The baron wanted to say more, but he was interrupted before he could get his mouth fully open.
"Lord Louis!" a hearty voice suddenly cut in.
A young noble approached with a broad smile, his face full of flattery. "You're now my greatest idol in the Northern Frontier!"
Before he had even finished speaking, another man squeezed in beside him, a middle-aged noble in a brocade robe with slick, glossy hair.
"Would you honor my estate with a visit someday, my lord? We'll be sure to prepare our finest wine and the tenderest roast haunch of venison!"
Then, as though a dam had burst, more people kept pouring over.
Wearing ingratiating smiles and carrying wineglasses, they crowded around Louis, exchanging pleasantries, offering toasts, and handing him their calling cards.
The southwestern baron could only watch helplessly as the crowd pushed him out, looking rather embarrassed.
Louis maintained his impeccable smile throughout, handling the pleasantries while taking care to keep just the right distance from everyone.
"Thank you for your kind words. I'll be sure to visit when the opportunity arises."
"You flatter me, my lord. I've long admired your accomplishments as well."
Every reply was faultless, neither too familiar nor too distant.
But there were simply too many people. No matter how composed and considerate he was, he was close to being overwhelmed.
Just then, a neatly dressed attendant quietly approached and whispered in his ear, "Lord Louis, His Grace would like to see you."
"Please excuse me." Louis seized the opportunity and gracefully took his leave.
Under everyone's envious gazes, the attendant led him out of the banquet hall toward the duke's reception room.
Duke Edmund was already seated there, along with more than a dozen nobles whose bearing commanded respect.
"Louis, let me introduce you to a few