was welcoming.

“Actually, when I told my father about it, he insisted on thanking you in person…”

But then Angie switched topics right away and started talking about her father.

“I’d like to introduce him to you today.”

The man who’d been waiting behind Angie stepped forward. He was about the same age as my father, wasn’t he?

He smiled and gave me his name.

“Despite saving my daughter’s life, I haven’t thanked you until now—I’m sorry for that. I’m Victor of the Popkins Count family.”

With that, he held out his right hand.

“I’m Klaus of the Luminous Baron family. As a young one, I’ll have shortcomings, but I look forward to working with you.”

I gave my family name too and shook hands with him. It was the formal greeting between nobles.

“No, no, you have manners so solid it’s hard to believe you’re from commoner stock.”

Victor smiled and praised me like he was impressed. But something about his tone rubbed me the wrong way.

“Yes, Father. Lord Klaus has been a very gentlemanly person ever since his national adventurer days.”

It felt good to be praised like that, but we’d been on opposite sides during the national adventurer exam, and I hardly remembered interacting with her at all.

“It’s all thanks to the guidance from the one who took me under her wing.”

Princess Olivia had taught me noble etiquette sometimes strictly, sometimes politely. Thanks to that, I could handle a setting like this with calm.

“By the way, is this the first time for Baron Luminous to attend a party like this?”

We’d had no real connection from the start. I’d figured I’d be free once the greetings ended, but they showed no sign of leaving and kept the conversation going.

“I was a national adventurer until recently, so I’ve joined a few parties.”

I’d gone as a guard for my debut, and as an extra for the national adventurer conferral ceremony.

“I see—that explains why you seem so composed. It’s quite impressive.”

Victor tossed some friendly words my way.

“By the way, who is that young lady over there?”

Victor turned his attention to Celia standing next to me. He must have been curious about our relationship since I’d brought her along this time.

The people around were listening in too, so it was a good chance to introduce her.

“Yes, she is…”

Just as I started to introduce Celia, Angie stepped forward and peered into her face.

“Hmm? You are…?”

Angie narrowed her eyes and stared hard at Celia, like she was trying to jog her memory.

“Uh… um…”

Celia shrank back at the look and gripped my tailcoat tight in her fist.

“I remember now! You’re that commoner from the debut, aren’t you?”

Surprised, Angie put her left hand to her mouth in shock, raised her voice, and pointed at Celia with her right hand.

“Do you know her, Angie?”

When Victor asked Angie, she put her hand to her chest and declared it confidently.

“Yes, Father. She was a commoner at the debut, and I taught her noble etiquette.”

It seemed that’s how that day had settled in her mind.

That she’d kindly taught manners to a clueless commoner, being a noble herself…

“For what happened back then, you were a great help.”

Even though she’d been put through something like that, Celia bowed her head. She must have been worried it would put me in a bad spot.

“My, that’s wonderful. The very model of a lady.”

“The Popkins Count family clearly excels at education.”

“We should take notes ourselves.”

The people around started believing Angie’s claim and praising her.

But I hadn’t forgotten that Angie had spilled wine on Celia’s dress. I felt anger rising, but I couldn’t make a scene here. As I clenched my fist hard…

“Excuse me, may I interrupt for a moment?”

Someone cut through the praise, changing the mood in the room.