Friend
Shepherd’s Point of View
My Aunt had told us she would demolish the mansion and ordered us to vacate it within a month, but we didn’t pay any heed.
I thought it was just a threat, but Mother had been holed up in her room muttering to herself since then.
Staying in the mansion felt suffocating, so I decided to attend a ball I was invited to by a friend.
“Shepherd.”
“Thank you for inviting me tonight.”
“Tonight’s party isn’t too formal.”
It was a small-scale ball, and it was modest. Normally, it would have been a waste of time to attend such an event.
The organizers, despite being called a Count’s family, were poor nobles from the countryside.
But in my current situation, it was better to expand my network even a little bit.
Benoah, who I have known since my student days, thinks of us me as a friend, but he’s got the wrong idea.
He’s become rather affluent lately, and I hear he’s been active in charity work, thanks to a stroke of luck where his local produce sold well in a neighboring country.
He really doesn’t understand the concept of business.
Charity work is just a way for nobles to kill time or gain popularity.
In the past, it might have been overlooked as eccentric behavior, but nowadays, it’s something that only stupid nobles do.
It’s a waste of time and money.
“Tonight, charity comrades have gathered as well.”
“Charity, huh…”
It would be better to spend that money on something else.
“Lord Benoah.”
“Yuna.”
Shortly after, a woman approached us.
I wasn’t familiar with her, but I didn’t think she looked bad.
“Am I interrupting your conversation?”
“No…”
“Don’t worry about it.”
Is she an acquaintance of Benoah?
She’s too good for this unassuming man.
“Nice to meet you, I’m Shepherd Ranford.”
“I’m Yuna Tisia.”
Her manners were elegant and graceful, flowing effortlessly.
She looked every bit like a high-ranking noble.
Her dress was exquisite, and her speech was refined.
“Benoah, is he your friend?”
“Yes, from our school days.”
Who’s your friend?
But for now, I’ll let it slide for now.
“What a beautiful young lady. I didn’t expect you to have such a beautiful friend, Benoah.”
“No… she’s…”
“I hate to say this, but he’s not very good with women and quite awkward in social situations.”
I’ll pretend to provide some support while subtly highlighting how worthless Benoah is to boost my own standing.
“Well…”
“He even struggled at the school dances, which was quite embarrassing.”
“That’s hitting a little too close to home. But it’s true.”
Ever since our school days, he’s been terrible at courting women and always ended up as the nice guy who finished last.
“Moreover, he’s too kind-hearted and easily deceived. It’s challenging to live as a noble that way. Well, he’s more of a commoner noble, you see?”
Heh… He seemed surprised, with his eyes wide open.
He should know his place.
Someone as beautiful as Miss Yuna wouldn’t be a good match for the dull and unremarkable Benoah.