As time passed, the population of Granado Castle grew.
More and more civilians poured in through the open castle gates. This was because the announcement posted in the capital early in the morning had gradually spread.
"Really free food? It looks so delicious..."
"Is the inside of Granado Castle really like this?"
"Oh, there's the bride and groom! Congratulations!"
People of all ages came and went before us.
Sir Cyrus and I stood side by side at the center of the garden, in the high seat, responding to them. It wasn't a formal affair; we just raised a hand and said things like, "Hey, you two, be happy!" or "Thanks!"
Some people gave us gifts, but most just said, "We're going to enjoy the feast!" Of course, that was fine. After all, we had announced it as a rehearsal and a tasting event.
The citizens of the peaceful capital loved festivals. They enjoyed the food, the flowers in the garden, and the majestic presence of the ancient castle.
Around the fountain where roses bloomed, noblewomen were dancing. They weren't daughters of nobles but civilians from the capital. They had rented Granado Chamber's clothing for a price equivalent to pocket money. Even so, when they danced in a group, they were overwhelmingly elegant.
When I turned to the giggles, I saw Cécilie in a pink dress running around with children of the same age... Wait, Sedric is here too!?
"Everyone seems to be having fun."
At Sir Cyrus's words, I nodded and whispered quietly.
"...The real ceremony will be fun too."
Sir Cyrus smiled with great relief.
Before we knew it, it had become a grand banquet with hundreds of people coming and going. It was on a scale that couldn't compare to the "Marie Chedelan's 18th Birthday Party" held at the Chedelan family's mansion.
My mother muttered in a daze.
"...This... How much money are you spending...?"
"It's pocket change. With the wealth of the Granado Chamber."
The voice that spoke was that of a beautiful woman with brown skin.
She was elegantly sipping wine in front of the rose obelisk... the Duchess of Granado.
At the sight of Lady Ryu-Ryu, my father, who had been eating enthusiastically, was startled. He hastily threw down his plate and hurried to her table. Despite her being a superior noble, perhaps because she was younger than him or because of her foreign appearance, my father was extremely condescending to her.
"Duchess Granado! What is the meaning of this? To hold such a grand engagement ceremony without our consent!"
"Oh... I didn't force it. We sent you multiple invitations for the engagement ceremony, didn't we?"
"You didn't get a response. To hold the engagement ceremony without the father of the bride is extremely impolite!"
Lady Ryu-Ryu laughed loudly.
"Extremely impolite! What an amusing thing to say! Baron... It was you who brought Marie to the castle, wanting her to be a bride, wasn't it?"
"That... That was just... as a comfort for Anastasia..."
My father, who had started to speak, hesitated. Beside me, Sir Cyrus raised an eyebrow—but before he could speak, Lady Ryu-Ryu's laughter rose again.
"Ho-ho-ho-ho-ho! Ah, that's right! You used the engagement money I sent and sold your daughter. —When I heard it from Marie herself, I seriously considered destroying the Chedelan territory... But now, I thank you.
Thank you, Baron Chedelan. I will cherish your daughter as part of our family!"
"!? No... this—!"
My father lunged at Lady Ryu-Ryu.
Oh, will he never learn?
A white object suddenly flew past me, hitting my father's forehead with a light crack.
"Ugh!?"
My father hurriedly put his hand to his face. Sticky, transparent liquid and yellow, jelly-like substance dripped from his hand.
"What... is this... a raw egg?"
My father turned to where it had come from. Far away—beyond the bushes, by the outdoor kitchen along the castle wall—stood a maid with an expressionless face. She bounced an egg in her hand and said without bowing.
"I'm sorry, my hand slipped."
"What kind of slip can throw an egg that far! You're joking, aren't you—ouch! Pain! Why another one!?"
"I'm clumsy. I'm very sorry. I'm really, really sorry."
"Pain!"
My father, who was quickly covered in raw eggs, was pointed at and laughed at by Lady Ryu-Ryu... Sir Cyrus and I looked at each other.
"...Marie, is this part of the plan?"
"No..."
Mio hadn't planned to hit my father. My father, who was raging, snatched a towel from a red-haired boy without even saying thank you.
Then, did Mio remember the plan or was she satisfied? This time, she aimed as planned. The egg, thrown with perfect control, whistled through the air and hit my mother's temple, splattering her with egg yolk.
"Ah!?"
My mother screamed. Then,
"Oh, this is terrible!"
Tunica rushed over, taking my mother's hand and making a fuss.
"Your beautiful blonde hair is all sticky! This is terrible before the engagement ceremony!"
"Oh, that's terrible. Mother, fortunately, Granado Castle has a bath in the courtyard. Let's wash your hair right away."
I quickly joined in, grabbing my still-dazed mother's arm. Instantly, my mother was clearly shocked.
"Wash my hair!?"
She pushed Tunica's hand away and covered her head with both hands, backing away.
"I'm... I'm fine like this..."
We didn't let her go.
"Why? No, you can't. If you don't wash it quickly, your hair will become brittle."
"Please don't worry, Mother. The bath is in the garden. It's right over there."
"Today is the engagement ceremony of the Duke's son. Nobles from all over the world are here. If the bride's mother is covered in eggs, Marie will be laughed at."
"Mother, do you want to ruin my happiness?"
When I said this, my mother clenched her teeth so hard they made a sound. She threw her plate to the ground. With the sound of the ceramic shattering,
"—Shut up! You... a woman as unattractive as you can't be happy!"
My mother's scream echoed through the garden. Her voice was like the last cry of a condemned criminal on the scaffold, freezing the souls of those who heard it. The guests turned in shock but quickly averted their eyes when they saw my mother's expression.
But I didn't run away. I faced my mother head-on and shouted back.
"Don't use me as an excuse for your own laziness in being loved!"
"..."
My mother froze—then I suddenly grabbed her hair. Before she could scream, I yanked it out in one go!
"Ah..."
"Ahh—!"
My mother's small scream was drowned out by the crowd. In my hand was a blonde wig, and on my mother's head, short, messy red hair remained.
The engagement ceremony venue, which had been lively a moment ago, fell silent.
My mother, covering her red hair in shame, and my father, who had lost his words, looked down at her red hair.
I sighed.
"That's enough. Let's end it here."
I gave a signal. Suddenly, Thomas and Mio pounced on my parents, each hoisting them onto their shoulders. Without giving them a chance to protest, they rushed through the corridor and into the mansion.
Sir Cyrus, Lady Ryu-Ryu, and I followed them.
It seemed that Lord Rui-Fon and Wolfgang took charge of the agitated citizens. The sound of their mock swords clashing and the cheers of the audience rose. Among them was Sedric.