Robert sighed, "sometimes you can't control the bad things that happen in life. I just hope you both are blessed with good luck."
To this day, I still have the consistent fear in the back of my head that I could be transmigrated to another world or back to my original world at any moment. So I definitely understood where Robert was coming from.
However, I responded, "let's just live in the moment and made sure we cherish the happiness we have today."
Robert smiled and looked over at Becca, "yes, please keep that smile on Rebecca's face for as long as possible. It's hard to remember a time when she smiled so brightly while living with us…"
We needed to continue talking to the rest of the nobles, so we soon left Becca's families' table. We talked to the rest of the counts afterwards.
I specifically chose to go to Count Howard's table last of the counts, since I knew his daughter Samantha was the ringleader of the nobles who bullied Becca.
I didn't give her an opportunity to talk. I instead made sure to highlight how beautiful my wife Becca was and how the dress and style she wear would only work on a special girl like her.
I could see Samantha trying to hide her wincing at my words. She tried to play it off by laughing and acting like I was making a joke.
The last thing I did before leaving was to remind Count Howard, "don't forget to teach your family how to respect nobles that are higher ranking than them…"
Count Howard wiped some sweat from his forhead. It seemed like he knew about the things his daughter had done to Becca in the past. "Of course Duke Harrison! We of the Howard family will not do anything to insult you in the future!"
It took us an hour to finish greeting the rest of the viscounts and barons of the Duchy. We went through them quickly since there was so many more of them.
Since I memorized the information of all the nobles with the new photographic memory potions, every table I went to, I would ask about a big event that had happened to the family recently.
It was fun to watch random noble daughter, sons, husbands, and wives being excited to suddenly be asked about their latest trip or new reading club.
Their eyes would light up and they would talk non-stop before I would have to stop them so we could move to the next table, but I always promised to talk to them about it again later when we had more time.
I also made it a point to always hold Becca close and shower as much praise on her as I could, so everyone could see that we were in a happy relationship.
After we were getting to the last few tables and I was quickly running out of energy, Becca looked up at me with pride, "Nick, you are so good at being personable and making people feel seen!"
I chuckled, "it just shows how much nobles are hungry for real close relationships instead of the surface level relationships that noble society provides. I like seeing everyone's face light up when I talked about something they personally cherish, but talking to over a hundred people in a row is really draining my social battery…"
Becca looked a little worried, "don't worry, Nick, you take a little break. I'll do most of the talking for the last twenty or so tables. I was nervous at first, but now seeing you do it so many times makes me feel more comfortable."
I suddenly realized that I had done the majority of the talking for the last hundred tables we went to. "But Becca, you didn't have any time to use the photographic memory potions to study with me. It will be much tougher for you…"
Becca winked, "don't worry, I studied all the nobles of the Duchy for years as I trained to be the Duchess. I pretty much know them all inside and out. Plus, we are on the last few least powerful nobles, so if I mess up a little, it won't be the end of the world."
I reluctantly agreed, but Becca ended up doing an amazing job. She mimicked my strategy and talked to each table like she were friends with them for many years just trying to catch up on the latest event.
I again realized how amazing Becca was. I need photographic memory potions, but she knew all the nobles herself from her own hard work and effort over the years. I was really proud of her. Her success and hard work paying off, felt as good as if my own hard work was paying off.
After finishing talking to all the nobles, it was time to sit down and eat dinner. It was similar to all the other dishes I had had at the manor, so I quickly dug in. I tried to lean into Becca put she pinched my waist.
"Not right now, Nick! Everyone will see!"
I made a puppy dog face, "but I need to recharge my batteries with some cuddling."
Becca's eyes softened slightly, but she didn't relent. "When the focus is not on us anymore. For now, please power through it…"
I joked, "alright, I didn't know my wife was so shy haha."
Becca turned her chin up, "of course I wouldn't want everyone to see an intimate personal moment between us."
I sighed, "alright, I'll make sure no one sees us…"
I put my hand under the table and intertwined my fingers with Becca's.
Becca's was only surprised for a second before she gave me a warm smile.
I explained, "this only recharges me by 1% at a time, but it will have to do for now haha."
Becca happily replied, "I like this too."
We continued chatting and eating our meals with our one free hand. The rest of the party none the wiser.