You Can Come to My House as a Guest

"I didn't see you dancing. Why not?" Athena asked, taking a small sip of her fruit juice.

"I'm not very skilled at dancing, so I'm content to simply admire the grace of others."

"Then you should be out there even more. The steps are quite simple; you'll learn them after a few tries." She blinked, a look of anticipation on her face. "If you'd like to learn, I can teach you."

Since the lady had taken the initiative, Liszt couldn't refuse bluntly. He stood up and extended his hand. "May I have this dance?"

"It would be my honor." Athena placed her hand in Liszt's and rose to join him.

With that, Liszt led Athena onto the dance floor. Accompanied by the soothing piano music, he placed an arm around her waist, took her hand, and they began to dance. The steps of noble ballroom dances were always quite simple; while Liszt himself had never danced before, his predecessor possessed a wealth of experience.

"You don't seem clumsy at all. It seems you were lying to me just now," Athena said with a smile as they danced.

"Perhaps I'm just performing beyond my usual level."

"Is that so? Then I'll take your word for it."

A moment of silence followed.

Athena asked again, "I've never been to Coral Island. In fact, I've never left Red Crab Island. Is Coral Island very far from here?"

"Not too far. It's a journey of half a day by ship. If the winds are favorable, it might take only half a day."

"What is Tulip Castle like?"

"It's built on a cliff by the shore. It's much smaller than Long-Yam Castle, but the surrounding hillsides are covered in tulips, a riot of vibrant colors."

"That must be beautiful. If I have the chance, I would love to visit Tulip Castle."

"There will be opportunities."

"Do you live at Tulip Castle?"

"I grew up there, but I have since moved to live in my own small town."

"Right, I heard from Sir Meiopal that you've been enfeoffed as a Baron. In Flower Town, is it?"

"Yes."

"There must be many beautiful flowers there. Is the area around your castle also filled with flowers?"

"I'm afraid I might disappoint you. There are only a dozen acres of tulips; the rest of the land is planted with wheat. As for the area around the castle, well, I'm planning to plant grass, build a horse farm, and perhaps keep some dairy cows," Liszt said calmly. He had a feeling Athena was probing into his situation.

Perhaps this young lady was attracted by his handsome appearance and wanted to become the Baroness of Flower Town?

It was better to nip her expectations in the bud. He paused and continued, "The town is quite remote. We don't have enough wheat to eat, not enough milk to drink, and we can't even get vegetables regularly. Even with gold coins, it's hard to buy meat. Because we are separated by a mountain range inhabited by Magic Beasts, merchant caravans are unwilling to come through."

Athena opened her mouth in surprise. "Are you an Earth Knight?"

"I just advanced recently. I'm still mastering the battle qi techniques."

Standing well over one meter eighty, Liszt looked down to see the expression on Athena's face—she was at most one meter sixty—stiffen slightly.

It was likely the gap between ideal and reality causing her distress.

Anyone would feel a sense of affection upon first seeing Liszt, especially women. But once they learned of his background, they would likely steer clear: an overlooked, impoverished Baron of a remote town with poor aptitude for battle qi. It was highly probable that he would eventually have to sell his fief and wander off to serve another lord.

Managing a fief was no simple matter. Many minor nobles went bankrupt, falling so low as to become tutors or captains of the guard.

Gortai was one such example.

Even great nobles could go bankrupt and lose their fiefs if they mismanaged their industries.

Next, I should probably let go, signaling the end of the dance, Liszt thought.

However, Athena did not let go, and her slightly stiff expression quickly returned to her previous faint smile. "Your father, the Count of Coral Island, surely wouldn't just sit by and ignore Flower Town, would he?"

"My relationship with my father isn't exactly harmonious. Perhaps it's because my older brother and sister are far too outstanding."

"But I think your temperament is more distinguished. When you stand next to Sir Meiopal, you look very much like brothers."

"I take after my mother more."

"Your mother must have been a graceful and noble lady."

"I don't actually remember what she looked like. She passed away when I was two."

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up."

"It's quite alright."

Neither of them spoke for the rest of the song, dancing with his arm around her waist until the music ended. When they broke for a rest, he returned to his seat, but to his surprise, Athena followed him.

She sat in the chair next to him and continued to make conversation. "My home is in Whitefish City; the castle doesn't have a name. I also have an older brother who is already married. He married Lady Lydia from the family of Viscount Xavier. They met at a dance at Long-Yam Castle last year."

"I see. No wonder I didn't see your brother here today," Liszt replied perfunctorily.

"He and Lady Lydia are very close, so they rarely attend these social dances anymore," Athena blinked. "My father is very hospitable. Liszt, you are welcome to visit my home when you have time."

"I'm afraid I won't have the time. My grandfather is recovering, and I must return to Coral Island tomorrow."

"Then when will you come again?"

"When the year-end festivals arrive."

"Oh."

The piano music began once more, and Liszt danced another song with Athena. Afterward, he used the excuse that the dance floor was too stuffy to decline her hopes of continuing to dance with him.

After wandering around the castle, I returned to find the ball drawing to a close.

As the music ceased, Meiopal, representing the host, announced that the ball had come to an end. The nobles drifted away in twos and threes; those living nearby departed by carriage, while those from further afield were led by servants to the rooms arranged within the castle. Liszt also prepared to return to his own quarters.

Athena sought him out once more, saying only, "Goodnight, Liszt."

"Goodnight, Athena."

Before he could reach his room, Meiopal paid him a visit. "Liszt, you seemed to have a pleasant chat with Athena?"

"We only danced two dances."

"I could tell that Athena is quite interested in you. What are your thoughts on the matter?"

"I have no thoughts on it."

Seeing that Liszt was sincere, Meiopal nodded. "Very well, I understand. Get some rest. Oh, and Grandfather said he wants to give you a coming-of-age gift tomorrow. He regrets not being there to witness your ceremony and hopes to make up for it a little."

"Grandfather is too kind."

"Indeed. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Deep into the night, Liszt had yet to fall asleep. He pondered repeatedly over what kind of coming-of-age gift the Marquis would bestow upon him—given the Marquis's standing, it surely wouldn't be anything mediocre.

Perhaps a magic longsword?

Among the nobility, especially when elders gifted the younger generation, weapons were the most common choice, symbolizing that a knight's honor must be won with sharp blades and lances.

If the Marquis were to gift a weapon, it would at least have to be one imbued with magic.

Magic weapons were incredibly precious, and he had yet to possess even one, so the more he thought about it, the more his heart burned with anticipation. This fervor was also fueled, in no small part, by Athena's enthusiasm—everything about her, inside and out, revealed that she was fond of Liszt and wished to become a Baroness.

To be liked, and by such a beautiful lady at that.

It was always a pleasant feeling.