Chapter 2: The Dinner Party Part 1 – Entrance and Encounters
Time passed, and the day of Leclerc’s dinner party arrived.
“S-Sia…? Being stared at so intently makes me a bit uncomfortable…”
“I-I’m so sorry!”
As they rode in the carriage to the Leclerc mansion, timed to arrive for the entrance, Byleth looked troubled as he gently chided Sia, who was sitting across from him and staring intently.
“Is something out of place? I don’t think my outfit is strange since you coordinated it, Sia.”
“No, it’s just… I think you look very handsome!”
“Haha, thank you. You look great too, Sia.”
“Thank you so much!!”
Byleth wore a black top with silver embroidery and had his bangs styled upwards. He returned Sia’s compliment with slight embarrassment as she wore a black and white apron dress.
“If we have another occasion like this, will you style your bangs up again?”
“W-why do you ask that?”
“I feel like our hairstyles match.”
“!!”
It seemed he had hit the nail on the head. Sia’s eyes widened, then she blushed and looked down.
Of course, their hairstyles were different due to their hair lengths.
Still, Byleth had his bangs styled up to “show his forehead,” while Sia was using a yellow hair clip to “show her forehead” – they partially matched.
Of course, this setup wasn’t instructed. It was the result of leaving it up to Sia.
“By the way, I won’t be able to help if you get teased about it.”
Byleth was acutely aware that others feared him.
So if Sia were to be teased, it would likely be when he wasn’t around.
With mixed feelings, he managed a smile – only to be surprised by Sia’s unexpected words.
“This may sound strange, but I’d be happy to be teased… so it’s fine.”
“Aren’t you just being considerate?”
“Not at all! Just hearing you say that makes me very happy, since it’s coming from you, Byleth-sama… Ehehe.”
“I… I see.”
Byleth could only muster a vague response to Sia, who had clasped her hands together and shyly expressed her true feelings.
Being adored so much was truly a blessing.
Her secret attempt to match him was touching.
Even at this dinner party meant for socializing, she wore the yellow hair clip he had gifted her, along with the amethyst necklace.
The subtle way she coordinated to “match” him, likely because they had discussed their future, showed a modest yet palpable desire that made him very happy.
Looking at Sia’s face once more, she seemed to sense his feelings and looked bashful.
How many minutes passed in that ticklish, embarrassing moment?
“We’ve been expecting you. Byleth Saintford-sama. Sia Alma-sama.”
When they arrived at the Leclerc mansion, which Byleth was visiting for the second time, four people – a steward and three footmen – were standing at the entrance gate.
“Now then, please allow me to guide you.”
One footman went to inform the staff, while the steward led them onto the vast grounds.
Then, they were handed over to a familiar face.
“I leave them in your capable hands, Lady Elena.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
The steward bowed at Elena’s thanks and returned to the entrance gate.
Immediately, a space for the three of them was created.
“Fufu, it feels strange meeting here somehow. Oh, I’m sorry for the late greeting. Good evening. I hope you’ll enjoy the party, even though it’s this kind of event.”
“Good evening, Elena. Thank you for inviting us today.”
“Thank you very much, Elena-sama!”
“I’m the one who should be grateful you came. Now… I apologize for the rush, but let me guide you inside.”
Likely considering the next guests’ arrival,
Elena quickly gestured towards the entrance with her right hand after brief greetings, leading them to the dinner party venue.
As they followed behind her, Byleth spoke up.
“I’ve been wondering about this, but does Elena, as the host, take the place of the steward…? Isn’t it usual for the steward to guide guests to the house and grounds?”
“That’s generally true, but we aim to show that we don’t discriminate based on status or position. It’s very important for our business.”
“Ah, I see.”
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The purpose of the dinner party was to socialize and interact.
It was probably important to show that their “thinking hasn’t changed” in such a setting.
“Elena-sama, has Luna-sama arrived yet?”
“Yes, about ten minutes ago. That child isn’t used to these kinds of gatherings, so please take care of her until I join the venue, especially you, Byleth.”
“Leave it to me. I’d be in trouble if Luna take care of me.”
“Fufu, that’s true.”
Byleth had hoped for a denial, but Elena covered her mouth and laughed.
“And once I’m done with my guiding duties, I’ll join you right away.”
“Got it. We’ll be waiting.”
“Aria-sama will be arriving soon too, so mind your manners.”
“You don’t need to remind me so much…”
As they walked through the long hallway with its plush carpet, oil paintings, large vases filled with colorful flowers, and chandeliers glowing with light,
they approached the double doors from which the sounds of many voices could be heard – likely leading to the dinner party venue.
“Hey, Byleth.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t you have anything to say about this outfit… about me with my hair done? Sia is being quiet out of respect for you, you know?”
Elena, maintaining a haughty attitude, spread out her wine-red sleeve dress that revealed her arms, shoulders, and chest, while pouting.
“Ah, well…”
Of course, it wasn’t that Byleth hadn’t noticed. He had intended to compliment her, but felt somewhat embarrassed to say it in front of Sia.
“Well, you see, I was planning to tell you when we snuck away together…”
“Huh? What’s that about… You should have said so from the start. I worried for nothing.”
“Ahaha, sorry, sorry. I was embarrassed.”
“Honestly. Do you know how much time I spent getting ready? …For a certain someone.”
Elena twirled her hair with her index finger while letting her gaze wander. As the host, she probably needed to act in a way that would please her guests.
“Elena, isn’t that a line you’re saying to everyone?”
“As expected of Byleth. You’re sharp.”
“Well, you know.”
“As if.”
Suddenly,
Elena brought her face close to Byleth’s. She cut through his assumption.
“I change my words depending on who I’m talking to. Of course I do.”
“…”
“Make sure you think carefully about what this means, okay?”
Elena poked Byleth’s chest, narrowing her eyes teasingly.
“So, what’s your answer?”
“Ah, yes.”
“One more time.”
“Yes.”
“Fufu, then it’s fine. …Well, we’re running late, so I’ll open the doors now.”
Elena smiled with relief and reached for the door handle after speaking.
Meanwhile, Sia, who had been silently listening to their exchange until now, stood behind Byleth with a proud “Hmph!” expression.
As the doors opened, a luxurious and lively venue came into view. But they couldn’t let themselves be overwhelmed by the atmosphere.
They quickly moved forward to greet tonight’s hosts.
“Thank you very much for inviting us today.”
[They bowed]
Since the hosts were greeting each participant individually, the greetings were kept brief.
After finishing their exchange with Count Leclerc, Elena’s father, and his wife through light small talk, Byleth and Sia moved to the left side of the great hall – the standing buffet area where children and students gathered.
The right side of the great hall, by the way, was the standing buffet area for adults.
“Wow… It was my first time meeting Elena’s mother, but she was amazing in many ways…”
“I feel like Byleth-sama was captivated by the madam.”
“T-that’s not true! Ahaha…”
While Byleth wanted to deny it with a lie to save face, saying so out loud would be disrespectful.
Such a statement could become a source of trouble.
Considering various factors, Byleth gave a wry smile, avoiding Sia’s accusing gaze.
Just then, they spotted a familiar face standing alone.
“Oh, Luna! Good evening.”
“It’s been a day, Luna-sama.”
“Good evening. Indeed, it’s been a day. You two seemed to be having fun just now. Did something happen?”
“Well, you see… Sia was teasing me a bit.”
At this point, Sia, maintaining an exemplary smile, added without missing a beat, “I wasn’t teasing at all.”
“…Fufu. You two are the same as always, even in a place like this. Thanks to you, I feel a bit more relaxed.”
“Ah, this is Luna’s first time at an event like this, right? But I think you’ll get used to it quickly. Compared to other soirées, I think the atmosphere at this dinner party is really nice.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah, yeah.”
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