I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess – Chapter 139

As two people arrived in the hall where the banquet was being held, a grand applause welcomed them first.

While even Ariel was momentarily dumbfounded by the unfamiliar situation, Edgar expressed gratitude on behalf of the surrounding people, wrapping his arm around her shoulder and guiding her.

Fortunately, there was a spot that seemed to be intentionally left open for the two of them, so Edgar headed straight for it.

It was absurd for her, who should be the true protagonist of the night, to be in such a remote place, but since Ariel wanted it that way, there was no arguing against it.

“Everyone came to celebrate you, so how about saying a few words of thanks since this is a rare occasion?”

Edgar, with a cheeky suggestion while handing Ariel a glass filled with champagne, saw her expression turn sour.

Though she was quite the lone wolf, surprisingly, she didn’t prefer standing out in front of others.

“Do you really think I’d enjoy that, knowing my personality?”

“Well, I was just throwing it out there.”

Shrugging his shoulders, Edgar took a sip of his share of the champagne.

At this, Ariel offered a brief warning not to drink too much, and then she tilted her own glass.

The distinctive fizzy taste and sweet aroma of the champagne blended in her mouth, and it was quite pleasant.

Just as they were enjoying their rare time together, as expected of the main character of the night, she began to draw in the crowd around her.

Given Ariel’s position, at least the bumbling fools around her didn’t dare approach her carelessly, which was a small consolation.

“Your Highness, I cannot believe the guest of honor is all the way out here.”

The first to approach, the elderly man with white hair, Bospen, spoke to Ariel with a gaze like that of a doting grandfather.

Considering her appealing features, it was not uncommon for men of all ages to cast inappropriate glances at her, and his demeanor reflected what kind of man he was.

“I don’t like being the center of attention.”

“I see. I didn’t know that and unintentionally made a mistake. I apologize.”

“It’s alright, Lord Bospen. Oh, is it okay if I call you by your name? My father mentioned you’ve been quite close.”

“Lord Yulken said that? I am flattered.”

Just a day into her new title, and Ariel found it quite awkward that she went from calling herself a princess to a highness and Yulken from prince to lord.

It’s true that formality is important, but witnessing such a rapid change left her feeling a strange sense of disconnection.

“Oh, I delayed the introductions. This is my trusted aide, Edgar Billhark. You must know his name since you probably saw him at the rites.”

“How could I not know? I have heard tales of his exploits recently.”

As Bospen’s gaze turned to Edgar, for a moment, he stood there blankly, startled by Ariel’s jab to his side, and extended his hand.

“I-I apologize for the late introduction, Lord Bospen.”

“Haha, not at all. You’re still getting used to your surroundings.”

It could perhaps be viewed as a rather ungraceful scene from a third-party perspective, yet Bospen smiled warmly while shaking Edgar’s outstretched hand.

Moreover, even amidst all this, he freely expressed his consideration for Edgar, prompting Ariel to assess him positively in her mind as “not a bad person.”

“Originally, I’d be the one receiving the handshake, so… this feels rather strange.”

Even Edgar, who was ordinarily cautious in front of strangers, found himself influenced by Bospen’s grandfatherly atmosphere and unconsciously scratched his cheek, revealing his embarrassment.

In truth, from his position, it was understandable that confusion could arise.

By title alone, Bospen was merely the next in line to lead a baronage from the outskirts, a person Edgar shouldn’t have been extending his hand toward first.

In most social situations, it’s typically the person of higher status who extends their hand first.

In other words, for Edgar, who always found himself in the lower ranks when meeting other nobles, encountering such a position was something he had never experienced, hence the awkwardness.

“I thought as much. However, now that you have the favor of the Duke’s household, it’s time for you to get used to it.”

Although Bospen said that, in reality, there were very few who would recognize someone of Edgar’s position as superior, especially considering they hadn’t even conducted a marriage yet.

Even if it were accepted on equal terms, it was rare for someone from a renowned family like Bospen’s to bow first.

Yet, Edgar’s situation was a bit different.

Putting aside everything else, those who had witnessed the bond of fealty forged that day couldn’t deny that it was akin to a marriage ceremony.

While there was a temporary disparity between the two families, it was merely a process intended to solidify their relationship before bridging that gap.

Thus, Edgar’s position should be viewed as that of the second tier of the Duke’s household.

Certainly, it was somewhat exaggerated to assert such given that Yulken and Helene had just stepped back, but looking at the external aspect, it would not be unreasonable to say it was comparable.

Just then, while Bospen was providing Edgar with some earnest advice he’d gathered through years of experience, a rather thin-looking middle-aged man approached with a woman in tow, making their way toward the trio.

“What a surprise! I see Lord Bospen has already made his introductions.”

“Hmm? Lord Briuud! It’s been quite a while.”

Jokingly jumping into the conversation, the man named Briuud greeted Bospen quite familiarly.

However, Ariel’s gaze was fixated not on Briuud, but rather on the pink-haired woman standing next to him, as if a flicker of recognition flashed in her mind.

“Who was she again?”

As that thought deepened, Bospen, leading Briuud, proceeded with the introductions, and she couldn’t continue her train of thought.

“Your Highness, this is Edgar. This is Lord Briuud of the Chepher Family.”

“I am Briuud Chepher. I have come to congratulate you on this joyous occasion, even at the risk of interrupting you both.”

“Thank you for coming all the way to this far-off Hespania, Lord Chepher, despite your busy schedule.”

Ariel nodded in response to his unexpectedly satisfactory greeting, feeling relieved.

In previous occasions during her coming-of-age ceremony, it was common for taller figures to completely leave Edgar’s name out when making greetings, so she had resolved not to let it slide if it happened this time, but fortunately, such plans remained unneeded.

“How could I dare not come to such an occasion, simply due to distance?”

Unaware of Ariel’s true thoughts, Briuud beamed with joy, simply at the fact that she had some knowledge of his family.

In such settings, making an impression was critical, and he had already partially succeeded.

Now, he merely needed to land one last blow to firmly implant the memory of the Chepher Family in the head of the Duke’s heir.

With that in mind, Briuud donned a somewhat mischievous demeanor and bowed his head towards Edgar.

“Oh, I had almost forgotten. I actually have a small gift prepared for you today, Lord Edgar… would you accept it?”

“To me… are you serious?”

Surprised by the sudden mention of a gift, Edgar’s eyes widened.

It wasn’t that he had never received gifts, but they usually came from acquaintances, nothing more.

Moreover, he couldn’t fathom why the head of the Chepher Family would offer a gift specifically to him.

“Why not accept it? If you don’t, it would be a disgrace to Lord Chepher.”

On the other hand, Ariel, having grasped Briuud’s objective, nudged Edgar’s arm, encouraging him to accept it for the moment.

Given the scenario that someone from the Duke’s household was directly handing a gift to Edgar rather than her, it was something she, being astute, easily recognized.

‘He certainly knows how to flatter.’

Just as it’s said one must shoot words if they want to bring down the opposing general, recognizing Edgar’s status ahead of time, he prepared a separate gift just for him.

Moreover, knowing that Ariel would not have a temper about it for leaving her own out, it was a strategic move that showed foresight.

“The stories I heard recently brought me much inspiration. I wanted to express my respect, not as a head, but simply as a fellow man.”

‘How cliché.’

The rationale for offering a gift was exactly as Ariel had anticipated.

It was a very obvious yet conventional reason, hence unlikely to arouse suspicion, and most importantly, it would be hard for Edgar to refuse it.

In fact, under normal circumstances, Ariel wouldn’t let it slip by when things went just as expected, especially if there were any ulterior motives involved.

But today, she was willing to overlook it, partly due to the joyous nature of the occasion and because the words he spoke while fawning over Edgar didn’t paint him in a bad light.

“In that case… yes, I will humbly accept it.”

“Haha, it’s I who should be thanking you.”

Briuud laughed heartily, uncharacteristic of his slender frame, then stepped aside slightly, presenting the woman that had accompanied him.

“And I’ve been remiss in my greetings, but this is my daughter. Since she’s roughly the same age as you, I thought it would be nice for you two to converse.”

“Oh, she’s your daughter.”

Ariel inwardly worried if Briuud was suggesting using the girl as a servant for Edgar, but thankfully, that was not the case.

Had he done that, she would have immediately dealt with both of them without hesitation, so he had saved himself there.

“I am Mirabel Chepher. I once had the pleasure of meeting Your Highness during the coming-of-age ceremony… though I don’t know if you recall.”

“…Ah.”

As she observed Mirabel, who was bowing shyly, Ariel couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh.

She had seen her somewhere, and lo and behold, she was the very person who had scolded her friends Gria and Sally before.

At that time, she had been too caught up to retaliate, and she never dreamed she would come to meet her again.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Princess Chepher. Of course, I remember you.”

“Oh…! You remember me!”

“Of course. How could I forget?”

Ariel, who surprisingly offered her hand in an unusually gentle tone, saw Mirabel’s complexion brighten instantly while Edgar’s gaze turned somewhat anxious.

He was all too aware of what kind of actions Mirabel had taken in the past.

“…Hey, what are you trying to do?”

While Ariel was happily chatting with Mirabel, Edgar stepped closer, subtly asking her in a low voice.

In response, Ariel maintained a cheerful expression, barely moving her lips as she replied to him.

“Shh. It’s a rare reunion after all.”

“A reunion? Isn’t she the one from back then?”

“Exactly! That’s why it’s a pleasant reunion.”

With her saying ‘Now we’ve met again,’ Edgar sighed in resignation, smacking his forehead as he gazed at the pink-haired woman who was blissfully smiling, completely unaware of the impending chaos ahead.