“Oh, Your Highness. Why are you speaking in such a loud voice in the middle of a party?”
“Under this circumstances… Why did you disregard Yuri! This is a blasphemy against the royal family.”
“Well, Your Highness. Surely you jest. …I’m certain you haven’t forgotten the manners of the court, have you?”
Mother unfolded her fan and covered her mouth with it. On the other side of her fan, I’m sure she’s blowing a big sigh.
“For a person who has a lower social position to carefreely address a person of higher social standing, the people in the surrounding will question the fineness of that person. If Yuri-sama is to become your princess… No, because of this reason, she should be well informed of such manners.”
Mother quietly looked at Ed-sama and Yuri-sama’s appearance.
“However, Yuri is the person who is engaged to me.”
“Yes, that she is. Although she’s someone you are engaged to, it doesn’t mean you have been formally married… In other words, she is not part of your House. Until then, her position will stay the same. …Before you get married, no one knows what will happen until then.”
Mother suddenly glanced towards me. Yes, that’s right. It is the truth that I had my engagement annulled.
“I don’t think social status is related. When someone greets you, you should return the greeting. Isn’t this the most natural thing to do~?”
“…”
Mother and I… No, everyone in the surroundings was dumbfounded. No, Ed-sama and Van-sama were not stunned at all.
A natural thing… to do. To say such things in a world of aristocrats where manners and formalities are essential is a serious offense. With the King on the top, the rest of the aristocrats are under him in a shape of a pyramid.
In Japan, it is proprietary to greet people and return the greeting of someone else. However, there are various ways and manners to greet and return a greeting, and that identically exists in this world.
“Yuri-sama. As someone who might become a member of the royal family, you need to learn how to conduct yourself.”
“It is as Mellice says.”
I thought that a new person is making an appearance, I didn’t think that it would be the Queen Dowager.
“Grandmother…!?”
“Queen Dowager, is it fine for you to leave your seat and come here?”
While Ed-sama was surprised that she made an appearance, mother, on the other hand, inquired nonchalantly.
“It’s fine. The greetings have pretty much ended. That said, Iris. Let’s go over there, and please let me hear the story of what you have been up to recently. Mellice, will you be coming as well?”
“Yes, I will come.”
“Is that so. The Duke of Armelia and the Marquis of Anderson are already there waiting for you. Please be my conversational partner.”
“Certainly.”
“Since you’ll be the only one left here, Berne, come with us to where the Duke of Armelia is.”
“Yes.”
When we were about to take our leave, Ed-sama once again called out.
“Grandmother…!”
“What is it? You’re being too rowdy. …In this party, there are also people from other countries in attendance, so what’s with your awful state. You people, retire and cool your heads. Because with your appearance, the fineness of our Kingdom will be questioned.”
However, the Queen Dowager treated him coldly, and walked away, leading the four of us. The passing attendees looked at the expression on the faces of Ed-sama and the others… However, Ed-sama and Yuri-sama stood there with a blank surprise.
After that, the Queen Dowager returned to the seat reserved for the royal family. The people around her were people with high social status and distinguished guests from other countries, such as grandfather who is considered this Kingdom’s strongest military general, and important key figures involved in the Royal Court, and this impressive gathering of eminent and powerful members were smiling and laughing.
For these members to attend this party held by the Queen Dowager shows that even until now, the Queen Dowager’s influence is still as powerful as ever.
I wonder if it’s good that I came… that’s what I was thinking. Because I didn’t want to be at that place, I quietly stayed beside the Queen Dowager and conversed with her.