"Uh well… "
Racking his brain to remember what had happened in previous parties, he was already beginning to sweat under their expectant glances. Of course, not wanting to lose face to these far more inexperienced newbies, Caspian took it upon himself to lend his knowledge … even if it is wrong.
'Ah wait! I just remembered!'
"Well first, we're supposed to introduce who we are. But since we all know each other's names, let's just say a few facts (about ourselves)"
'Yep, that's it! I'm sure that in mixers and at viewing parties it's the same thing' he silently patted himself on the back.
'Besides, this will be a great opportunity to get to know the lady a little better'
"I'll go first!" Charlotte raised her hand.
"Ooh!" everyone said while clapping their hands.
『 Here it goes… My little secret that I've kept from everyone 』
Upon seeing the text box and the nervous shoulder wiggle that Charlotte was doing, everyone bated their breath. What was she going to say? Was it a serious secret? An unexpected hidden hobby?
"To be honest… "
Everyone was getting excited.
"... This is my first viewing party. Aaa! There I said it!" she held her reddened cheeks and sat down. She grazed her hand to her chest where her heart was beating loudly.
" ….. "
『 How terribly embarrassing! I hope no one here will think differently of me 』
"Ok next!" Charlotte beamed, oblivious to the blank faces of the four males around her. The only one who clapped enthusiastically was River.
"Ahem… Allow me to go next" Ezekiel coughed.
"Well, a few facts hmm? Ah! I've got it! Did you know most people fart about 14 to 22 times a day?"
" ….. "
"Y- Your Highness, by 'few facts' … It's supposed to be facts about yourself, not trivia facts" (Kit)
"Yes, Your Highness. Like perhaps something no one else knows." (River)
"Oh ok. Well, no one else knows that I know that people fart about 14 to 22 times a day" he said with a completely serious expression.
This prince is a certified dumbass, everyone else thought. Will the kingdom really be alright with a prince like him as part of the royal family? And why is Charlotte looking at His Highness with a face that says 'How intriguing'?
Caspian waved his left hand around while holding his forehead with his right.
"Alright enough! Kit, do you have anything to share? And please, for the love of the goddess, let it be something normal"
"M- me?" Kit jumped, startled that it was his turn to speak. He looked down bashfully.
"W- well, I could share a story of why I decided to become a knight"
"Certainly, Sir Albertine. We would love to hear about it" (Charlotte)
"Finally. Someone normal" (Caspian)
Everyone leaned their bodies towards Kit who began his story.
"Well, when I was younger, I was actually kidnapped in broad daylight… "
Everyone gasped in unison.
"Goodness!" (Charlotte)
"It was a horrifying ordeal. The kidnappers wanted to kidnap me for my father's wealth. They brought me to a cabin in the southern forest where they were holding me hostage. I was tied up and gagged so I wouldn't make any noise"
Everyone's face was stunned. Kidnapping is not uncommon around nobles but still, it was terrifying to hear about it from a first-hand account.
"Anyways, on the night of the same day I was kidnapped, both the kidnappers had to step out to negotiate with a representative sent by my father. I'm not sure why they didn't leave someone behind to guard me, but it was probably because I was only a scared kid and the area was not a common walking ground. Around the same time, a man had suddenly burst through the cabin doors! I didn't know who the man was, but he was dressed head to toe in black and had his face partially covered too"
" … "
'… Isn't that a little suspicious?' (Caspian)
"He saw me tied up on the floor and took out a knife to cut me free! I was incredibly happy because finally, someone had come to save me. When he released my gag, I asked who he was and he said he was a knight! And then he asked me if I had seen any jewels or money lying around. When I asked him why he wanted to know, he said it was for evidence' sake"
'I'm pretty sure that's a thief, not a knight!' (River)
"Luckily, I had seen the kidnappers hid their jewels earlier so of course, I showed him where it was. I even told him that my father had a ton more jewels in this house"
'You just showed a thief his next target!' (Caspian)
"He was happy to follow me to my father afterwards and I was happy that he accepted. But then, while he was taking the evidence with him, the kidnappers came back. The knight and the kidnappers struggled in a vicious fight! I was so scared that I stayed rooted on the ground but then, I felt a push on my back. When I turned around, the knight was facing me with a desperate face and had his hand stretched out towards me. A piece of the jewel had rolled to my feet. I knew instantly what he wanted to say … he clearly wanted me to take the evidence and run while he made time for me to escape"
'No! I think he dropped the jewel during the struggle and accidentally bumped into you!' (River)
"So with tears of gratefulness in my eyes, I ran as fast as I can all night until I came back to my father's house. Ever since that fateful day, I've aimed to become a knight of justice myself!" Kit finished his story with tears in his eyes while Ezekiel and Charlotte dabbed their eyes with a handkerchief.
'So this whole time, his idolized knight in shining armor… ' (Caspian)
'… Was it actually a thief?' (River)
"Marvelous! What a marvelous tale" Ezekiel clapped his hands, proud that a knight of his kingdom had been so heroic. Charlotte had been silently pondering for a while.
"Actually- " Charlotte interrupted the two men who were still recovering their brain cells in the corner.
"What is it?"
『 That reminds me... I've never been kidnapped before. I'm curious to know how it feels like 』
Caspian had a bad feeling bubbling in his stomach.