I’m Back in the Other World? - Chapter 108

Extra 5 – Wedding Party

"Cheers!" After a speech from both Chiffon-san’s and her husband’s fathers, they raised their wine glasses together in celebration.

By the way, touching the glasses is actually a breach of manners, so they only got them close. Seems like you can only touch them when it’s with something hard to break, such as beer mugs. In any case, I can’t drink any alcohol, so I’m just enjoying some grape juice. There are plenty of soft drinks because there are children in the party too.

As for the party itself, it’s a casual buffet, but filled with nobles, so they’re keeping appearances and not drinking until they fall.

After the toast finished, many people started moving to eat what was on the buffet or asked for some liquor… As for me, I will just eat the dish in front of me.

I got nervous when I started eating because I was looking at people’s reactions to the food. That’s because of my wedding gift, I thought for a long while on what to give, but there is hardly anything a commoner could provide that a Marquis wouldn’t have. I’m sure Chiffon-san would be happy with anything, but I wanted to give something special.

After a lot of thinking, I decided to teach her Chef a few dishes. I could make it myself, but like this Chiffon-san would always be able to eat it whenever she wished, so it would be something that would bring her fond memories whenever she wanted.

Also, the other nobles will taste it as well. I was a bit afraid of what would be their reaction, but it’s been very positive so far, which is a given if compared to their salt and pepper usual seasoning. They’ll probably try to replicate it, but fail because they don’t know the method, so their only option will be asking the Marquis. I’ll be slowly teaching new recipes to the chef to keep his influence as time passes, it’s a very good plan in my humble opinion, fufufu.

Even now, surprised voices were raising from the people eating those for the first time. The dishes were simple because there wasn’t much time to prepare them, but it was still more than enough. I tasted one myself and there was certain room for improvement, but it’s still leagues ahead of the food of this world.

As if to prove my words, more and more people were convinced by others to go eat, and then they also raised amazed voices and dragged more people to it, this kind of chain was happening… The cooking was a complete success.

However… Is that what’s supposed to be the buffet? Normally it would be filled with food and a small amount of people should be surrounding it, but almost half of the food was gone and it was filled with people voraciously eating and even fighting for the food… Well, they seemed happy, so I shouldn’t intervene.

Glad that the food was approved, I leisurely looked around the venue. Some people that were too busy greeting others lost the race to the meals, and were now desperately scrambling after waiters… Slowly though, things started settling down as people became full, so they started sitting and eating at a relaxed pace while drinking a glass of wine. Seems like it’s becoming a normal party again.

When things finally calmed down, the main attraction appeared. From the waiting room, both bride and groom entered and were greeted by a round of applause. They came later than expected, but that was probably because of all the fuzz from a while ago, it would be no good if the newly weds were ignored because of food after all. Chiffon-san seemed to have a slightly bitter smile on her face, but I can understand the feeling.

People slowly moved to greet them, first the royalty of course, then the high nobility. Since I’m a commoner, even if a friend of the bride, I waited in my own table until a chance appeared for me.

It didn’t take too long though, they quickly sat down after the initial greetings, so I approached them. “Congratulations on your marriage.” Now that I had a proper chance to look, I noticed they changed their clothes. Chiffon-san was wearing a light blue dress and her husband a black tuxedo…

It was my first time seeing him by the way. He has short brown hair and dark blue eyes. His body has plenty of muscles and a height of around 190cm, very fitting for a knight. I wouldn’t say he is handsome, but his face is average, the eyes are gentle though, which is a nice plus. Considering how they were engaged since childhood, both him and Chiffon-san had plenty of time to develop affection for one another.

“Thank you very much, Sakura-sama. Your dishes were very popular and a lot of people asked about them.” Chiffon-san said.

“I’m glad you appreciated them, but the chef was the one that did all the hard work.” I answered.

“A pleasure to meet you, black hero, I heard wonderful things about you from my wife. I fought in the war two years ago, and I’m one of the many that you saved, thank you very much.” Kyaa! He said wife! I’m so jealous of you! “It was always a wonderful experience to hear the stories my wife told of you, I cannot express the joy I feel in having you here, hero, thank you very much.” Chiffon-san, what did you say about me? I’m worried now…

I wanted to ask about it, but this is not the place for it, so I’ll try in another opportunity. “No, I’m still just a commoner, so please cease with the hero thing, it’s embarrassing…” I answered.

“Then please come visit us in our house next time. Both me and my wife will be very pleased.” He said.

“Yes, I’ll gladly go.” I nodded.

“Sakura-sama, I’m sorry to interrupt, but we need to greet other guests…” Chiffon-san commented.

“Please don’t mind me then, enjoy the party while I excuse myself.” I bowed and left. Fuu, that was nerve-wracking. I’m glad her husband is a nice person though, Chiffon-san also seemed very happy… A shame they waited two years for me, I’d like if she could have shown this much joy during those last two years… No, I shouldn’t dwell on it, today is a happy occasion after all! No point in being depressed!

Although… What should I do? The two princes and Aria-sama are busy with other guests, I already congratulated Chiffon-san and am not acquainted with anyone else… I already cleared my purpose here, but it’s too early to go home, so I guess I’ll just eat and drink some juice while I wait until the prince gets free.

“Would you like a drink?” A waiter asked when he saw my glass was empty.

“Please give me something non-alcoholic.” I’m not that thirsty right now, but my Japanese customs don’t let me refuse. He gave me a glass and I sipped it… It’s surprisingly delicious!

The transparent glass had an amber drink with a small amount of foam, it should be drank in small dosages, but it was so good that I gulped it down and asked for another. This time I drank it slowly though.

Looking at the venue now, small groups were starting to form. It didn’t feel like a party, but more of a social gathering.

“Miss, are you alone?” While I was wondering, a man came over and asked… His face wasn’t a very friendly one though. “If so, would like some wine?” He is trying to seduce me…? This kind of guy is everywhere… Gross.

“I’m sorry, but I’m accompanied.” Why is the prince not here yet!? I understand he is royalty, but he shouldn’t keep a lady in need waiting!

As if he hasn’t heard me though, he continued. “That’s no good, the person probably got lost, so let’s leave them be and have some fun…” The man moved closer and put a hand in my shoulder… Disgusting. I instantly shivered when he touched me.

“… Can you please let go of your hand.” I wanted to strike him down right now, but was trying to settle it peacefully. However, he ignored my efforts and went on and on, touching my neck and even my cheeks without permission.

“That’s enough-“ I was about to snap, but a louder voice muffled my own.

“Excuse me, do you have any business with my companion?” The prince finally came to my rescue!

“Prince! You’re late!” Just where were you a minute ago!?

“Pr-pr-pr-prince Sedrim-sama!?” The man exclaimed.

“What business does viscount Burgess have with my companion?” The prince asked again.

“N-no… I didn’t know it was his highness partner…” He mumbled.

“Hmph, can’t you see who is the person you were touching?” The prince pressed on.

“Eeh…?” The viscount could only mutter this kind of dumb reply.

“This girl isn’t just a friend of the bride, but someone that received her invitation personally. Not only that she is my sister’s friend, also, she’s the black hero and my companion. Do you really think she is the kind of person you should be meddling with?” The prince said.

“Eh…? She is the hero…? No way…” The guy said in disbelief.

“Oh? Are you doubting the words of the prince?” Sedrim asked… Way to go!

“N-no, that’s not…!” The prince didn’t give the guy enough time to finish.

“Then that’s fine. Just keep in mind that if you put your hands on her again, you’ll be making the royal family, the marquises, and the entire knight order as your enemies, is this what you want?” The prince concluded.

“P-please excuse me!” The man scrammed as if his life depended on it. I supposed he deserved this kind of scare.

“Are you okay?” The prince asked me.

“… I’m not okay! He touched me, I feel sticky and sick.” I want to be praised for not raising a hand against him.

“That is… I’m sorry, I was detained for a moment, so it took me a while to get here.” The prince apologized.

“I know you’re royalty, but how could you let a lady alone like that!?” By just recalling this incident I got annoyed, so I gulped my drink in one go. “Another!” The waiter quickly filled it up and I drank it all again. “One more!”

“Wait, you’re acting weird, just what are you drinking?” The prince asked.

“This juice? It’s very delicious, isn’t it?” I’m feeling hot, so this cold drink feels really nice.

“I-is this really juice?” The prince wondered. “Hey, give me the same thing!” He asked a waiter.

“Of course it’s juice, I properly asked for something non-alcoholic…” I was feeling hotter and my throat was really dry, so I drank more to moisten it.

The prince took a sip of his own before saying. “… There is some alcohol in here.”

“Eh? But I asked for non-alcohooolic…” I answered.

“When you say non-alcoholic, it’s understood that you want to drink something with less alcohol than sake, not that it has no alcohol at all!” He clarified.

“Oh, is that soo?” I tilted my glass at his words.

“You shouldn’t drink any more, your face is all red… How much did you drink?” He said while stealing my glass.

“Ah!? My juice! Give it back!” I extended my hands, but he is too tall to let me.

“No good, tell me how much you drank.” He stubbornly refused.

“Mmmm, I only drank like… 4 glasses? An opening!” While he was distracted, I used my other hand to pick it up from him and then drank it all in one go before he could take it again.

“Ah, hey!” The prince shouted. “You shouldn’t drink any more… Your feet are staggering already… We’re leaving. I’ll take you to a room.” The prince took the empty glass from my hand, held me with the other, and dragged me outside the venue.