Chapter 45: Townsman A is Invited to a Dinner Party

A few days after the Duke promised me his full backing, Sebastian-san paid another visit to my family home.

“Master Allen, it has been some time. I have come to deliver an invitation from the head of our house. He wishes to host you for dinner tomorrow evening; please come accompanied by your mother. We will provide a carriage for your transit. Furthermore, His Grace understands your circumstances, so please do not trouble yourselves with formal attire. Simply come in the clothes you would usually wear for a stroll through town. Additionally, gifts or tokens are entirely unnecessary.”

“Understood. We'll be there.”

With that brief exchange, Sebastian-san left the invitation and departed.

“Allen, who was that at the door?”

“The butler from House Ramslett. He invited us both to the ducal estate for dinner tomorrow night.”

“Oh my! What on earth should I do? I don’t own a single dress. Ah, well, I suppose you can just wear your school uniform, but as for me…”

“Mom, Sebastian-san specifically said we didn’t need to dress up. He insisted we come in our everyday clothes. He was probably just being considerate since he knows we don't own anything fancy.”

“I—I see. Still, being invited by a Duke… I feel like I’m walking on air; it all feels so surreal. Oh! That’s right! I have to go cancel my shifts for tomorrow afternoon. Allen, make sure you keep your schedule clear, too!”

Leaving it at that, my mother practically bolted out of the house in a panic.

“Thank you for having us today.”

As instructed, I showed up empty-handed, wearing my slightly nicer "going out" clothes, but I still couldn't help feeling restless. Sebastian-san guided us through the massive ducal manor toward the dining hall. Despite the casual dress code, the sheer scale of the place made it impossible to truly relax.

The Duke and Anastasia were already seated and waiting for us, along with two others who appeared to be Anastasia’s mother and older brother.

“Ah, Allen-kun, welcome. And you must be Allen-kun’s mother. It is a pleasure to meet you. I am the head of House Ramslett, Gerhard Kleiner von Ramslett. My daughter is constantly in your son’s debt, and for that, I offer my deepest thanks.”

The Duke spoke with effortless grace, taking my mother’s hand and pressing a light kiss to the back of it. The man is a noble through and through.

“This is my wife, Elizaveta, and my son, Friedrich.”

The Duchess and the heir to the Dukedom. In other words, Anastasia’s mother and brother.

“It is an honor to meet you both. Lady Elizaveta, Lord Friedrich, my name is Allen.”

I knelt as I spoke, doing my best to remain respectful.

“I am Katerina, Allen’s mother,” she added, performing a modest, practiced curtsy by lightly lifting the hem of her skirt.

“Today, I have invited my daughter’s benefactor and his mother as guests. Let us dispense with such stiff formalities,” the Duke declared. Taking his cue, we relaxed our posture.

“Look now, Ana. Allen-kun is here,” Elizaveta-san said, gently ushering Anastasia toward me.

“...Allen.”

“Lady Anastasia, it’s been a wh—”

“You! How could you leave things like that!?”

Anastasia snapped at me, her voice thick with an emotional intensity I had never seen from her before. I hadn't been able to see her the last time I visited the estate, and I’d spent the intervening days worried she might have grown to hate me. It seemed I was wrong.

Thank goodness.

The relief of knowing she didn't despise me was so great that I found her uncharacteristic outburst strangely adorable. I couldn't stop a small smile from tugging at my lips.

“Wh—! What are you smirking at!? I am being serious!”

“My apologies. I’m just very happy to see you again.”

“I… I see. Well. I am… as am I. And, well, I suppose… I should say thank you. For the matter with the proxy, and everything else…”

“Please, don't mention it. I couldn't just stand by and watch that happen.”

“Right. Yes.”

I felt a slight flutter in my chest. This was a side of Anastasia I never would have seen back at the academy.

“Allen-kun? Our Ana here was worried about you the entire time, you know,” Elizaveta-san interjected playfully. “On the night of the incident, she went running into my husband’s study in the middle of the night, tears streaming down her face.”

“Mother! That’s—! And I was not crying!”

As Elizaveta-san teased her, Anastasia’s face turned a brilliant shade of crimson as she tried to deny it.

“Oh my, look at her. Tell me, Allen-kun—if you wouldn't mind, would you consider calling her just 'Ana'? I’m certain she would prefer it.”

“Eh? What? M-Mother!?”

I knew it. Seeing her react like a girl her age was infinitely more charming than that frozen mask of dignity she usually wore.

“Um, then… Lady Ana?”

“Ugh… Fine. But only when no one else is around, understood?”

“Yes, Lady Ana.”

After introducing my mother to the blushing Ana, the dinner party officially began. Once the initial pleasantries were over, the Duke broached the main topic.

“Now then, the reason I asked the two of you here was to report on the resolution of the recent disturbance.”

I met the Duke’s gaze squarely.

“First, regarding the apology to House Ramslett that served as a condition for the duel. It has been settled: during the opening ceremony of the next term, the Crown Prince and Miss Amy will offer a formal apology to Anastasia as the representative of our house. Since the insult was public, it is only fitting that the restitution be made before the same audience.”

“I see.”

“Furthermore, the engagement between the Crown Prince and my daughter has been officially annulled. Under the circumstances, maintaining the arrangement was out of the question.”

The Duke paused for a moment to let that sink in.

“My daughter seems to have taken quite a liking to you, Allen-kun. I hope that you will continue to get along with her—as her ‘friend’.”

“Yes, sir. If there is anything I can do, I will.”

He had emphasized the word friend quite pointedly. I took the hint. It made sense; there were still social boundaries to respect.

“And finally, regarding your own status. I have forced the Royal Family to acknowledge that both you and Katerina-san are now under the protection of House Ramslett. Consequently, there will be no need for you to withdraw from the academy, nor will you face any official punishment.”

“Is that true!?”

“It is. Should you wish it, you may work for my house after graduation, or I can provide you with a high-level recommendation elsewhere. But for now, focus on making your time at the academy meaningful.”

“Thank you so much!”

“Oh, Your Grace… thank you. Thank you truly,” my mother added, her voice trembling with gratitude.

The weight lifted from my shoulders. I didn’t have to drop out. I could stay at the academy.

“Allen, I’m counting on you again next year.”

Anastasia looked at me as I celebrated, her face lighting up with a brilliant, radiant smile.

“The pleasure is mine. I look forward to it.”

I managed to stammer out a reply, but I was completely captivated. It was the first time I’d seen her smile like that.

Just to see her look like that… yeah, all that trouble was worth it.

I meant it from the bottom of my heart.