CH.243 First Dance

CH.243 First Dance

Of course, after I presented my gift to Thomas, it was the time for the invited merchants to give theirs. Most of it was some sort of artwork done by supposedly famous artists, but I didn’t know any of them, so they meant nothing to me. They did look alright, I guess.

And basically as soon as all of the guests had given their present to Thomas, the maids began bringing in food. And that led to a slight surprise for me.

Instead of the ‘classic’ blue dress with an apron over it, the maids were now wearing full on victorian-style maid outfits, clearly made based on that painting of Laura I handed Paulina a while back. The strange part was, that this morning, they were still in their other garbs, so they must have changed while we were handing the presents to Thomas.

... but some of them were in the hall with drinks, and they had the old maid uniform on, so when did they? ... Maid magic. That has to be it. Is there a ‘maid’ skill? I know Jenna didn’t have it when I saw her status, so probably not, but it might be an extra skill or something, and she just didn’t have it yet. Maybe I should ask an older maid like Aneesa about that.

Wait. I have that option as well.

(Laura, do you know about a maid skill?) I asked.

(There is no such skill, outside a single report. It appears there was once a unique skill called ‘Greatest Maid’, but I do not know what that skill could do.) Laura answered.

Oh. So no extra skill called Maid or anything. But there was a unique skill. Interesting. That must have been one hell of a maid.

Anyway, back to the food. Most of it was relatively normal, but everyone's head turned when a large tray carried by four maids, including Ria, was brought into the room. On it was a small dragon, which had been whole roasted. Well small is relative. Even with it being a baby dragon and all, Harpie's Pet Baby Dragon was almost as large as an orc.

Oh, and Ria also had on one of those new victorian-style maid outfits. It does look good on her. The black and white maid outfit looks good with her silver hair.

As the maids were setting the tray down at the center of the table, an older maid in a slightly different looking maid outfit addressed the room.

“Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, the food has been served.” She began. “At the center of the table, we have a real whole roasted baby dragon, provided to us by the new noble, Lord Brian Wood. It has been...”

As the maid kept speaking about both the dragon I supplied, as well as other foods on the tables, I noticed that a baron I’d not spoken to was taking assertive steps towards Ria, who was still standing in attention next to where they had just set down the dragon.

Now as to why I didn’t talk with the man yesterday, well, he wasn’t at our backyard luncheon and while he was there for dinner, I lacked the chance to speak with him at that time. And it's not like I’ve been going out of my way to speak with the other nobles, it just kind of ended up happening.

“What is this bitch doing here?” He loudly spoke over the head maid, who was still explaining the foods on the table. “Has the Sawyer family fallen so low that they have to hire monsters?”

After he said that, everyone in the hall quieted and turned to look at him. I took that as my que and quickly began making my way to Ria’s side, just in case this is more than just a verbal assault.

“My lord, do you have a problem with one of our maids?” The head maid, yes I’m going to call her that until someone proves me wrong, asked the noble.

Oh, I guess I should tell you how I know he is a noble. That is simple, really. He gave his present to Thomas while barons were doing so, so he is also a baron. Baron Bloggs to be specific. The one who gave that throwaway bangle to a sixty-year-old Earl.

“Of course I do.” Bloggs told the head maid. “This bitch is a blood sucking monster.” He stated.

“And in what way is that a problem?” I cut in.

“What? Didn’t you hear what I just said? She is a freaking blood sucker. An agent of the demon lord.” Bloggs said.

“The demon lord is dead, in case you didn’t know.” I reminded him. “And the Goddess forgave the vampires, as well as all of the other races made by the demon lord. So do tell, why is her being a dhampir a problem?”

“And why are you defending her? You lucky upstart.” He quipped.

“Because she happens to be my slave.” I admitted. “And as such, I won’t allow you to say another bad word about her.”

“You? An upstart taking in a blood sucker. Fits you perfectly.”

“Why, thank you. I am somewhat fond of them.” I said to counter his attempt at making fun of me. I also turned my head to take a quick look at Lua.

“... well, if she is yours, then you can go ahead and pay for the horse she killed.” Bloggs said, after staying quiet for a second.

“Horse? I don’t recall hearing about Ria killing your horse. Would you be so kind as to remind me when this happened?” I asked.

As they announced that it would be time for the first dance, I turned to Lua.

“My lady, may I have this dance?” I asked her, as I bowed in front of her, while holding out my right hand.

“Yes. Of course.” Lua answered, as she took my hand.

We joined the others on the floor and soon, the first dance began.

“... Brian, thank you...” Lua said, as we were dancing.

“No problem. But what did I do?” I asked.

“You know, for standing up for Ria. And for us. Dhampirs.” Lua said.

“Hey, some slightly overweight noble is nothing compared to an A-rank monster, you know. I’d fight a dragon for you. For either of you. Or for the people you love. And the people I hold dear.” I told her.

“... yes. I know you would...” Lua said. “I love you. ...do you think ... you could say it as well?”

“I ... I... I’ll try.”

“No.” Lua said softly. “Don’t try. Just do. Like you always do.”

“... alright. I ... I l-love y-you.” I said, with my voice shaking under the pressure of those words.

“Again, better, this time.” Lua demanded.

“I ... love you.” I said, a bit more forcefully, but still, the weight of those words felt like it was crushing me.

“... thank you...” Lua said. “You should say that every day from now on. Until it is easy for you.”

“... I’ll ... do my best.” I almost said I’ll try, but I think that was the better answer.

As the song came to an end, Lua signaled for us to walk to the side, instead of staying for the next dance.

“You should go dance with Alice.” She told me, as she removed her hand from mine. “She didn’t take part in the first dance, and I don’t think she will dance with anyone, if you don’t dance with her at least once.”

“... are you sure? I feel like that is wrong. I should only dance with you.”

“That is your Monarch's order. You’d better do it.” Lua teased.

“As you wish, my love.” I said, before I even realized what I had just let slip.

“you...” Lua muttered, as her face flushed red. “You can’t just... go. You won’t make it in time if you don’t.” She said as she pushed me towards where Alice was standing.

I just did as ordered and walked over to Alice.

Then, with a slight bow and my hand out I asked: “My lady, may I have this dance?”

“B-Brian? A- a dance? ... yes!” After seemingly taking a second, Alice excitedly took my hand and I walked with her back to the dance floor.

We took our stances, but just as the orchestra was about to start the next song.

ROAR!

A massive roar shook the entire city.