55 Chapter 56. The Night of the Ball (1/2)
In our journey to bring back Mel and her daughters, we didn't stop by any villages or towns and took the shortest distance, which is probably why there weren't any brigands or thieves of the sort. Those guys also open up shop in remote places where there aren't many people.
We finished our journey with nothing eventful but something might happen from now on.
「Welcome back! …you've brought back more again?」
It doesn't look like Nonna or Celia is going to investigate them. It feels like every time I go out on a journey I'm increasing the amount of women. I must be a bit more prudent or else the mansion will be overcrowded with women.
「We are just about running out of rooms. Even though it's the ability of a man to surround himself with women, there is a limit.」
While Nonna was mumbling I introduce them, Mel also didn't expect for me to be surrounded with women but was full of smiles as she greeted everyone politely.
It seems Kuu is shocked at the impact of different women appearing left and right. Ruu doesn't really know what's going on, she's probably thinking that there are a bunch of family members around.
I was slightly worried but Mel and Nonna unexpectedly opened up to each other quickly.
「When I heard you were acquaintances with our pervert, I wondered what kind of suspicious person you were, but I'm relieved that you are such a refined and calm person.」
「No, no, I should be saying that to you Nonna-san, you're doing pretty well at that young age.」
Wow, she has already broken past Nonna, one of the two great barriers of our house. It may be that the two of them are similar in personality. They have deeply rooted elegance, but they also have a slight malicious side.
「You also have three daughters, don't you?」
Nonna gently touches Sue, who was being held by Ruu, as if she was something fragile. She was smiling while squeezing her hand.
「Yes, Kuu and Ruu are the children from my previous marriage, Aegir-san told me he would look after all of us.」
「I see, since he really is a man of high caliber, huh?」
Nonna seems to have sensed something wrong with the words 'Kuu and Ruu are the children from my previous marriage', but she realized the truth faster than she could ask the question.
「Come here Sue, this child was previously the seed given to me by Aegir-san. Look, this is your father's family.」
Sue is going 'daa, daa' and gripping her hand but Nonna seems to be frozen in place. Should I get out of here before she erupts?
There was a crash, the sound of pottery breaking. Avoiding to show her face, Celia who was drinking tea in the corridor seems to have dropped her cup. She immediately opened the door with a bang and came in. My path of retreat is blocked.
「A- a father!? Aegir-sama got you pregnant!? Why is it before all of us-!?」
「I slept with Mel before meeting you guys.」
Maria and Melissa were also surprised but they weren't making such a pathetic face. Especially Melissa is engrossed with the children. She has her finger grabbed and her face relaxed. Irijina just gave a greeting since she is training her body, Rita is also out buying food for the welcoming meal.
「How come you didn't use contraceptives!? Even as it is you would spray it everywhere over there!!」
「You could make a village from just the children of Aegir-sama!」
I understand Nonna and Celia's eyes that are questioning me quite well.
「Hey wait! Why do you have to be mandating what Aegir-san and my mom are doing? We knew him way before you did!」
Celia and Kuu glare at each other. Kuu is acting on her emotions and lashing out, but being stared back caused her knees to tremble. Celia has cut down many people on the battlefield after all, she has a different kind of bloodlust. Don't put your left hand on your hip though, although today it's fine since she's unarmed…
「Don't argue and emit such bloodthirstiness.」
「Ouch!」
I hit Celia with a knock on the head. Her murderous intent disappears, Kuu lets out a 'hmph' to pretend to be strong and sits on the sofa but she lets out a long sigh of relief.
「Carla! You were with them at the time weren't you!? Well…didn't you have a way of doing things? You probably only had talent to wet yourself outdoors!」
「Well that is…I guess…wait what do you mean outdoors, we do it indoors as well!」
Carla looks at me to confirm but I signaled for her to keep quiet. It would look uncool if I were to give an excuse as to why I didn't use contraception.
「Nonna, I thought it was fine if something like that happened, that's why I embraced Mel, and I'm also happy that Sue was born. So that's why, don't say so much about it, 'kay?」
「Uuu! I'm sorry…it's not like I hate the children or Mel-san. I was just frustrated that she had children first, if I made her feel unpleasant then I'll apologize.」
Nonna and Celia are dejected, for the smaller one I'll pet her head and for the one with large breasts, I'll leave it to Carla. Carla tries to comfort by stroking her, but Nonna shakes her hand away and declares.
「However, there is definitely nothing better than having a boy be the successor! I'll show you that the successor of the Hardlett family will be birthed by this womb!」
「Ufu, try your best.」
Sue was taken away by Melissa so Ruu came over beside me. Celia again threatens her but I stretch her cheeks.
「Ouwei! It huurths!」1
「Pu-!」
When Ruu laughs, Celia glares sharply at her, and Ruu got frightened.
「Why are you always so severe?」
「It huurths! You're pulling them too faar!」
It is literally the seed I sowed, but somehow I was able to peacefully get them to accept Mel and the others.
I have relations with eight of the women in the house, in the near future I plan on taking Kuu so it would be nine people… It's getting to the point that I can't just have fun with everyone.
Erich also told me that if I don't decide on a wife soon, they'll dispute with each other. When eventually children are born and become successors, it will become a huge fuss with the status. Erich might have had something happen to himself as he turned dark while talking to me. I believe he mentioned that he was originally born from a noble family.
I'll make a decision after moving to the territory, I'll put off the problem for now.
….And more fuel to cause the problem that I postponed to recur has been dropped.
「That Erich, doing something unnecessary…」
He didn't use a mailman, but he purposely sent a messenger to bring a letter to everyone at their house. Hurriedly I cut open the letter to see what is was about, it seems that it was an announcement for a ball.
Separate from the party sponsored by the royal family commemorating our victory in the war, it seems to be a party that Erich's Radhalde family is sponsoring. New nobles are certain, but it seems that people from traditional nobles to their friends are invited too.
When you become one of the counts then you have to do things like this, seems dreadful. I was taking it easy but when I looked at the date, I was taken aback.
「Isn't it tonight?!」
The messenger looked apologetic and handed another letter to me.
The previous one was the official invitation, probably this was something different than what was sent to everyone else, and what was written in this informal letter…
'I thought I should tell you directly but I forgot. Although you probably don't plan to attend the other parties anyways. On the invitation it is written that you are allowed to have one female guest accompanying you, so don't bring five or six with you.'
And that was what was written. You know me quite well don't you.
It was rare for the master of the house to talk with the messenger in front of the entrance. Everyone in the house peeked to see what was going on, so I showed them the invitation.
「A ball? A dancing one?」 「Is it something like a festival?」 「A noble's ball is something stricter I'm sure.」
Carla, Maria, Melissa all talk boisterously but they don't really know much. I also actually don't know much about it. Previously I was obligated to go to a banquet hosted by the king and was placed at the lowest seat, the only thing I remember was that I drank too much alcohol and drank the water from the pond in the castle.
「At least Erich has written that he would allow me to bring a woman with me…」
Everyone looks at me wanting to be chosen. But first off Carla is out of the question. She's a good woman, but she's not really the type of woman you want to introduce to people. It would go well if it was Celia but I will get the stigma of being a person who prefers little girls.
I've thought about it till now but I've got my answer. Nonna's gaze was different than the other women and it was like she was heading out to the battlefield, filled with bloodlust. Maria and Irijina who were standing next to her distanced themselves a little.
「…Nonna, can I count on you?」
「Of course! Please leave it to me!」
For the first time since I was born, I thought that a woman's gaze is frightening.
The luxurious dress that was previously bought for Nonna, continuously criticized as the 'unused dress of the drawer' and 'the symbol of waste', is now finally getting a chance to see the sun's rays.
Nonna's body wrapped in the dress combined with her natural beauty is the literally like that of a flower in full bloom. Even comparing just her face, Nonna is the most beautiful among the women in the house. And above all, the arousing breasts that seem to pop out and destroy her dress, if a man doesn't turn back to look then it would be wise to protect my own butt.
「How does it look?」
「Beautiful…」
My voice comes out unintentionally. Nonna giggles as she gathers everyone to show off.
A woman's fashion attracts men's attention while at the same time intimidating other women. I feel like I've heard those words somewhere.
Before I knew it, Nonna got on the carriage that I ordered, and we arrive at Erich's house..it seems after receiving the title of Count he's bought quite the gorgeous mansion.
When I escorted Nonna to enter the mansion, the eyes of all the participants instantly gather around us. Half of them are captivated by the beauty of Nonna, the other half were on me, the new noble following Erich and Number 2 of the important persons, a celebrity with multiple achievements on the battlefield that the king personally praised, and a mysterious character who didn't show up to banquets or parties they have been hearing about from Erich.
「Viscount Hardlett, it's rare for you to take part in a ball!」
The one who spoke up was Bruno. We shake hands and bump shoulders. To nobles it was a vulgar greeting but he's an acquaintance since my mercenary days, I'm not concerned.
「Anything change on your side?」
「I was a rear guard in that war, I didn't get to accomplish much but I received the rank of Baron because of his Highness's compassion. Of course I don't have any territory.」
My sleeves are lightly pulled. She wants me to introduce her I guess. Although I believe that you and Bruno have met before.
「So this is Nonna. She's living with me…」
Should I say that she's my lover? If I say something like this in this place then I feel like Nonna would lose her standing.
「This is a pleasure seeing you for the first time. I am grateful for the generous favor gifted to me by Hardlett-sama, taking me along with him to a place such as this. I am delighted to make your acquaintance…」
With grace, she spreads her skirt and bows once, so that's how you say it.
「You are…I see. You're quite famous in a lot of ways.」
I would like to hear those details, they're probably good-for-nothing rumors though. If I say that she was a former slave, Nonna would naturally be ashamed, but I will also be shamed. I'll just pretend not to know.
Once Bruno and I finished greeting each other, the other nobles start coming towards us one after the other. I was on guard that they were all targeting Nonna but surprisingly they all came to talk to me.
「I have been granted the title of Baron~ as I was saying.」 「Pleased to make your acquaintance from now on.」 「I have heard you are quite famous.」
I relied on Nonna's help to not be rude, while trying to deal with it as to not look servile. After a while of tiring greetings and introductions, finally the organizer shows his face.
「Viscount Hardlett. You did well to come on such sudden invitation. Please enjoy yourself this evening.」
As if I can enjoy myself! He knows that I think it's annoying and yet he's saying that with a smile.
Erich pretends to be diplomatic as he comes close to my ear.
「What are you thinking of doing carrying a sword while pulling a woman along?」
「Am I a barbarian?!」
Actually I brought a normal sword but it was taken from me at the entrance.
「Is that woman over there your lover? Or perhaps a wife?」
「I do not have social status, but I was specially had favor bestowed on me.」
Nonna responds normally to the whispering gossip. Don't look down on her sharp ears. I want to assert that she's a lover, but the first one amongst all of them.
「Is- is that so…it might be preferable if you take such a beautiful lady as your wife though, don't underestimate the ambitions of the nobles. Since you're a person who holds Viscount status and also getting special treatment from his Majesty. If you don't take your legal wife with you to the ball then they will come to you in crowds.」
The new nobles are what they call a group of upstarts. For better or for worse there is no connections with blood relatives.
At least there is the political faction centered around Erich, however he's not connected by blood so the cooperation is weak. Therefore it is normal to get a promising person into your own faction, or to marry into a family and benefit from the career advancement, in which the traditional nobles here are mostly aiming for.
「You are Viscount Hardlett, aren't you? I am called Wogroh…」
This middle-aged man seems to be a Baron but I haven't seen or heard of him before.