76 Making Friends

Through a rigorous and advanced non-scientific analysis, it has been magically guessed that Elves possess an innate inclination towards achieving MILF status as they mature throughout their lifetimes. The data gathered through this method is irrefutable and conclusive.

—is what I would say if I were to do a research on elven physiology.

"But seriously, am I in MILF town or something?" I say while looking around.

The banquet was going in full swing as the guests made themselves merry in the food and indulged in friendly conversations with each other. I was at the corner, not really allowed to partake in the sumptuous buffet, since I'm not a guest.

Most likely, I'll only be able to eat after the banquet is officially over, and eat off of what ever is left on the table along with the other servants.

But what I lack in food for the stomach, my eyes certainly made up for it as I feasted on the delectable sight before me. I can barely distinguish the 30-year-olds from the 70-year-olds as all of them looked like they were using the legendary fountain of youth as their bathwater or something.

"So how about that one?" an idle servant asked as he pointed at a pair of man and woman, seated together by a table.

"I'm guessing… same age?" I answered.

"WRONG. Generation Gap. They're Mom and Son," the servant said and before I can complain, he explained. "That's Baroness Colton and her son, Eugene Colton."

"Nah, ain't no way that's a mother and her kid," I say as I reluctantly give him some 20 Curonnes as payment for losing the bet.

What the fuck am I doing you might ask? Well, I'm playing sort of a revamped version of the "Siblings or Dating?" game—a game where players look at any given pair of male and female, and try to guess their relationship. This time however, rather than guessing their relationships, we guess whether or not two people come from the same generation or are pretty close in age.

"I don't know how you're so bad at this..." the servant asked, counting the amount of Curonnes I've already lost to him.

'More like, how are you so good at this?' I wanted to retort.

I was the one who came up with the idea, since I was pretty bored. The banquet didn't turn out quite as how I expected it would. I was pretty naive to believe that I would be allowed to simply mingle with the other members of the aristocracy,

People attending a party wouldn't really try and socialize with the waiters, won't they?

Well, that's what's happening to me. In reality, as a performer, I was considered as only one of the workers for the banquet. I was pretty much relegated to the background as the guests only talked with other guests.

If there's one thing that separated me from the other workers, then it would be:

"Sweetie, I brought you some food." an elegant voice said.

Turning my head to the side, I see a bodacious blonde woman walking over with plate full of food and a glass of beverage. A kind smile is plastered on her face as she walks towards me with eyes full of care.

Handing me the plate full of food, Aerin gently asks, "What are you doing here in the corner by yourself?"

Before I could even reply, the servant which I had been betting with just seconds earlier, abruptly stood up as he seemed to recognize the identity of the woman that had just arrived. "W-What's the family of a duke doing here..." he murmured, flustered.

"E-Excuse me!" With that, he bolted away,, not wanting to be caught slacking.

After watching him take off, I looked at the plate of food that had just been handed to me. An assortment of lavish appetizers filled it to the brim, glistening in the lamplight. There were stuffed olives, thin slices of cold meats and pates, bite-sized pastries filled with herbs and spices, and wedges of rich cheeses.

Being from a duke's family, Aerin had the privilege to be able to pick from the best of the best. The food that she had selected were crafted from only the finest of ingredients.

"Do you not like it?" she asked, a worried tone on her voice, when she saw me staring at the food. "I can go back and pick something else if you'd like."

I wave off her worries and say, "No, I like it. Thank you teacher," and started to dig in on the plate.

Aerin smiles at my words and moves to stand next to me. I could feel the softness of her body pressing against my skin. Thankfully, we were in an isolated corner away from the bustle of the banquet and near the entrance of the dark, empty balcony.

Aerin gently rest her hand on top of my head and gently combed my hair with her smooth fingers. I think this is a weakness of mine, because having someone do this to me always made me feel sleepy and cared for. Especially when I can feel their soft fingertips massaging my scalp. It's just so comforting.

"So why are you here alone?" she asked again gently, while her fingers still ran through my hair. "There's plenty of people your age in here."

"I.. I'm not a noble. I don't think they would like it if a commoner like me attempted to buddy with them," I answered.

Aerin was silent a moment, still gently tangled her fingers in my hair. Then she spoke in a warm, reassuring voice, "Do not think so little of yourself. I know you're saying this because you're nervous. You're not used to being around so many people."

"But sweetie, if you never come out of your shell, then nothing will change. You'll have to perform for all these people later." Her voice was warm and comforting. She then leaned her weight towards me lightly, her delicate shoulders pressing against mine. "Try speaking to a few. I'll be right here if you need me, always."

"…" I couldn't help but take a few more bites off of the food on my plate while staring in the distance, into the crowd of people in the banquet.

While I am indeed not used to being around this much people, it wasn't nervousness that got me staring into thin air. Rather, I was surprised by her supportive and kind words free of judgment. I was ready to switch into another act in case she got tired of me being nervous. But she didn't laugh or belittle at the possibility of me being anxious or nervous.

It was so much that it made me think: If someone had been like this to me in previous life, willing to be patient with me, take the time to understand, and slowly guide me out of my shell. How would I have turned out then?

Maybe I would have reincarnated as a completely different person.

Seeing my silence, Aerin added a condition, thinking I needed coaxing: "How about this – try making at least one male friend? I think that's a good place to start. And if you do, your teacher will give you a special reward for being such a brave boy." Her tone was kind, without judgment or impatience. "Anything you want, my dear. A special treat, a fun outing, new clothes, or even a shorter lesson time. It's all up to you."

I didn't ask why she needed to feel the need to specify 'male friends' but the idea of a reward was all that I needed. Seriously teacher, 'anything you want'? Have you never watched a hentai before? Can't you see where that could possibly go?

"Don't fret over possible failure, my dear," she reassured me. "Regardless of outcome, I will continue to care for and support you. What matters most is that you had the courage to try."

How could I not accept after hearing all these? I had nothing to lose and so much to gain.

"But remember, boys only, okay? I won't count it if it's a girl." she reminded.

After swallowing the food that I had been chewing for a while, I finally spoke: "I'll do it." I answer with confidence. It's just brats anyway, how difficult could it be? "Teacher I'm thirsty," I say.

"Oh.. here you go," she then handed me the glass that she had been holding all this time. "It's fresh grape juice, grown from the royal palace."

After quenching my thirst, I looked at my plate which still had a considerable amount of food. I looked at Aerin, worried that she might not have eaten because she gave her plate to me, and raised it to her. "Teacher, you can have some," I say.

Seeing my actions, she actually chuckled and looked away for a split second. "Don't worry, I got that for you. I can always go back and get another one for myself," she answered.

So, I finished my food first and made sure to tidy myself up, wiping the sides of my mouth and fixing my hair which Aerin had rustled earlier. Only then did I get up out my corner and move into the crowd.

"Hey! I'll return your pla–" Aerin said but I waved her off, replying: "I can do it myself," and walked away.

…

I'm currently at the very front, where the highest ranked personages are seated.

I could see certain people are not really eating but rather, entertaining guests. In particular, there was a crowd of people around the crown princess Sofys.

It did make sense. If people were gonna look for a figure to attach themselves to, then it's only logical to choose the already proven, talented, powerful, charismatic, and smart, choice—which is obviously Sofys. Not to mention, her current position as a princess still isn't too high where it would be rude for them to take up too much of her time.

Granted, the people crowding around her were pretty high-ranking themselves.

For the two younger imperial children, there isn't really a line of people looking to suck up to them. There, however, is a small number of boys and girls, mostly girls, that want to talk to Princess Cynthia. However, she only kept interactions brief and almost never left the side of her older brother, Prince Edmund.

As for the Empress, she who commanded absolute power over the Realm needed not entertain such frivolities. As such, there are only a few people that are even allowed to go near her. And since she was eating, no dared disturb her meal. The empress looked completely disinterested from everything around her, as if she only came here for the food and nothing else.

She ate with distant disinterest, her sole eye, peeking out from her hair, scanned the hall every now and then to ensure the safety of her children.

I didn't stare any longer and moved towards the section where they served food. Then, after placing my used plate in the pile, I looked for a certain person.

Looking around, after the first course of the buffet have finished and everyone ate sumptuously in their respective assigned tables, there seemed to be a divide on the current situation in the ballroom.

The extremely high-ranking individuals, the top of the top, weren't too worried about establishing connections. They simply enjoyed their meals and struck up conversations with their friends from their own exalted circles.

There were only very few select people in this group: Members of the royal family, who ranked above everyone else; the members of the three ducal households—barring their children, whom they want to learn to be able to navigate the social scene as soon as possible; and a few marquis families.

However, for everyone else, having this much high-ranking and important individuals in one room was a golden opportunity to build connections. To them, the food here was secondary. It's all about establishing connections.

While merchants and other wealthy, distinguished commoners can freely discuss things with each other over wine.

The same couldn't be said for the nobility.

Since most adult nobility already have established circles and are bound by either factions, internal politics, etiquette, or other hidden elements in play, they are fairly limited with the people they can build new connections with.

The children, however, gets a pass since etiquette isn't as strong and enforced when it comes to kids. They are encouraged by their parents to socialize with the other kids, because relationships formed here can do a lot for them in the future

If I was gonna interact with someone my age, then there's a 99% chance that their parents are watching over them. And if I'm to just go around and talk to every single one of these kids, more than a few of those parents wouldn't really welcome the idea of an unknown commoner suddenly striking up a conversation with their children.

First thing they would assume is that I'm someone who is looking to climb the social ladder by attaching myself to their noble children, and then warn them to stay away from me.

As such, I would have to look for people to talk to near the back of the ballroom, where the barons, knights, and wealthy merchants are seated. They would be much more welcome to having a commoner talk to them due to their own moderate statuses—or at least, that probably what Aerin had in mind.

She probably thought that I wasn't stupid and tactless enough to suddenly insert myself in the tables of these high-ranking officials, and especially not the royal family's.

Thankfully, I found the people I was looking for.

From a distance, I could see a group of rich boys talking, having fun, and overall, just doing things that friends do. One of them even said a joke in a hushed tone which got the rest of them cackling loudly. As to what kind of joke was told, I could only guess. Guessing by their snobby and spoiled appearances, I doubt it was as harmless as it looked.

Anyways, when the group decided and went to go get some more food for themselves. An opportunity was created, as one of the boys were left behind for a few short seconds which allowed me to strike a conversation with him.

The boy in question was a head taller than me, had medium-length curly black hair, a thin face, mean-looking, and most importantly, wore large circle glasses over his eyes. That person being Damien, the young scion of the Rosenthal Family.

Damien seemed annoyed that I had approached him. Without looking at me, he looked towards his earlier companions who have gone first and got some food for themselves. Realizing that he had lost them, Damien turned towards me with a sneer, looking me up and down.

"What do you want?" he said coldly. His voice lacked any of the friendliness that he had when talking with the other noble kids earlier.

"Just wanted to introduce myself. I'm searching for people to talk to but since I don't know anyone, you were the only person I recognized." I extended my hand and smiled gently. "My name is Maelriel."

Damien sniffed disdainfully and made no move to shake my hand. His bespectacled eyes examined me like I was something unpleasant stuck to the bottom of his shoe. "And why would I care about your name?" he retorted in an arrogant voice.

His rude dismissal got on my nerves, but that was to be expected from someone from such a well-bred family and status.

I pretended to be stupid as I blinked my eyes, looking like I didn't know what was the problem here exactly. "What's wrong with wanting to be friends? I just thought I'd introduce myself. We don't get to meet many people outside our own social circles."

Damien scoffed brusquely. "Lower myself to associate with someone of low breeding like yourself?" He sniffed derisively. "I think not. You should seek out your own kind. You've already wasted too much of my time, I'm leaving..."

He was just about to turn on his heel and stalk away to rejoin his laughing companions when finally help came, and from someone who Damien would've never expected.

"Don't be so rude to other people, Damien" a slow but rebuking voice spoke from behind him.

Damien froze, having instantly recognized who that voice belonged to. A few seconds later, he turned around and saw his mother, Dowager Countess Eloise, standing behind him dressed in her suit and pants.

The Countess's eyes were stern yet kind beneath the large sunglasses that she wore—which seemed to be a thing that ran in the family—as she regarded her son. "Mind your manners, my darling," she said gently but firmly. "All people deserve respect, regardless of status."

Damien shifted uncomfortably beneath his mother's reproachful words. He didn't seem sure as to why his mother suddenly butted in on their conversation and was now scolding him. "But Mother-" he began to protest.

The Countess raised a silencing hand. "No excuses. Treat others as you wish to be treated." she interrupted." Else, you might offend someone more powerful than you without ever knowing why."

However, for the Countess, even though she was reprimanding her son, it felt like she wasn't really focused on the two of us. Her dark sunglasses prevented me from seeing where she was looking, but it felt like she was staring somewhere else.

–towards a certain corner in the ballroom, where someone had been watching the entire interaction since the very beginning.

The Countess finally turned her face to me. "I hope you can excuse my son's rude behavior earlier," she said. Though her eyes were hidden behind her shades, the rest of her visible features hinted for a very attractive face. "Maelriel, wasn't it? Why don't you come to our table for now? My son could benefit from a good companion." she suggested.

"Huh?! Ma, what are you sayi–" Damien looked like he still didn't know what was going on.

The Countess smiled kindly. "Give Maelriel a chance, dear. You may gain a loyal friend."

Though confused, Damien reluctantly obeyed his mother's words, completely forgetting about the friends that he was with earlier. As we left, the Countess's gaze lingered on that corner for a moment longer.