A Private Discussion

In the dining hall of the Lestia family, Eric, Lucia, Celena, and Kei were seated having their breakfast. The meal was obviously very awkward due to the happenings of the day before. Either way, Kei kept to his manners and etiquettes.

“My, your dining etiquette is so noble and graceful.” Lucia broke the silence after being impressed by the dining etiquettes of Kei.

In the world of the nobility, dining etiquettes are learned from childhood, and are an important part of a nobleman’s household. They say that bad manners reflect how a household raises their children. And even with the training, not many adult nobles can still pull it off perfectly. In Lucia’s eyes however, Kei was doing it perfectly as if he was just breathing.

”Were you raised in a noble household, might I ask?” Lucia continued.

”No, it’s just something I picked up along my travels.” Kei answered

”Are you acquainted with any nobles who taught you?”

”… No…”

Kei hesitated, but chose to say that he didn’t know any nobles. Eric, who was keeping quiet, had noticed this demeanour in Kei’s answer. Before long, everyone had finished their meals. Eric looked lost in thought, as though he was thinking of something far off in the distance, not engaging in the casual talks he was used to having with his wife and daughter.

*The night before*

”Just what is that boy?”

In the room of Lucia and Eric, Eric was having a tense conversation with his wife. Of course, the topic of focus was on Kei. Celena was also in the room.

”The fact that he possibly has his goddess using his body as a vessel, she also has enough authority to completely destroy 2 High gods’ authorities. How truly terrifying.”

When it comes to blessings, it is rumoured that when a person’s god or goddess decides to use their blessed being’s body as a vessel, it would usually mean that they are extremely favoured by the gods and that they have even more power and authority than a normal being with a blessing.

“Not only that, Charlotte mentioned that her authority hasn’t been activating ever since Kei had arrived.” Lucia spoke up with a concerned tone.

”So it’s 3 Olympian gods now…”

”We don’t have much to go on other than those few facts, but I have a feeling the boy possesses a power rivalling the authorities of gods on the level of Zeus himself.”

“Then what do we do? If other noble houses or worse, other countries, find out about his powers, nations will be climbing over themselves to tie him down.”

It is true when they mention how big an issue it is. To possess a blessing that is so powerful to the point where it can overpower High gods’ authorities would mean that it can severely boost a nation’s military strength and defense.

”We need a way to keep him here.” Lucia suggested

”Then are we not better than those scheming nobles and countries trying to increase their military might?” Eric retorted.

”Babel is a neutral country anyway. To keep him tied down to us would honestly be the lesser evil amongst any other options.”

The conversation had eventually turned into a small quarrel between the loving couple. However, even they both knew that the argument would be fruitless since it would be ultimately up to Kei to decide what he wanted to do.

“Then… Why not offer my hand up for marriage?” Celena finally spoke up.

*Back to the present*

Thinking back on the conversation he had with his wife the night before, Eric couldn’t help but let out a sigh. Although political marriages were a common occurrence in this day and age, he was one of the rare nobles who would rather let their child marry for love rather than for status. If anything, anyone marrying his daughter would stand to gain more than they were to lose.

“Kei-san, would it be possible for you to accompany my foolish daughter to observe the folks today?” Eric finally found his voice to speak.

”To observe?”

”Yes, as the current heir and successor to the Lestia family, Celena has a duty to conduct observations of our duchy to find areas of improvements, whether it be for the benefit of the household, the duchy, or the welfare of the people.”

”Wouldn’t it be better for you to assign one of your guards to accompany the lady?”

”Well, as you can see, my daughter has a tendency to stray away from the guards we assign her. But I think it will be fine as long as its you.”

To this request, Kei had a puzzled look on his face. In truth, the objective of this request was to get Kei to familiarise himself with the duchy, as well as building some rapport with him. It was also to protect his daughter from any danger. Upon hearing the request, Celena’s face lit up with excitement.

“Is that fine with you, Celena?” Eric turned to his daughter.

”Yes! It would be my pleasure!” Celena said as she jumped up in excitement.

”Well, then I will have Charlotte accompany the two of you as well in the event that you do any shopping.”

Kei nodded. Expressing his approval to the request. To him, it was a good opportunity to gather some information about the place he was currently in. So it proved to be a beneficial outing for him.