Chapter 10: The Western Noble's Party

“Will, there’s a gathering of the western nobles next week. Would you like to come with me?” Father told me about the noble party. When taking a child to a noble party, Brother Edward usually accompanied them. Since Brother Edward went to the Royal Capital academy and Sophie is still small, it makes sense that the invitation came to me.

But I was hesitant. “If I go with you, I think my getting the Production Skill will become a topic of conversation. Will that cause any trouble for Father or Mother?” Originally, I was teased by the noble children about my chubby body shape. To be honest, I don’t have good memories of noble parties.

“It’s fine. It won’t cause any trouble at all.” “That’s right. The Production Skill is a splendid Skill. The furniture and bags Will makes are marvelous. I think you should be more confident.” I couldn’t refuse when my parents spoke to me like that. I gave up and decided to attend the party.

This party was being held at the mansion of Count Cardiff, our neighbor. As the carriage moved forward, the splendid mansion came into view. Among the western nobles, the Fairchild Margrave family, the Count Cardiff family, and the Count Walterford family have high social standing.

We descended from the carriage at the porte-cochère, were guided by a servant of the Count‘s family, and walked toward the grand hall. The hallway leading from the entrance to the grand hall had frescoes painted on the ceiling, and vases and paintings decorated both sides. Upon entering the grand hall, my parents exchanged greetings with the nobles they knew.

Walking behind them, I overheard the surrounding voices. I could hear other noble children saying things like, “He’s still fat,” and, “I heard he got the Production Skill.” Ugh, that’s why I didn’t want to come.

As I was holding my head in my hands, for some reason, several adult nobles approached me instead of my parents and asked, “Are you William?”

“Yes, I am William Fairchild.”

“Oh, so it’s you. The furniture you make is marvelous. I received a chair from His Excellency the Margrave the other day, and the decoration was truly magnificent.”

“I received a bag from Lady Mary. The craftsmanship was superb, easily rivaling popular workshops in the Royal Capital. I was surprised when I heard that your son made it.”

It seems Father and Mother had gifted the furniture and bags I made to the western nobles. “I hear you built houses for the Dwarves. Building homes for a hundred people in such a short time is incredible. It seems the Production Skill is a Skill full of potential.”

They knew that I had built houses for the Dwarves. I was startled to be suddenly surrounded by adult nobles, but I was happy that my Production Skill was being evaluated.

When I looked at Father and Mother nearby, they were smiling warmly at me. Ah, I realized that they must have gifted the furniture and bags to the neighboring nobles and talked about the Dwarf house-building to promote the value of the Production Skill. So this is what they meant by it being “fine” to attend the noble party.

After talking with the adults for a while, I needed a break and went to the area where the food and drinks were placed. I got tea from a servant and took a breather at an empty corner table.

I’m not used to talking to so many people, so I was tired. While drinking tea and idly watching the party hall, a boisterous group of children approached. Wondering what was happening, I heard voices.

“Lady Cardiff, you are beautiful today as well.”

“Isn’t she even more beautiful than Her Highness Princess Flora?” It seems to be a group surrounding Letty.

Letty is the Count‘s daughter and today’s host. She is pretty, and her family’s social standing is high, so she is popular. Incidentally, Princess Flora, the fourth daughter of the Royal Family, is famous as a beautiful girl. I’ve never met her, though.

Talking to Letty is fine, but the noble children seem troublesome, so I thought about changing seats, but then someone called out to me. “Will, I can finally talk to you. You were surrounded by the adult nobles, so it was hard to approach you.”

“Eh? That’s what happened?”

Letty pushed through her entourage and came up to me. “How do I look? Do this handbag and dress match?” She was carrying a dark brown handbag with a beige dress. Yup, it’s the bag I gave her.

“It matches perfectly. And you’re actually using that bag.”

“Yes, of course. It’s a wonderful item, and you made it for me.” Then, showing the bag to the children around her, she said, “This was made by William. He even built a cool, large warehouse in his garden. The Production Skill is amazing, isn’t it?”

“My, that is a marvelous bag! Would it be possible for me to have one too?”

“May I visit next time? I would be delighted if Lord William would show us the items he has created and the warehouse.” I was bewildered to be suddenly surrounded by the noble children, but Letty winked at me.

My childhood friend is just as kind as my parents. I am truly surrounded by good people in this world. Although it is a World of Swords and Magic, my Production Skill seems a little special, so I hope I can be of use to everyone. I decided to work hard to improve my Production Skill for that purpose.