In his past life, Charlot had never had the money to travel or witness the grandeur of Europe’s renowned palaces. He couldn’t have imagined their opulence. But stepping into the Champagne Palace, his first reaction was: Holy crap, this is all built on the people's sweat and blood!
Charlot firmly believed that the extravagance of the Champagne Palace surpassed any palace on Earth. After all, ancient Europe didn’t have magic, extraordinary abilities, or alchemy to create such marvels. The alchemical magical lamps, which Charlot still hadn’t brought himself to buy even one of, adorned the entire Champagne Palace, illuminating it as brightly as daylight. Such scenes, even in his previous life on Earth, only occurred during special events when electricity was extravagantly wasted. But in this medieval world, it was nothing short of a divine miracle.
Nobles dressed in luxurious attire wandered throughout the palace. Even the most extravagant films on Earth couldn’t capture this level of opulence. Every corner of the Champagne Palace featured attendants and food, and in every populated area, servants stood by with wine, waiting to serve. Countless beautiful young women dressed as maids flitted about like butterflies among flowers, catering to every guest.
Charlot took a deep breath and whispered to Julian Arsilo, “Is this also the custom in Byron?”
Julian whispered back, “How could it be!”
Charlot let out a slight sigh of relief, feeling his tension ease.
Julian continued, “We Byrons are far more refined than the Ingrima people. Though we founded our nations around the same time, we vampires are not like these upstart nobles who’ve only been ennobled for a few years.”
Charlot immediately tensed again.
Although he had never attended a similar noble ball in the Fars Empire, he guessed it wouldn’t be any less grand.
Charlot recalled that Annie Bretagne had only ever taken him to the Gorgias University club for the Black Moon Epoch Year 33, never mentioning noble balls or anything of the sort.
When Charlot was with Annie, he almost believed she was just an ordinary girl—wealthy, yes, but otherwise no different from him. She shared his hobbies, enjoying simple entertainments like operas, coffee, and walks...
Yet, standing in the Champagne Palace, Charlot suddenly realized something. Annie Bretagne was not an ordinary girl. She was the daughter of Earl Bretagne, born into one of the most powerful noble families in the Fars Empire. She was the kind of aristocratic young woman who wouldn’t know the difference between a high-grade extraordinary artifact like Dark Luxury, priced at an astronomical 3,600 gold écus, and a second-hand luxury four-wheel carriage, valued at merely 2 écus and 8 flor, complete with lanterns, cushions, and reins!
Charlot had always thought he was in a normal relationship. But at this moment, he abruptly woke up, belatedly realizing just how tender-hearted this young lady from the Bretagne family was.
Julian nudged Charlot lightly and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Charlot suddenly snapped out of it and smiled. “It seems like everyone else brought female companions, but we’re the only male pair.”
Julian pointed and said, “The High Priest Auguslatin also brought a young man.”
Charlot glanced over and indeed saw the High Priest of the Radiant Lord, arm in arm with a handsome youth. He couldn’t tell if the young man was a “virgin,” but somehow, he felt certain that if he had been before, he definitely wasn’t now.
High Priest Auguslatin was chatting amiably with another high priest of the Radiant Lord. Charlot considered going over to greet him but decided against it when he saw the handsome youth beside Auguslatin. At least, not while Julian was still around. That was the bottom line of Charlot’s principles.
Julian had attended Count Lamorak’s ball in a private capacity. Although his noble lineage was extraordinary, he was still young and in a foreign land, so no one came over to greet him.
Julian didn’t mind in the least and strolled around the Champagne Palace with Charlot. As a Byron native, Julian had rarely visited Ingrima and was setting foot in the Champagne Palace for the first time. He, too, was curious about the famed palace.
Charlot treated the event like a sightseeing tour of a famous landmark, wandering with Julian through the Champagne Palace. At any moment, he could pick up a glass of champagne produced in the Bedivere Earldom of Fars. The experience left him slightly lightheaded.
It was akin to visiting the Versailles Palace, Schönbrunn Palace, or other ancient European landmarks while being constantly attended to by servants and maids, with access to the finest delicacies and wines at your fingertips. Such indulgence was unimaginable.
Charlot even entertained the idea of finding unopened champagne from the Bedivere Earldom to bring back to Machubi Fortress Labyrinth.
As they wandered, a group of more than ten noblewomen passed by. Two middle-aged noblewomen among them winked at Charlot and Julian, with one even tossing a handkerchief in their direction.
Charlot didn’t understand this custom and pulled Julian away.
Julian whispered, “Are you not interested in Ingrima noblewomen?”
“Although the atmosphere in the Ingrima Empire isn’t as liberal as in Fars, their women can be quite enthusiastic.”
Charlot, still uneasy, replied, “What if it’s a trap?”
Julian facepalmed and said, “This is the Champagne Palace! How could such a thing happen?”
“I get it,” Julian teased. “Charlot, could it be that you’re a virgin? Have you never been with a woman?”
Charlot nodded repeatedly, preferring this misunderstanding over his past being dredged up. He didn’t mind being thought of as a virgin. What was wrong with that?
Julian believed him and chuckled softly, deciding to spare his “friend” further embarrassment. He said, “If you don’t like married Ingrima noblewomen, you could try courting some of the young ladies. But they might be more troublesome—they might genuinely push for marriage.”
Charlot considered for a moment, and it was as if a switch in his brain flipped. Memories he had deliberately sealed surged forth, recounting the tales of romance and scandals among Old Continent nobles.
Like in Western Europe on Earth, there were both conservative and open-minded individuals. But in noble circles, the latter clearly dominated, regardless of gender.
Charlot strongly resisted such ideas and said, “I already have someone I like. I hope to marry her someday. These things are for you to deal with.”
Julian showed a look of admiration. “I’m not interested in these things either.”
As the two chatted, they suddenly heard a commotion. Several people shouted, “There’s a duel happening!”
“Jeremy Rainer and Ilian Wood are dueling for Miss Veranica!”
“I’m betting ten gold pounds on Jeremy. I’ll wager fifteen pounds on Jeremy as well.”
Charlot glanced at the swarm of people rushing toward the commotion and said, “How is this even entertaining?”
Julian smiled faintly and said, “Let’s join the fun. Who knows? We might need to step in.”