"Good... It seems like it went well for the time being."
Rest looked at the guests, who were buzzing over the rare delicacies, and let out a sigh of relief.
He had been nervous since it was his first time hosting a party, but frankly, that worry had been completely unnecessary.
The Rosemary sisters had taken care of all the difficult tasks.
As for what Rest did, aside from gathering ingredients, it was about as much as going around greeting the guests.
"As for this cuisine, we have wyvern meat cooked at low temperature..."
"As for the drinks, we also recommend drinking them with ice. This way of drinking..."
Viola and Primula were attentively receiving the guests.
With Viola's sociable personality and Primula's extensive knowledge, they entertained the guests while covering for each other.
"They're truly wonderful wives... I'm completely reliant on them."
"That's also thanks to your efforts, Count Clover."
As he was marveling at the Rosemary sisters' excellence, one of the guests called out to him.
It was one of the most honored guests, Andrew Aiwood.
Behind Andrew, who wore a friendly smile, his close aides Yusgos and Rilanda also followed.
"Oh my... Prince Andrew."
"I'm enjoying myself. It's such a wonderful party that you've raised the bar, haven't you?"
"The bar... you say?"
"The bar for our family's parties. Honestly, you've done it now. I never expected you to even bring out a Diamond Bear."
Andrew's eyes had a slightly resentful look.
The more boisterous the party hosted by the Clover Count household became, the higher the expectations that fell upon Andrew.
Andrew was a member of the royalty. It had already been decided that he would eventually be demoted from the royal family to become a duke.
A party of a lower standard than the one Rest had held was out of the question.
"And I have my own demotion and the establishment of my new ducal house coming up, yet... it's quite a mood-killer, I must say."
"Oh... so it's been decided, then?"
"It has. I doubt I'll have many more occasions to be addressed as 'Your Highness.'"
Andrew shrugged in a theatrical manner.
The Kingdom of Aiwood had a crown prince named Richard Aiwood. Since Richard was married and had children, Andrew's importance as a spare heir was now minimal.
The royal family had long decided Andrew would be demoted from royalty; they were simply waiting for the right timing.
"The talk was that I'd either enter a family as a husband or take holy orders and join a temple... but well, thanks to your successes, I've become a duke with my own domain. I suppose I can't complain too much."
"I apologize for causing you trouble."
"Don't worry about it... well, there are other ways to entertain guests besides just the food. A large Rainbow Crystal was discovered too, so I'll push that as the main attraction."
Andrew took a sip of his diluted liquor.
"Only... I'd be glad if you sold me this liquor. I'll pay your asking price, of course."
"I'll prepare some for you... by the way, Prince Andrew, would it be alright if I asked you something?"
"What is it?"
"That gentleman... Count Walnut. What sort of person is he?"
Rest casually turned his eyes to a corner of the party venue.
There, surrounding Count Walnut, were Marquis Rosemary, Marquis Cattleya, and Duke Crocus.
They were eating the Diamond Bear the serving butler had brought them, drinking, and chatting about something.
"Ah... that person?"
Andrew let out a short breath and downed the wine in his glass in one gulp.
"He's someone you've met before. It's hard to tell because he's disguised with a magic item."
"Disguise...?"
"Once you reach a certain position, you can't casually attend the parties of lower-ranked nobles. For example, if you attend Count Clover's party, not attending other counts' parties would make the hierarchy among counts too obvious. That's why he comes incognito like that."
"Ah... I see. I know who it is now."
The expression "lower-ranked" for a count. From the fact that high-ranking nobles—powerful figures of the kingdom—were treating him with respect, Rest guessed Count Walnut's true identity.
Still, it was probably an unspoken rule not to say it outright. He refrained from pointing it out deliberately.
"He himself calls himself 'Count.' There's no need to be more deferential than necessary, so leave him to the ministers and such and don't worry about it."
"...If Your Highness Andrew says so."
Following Andrew's advice, Rest decided to stop worrying about Count Walnut for now.
While keeping note of his presence, he made the rounds to the other guests in turn.
-------------------- [New Work Submission] The Golden Annihilator ~Though He Was a Useless Abandoned Hero, When He Threw a Coin, the Castle Collapsed~ If you like, please give this a read as well!