Socializing

Amidst the lingering eyes that bore into him, Arthur elegantly followed his father to greet Earl Hall. The grand ballroom buzzed with whispered conversations, punctuated by the soft clinking of crystal glasses.

"Wow, it seems your son is quite the looker," Earl Hall said delightedly, his eyes scrutinizing Arthur from head to toe.

"Hahaha, long time no see, Hall. It seems you're still alive and kicking," Arturus replied, a twinkle of mischief in his eye.

"This is my son, Arthur Pendragon. I hope you can take care of him. Arthur, Earl Hall has been my best friend since we were kids," Arturus said, placing a reassuring hand on Arthur's shoulder.

"Good evening, Earl Hall," Arthur said respectfully, his voice steady despite the nerves fluttering in his chest.

Before coming to this party, Arthur had memorized all the etiquette and proper manners required to greet high-class people.

"No need to be so stiff, young man. Just pretend I was your father's brother and treat me casually. After all, the relationship between your father and me is just like siblings," Earl Hall said with a boisterous laugh.

"Since this is your first time attending such an event, there is no need to be so stiff. Just enjoy yourself," Earl Hall advised, patting Arthur on the back.

"Then please give me advice if I conduct myself in an inappropriate manner," Arthur replied, his voice earnest.

"Hahaha, I like you more and more. Don't worry too much; everyone here is your friend," Earl Hall said, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Arthur, go downstairs and interact with people. Hall and I still have some matters to discuss," his father chimed in.

Arthur nodded and left the two old friends to their conversation, making his way toward the food section. The crowd's eyes followed him, their curiosity palpable. Despite the awkwardness of being scrutinized by so many unfamiliar faces, Arthur focused on sampling the delicacies laid out before him.

As he nibbled on a pastry, he noticed that no one dared to approach him. It seemed they were waiting for someone else to make the first move. After what felt like an eternity of eating and sitting alone, a figure finally approached him.

"Thank goodness," Arthur thought, feeling a wave of relief wash over him.

"Good evening, Mr. Arthur. I am Glaint. It is truly a pleasure to finally meet the infamous Duke Arturus's son in the flesh," Glaint said, his words eloquent and his demeanor polished.

"Wait, Glaint? Is this the one who always holds secret meetings with Xiao, Fors, and Audrey?" Arthur pondered, recalling the characters from the novel.

He decided that Glaint would be a good start for entering the deeper circles of this world.

With a calm smile, Arthur replied, "No, it is my honor to meet Mr. Glaint on this joyful occasion."

"Hahaha, I see you know your way with words despite this being your first event," Glaint said, clearly impressed.

"Oh, how rude of me. Mr. Arthur, this is Ms. Audrey, Earl Hall's beloved daughter and the most dazzling gem in Backlund," Glaint introduced, gesturing to the woman beside him.

Arthur's eyes widened as he finally had the chance to see the characters from the novel in the flesh. Meeting the Tarot Club members was a surreal experience, akin to meeting one's idols. Despite his excitement, Arthur maintained a composed exterior. Audrey's golden hair, golden eyes, and golden dress made her appear radiant, living up to her title as "Backlund's most dazzling gem."

"I am pleased to meet you, Ms. Audrey. I have heard a lot about you," Arthur said, his voice steady.

"I hope it was all good things. Indeed, I am also pleased to meet the mysterious Arthur after such a long time," Audrey replied, her tone delightful.

Seeing Glaint and Audrey make the first move, many nobles began to gather around Arthur.

"To think I can finally meet Duke Arturus's son. I am really lucky," one noble said, his voice filled with excitement.

"Good to see you, Mr. Arthur," another chimed in.

"Your appearance is just so dazzling, Mr. Arthur. Can you please be my dancing partner?" a young lady asked, her eyes sparkling with interest.

Arthur could feel the intensity of their gazes, their curiosity mingled with a touch of admiration. Despite their kind words, he sensed that they were constantly judging and sizing him up, eager to understand his personality and interests, likely hoping to gain favor with Duke Arturus's son.

Arthur remained polite, responding to each person with grace. He didn't despise people who sought to use others for their benefit; he understood that this was how the world worked. In a society like this, only the useful and powerful held sway.

"Oh, so this is the infamous Arthur that I have heard so much about," a confident voice cut through the crowd.

Arthur turned to see a figure walking toward him with assured steps. His demeanor exuded authority and charisma, marking him as someone of a significant reputation.

"How rude of me, I am Prince Edessak," he said, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Prince Edessak, the person used by the royal family as a pawn in the Backlund incident," Arthur thought, recognizing the character from the novel.

The experience of meeting someone he had only read about was both wonderful and surreal. He marveled at the intricacies of this new world he found himself in.

"It is my honor to meet the prince who upholds the dignity of the Leon Kingdom," Arthur replied, his voice respectful.

Due to the sheer number of nobles trying to socialize with him, Arthur couldn't have long conversations with notable characters like Audrey, Glaint, and Edessak. The constant chatter from minor nobles seeking his attention became overwhelming.

"Damn these side characters," Arthur thought, frustrated by the endless stream of people vying for his attention.

After what felt like an endless Q&A session with the guests, Arthur finally managed to extricate himself from the crowd. He quickly made his way toward the balcony, craving a moment of solitude.

Stepping outside, Arthur was greeted by the cool night air and the twinkling stars overhead. The serenity of the night contrasted sharply with the lively party inside. He leaned against the railing, taking a deep breath to calm his racing thoughts.

"This should be a wonderful experience for me in the future when I attend such events," Arthur mused. "I should just grab some food and come to the balcony to relax."

As he gazed up at the stars, a sense of longing for his past life washed over him.

"Is this how Klein feels all the time?" he wondered aloud, thinking of the protagonist from the novel.

Despite knowing that he was a god who had regained his power, Arthur still felt a deep connection to his previous life on Earth. It was a place that felt more like home, filled with familiar comforts and memories.

He sighed and continued eating the delicacies he had brought with him, reminiscing about the past and the life he had left behind. The night was peaceful, and for a moment, Arthur allowed himself to simply exist, free from the expectations and scrutiny of his new world.