Marriage - Part 2

After lunch, everyone was free to do whatever they wanted. The next event, the 'Prom Night', was where the groom and bride would make their first entry. No one, including Hiroto, had seen Carl and Emma since the morning. So, after lunch, Hiroto was generally free. Some things needed his attention, but could work out without his input. Hiroto decided to rest, thinking it had been a long time since he'd truly relaxed. He started walking towards his room, but then he saw a guard rushing towards him. Hiroto thought something must have happened. He didn't panic and decided to deal with it as calmly as he could.

The guard stopped in front of Hiroto. 

"Young master, Master Fred has asked for you," he stated.

Hiroto didn't expect this. He hummed thoughtfully.

"Why? Did something happen?"

"I don't know," the guard replied.

Hiroto frowned, thinking no one around him ever seemed to know anything. He sighed and declared he would be there. He racked his brain for reasons he might have been called the entire way, but he lacked enough information to deduce anything.

He reached his destination and knocked on the door. A voice from inside bid him to come in.

Upon entering, he saw Fred and, sitting opposite him, Dart Leo. Standing behind Fred was Garge, the head chef. Hiroto immediately understood this, and a smile flashed across his face.

"Oh, you're here," Fred said, his voice neutral.

Dart also turned his gaze toward Hiroto. For a moment, his expression shifted, as if he hadn't been expecting Hemal, but someone else entirely.

"Let me introduce you to my second son, Hemal Rodrick," Fred announced. "He is the one who came up with today's dishes."

Dart was hesitant, but Hiroto bowed his head in greeting. Hiroto knew everything, but he still feigned ignorance. 

"Father, what is this about?"

But instead of his father, Dart replied, "It's about the food served today. I wanted the recipe for it. But it looks like only you know the recipe." 

Dart looked from Hiroto to Garge.

"Oh, is that so?" Hiroto mused, taking a seat next to his father.

"Yes, I am even willing to pay as much as your family wants," Dart offered. Dart was confident but Hiroto just hummed.

Hiroto, still smiling, said, "Sir Dart, I think you're misunderstanding something."

"Misunderstanding?"

"Yes, the recipe has nothing to do with the Rodrick family, but only me." This took not only Fred off guard, but Dart as well.

"What do you mean?" Fred demanded.

"Sir Dart, you may not know, but the next head of the family has already been decided. So, after my coming-of-age ceremony, I would have nothing to do with the Rodrick family." Hiroto's smile didn't falter.

Fred wanted to say something but held back, while Dart hummed thoughtfully. 

"So, you are saying you want to sell the recipe at an individual level?"

Hiroto nodded.

"So what do you want?" Dart asked.

"A favor."

"What favour?"

"Well, it's simple. If in near future I need your help, please help me." 

Dart hesitated. He was worried that Hiroto would ask something outrageous, and he couldn't deny him. He didn't want to risk it for mere recipes. 

But before he could say anything, Hiroto added, "And if you feel that I am asking something that I shouldn't, you can decline me at that time. I wouldn't hold it against you."

Dart hummed thought fully. He had nothing to lose. If push came to shove, he can just ignore him after he get his hands on the recipes and Hemal won't be able to do anything. Dart smiled. 

"What is in it for you?"

"Your goodwill."

"What if I refuse to give you anything after I take the recipes from you?"

"Then that would also be my fault for making an unfavorable deal," Hiroto replied calmly.

Dart wanted to refuse this suspicious deal, but he couldn't find any loophole Hiroto could take advantage of; he could say no to anything he didn't like later. "Fine, let's do it."

Hiroto's smile deepened, and he took a neatly folded paper from his pocket. He placed it on the table and passed it to Dart Leo. Dart took the paper and examined its content. Hiroto had expected someone would approach him for the recipe, but not the Leo Family, the top of the top. As Dart read the content, he passed the paper to the servant behind him, who neatly folded it once again.

"Haha, to think a small child like you came up with such recipes!" Dart exclaimed.

Hiroto bowed. After that, he was invited to visit the Leo estate and taste the delicacies. Fred was frowning, but couldn't say anything to Hiroto in front of Dart. Soon, the discussion was over, and Dart left them. Now, the room held only Hiroto and Fred. Hiroto knew what was to come next.

"Go, you need to get everything ready," Fred said.

But Hiroto was surprised. He thought Fred would ask about his deal with Dart, or why he had said such a thing. But he didn't. Seeing Hiroto's dumbfounded expression, Fred added, "Let's talk after the marriage." 

Hiroto left the room. He still had a lot of things to do. The next event was the Prom Night.

Like the name suggested, it was a Prom. Hiroto remembered that during his middle school years, there was also a prom night event, where girls and boys would pair up and attend the party. But there were more single people around than couples. Many hearts were broken, and many new couples were born there. But Hiroto never attended such events, avoiding social gatherings where he needed to be with others. When he saw others enjoying themselves, he felt disconnected and insecure, so he determined it was better not to attend them than to feel sad about it.

So, this would be his first time attending a prom night. Here, married nobles would dance together and showcase their love to others. It was their culture, and everyone enjoyed it. Young noblemen would ask noble ladies for a dance, and if accepted, they would dance like married couples. Sometimes, this could even lead to official engagements. It was a night full of love.

Hiroto thought about all of this while changing his attire. He wore a white blazer with a black border, and white pants matching his hair. Under his blazer, there was a black shirt and a golden tie. Black shoes completed the outfit. Hiroto stood in front of the mirror, scanning himself. He felt confident. The musical group would play, and there would be a peaceful vibe.

Like the banquet, Hiroto was the first to arrive, but this time, he had to make sure everything was in order.

At 7:00 PM, the guests began arriving. It was growing darker outdoor, but the guests looked around, delighted with all the decorations. The path to the venue was lit up by colorful orbs that floated in the air, lighting the way and adding to the ambiance. These magical orbs were another creation of Hammer and Coral. Inside the venue, tables were set for each family, arranged around an empty central area, so everyone could watch people dancing.

Guests arrived one after another, and most of the tables were already filled. Everyone expected something grand, having already seen the magical orbs. Hiroto was still waiting for Emma and Carl to arrive. 

They're taking their sweet time, Hiroto thought. 

The event would begin only after the main stars arrived, but the guests looked bored just waiting. Hiroto walked to the musical band and asked them to play something low to add to the atmosphere. By 7:45 PM, a servant informed him of Emma and Carl's arrival. Hiroto walked to the center, and the music stopped. Everyone's gaze fell upon him, anticipating the event to start.

Hiroto brought a small, stick-like thing close to his mouth. 

"Good evening, everyone. I thank everyone who could grace us with their presence today. The event you have all been waiting for is about to start."

Hiroto's voice was clear and crisp; everyone could hear it, but he wasn't shouting. This was all because of the stick he was holding. To be precise, he had a mic, and speakers were installed all over the venue, allowing everyone to hear him, even from outside the venue. This was another creation of Hammer and Coral.

"So, let me introduce you to the groom and bride, Carl Rodrick and Emma Shaw."

On that signal, Emma and Carl walked in hand in hand. Carl wore a blue blazer with a black interior, blue pants, and a white shirt underneath. Emma wore a light red dress with heels, making her look taller. Her orange hair flowed freely, dancing with every step she took. When everyone acknowledged their presence, a large boom startled the nobles.

"It's an attack!" one guest shouted, followed by cries of "What kind of attack is this?"

Every guest stood, but Hiroto spoke through the mic before the place devolved into chaos.