Published: September 10, 2025
Satou here. According to the older generation, it was normal to have a lavish course meal at a wedding hall for wedding ceremonies.
I was once invited to a garden wedding at a friend's wedding, where the ceremony was held at a chapel in the wedding hall, followed by a standing buffet-style garden party for mingling. Although the food wasn’t as extravagant as a full-course meal, I remember really enjoying the style where friends and relatives of both sides could freely converse.
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“—Phew, finally a moment to catch my breath.”
The endless line of greetings had finally come to an end.
After the formation ceremony and parade of our private knight order, we were invited as honored guests to a garden party hosted by the royal family, held in a vast garden prepared separately from the ceremony venue.
At the garden party, people enjoy chatting, sampling elaborate light snacks, and various games—but I didn’t even have time to enjoy such things. I was bombarded with greetings from an overwhelming number of nobles.
“Ahaha, the guests of honor usually get this kind of treatment.”
“I’m glad Mito took on about half of it.”
If Hikaru hadn’t shared the burden, the line of greetings probably wouldn’t have stopped until after sunset.
“Mr. Satou, Ms. Mito, here’s some fruit water.”
“Thank you, Ms. Zena.”
I quenched my thirst with the high-quality grape water Zena gave me.
“Meat~?”
“I got a whole roasted meat for Master.”
“Thanks, both of you.”
On my way to eat the whole roasted Omi Cattle with Tama and Pochi, I was caught in a barrage of greetings from nobles, so it seems they secured the meat on my behalf.
After petting Tama and Pochi’s heads, I took the plate of grilled meat.
The meat was cooked just right and delicious, but the sweet and spicy sauce drizzled on top complemented it perfectly, bringing out the flavor of the meat many times over. Truly delicious.
“Mushrooms are tasty too.”
This time, Mia brought colorful mushroom skewers.
Though the colors looked a bit toxic, they were just dyed, and apparently normal edible mushrooms.
“Delicious, Mia.”
“Mhm.”
Mia nodded in satisfaction.
Just as I passed the finished plate to a nearby maid, a voice called from behind.
“Sir—Count Pendragon, congratulations on forming your knight order.”
Was there still someone I hadn’t greeted? I turned around to find Lina Emrin, viscount’s daughter and member of our private knight order, who also serves as deputy prefect of Brighton City, where I am the prefect.
When I first met her, she was still a child, but now she exudes an air far beyond her years.
“To be accepted into the honorable Bridal Knights even by someone like me—it’s truly an honor!”
Lina seemed nervous, struggling to find the right words.
“What are you saying! Lina, you govern Brighton City, so Master can act freely like this. Don’t belittle yourself by saying 'someone like me.'”
Arisa, who slipped into my arm, chided Lina.
“Mhm, well done.”
On my other arm was Mia.
Seeing them both in similar postures, I could tell how much Arisa had grown. She was about a late elementary schooler before but now seems more like a middle school student—well, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but she’s definitely grown.
Pochi and Tama were also growing bit by bit, but perhaps due to level-ups increasing their muscle stats too much, their growth seemed slower compared to typical beastmen.
Ah, but first, I need to thank Lina properly—
“You’re right. Thanks to Lina, Brighton City has developed beyond what I and Marquis Muno expected.”
“No! It’s not my power! It’s because everyone at the Echigoya Trading Company and the civil officials were so competent.”
“But skillfully using them is the achievement of the deputy prefect! You should be proud!”
Arisa patted Lina’s back like an Osaka auntie while saying that.
Lina looked up at me with a shy gaze, asking, “Is that really so?” I nodded with a smile meaning “yes.”
Lina blushed a little and smiled proudly.