Catherine was just dizzy.
"Sigh, there are many ornaments that are more luxurious than silver and more cost-effective than gold. I'll introduce you to a company."
"There's no need to do that."
"If this banquet goes wrong, you'll be the one getting blamed. I'll write up a budget for you first."
Catherine burst into the maid's office and began to write a new budget on a blank sheet of paper.
"Yes, since the banquet hall is structured like this, let's decorate it with simple decorations. I bought the chandelier from the company I recommended, and the curtains are a light green that's popular these days."
Isolene looked with satisfaction at Catherine, who diligently prepared the banquet for someone else's home. Catherine's handwriting had become considerably more refined compared to before.
Thanks to Catherine's help, the banquet preparations were proceeding smoothly. At least on the surface. Regardless of what happened in the banquet hall, the maids were busy secretly preparing the witch's banquet under Bailey's direction.
***
A month later, Chession's birthday banquet came suddenly.
The banquet began outdoors in the garden. A variety of colorful flowers in full bloom enlivened the guests.
Fortunately, the servants welcomed the guests well. Having honed their etiquette over the years, nothing was lacking or awkward about the food. Perhaps it's because no one has buried it in the ground yet, but for now, that's all.
Chession, dressed in a white evening gown, stopped by Gremory's room before attending. In the room, a black dress, painstakingly completed by Chession, hung on a stand the size of Gremory's body.
Chession looked at the dress with satisfaction.
"As expected, it's well made."
It was a dress adorned with rubies on black fabric. It was the result of Chession's ideas and the expert hands of Grand Duke Ethel. Accessories matching the dress's design were also provided.
"I just wish someone would come back and wear this."
After mumbling for a while, Chession brainwashed himself into thinking everything was okay. Today was the day she promised. Even if Gremory never showed up, she just had to be somewhere, living healthily.
As Chession's appearance was delayed, Isolene cautiously came to find him. Isolene cautiously opened the door, poked her head out, and called out to him.
"Your Highness, it is time for you to go out now."
"Yes."
Chession left the room obediently. Isolene watched him with concern.
“Are you okay?”
"Don't worry, it's okay. My low mood won't ruin the banquet."
"So, it's true that you're feeling down."
"But I plan to enjoy it for now. That way, when Mori comes later, I can throw her a grand birthday party."
He guesses he can at least talk.
Since Mori had told him to do so, Chession omitted the rest of the story and wiped away his worried expression with a light smile.
Finally, Chession appeared in the garden. The nobles who had been enjoying the garden's landscaping greeted the protagonist with bright faces.
"Ah, you've finally arrived. It's such an honor to be able to attend such a beautiful banquet."
"Grand Duke Ethel is truly handsome! Not to mention the mansion!"
"Haha, this is the first banquet hosted by Grand Duke Ethel. I believe you will continue to host banquets like this in the future."
Chession responded wholeheartedly to the support of many.
"I'm so grateful that everyone enjoyed our first banquet, which was a bit lacking. I plan to hold these banquets regularly."
"Haha, even if you look hard, you won't find any shortcomings!"
"Grand Duke Ethel, let's sit down and talk instead of standing here. How about sitting at the table together?"
When the middle-aged Duke invited him to sit at the table in front of him, Chession politely declined.
"I'm sorry, I already have a seat."
"Haha, then we'll go there."
“It’s difficult because there are only two seats available.”
"Only you. Is that so?"
The nobles smiled awkwardly. Chession smiled brightly, bowed to them, and then headed to his seat.
Not far away, next to the host's seat, Chession was a single empty chair.
The nobles glanced off into the distance, then whispered cautiously.
"Oh my goodness, is that Lady Mori's seat? It seems His Highness still hasn't forgotten Lady Mori, whom he lost in the Black Cloud incident."
"It's a tearful love story. There hasn't been any news about Lady Mori since she went missing, right?"
"I believe she died trying to stop the barbarians who spread the black cloud."
Chession was aware of the nobles' pitiful gazes directed at him. He could hear their whispers from time to time, but he rested his chin on his hand and gazed at the sky.
That sight made the nobles' hearts ache even more.
"I wish I could offer him some comfort, but I'm cautious."
"In times like these, it's best to treat it as usual."
"That's right. And the Grand Duke must have hosted a banquet to shake off his sorrow. Let's do our best to make it enjoyable!"
The conspiring nobles swarmed towards Chession. They began to tell all sorts of humorous stories that were popular in high society these days.
Chession chuckled as he watched the nobles working so hard.
'Mori, I guess I've been living a bad life, seeing everyone trying so hard to cheer me up.'
***
The seat next to Chession remained empty, even after the afternoon garden party ended and the banquet began.
Chession's table was filled with apple-based dishes. On one side, raw meat was also placed.
The nobles' worries grew even more intense after seeing the raw meat.
"Surely Your Highness wouldn't want to eat that raw meat? Blood is dripping from it."
"Oh my goodness, did the shock of losing Lady Mori cause him to develop such a strange appetite?"
"Hey, don't be so loud. I know he's in a bit of a shock, but please understand. Let's just focus on our meal."
Meanwhile, some groups ridiculed such a chession.
"To serve raw meat on the table at a dinner where all the nobles are gathered? I can't stand it, it's so unappetizing."
Count Rosen rose to his feet, grumbling. He was one of the nobles who had suffered losses due to Chession's halt to witch hunts. He had been making money with fake witch-detection magic tools, but Chession had cut off a lucrative source of income.
"Ha. This is the first time in my life I've seen such disgusting raw meat at a banquet hall. The standard is really dropping."
He deliberately made a loud noise as he left the banquet hall. Chession didn't even pay him any attention. He was focused solely on the well-cooked duck.
The nobles looked at the sight with even more pity.
And Count Rosen, who came out of the banquet hall after making a fuss,
“Ugh!”
A noose flew from somewhere, and he fell to the ground, his body entangled. The knights on guard simply stared at Count.
"What is this? Is this an intruder attack? Hey, what are you doing? Cut this rope quickly!"
"This is not an intruder attack. And I hope you'll figure out what happens next."
"What? Ugh!"
As a tremendous force pulled at the rope, Count Rosen was dragged helplessly. Dragged to a deserted area, the Count was shocked to discover the identities of those who had dragged him.
Maids?
"That's right. We are the maids of the Grand Duke Ethel. Hehe."
The maids smiled meaningfully. Bailey was at the head of the group.
"We were tasked with cleaning up the mess that ruined the party."
"Since you've made a fuss, why don't you go in there for a while and reflect on your actions?"
"It would be rude to kick you out right away, as you've come all this way. I'll give you a chance to repent."
Count Rosen saw the pits scattered around him and squirmed and shouted.
"Is this how the damned Ethel family treats their guests? Damn it, a bunch of maids dare threaten a noble guest? I'll definitely report this to the high society!"
"Guys, let's bury it!"
As the maids began to gather the life, Count Rosen's expression turned pale and hard.
"Do you do this even though you know who I am? How dare you, a maid, to a nobleman!"
Count Rosen was dragged to the pit. After the maids dug a few holes, Count Rosen quickly came to his senses and apologized.
The maids, having completed their mission, released Count Rosen and kindly guided him to the sweat room, where he could change his muddy clothes.
***
After the banquet, the ballroom began. The special dishes for Gremory that had been on the table were eventually cleared away without a touch.
At this point, the members of Archduke Ethel's family began to watch Chession closely. Seara, dressed in a yellow dress, approached him cautiously.
"Are you sure you're okay, brother? If you're tired, do you want to go in first?"
"It's okay, I'll be there until the end."
Chession smiled brightly and stroked Seara's head. Before Seara could say anything else,
"No! The witch has appeared!"
Someone who had gone out for a walk came running into the banquet hall, screaming strangely.
"Look, there's a humanoid figure with huge wings flying around outside! It must be a witch!"
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