Debut Party (15)
After the marquises had taken their leave, Modalphas led me down to the first floor, where we began making the rounds to greet the guests.
Honestly, I’d invited a whole bunch of nobles, but I couldn’t match a single face to a single name.
Modalphas and Alizée assured me they had that part handled—they’d remember who’s who—so I decided to rely entirely on them.
Because me? Yeah, there’s just no way.
Absolutely impossible.
I’m really not cut out for social gatherings.
Now then, who should we greet next… oh?
“Hey, it’s been a while! How’ve you all been?”
“Eek!? M-Miss Lily—um, I mean, Lady Lily!?”
“Either’s fine. I’m still me. Are you three enjoying the party? Ula, Shelche, Elsa?”
These girls were an adventurer party I’d known for ages—Ula, Shelche, and Elsa.
We’d been acquainted since the days I opened Spider’s Cotton Cloud, and even now, as Blue-rank adventurers, they still came by for new gear.
I’d heard they’d been traveling lately, escorting caravans to faraway towns, so I was really glad they made it to the party.
“T–to be honest, we feel kinda out of place…”
“I’m not exactly someone who should be attending a social event like this either…”
“These fancy parties make me so nervous…”
Yeah, that figures.
Even as escorts, Blue-rank adventurers don’t usually get invited inside a venue like this.
Actually, nobles generally don’t bring adventurer guards into a party at all.
“And besides… I’m worried I’m not wearing the dress you gave me properly.”
“I’ve been working in a region with harsh sunlight lately, so I’m worried about my tan, too…”
“I think you all look great. Really. Those dresses suit you perfectly.”
Yep, I’d sent them the dresses along with their invitations.
No way they’d have anything appropriate for this sort of event otherwise.
So I designed something special for each of them—dresses that would really bring out their charm.
The result? Despite their well-toned adventurer physiques, I had three stunning young ladies on my hands.
If I do say so myself, excellent work, me!
“But more importantly, Lady Lily, congratulations on your promotion to Platinum-ranked merchant. With that, your standing in this country is now unshakable.”
“What do you mean by that, Shelche?”
“Ula, you probably wouldn’t know much about this sort of thing. A Platinum-ranked merchant’s influence is officially said to be equal to that of a marquis. However, since they’re deeply tied to the Trade Guild, their actual influence is often even greater.”
“W–wow, really? Then maybe I should be calling you Lady Lily…”
“You don’t have to worry about that, Ula. But still, Shelche, I’m surprised you know all that.”
“I’ve never told you this before, Lady Lily, but my family comes from a line of high-ranking bureaucrats. I ran away and became an adventurer because I couldn’t stand the family’s stiff traditions—but I did pick up a fair bit of noble etiquette along the way.”
Ahh, that explains it.
I’d always thought Shelche seemed unusually well-versed in manners for an adventurer—but that’s why.
Everyone really does have their own story, don’t they?
What do you think about this chapter?
Thanks for the chapter.