"Well, shall we descend now?

  The party host monopolizing VIPs is the height of tactlessness."

  "Indeed.

  Then, Father, you first?"

  Guests seemed to have recovered considerably from the shock, so Celeste wanted to descend to the hall and confirm reactions, conveying this to the royal couple.

  The royal couple couldn't just overlook from the second floor either, so decided to descend after a brief interval.

  Descending together would make observing guests' reactions difficult.

  Descending the stairs, Celeste—Amashiro—was impressed with himself.

  'Well, at this age I'd be strange if I hadn't grasped survival bones...

  But was I the kind of character who could smoothly use "noble-like" speech to this extent? Me.

  Of course also thanks to Lady Biala's thorough training.

  Even I'm surprised.'

  Thinking this, nearly finishing descending the stairs, this time without using the pin mic, raising his voice slightly, he threw words to surrounding nobles.

  "Now, everyone. Are you enjoying yourselves?"

  Since young-looking nobles were around the stairs, he slightly changed word tone from the opening speech.

  Probably upper-ranking older nobles were making young folks go first while observing from behind.

  However, though everyone around looked like they couldn't stand wanting to say something, not one tried addressing Celeste first.

  No, actually, they couldn't.

  Because noble society was based on thorough class systems, except in special cases, lower-ranked people addressing higher-ranked people first was disrespectful.

  Of course, exceptions existed in court workplaces or government offices. Business couldn't proceed waiting for superiors' permission every time.

  But here was society, moreover—no one wished for the discourtesy of committing impropriety before Regis-Basi highest-ranking noble and party host Celeste.

  'But this way, I can't do a survey.

  Can't be helped, I'll create an opportunity.'

  Thinking this, Celeste addressed a Husky Canisade who'd first caught his eye.

  "You there, Vicari Palesiente, right?

  If I recall, Internal Affairs Minister's right-hand man..."

  "! Y-yes!

  I'm Vicari Tobet Palesiente!

  To remember someone like my name—truly an honor!"

  A Canisade youth appearing athletic with Husky-like energy and loud voice, but actually quite an excellent bureaucrat.

  Well, though Lady Biala hadn't said "right-hand man," being flattered rarely felt bad.

  "Ah, well, Internal Affairs may be helping me from now on.

  I'll count on you then.

  So, are you enjoying the party?

  I'm worried there might be some discourtesy since everything was hurriedly prepared."

  "Absolutely not!

  This Palesiente has never seen such wonderful party food."

  At that answer, surrounding young nobles exchanged agreeing gazes though not voicing words.

  Probably young people and lower nobles below Vicari largely shared the same opinion.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  "You there, Comis Jibante's daughter, Miss Miranine, right?

  Beauty matching the rumors. Your parents must be so proud.

  For the future, I'd like to hear young ladies' opinions too."

  This time he addressed a mackerel tabby Felinoid young lady.

  Of course, he couldn't only ask Canisade reactions.

  Incidentally, calling her "beautiful" was absolutely not flattery.

  Repeating, but for cat-person Celeste, he thought her that 'cute.'

  ...Well, he was severely afflicted, thinking even tough-looking Garkan cute, so objectivity was essentially nil.

  Unrelated to Celeste's designs, the subject Miss Miranine answered the question with an overwhelmed expression.

  "Your words are too kind.

  Who could criticize such wonderful hospitality as today's?

  Especially that dried thing... what should I call it?

  That fragrant dried thing's aroma, with unfamiliar sauce... ah, that taste beyond words' expression, and the pastry-like base supporting it.

  Truly delicious."

  "Ah, I see.

  Valuable opinion."

  Thinking who to ask next, looking around—Celeste swallowed his words.

  Because Ursort youths were staring at him with nearly-crying dewy eyes, with respect? Adoration? No, worship?-like gazes.

  'Though I'd heard since then that honey was precious enough to risk lives collecting... but even so, you're nobles, right? That moved?'

  ...If they knew large honey jars were piled considerably in the preparation building's food storage, he suddenly worried they might charge in disregarding noble dignity entirely, but well, surely not that.

  "Glad you're enjoying it.

  Then, I hope you young folks spend fruitful time together.

  Canapés... ah, that's this food's name, will keep coming.

  Enjoy without restraint."

  ...One Ursort young lady finally started crying.

  While thinking internally 'No, there's no need to cry!', being able to pretend not to see with a loving smile was also thanks to Lady Biala's special training.

  "My my, Prime Minister, truly grateful for your attendance.

  It seems to please you?"

  Having finished the first trolley attack, while maids and lower attendants dispatched from the court served canapés and drinks on trays, approaching the Prime Minister who'd gotten another shishamo canapé, Celeste addressed him.

  Same Regis and much older, so properly using polite speech.

  "Oh, Regis Celeste.

  I'm enjoying it fully. Enough to worry whether it might be a bit much for this old body.

  However... this mansion, how magnificent.

  Rivaling the royal castle, cleaning and management must be quite difficult."

  Saying this and tossing the shishamo canapé he'd just taken into his mouth, the Prime Minister glanced at Celeste.

  'Hm? Mentioning the royal castle there?

  ...Aha~. So that's your move, Prime Minister.'

  Though having built it himself he'd felt it a bit much, hidden beneath the words was 'Even acknowledged as royal family, don't you think a mansion more magnificent than the royal palace is utterly improper?'

  Rather than magnificent, it just looked that way because the lighting was bright.

  "As expected, Prime Minister, you understand housework well.

  This mansion alone would be one thing, but preparing His Majesty's family's villa mansion to be ready for use whenever they grace us with their presence is also difficult."

  (Translation: So I'm also keeping the royal family mansion ready always.

  Could you stop meddling with my housework?)

  "Hmm...

  However, what mysterious foods these are.

  I understand why everyone can't resist.

  Troublesome if becoming too addicted makes daily meals boring."

  (Translation: You're not planning to addict them with gourmet food, are you?)

  "Certainly not, it's a special moment.

  Rather, I'm glad it suited your palate."

  (Translation: Think you can eat this daily?

  For someone suspicious, you've eaten quite a bit?)

  "Ah, truly hospitality befitting a wise person.

  Lady Biala seems to have done good work."

  (Translation: Tsk, what a cunning man.

  Lady Biala's coaching seems to have worked too well.)

  "Yes. Too good a teacher for an upstart like me.

  I'm grateful to the Lady..."

  While exchanging this, a loud voice came from the side.

  "Regis Celeste!"

  Startled, looking at who called—he saw Justice Minister Comis Randehare Barha Pahr's excited face. Probably the face beneath fur was reddening.

  "Ah, Comis Barha.

  Are you enjoying the party?"

  Wanting to withdraw from the sarcasm battle, thinking this timely, Celeste turned toward Barha. Perhaps the Prime Minister felt the same—without scolding the rudeness of interrupting, he quietly left that spot to get the next shishamo canapé.

  "Yes! The mansion, that food—continuous wonderful things, this Randehare Barha is deeply moved.

  Moreover, at those loving words you gave young folks earlier, my own daughter apparently cried."

  'That was your daughter!'

  Celeste was originally bad at remembering faces.

  Faces seen only once or twice he'd immediately forget—or rather barely remembered from the start—so often the discourtesy of asking "Excuse me, who were you again?" when they greeted him later.

  Such a Celeste could remember this world's nobles he'd never met because...

  'All different species, and fur patterns all different.'

  What genetic structure he didn't know, but like the royal family, within the same species parent-child characteristics... simply put, "breeds" differed. A Pomeranian child born to Shepherd parents, or Norwegian Forest from Siamese cats was nothing strange.

  However...

  'Bears all look the same to me!'

  For Celeste who'd never even considered differences between brown bears and grizzlies though he could distinguish moon bears and sun bears, distinguishing Ursort without even fur patterns was premature.

  "Well, I was a bit worried, but glad Ursort everyone seems satisfied.

  Even not at such parties, I'm considering working so Ursort people can casually enjoy honey... interested?"

  Hearing this, Randehare's eyes held light of shock as if hearing an unbelievable story.

  But next moment, it changed to strong resolve's light.

  "Honestly, hard to believe.

  However, if it's you... if it's Regis Celeste, I feel you can do it.

  Not just me, but all us Ursort..."

  Randehare seemed too overwhelmed for words.

  "Yes yes. I understand your feelings.

  Then, I'd like to consult details another day, so today please fully enjoy the party.

  Otherwise, young folks will take everything?"

  "Oops, that won't do!

  Then, I look forward to hearing what story!"

  Leaving these words, Randehare left that spot searching for attendants holding honey canapé trays.

  "Really, to please them that much with just honey..."

  Celeste smiled wryly while feeling he'd done something good.