"Aura, I feel like my days are numbered... Right now, I really just want to become a little rat in the sewer."
Linie curiously poked Nanoda, who had thoroughly turned into a salted fish paralyzed on the table. To the side, Jane was quietly reading a book, while Aura was wiping the Scales of Obedience with a silk cloth.
"Boring. What is there to envy about such a weak creature?"
"But, noble etiquette is really hard to learn..."
Under the education of the etiquette instructor invited by Aaron, Nanoda finally understood the hardships Fern had gone through back then. The strict speech and deportment, the noble dance practice, the dietary controls—everything made her feel uncomfortable all over.
The only advantage Nanoda had over Fern was that she didn't feel uncomfortable when binding her chest. This was because there were only negligible undulations on Nanoda's chest, making her posture very light and airy.
"It's just some fancy stuff humans came up with when they were full and had nothing better to do," Aura remarked nonchalantly.
"Aura, you understand noble etiquette?"
"No, why should I learn? I'm not human."
"That's true..."
Nanoda let out a long sigh. Compared to this, fighting and killing seemed a bit more relaxing. In her past life, she had never been in contact with this sort of thing either.
"I really believed Aaron's nonsense!"
Nanoda was starting to regret agreeing to be the bodyguard for Aaron's banquet.
*
Two weeks later, a carriage drove into the Fortified City of Weise and stopped in front of the brightly lit Lord's Manor, where a banquet was being held.
The carriage door was pushed open. Wearing a dark black suit and brown leather shoes, Aaron stepped over the threshold and leaped down. He tightened the white gloves on his hands and, with great demeanor, extended a hand into the carriage.
At this moment, a slender hand wearing a black lace glove reached out from inside and placed itself on Aaron's hand. Stepping out in black high heels with purple soles, Nanoda alighted with Aaron's support, her brows furrowing slightly. She was very unaccustomed to these shoes that made walking inconvenient.
"You look exceptionally charming today, Milady."
Aaron praised the outfit he had selected for Nanoda with the tone of a slick old timer.
A black mesh top hat was worn diagonally on her head, concealing the two broken horns. The hat slanted over the hair covering her left eye, and a lace black flower was pinned to its top. Her smooth white hair was tied with a purple ribbon bow, half-tied and half-loose.
Paired with a dark purple evening gown that exposed her shoulders and back, it gave her an air of mysterious nobility.
"Give it a rest, I can't wait to go back soon enough."
the corners of Nanoda's mouth twitched. To be honest, she had absolutely no interest in this kind of high-class gathering. In a place like this, full of deception and people wearing masks, she would rather eat with three expressionless Demons.
"Well, although the Fortified City isn't wealthy, they shouldn't be sloppy with the banquet meal."
Aaron attempted to spark Nanoda's interest while extending an arm, signaling for Nanoda to link hers with his.
"Forget it, I'll just follow behind you," Nanoda rejected this nearly middle-aged uncle.
"As expected, you really aren't suited to be a lady. You have to maintain etiquette after we go in; don't lose face for our Gaderia."
"With that glib tongue of yours, you're a fake gentleman too. I think you should go back to being a bandit."
"Who would give up a good life to go be a wicked bandit?"
Amidst their mutual teasing, Aaron pushed open the light white doors, and various sounds of conversation drifted out from inside.
Streams of gazes began to converge on the opened doorway. Nanoda frowned; she didn't quite like these scrutinizing stares from the shadows, especially such a large pile of them.
Inside the manor, long tables were laid out with various gourmet foods and drinks. The people beside them were all dressed impeccably and carried themselves with extraordinary airs. These were likely the high-ranking officials of the Fortified City of Weise and nobles from other places, numbering nearly a hundred people. The scene was very lively.
Aaron strode in with large steps. Under the illumination of the crystal chandelier hanging in the hall, his sparkling bald head momentarily forced back quite a few of the scrutinizing gazes.
Even Nanoda, standing beside him, was dazzled by that bald head.
"Haha, forgot to wear a hat." Touching his head, Aaron laughed heartily.
What happened to the noble demeanor, maintaining etiquette, and not losing face for Gaderia?
Nanoda was somewhat speechless.
Walking straight to the dining table, Aaron picked up a goblet, poured two glasses of red wine, and handed one to Nanoda.
Nanoda took it and took a small sip. It was just average goods, but at least it went down smoothly. She then picked up a fork from the side and began eating the small cakes on the table.
Beside her, Aaron was much rougher. He directly pulled over a plate of roast whole pig, cut down forcefully with the dining knife in his hand, and began to gorge himself.
"Umu, didn't you say we needed to be elegant and follow etiquette?" Stuffing two more cakes into her mouth, Nanoda spoke somewhat indistinctly.
"You only have the strength to be elegant when you're full."
Having processed official duties all day, Aaron was genuinely hungry. Seeing that the host hadn't arrived yet, he figured he might as well eat.
The people around them, appearing like members of high society, instantly broke into a sweat at the sight.
Just as the two had eaten their fill, melodious music suddenly rang out. Some of the people who had been talking gathered in pairs and began to dance in the front.
"Want to go for a dance?" Aaron picked up a napkin and wiped the corners of his mouth.
"Uh, if you aren't afraid of me stepping on your feet," Nanoda said with zero confidence.
Seeing Aaron make a gesture of invitation, Nanoda didn't decline. She had suffered through etiquette lessons for so long, she might as well endure this one dance.
Amidst the music, the two began to dance lightly.
Contrary to Nanoda's expectations, despite Aaron's burly and rough appearance, his dancing ability was excellent. Under his lead, the initially somewhat clumsy Nanoda also became smooth and agile.
Like two butterflies fluttering in flight, flexible and coordinated yet full of power, every one of Aaron's steps, every turn, and every hand movement was just right, full of rhythm, and perfectly merged with the music.
"How is it? Very elegant, right?" Aaron smiled triumphantly.
Unknowingly, Nanoda also adapted and got used to the steps and rhythm. The increasingly elegant dancing posture of the two attracted the attention of bystanders.
An elegant bald man and a charming, exquisitely beautiful young girl dancing lightly together instantly drew the eyes of many people.
Some began to discuss the identities of these two in private.
When the dance ended, there was a sense of lingering unsatisfied desire.
Just then, enthusiastic applause came from the side. At the same time, a tall man leading a golden-haired young girl walked into everyone's line of sight.
"Oh, it's Lord Glück!" Someone in the crowd called out the man's identity.
Glück led Lektire to the front of the stage. He raised the wine glass in his high hand and spoke loudly.
"Thank you everyone for attending. As the Lord of the Fortified City of Weise, I propose a toast to you all!"
Out of the corner of his eye, Glück noticed Aaron and Nanoda.
____
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