Chapter 9: Step onto the battlefield, young man!
“Can this also be disliked?”
Muen scratched his head in confusion, feeling a bit perplexed. He had already expressed the most sincere goodwill, and his actions and language were impeccable; there couldn’t possibly be any offense taken. Yet, it seemed that the protagonist, Eleanor, was not buying it.
“Sigh, it seems that the conflict between me and the protagonist is truly irreconcilable.”
Muttering to himself, Muen shrugged off this unpleasantness and moved on.
Because no matter how deep the conflict between him and the protagonist Eleanor, after tonight, their fates would become completely separate parallel lines.
“From now on, you go be your savior, and I’ll go be my worker. We both have bright futures!”
After waving his fist towards Eleanor’s retreating figure, Muen redirected his attention to the tasks at hand.
There were still many guests waiting for him to attend to.
…
“Princess Selicia…”
“The protagonist, Eleanor…”
“And the future Saint of the Life Church, Liya…”
“It seems these are the only people to pay attention to today.”
As the lights began to illuminate the surroundings, Muen stood at the entrance of the banquet hall for a full two hours, finally seeing off the last distinguished guest on the list and completing this task of reception.
“Phew, so tired.”
Muen rubbed his tired waist slightly. If it weren’t for the fact that the original host still had some foundation in cultivation, he would probably have collapsed in this 20-kilogram dress today.
“You’ve worked hard.”
The Duke, whose beard was as bushy as a lion’s mane, and who happened to be Muen’s adoptive father, appeared by his side at some point, holding a plate of pastries which he then offered to Muen.
“Feeling hungry? Have some.”
“Yeah, a bit.”
Muen grabbed a pastry and stuffed it into his mouth. Only at moments like this could he care a little less about noble manners.
“How’s it going?”
“Alright.”
“Did you manage to remember all those noble gentlemen?”
“Impossible.”
Muen chuckled bitterly. “With so many noble gentlemen, just distinguishing who’s who already takes all my effort.”
“Haha, don’t worry, take it slow,” Duke Campbell reassured him. “You’ve done much better than I expected.”
“Thanks,” Muen smiled in response. “It’s what I should do.”
“But now, you won’t have to tire yourself out like this anymore.”
Duke Campbell patted Muen’s shoulder. “Take a rest before going back in.”
With those words, the still vigorous imperial lion of the empire straightened his back and walked slowly into the banquet hall, reminiscent of an old general marching into battle.
Muen watched his imposing figure recede, feeling a tinge of emotion. “He’s a good father.”
In fact, as the protagonist of this coming-of-age ceremony, Muen didn’t need to attend to the guests. However, his doing so was a special arrangement made by Duke Campbell.
As the son of a duke, Muen would undoubtedly be “besieged” by those pack-like nobles in the upcoming banquet, aiming to snatch some meat from his hands or even directly carve out a piece from him. Being the focus of the coming-of-age ceremony, Muen would have to confront these “attacks” head-on.
It’s easy to imagine how difficult that would be.
So Duke Campbell arranged for him to handle the guests here. By “paying tribute” to those nobles in advance, Muen would leave them no reason to bypass the lion and target the “young lion” who had not yet fully grown.
Although it’s called a coming-of-age ceremony, it seems that in Duke Campbell’s eyes, Muen still has a long way to go before truly growing up.
“It’s a pity. Tonight, I will disappoint your expectations.”
The original text does not describe Duke Campbell’s eventual fate. However, judging from his doting on Muen, it’s clear that seeing Muen Campbell’s future state, unable to do anything about it, would surely bring him unbearable grief.
“But this time will be different.”
“I will live well.”
“Even if it’s as an ordinary person.”
With the last pastry consumed.
The satisfaction brought by a full stomach lifted Muen’s spirits once again. The 20-kilogram dress didn’t seem so burdensome anymore.
“So, next comes my own battle.”
…
As the night waned, the banquet hall was alive with the clinking of glasses and lively conversation. Princess Selicia, however, stood alone on the balcony, admiring the night view of the Duke’s estate.
In reality, in this era without electric lights, even the most beautiful scenery was engulfed in darkness at night, with nothing much to see.
Yet, Princess Selicia continued to gaze at the night view, seemingly unfazed. To her, the serene emptiness of the night was far more appealing than the bustling banquet behind her.
“It seems I’ve been quite rude to leave Her Highness without company,” Muen said, lifting his eyes to meet her cool gaze, which happened to intersect with a gentle smile.
Muen Campbell remained debonair and courteous, standing at a distance that was neither intrusive nor overly distant. He gracefully extended an invitation towards Princess Selicia.
“Would this beautiful Princess be honored to dance with me?” Muen asked.
“You’re inviting me to dance?” Princess Selicia inquired.
“Of course,” Muen replied with a slight smile. “Is my invitation not clear enough?”
There was a momentary hint of puzzlement in Selicia’s expression.
However, after a brief silence, she gently placed her hand, wrapped in a white silk glove, into Muen’s palm.
“Tonight is your coming-of-age ceremony, so naturally, I have no reason to refuse,” she said.
“Thank you,” Muen responded, his expression momentarily stiffening for some unknown reason. However, he quickly regained his composure and led Selicia into the center of the banquet hall, the focal point of all eyes.
As the music began to play, gentle and soothing, Muen held Selicia’s hand and lightly supported her slender waist. With the rhythm of the music guiding their steps, they moved gracefully together, like two butterflies fluttering in harmony.
“Your steps are quite graceful,” Selicia remarked.
“Thank you for the compliment, but they’re just passable,” Muen replied modestly, his smile subtle and reserved, reminiscent of a top-tier master’s understated elegance.
But in reality…
Muen was actually quite uncertain himself. He hadn’t expected that the previous incompetent and frivolous scion of the Campbell family would have learned aristocratic dance quite well. He couldn’t believe Selicia had agreed to dance with him, even after she accepted.
What slightly puzzled Muen was that according to the original plot of the book, Selicia should have rejected Muen’s invitation to dance. So why did she agree now?
“You’ve indeed changed, Muen Campbell,” Selicia suddenly remarked.
Muen’s heart skipped a beat. Could it be that Selicia had somehow discovered the secret of him being a transmigrator, a fact even the Duke and Duchess Campbell hadn’t noticed?
“In Your Highness’s eyes, my behavior doesn’t seem like that of a nobleman?” Muen asked, trying to gauge Selicia’s intentions.
“No, the change I’m referring to isn’t about that,” Selicia clarified.
“What is it then?” Muen inquired, feeling a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
“It’s the way you invite people,” Selicia replied.
