Annoying Nobels!

"..."

Who was this lady? She was breathtakingly beautiful.

The countess who entered wore a pale blue, floor-length dress paired with a short matching hat. Her facial features were delicate, complemented by a small nose and striking silver-gray hair.

Hmm. After my mother, this might be the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.

Her beauty rivaled that of top models from my previous life—no, surpassed them because her allure was entirely natural.

"That's Countess Eliana! Daughter of Duke Gustav!"

"She was once engaged to Lord Verdi! What a fool he is to have let her go!"

"Lord Verdi's former fiancée? Are you saying he broke off the engagement?"

"Don't you know? After Verdi disappeared for ten years, the previous lord annulled the engagement, fearing he might never return! What a waste for Lord Verdi!"

Tsk tsk, what a pity.

I was left speechless.

Even though these were whispers, they didn't escape my sharp ears.

Man, what kind of luck does Verdi have?

To think he once had a fiancée like her—who was also a duke's daughter!

In this kingdom, there were three duchies: Masaik, Rolan, and Kaharat.

Among the three, the Roland family specialized in military affairs, the Masaik family in trade, and the Kaharat family in royal court and palace security matters.

In other words, Verdi was on the verge of marrying the daughter of a wealthy merchant!

Oh, now that I'm the heir, they might announce my betrothal at this very event.

I'm almost certain of it. As a noble, having one's fiancée decided early was a common expectation.

Could this be the "wonderful gift" Mizuki mentioned? Meh, I don't care.

...

Mizuki's Perspective

Alright, since Mother is asleep, I have to handle this.

I have to play hostess to the ladies at the party.

Damn it! I don't want to do this.

Look at this sly fox and her cronies, chattering and gossiping with their fake smiles.

But as Arai once said, when people talk nonsense, it usually means they have a goal.

"Miss Mizuki, have you thought about marriage? I think my son would be an excellent candidate."

"Yes, Lady Mizuki, what do you think about it?"

The surrounding women chuckled, their fake laughter grating on my nerves. After all their beating around the bush, they'd finally come to the point.

Normally, I would bluntly refuse without hesitation, but today I carried the responsibility of being the "hostess" in Mother's absence. So, I had to consider the implications of everything I said.

I couldn't afford to be reckless.

I laughed politely and said, "Lady Tris, what are you saying? I'm still a little girl, not even ten years old yet!"

"I think marriage is still a distant matter for me. I haven't thought about it much, but I'll follow whatever my father decides."

Marriage, huh?

"But, Miss Mizuki, I heard you… lack mana? Without it, you won't be able to find a suitable husband!"

Ah, so they're using that tactic now.

She must be thinking, "Marrying my son would be an honor for her."

Arai's lessons had their merits, after all.

Normally, I'd have been flustered by such a jab, but since Arai predicted they'd say something along these lines, I wasn't fazed.

I wanted to retort, but before I could open my mouth, a beautiful, angry voice interrupted.

"Crinvola Barton! Who do you think you are to bully a little girl?"

Hmm? I turned around and saw a stunning woman in a sky-blue gown with silver-gray hair and golden eyes.

Wow, she's gorgeous.

"Countess Eliana!" Barton staggered back, her tone suddenly submissive. "Miss Eliana, we were just joking a little! We were simply exchanging pleasantries with this young lady, isn't that right?"

"Bah, what nonsense." My anger flared. "Why lie, huh? Didn't you just try to force me into marrying your son? Where did all that confidence of yours go?"

Ah, I lost my composure for a moment.

I think Arai once told me not to let conversations escalate and never to lose my cool. Something about giving them face as a way to command respect…? Tsk, this noblewoman doesn't care anymore.

Barton and her cronies wore ugly expressions, while Miss Eliana laughed lightly.

"You—!"

Barton pointed at me in anger, but quickly realized her mistake and withdrew her hand.

Good choice, lady. I was about to break that finger, but you saved yourself just in time.

They all scurried away with flimsy excuses.

Eliana looked at me and said, "Young lady, they might seek revenge later. Are you sure you shouldn't restrain them?"

"According to my little brother, people like that are like pests. No matter how much you insult or discipline them, they'll just keep coming back." I shrugged, finally understanding what Arai meant.

Anyway, I'm the daughter of a duke, and they're just common nobles!

"Oh?" Eliana smiled. "It seems you have a very wise brother."

"At any rate, I'm sorry I couldn't attend your birthday celebration a few years ago; I was quite busy at the time!"

"Eh?" I was confused. I didn't care much about my birthday, but who was this woman?

"As compensation…" Eliana pulled out a beautiful silver bracelet and clasped it around my wrist.

"This…?"

"Well, our families are very close! No need for formalities."

Huh…? I didn't understand a thing that just happened.

Loclover Kingdom was established over a thousand years ago, with the ruling family being the Blue Clover Family – the Loclover dynasty.

The kingdom was exceptionally stable and powerful, having remained unshaken throughout the centuries. Despite its small size compared to neighboring kingdoms, even the surrounding islands couldn't destabilize its rule.

The current king, Lanoville Loclover, was known for his wisdom and shrewdness.

While recalling these facts about the kingdom and its royal family, the royal delegation arrived at the celebration. To my surprise, three members attended:

A middle-aged man wearing a silver crown. A boy who seemed around fifteen years old. A young girl, probably seven or eight, with braided hair.

They all shared two striking features: dark pink hair and ocean-blue eyes.

As soon as they entered, everyone in the hall bowed deeply.

"We greet the royal family!"

King Lanoville chuckled and waved his hand with a smile:

"No need for formalities! Let's enjoy the party."

That was the expected response. "Displaying humility before the people" – a classic way to leave a good impression without diminishing one's royal aura.

Both my father, Verdi, and I bowed as well, and then the king and my father started a quiet conversation.

Judging by their ages, Lanoville seemed to be in his late forties, while Gustav – Countess Eliana's father – appeared to be nearing his sixties. My father, Verdi, was the youngest duke in the kingdom.

As Verdi and King Lanoville talked, I turned my attention to the royal family members.

Lanoville Loclover:

His dark pink hair was neatly styled, and his face bore the mature features of a middle-aged man. His thick beard enhanced his regal appearance, while he adorned several rings set with gemstones.

Despite his elegance, he exuded a certain modesty, coupled with an unmistakable royal and commanding presence.

Prince Greed:

A fifteen-year-old wearing a fully chestnut-colored suit. His golden sword was an eye-catching accessory hanging from his belt, and he donned a small silver crown on his head.

But what stood out most was his arrogant expression; his face radiated overconfidence.

I don't know why, but I disliked him at first glance. He looks like those young masters.

And the last Princess Lilith, She hid behind Prince Greed. Her sky-blue dress was adorned with white embroidery, and her dark pink hair was intricately braided.

"Shy, isn't she?"

Suddenly, I noticed her stealing glances at me every now and then. When I waved at her, her face immediately turned red, and she quickly hid further behind Prince Greed.

"Huh?"

Those days kids.

Prince Greed noticed this interaction and shrugged his shoulders indifferently. He didn't seem entirely pleased, but he wasn't overly annoyed either.

Anyway, the party will begin soon. It's time for me to step onto the stage.

Third-Person Perspective

Holding a golden-rimmed glass, Verdi scanned the room, his sharp eyes sweeping across the elegantly dressed nobles who filled the hall. A confident yet welcoming smile played on his lips as he raised his voice, addressing the assembly:

"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for taking the time to join us tonight. Your presence truly honors us, and it brings me great joy to welcome you all to this celebration."

His voice carried both the authority of his rank and the warmth of a host eager to share this special occasion. The room fell silent, all ears tuned to the words of the youngest duke in the kingdom, a man as formidable in his duties as he was in his charm.

"Today marks a significant milestone in the history of the Roland family," Verdi continued, his tone growing more solemn. "For today, we gather to celebrate the fifth birthday of my beloved son, Arai."

His words carried weight, to this kingdom, the fifth birthday was no ordinary occasion. It signified not just another year of life but the formal introduction of a noble child to society, a rite of passage that carried implications for their future standing.