Chapter 43 A Noble Family Banquet
Chapter 43
43.1
Before Oulidsi and Hesong even entered the banquet hall, they had already seen its luxurious and beautiful decoration from afar:
A long carpet woven with gold thread was laid in front of the banquet hall, stretching from the steps of the courtyard to the door of the banquet hall. Before the sun set, the scented candles in Ravenmount Castle had been lit, and the candlelight flickered on the arched ceiling of the banquet hall.
The musicians were playing a melodious and soothing "Serenade", and the waiters and waitresses holding white wine were moving gracefully and silently in the banquet hall.
"How beautiful!" Oulidesi exclaimed. "The Karagalan family's banquet is even more exquisite and luxurious than the Abrad family's."
Hesong was obviously a little uncomfortable attending such a banquet. He fiddled with his bow tie with a worried look on his face.
"I've never worn a dress that fits me this well," Hesong said with a self-deprecating laugh. "I never knew a bow tie would be so tight around my neck... I've never worn one before."
After becoming the "Baron of South Hill", Hesong finally wore a suit that fit him: for the first time, the pine green suit was no longer embroidered with the old "Rose Scepter" pattern, but was cut simply according to Hesong's own wishes, without any decoration, but it looked very crisp and energetic; everything was very comfortable, except for the bow tie on his neck which was a bit prickly.
Oulixi smiled slightly.
She lamented, "This is already the simplest aristocratic dress. You have no idea what ridiculous corsets, bustles and shoes we have to wear as a 'lady' or a 'countess'."
She shrugged and said, "Fortunately, I don't have to do that anymore."
Like Herson, Euridice also wore a very simple dress: the pine green velvet dress had almost no decoration, only a rose gold brooch, which contrasted with her half-tied rose gold hair.
Hesong adjusted his bow tie and looked at the door of the banquet hall from afar, with a hint of fear in his eyes.
He murmured, "I really don't understand... how anyone could enjoy a banquet like this. Every time I stand in a place like this, I'm afraid, afraid that those people will laugh at me."
As Hesong said this, a calm voice came from behind him: "Because this kind of banquet is a reflection of noble status and high status. For many people, participating in such a banquet itself is a proud reward."
Olidisi and Hesong turned their heads slightly—
It was Eustace Carragarang.
Eustace was wearing a dark blue suit with the "Rose Scepter" crest of the Carragallan family embroidered on it in silver thread. Eustace was thin, with a steady and calm temperament. His black hair hung down on the dark blue suit, looking like a deep night sky.
Euridice smiled slightly: "Ah, it's our new Baron Eustace."
Eustace looked at her and nodded calmly. "We are all nobles now. We should behave like nobles to each other."
Oledsi raised his eyebrows and smiled, "Okay, come on."
She came forward naturally, approached Eustace smoothly, and gently pressed her left cheek against Eustace's right cheek.
Eustace seemed a little hesitant. He imitated Euridice's actions, exchanged positions, and gently touched Euridice with his other cheek, completing the kiss unskillfully.
"Well done." Oledsi stepped back and smiled, "Much better than I did in etiquette class."
Eustace remained calm and shook his head slightly. "You were once a countess. You've practiced these aristocratic rituals countless times and are very familiar with them. But this is our first time doing them."
As he spoke, he looked at He Song, who was stunned: "Between us... we have to do it too?"
Eustace smiled. "Just treat it as practice. After all, we'll be doing this many times in front of other people. I'd rather embarrass myself in front of you than in front of others."
"……All right."
As Hesong said this, he imitated Euridice's example and awkwardly touched Eustace's cheek.
"Goddess," Hesong touched his forehead, "I feel like a stupid goose. Are all nobles so uncomfortable with each other?"
Oledsi couldn't help laughing.
"Once you get used to it, it will become natural." She said softly, "After all, if nothing unexpected happens, your titles will follow you for the rest of your lives."
Euridice said, turning to look at Eustace: "I am very happy that you have kept our agreement and obtained the title of baron."
Eustace glanced at her and said calmly, "Yes, I did as you requested and as we agreed. I went to plead with my father to ask the Queen for a lowly title and territory for me. And he agreed."
"You have been granted 'witch's grace'."
"Yeah, we got 'Witch's Grace'."
Eustace's expression was calm. Euridice looked at him with a faint smile. "But are you really doing this just because of my request and our agreement? Do you really not want the title of baron...Eustace?"
Eustace's lips moved slightly, and he was about to speak, but suddenly closed his mouth again.
Simon Karagarang passed by them.
Simon's cloak was a little askew, and he nervously straightened it with his hands; there was some sweat on his forehead, and the white collar beside his neck was also stained with sweat.
This apprentice in the blacksmith shop was obviously very nervous.
Among the children of Duke Karagaran who were rewarded, Cecilia was the child of Lady Agnes and had a noble status; Eusta was the most favored of the Duke's three illegitimate children, and Hesong used spice oils to please the queen.
Only Simon Karagaran, the apprentice of the blacksmith shop, had nothing, so he had no confidence to face the nobles of Ravenmont Castle.
Eustace watched Simon nervously walk into the banquet hall and gradually disappear into the crowd of waiters and waitresses before he spoke softly.
"Yes," said Eustace, "I want the title."
Euridice looked at him. Eustace was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Mother and I moved out of Ravenmount Castle and settled in a small house on the estate. Mother's condition has improved a lot. In this sense, I do desire this title and the estate so that she can live a better life."
Olidisi stared at him and said, "What a great kid."
Eustace's lips moved slightly, and he was about to say something when the castle's steward walked out of the banquet hall with a smile on his face and said softly, "Baron, Baroness, the banquet is about to begin. Please come in."
The three of them looked at each other, said nothing more, and slowly walked into the banquet hall of Ravenmont Castle.
The door slowly closed behind them - the banquet had finally begun.
43.2
The banquet process of the nobility has always been very old-fashioned:
The host of the banquet first knocks on the cup, gives a speech, thanks the goddess for her grace, states the reason why people gather here to celebrate, and then wishes everyone a pleasant evening.
People sat around several round tables, chatting and eating from appetizers to main courses to desserts; after the meal, they gathered in groups of three or four to continue chatting and dancing until the end of the banquet.
This is a very boring process.
Euridice sat at the round table, listening with boredom as Duke Karagaran began his smooth speech:
Duke Karagaran, dressed in a dark purple suit, with a calm and dignified expression, stood in the center of the banquet hall and slowly tapped the glass in his hand. The noisy voices in the banquet hall gradually quieted down.
"Dear guests," the Duke said in a gentle and solemn voice, "I am honored to host all of you shining stars at Ravenmount Castle tonight."
The guests raised their glasses to signal the Duke, and the Duke also raised his glass with a smile.
"We gather here tonight to celebrate the glory of the Kaklagaran family."
As the Duke spoke, he looked gently at the four young men sitting at the round table - Eustace, Hesong, Simon, and Cecilia.
"Four young viscounts and barons of the Karagaran family have officially entered the ranks of the nobility."
Under the gaze of the guests, Cecilia, who was standing next to Lady Agnes, stood up first and waved to everyone calmly; the guests burst into warm applause and cheers.
Eustace and Hersong at another round table stood up silently, and Simon followed awkwardly.
The guests looked at these new nobles and the once lowly illegitimate children with complicated expressions. There were also some applause and cheers in the banquet hall, but there was some subtle hesitation and scrutiny in the applause.
Duke Karagaran seemed oblivious to the strange atmosphere between the four people. He simply smiled and said, "This is the inheritance of noble honor. I hope you will protect the honor of your family, your territory, and the citizens of Ravenmont, and live up to the family's expectations of you."
The Duke said this, slowly raising the glass in his hand.
"Let us drink to the glory of the nobility."
The guests all stood up and raised their glasses: "To the glory of the nobility!"
Olidisi also picked up the white wine glass in his hand and raised it perfunctorily in the air.
"It's so boring." She covered her mouth with her folding fan and yawned.
Hesong had already sat down beside her awkwardly. He glanced at Oulidesi quietly: "Are you... a little sleepy?"
Olidisi fiddled with the folding fan in her hand boredly: "I don't know how much more time we have to waste on these boring things——"
As soon as Euridsi finished speaking, a crisp sound was heard beside Madam Agnes and Cecilia.
The glass in Mrs. Agnes's hand fell to the ground with a "bang" and shattered into pieces.
"Ah," Cecilia exclaimed, "Mother?"
Olidisi's spirits suddenly lifted.
There was a hint of nervous excitement in her eyes.
"Oh, here it comes," Oulidsi whispered, "Finally."
And Madam Agnes had already fallen on the chair, suddenly spitting out a mouthful of blood -
"Someone...someone is trying to murder the Duchess!"
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