There wasn’t much food to rave about, but the banquet atmosphere was gradually livening up.
Keldric gazed unenthusiastically at his now-empty plate.
Despite his reservations, he had eaten most of the meal out of courtesy. However, looking around, it was clear that many people had openly left their food untouched.
When Keldric glanced sideways, even Sir Jacquemont, who had been prattling on about gods earlier, had left behind a few pieces of bread and half a herring.
Of course, there was a reason for this.
“Well… it’s a banquet, after all. And it’s the Count of Bogenberg’s fiftieth birthday. We ought to uphold appearances.”
According to Sir Henri, it was customary among nobles and the upper class to leave some food on their plates at banquets. It was a way of showing that the host had provided an abundance of food.
This, in turn, enhanced the reputation of the banquet’s host, Count Bogenberg, and the leftover food would typically be distributed to the city’s poor or the servants of the castle, adding to the Count’s charity.
Keldric, however, couldn’t shake the ingrained belief that finishing the food served was a matter of basic courtesy. That custom, it seemed, didn’t apply here.
“The delicious food you mentioned didn’t make an appearance,” Keldric remarked.
“…Sorry about that,” Sir Henri replied sheepishly. “Damn it, I forgot Lent is just around the corner.”
Henri, who had enthusiastically hyped up the banquet with Keldric beforehand, hadn’t anticipated how lackluster the food would be either.
“It makes sense, though, why the Count decided to host a frugal banquet,” Henri continued.
“Really?”
“If not for Lent, this would’ve been far more extravagant than you could imagine. I thought the decorations looked a bit simple when we entered the castle…”
With a hint of disappointment, Keldric took a sip of wine. As Henri had suggested, if not for religious reasons, the banquet might have matched the splendid atmosphere Keldric had envisioned.
“Well, nothing to be done about it now. Let’s at least enjoy the wine while we’re here.”
“…Yeah, let’s do that.”
“To be honest… it’s not as good as what we’d have in the Candillon estate. But still, they’ve prepared a decent wine.”
Henri seemed to have an exceptionally high opinion of the wine from the Candillon Barony. At this point, Keldric was curious enough to think, ‘Maybe I should visit someday.’
During Lent, meat and dairy products were prohibited, but wine was not restricted.
At this time, wine wasn’t considered an alcoholic beverage but rather treated as water or medicine. Since clean water was hard to come by, people drank wine instead, as it was safer and only had the side effect of mild intoxication.
Additionally, wine was seen as something akin to the blood of Christ used in the Eucharist, so banning it outright was out of the question.
That said, people couldn’t just drink freely. The spirit of Lent emphasized abstinence, so wine was consumed sparingly, more to quench thirst than for enjoyment.
“Ugh… I want another drink.”
“Hold back. Going without alcohol won’t kill you.”
For someone like Sir Henri, who was practically an alcoholic, such restraint was almost unbearable.
After rinsing his palate with wine, Keldric looked around.
At the high table, Count Bogenberg stood up, signaling the end of the meal. The nobles who had finished dining also rose, moving on to socialize.
Some stepped outside to watch performances by jesters in the courtyard, while others stayed in the hall to enjoy the songs and music of a minstrel.
Most of the songs were hymns praising God. Ordinarily, there would’ve been songs dedicated to the banquet host, Count Bogenberg, but the proximity of Lent had influenced the tone of the entertainment.
Since the banquet was held close to Lent, a season emphasizing asceticism, it couldn’t completely strip away its religious undertones, even while maintaining a degree of formality.
Even the jesters performing in the courtyard were noticeably different. Their acts avoided anything overly provocative or indulgent, leaning instead toward a more restrained and composed atmosphere.
“Sir, I’ll be stepping out with my elder brother for a while. It seems we need to discuss a marriage proposal.”
“Ah, very well. Take care.”
“My apologies that you can’t join us. It’s a family matter, and my brother seems a bit sensitive about it.”
Sir Jacquemont left the hall with Sir Henri.
As Henri had mentioned on their way to Bogenberg, Jacquemont’s marriage discussions were the cause.
Banquets were not merely occasions for eating, drinking, and enjoying oneself. They also served as venues for forging alliances or discussing marriage proposals among the nobility.
Some knights who had participated in the tournament were also present, and those who had shown exceptional skill or notable achievements attracted the attention of several nobles.
“Are you Sir Keldric of the Bellaf family?”
“Hmm?”
“Pleased to meet you. I am Giuliano of the Monterauro family.”
“Oh, could you be the Sir Keldric who competed in the tournament?”
“Sir, I am from the Valfiore family—”
Keldric found himself in the same situation. If anything, it was worse for him than for the others.
He didn’t know where the nickname “The Undefeated Knight” had originated, but everyone who approached him seemed to bring it up. His performance in the tournament had clearly left a strong impression.
However, Keldric was mortified. While he outwardly maintained a calm demeanor during conversations, internally, he was letting out sigh after sigh.
“The Undefeated Knight,” he thought to himself. ‘What an embarrassing title. Who in their right mind would casually wear such a nickname? Certainly not me.’
Still, running away or avoiding conversations simply because he was embarrassed would have been the mark of a novice.
“Your prowess was truly remarkable, Sir. I found it deeply impressive.”
“Thank you. You were quite formidable yourself. Wasn’t your group the Green Woodpeckers?”
“Oh! You remembered?”
“Your shield techniques stood out to me.”
“Haha! Well, I’ve always been pretty good with a shield!”
Keldric flattered the nobles and knights who gathered around him, offering compliments they would love to hear.
As a knight himself, Keldric knew what knights appreciated most: praise. With well-placed words, he managed to win them over easily.
“Sir, you must visit our family sometime. I’ll ensure you’re treated splendidly.”
“Would you consider visiting my family as well? Having an extraordinary knight like you grace us would be a great honor.”
“Sir Keldric, I have a relative who’s of marriageable age…”
The mood grew increasingly friendly, and it wasn’t long before some nobles subtly broached the subject of marriage proposals.
“Marriageable age, you say?”
“Yes. She’s always admired knights of great skill like you. She’s truly virtuous, and I believe you’d make a wonderful pair…”
“Ah, I’ve heard of your family. It would be an honor to form such a bond, though I fear I’d have to first prove myself worthy of such a union. Only then might I dare to consider it.”
“Ah… I see. Of course, I understand.”
Naturally, Keldric had no intention of tying himself to another family through marriage, not even remotely. The idea of discussing a marriage proposal with someone he hadn’t even met felt awkward to him.
So, he carefully navigated the conversations, crafting polite yet gilded responses that left the other party pleased rather than disappointed.
“Sir……… you’re truly an honorable man. You put me to shame.”
“Don’t say such things. Sir Keldric, you are more than capable.”
His combat skills were exceptional, his eloquence was decent, and he had a talent for saying just the right things that people wanted to hear. It was no wonder he left a good impression.
More people began to view Keldric favorably. Some knights didn’t hesitate to build close friendships with him.
Keldric continued to mingle with a good-natured smile.
Since most of those approaching him were not of particularly high status, Keldric felt at ease interacting with them.
“Sir Keldric of the honorable Bellaf family?”
However, that ease didn’t last long.
Keldric flinched when he saw a familiar man approaching him.
“Sir Tolle?”
“Meeting here—what a coincidence, or perhaps not. Surely, this must be a seat prepared by the divine.”
Sir Tolle of the Lombard family. He was the very man who had nearly come to blows with Keldric in the past.
Keldric greeted him with a somewhat reluctant expression.
It wasn’t without reason. Not long ago, Keldric had learned that Sir Tolle’s family, the Lombards, was connected to the ruling family of Kuno Castle.
This revelation meant Sir Tolle held a significantly high position.
Indeed, the knights and nobles who had been surrounding Keldric subtly backed away, mindful of Sir Tolle’s presence.
Keldric quickly looked around for Alyssa.
Not far away, Alyssa, who had been quietly sipping wine, caught Keldric’s glance and approached him immediately.
“Are you enjoying the tournament?”
“Of course. Sir Keldric showcased such remarkable skill, didn’t he? Thanks to you, my father’s reputation is soaring. He is, after all, overseeing this tournament.”
Sir Tolle appeared to be in an exceptionally amicable mood.
While Keldric suspected there must be an ulterior motive behind such a demeanor, Sir Tolle didn’t jump to the point. Instead, he started with compliments on Keldric’s performance in the tournament.
“Many people were impressed by your prowess. A few I know are eager to get closer to you.”
“Thank you. It must all be by divine will, though I can’t deny my diligence in training played a part.”
Keldric opted for a bold, straightforward response.
It was a knightly virtue to be humble, but feigned modesty in the face of obvious achievements often backfired. Pretending to be overly pious or self-effacing might lead to being labeled as insincere.
In such situations, it was better to accept compliments gracefully while expressing gratitude.
Indeed, Sir Tolle’s expression did not appear displeased.
“Anyway, Sir Keldric, I was wondering… are you busy at the moment?”
“Not particularly. What’s on your mind?”
Sir Tolle glanced around briefly.
By now, the nobles and knights who had moved away from Keldric had found other groups to socialize with.
After confirming this, Sir Tolle stepped closer and spoke in a hushed tone.
“My lord wishes to meet you.”
“…Your lord?”
“None other than Count Bogenberg.”
It was, without a doubt, an unexpected proposal.
☩ ☩ ☩ ☩ ☩ ☩ ☩
Keldric followed Sir Tolle, maintaining a two-step distance between them.
Meeting Count Bogenberg was an unexpected development, but Keldric didn’t have a choice. Refusing an invitation from someone of the Count’s stature, even politely, would have been a grave insult to both his honor and theirs.
The castle hallways were relatively empty. Occasionally, servants passed by, but they too were preoccupied, hurrying toward the banquet hall where the festivities were in full swing.
“Alyssa, do you have any idea what this is about?”
Taking advantage of the quiet moment, Keldric cautiously whispered to Alyssa, who walked beside him.
Asking for advice from Alyssa on noble affairs felt slightly awkward, but Keldric believed her background as a fallen noble gave her better insight into aristocratic matters than he, a man from a remote village, could ever hope to have.
Alyssa, who was sticking close to Keldric, looked a bit flustered.
Moments ago, she had been enjoying wine and bread in a quiet corner, watching minstrels perform, only to be abruptly dragged into this unexpected situation.
“I’m not sure… but it’s likely for political reasons,” she hesitantly replied.
“Political reasons?”
Keldric knew absolutely nothing about the political games of the Empire’s nobility.
When he looked at her in confusion, Alyssa awkwardly scratched her cheek before responding.
“It’s too complicated to explain here. Let’s meet Count Bogenberg first, and I’ll explain everything afterward.”
“Understood.”
As Alyssa suggested, hearing a lengthy explanation while trailing Sir Tolle would have been an odd sight.
Keldric decided to silently follow Sir Tolle for now.
Before long, they arrived at a room guarded by two soldiers. Standing near the door was the steward of Kuno Castle, who had hosted the tournament. His weary eyes scanned Keldric briefly.
“Are you Sir Keldric of the Bellaf family?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Enter. Tolle, you wait outside.”
The room was modest in size, far smaller than the banquet hall. A long table dominated the space, and at its head, seated with his back to a fireplace, was Count Bogenberg.
The Count’s hair was white with age, and he smiled warmly as Keldric entered.
“Oh, you must be the—”
“It is an honor, by the grace of the divine, to meet the rightful lord of Bogenberg,” Keldric interjected, bowing politely.
Despite his formal demeanor, Keldric’s gaze was uneasy as it lingered on Count Bogenberg.
The Count’s friendly smile betrayed nothing of his true intentions.
However, the sharp glint in his eyes, filled with unmistakable ambition, was undeniably fixed on Keldric.
“Sir Keldric,” the Count began, his voice calm and deliberate. “Let’s skip the pleasantries and get straight to the point.”
“Yes, Count Bogenberg.”
“Would you consider becoming my vassal?”
Keldric felt as though the herring and rye bread he had eaten earlier were stuck in his throat. The words he had just heard echoed in his mind, leaving him questioning his own ears.
‘Has he lost his wits?’
The Count’s proposal was so abrupt, it bordered on absurdity.
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