"Well... don't be a little nervous,"
"Huh, really? I think I'm used to this kind of thing because I'm talking about Ray."

　When Elena heard Ray muttering, she said with a smile, taking him by the arm.
　It's already night.
　Many participants should have already gathered in the big hall of the party to attend the New Year's party hosted by the Duke of Kelebel.
　The party hasn't really started yet, as the Duke and Duchess of Kelebel and Elena haven't attended it yet.
　However, as long as so many people were still gathered, it was only natural that there was a lot of course.
　In the meantime, Ray is in the waiting room because he escorts Elena.
　I ended up talking to Blueit during the day, and it was almost evening, and Blueit had to do all the things he needed to do, so he left, and the rest was Ray.
　I spent some time in the library recommended by Miranda, and it was about time, so I came to the waiting room with Elena.
　Elena's parents Liberte and Arcadia's waiting room is different from Elena's.
　Arcadia must have been smart around here.
　If Elena and Ray were present, they would not be able to relax.
　However, since we're having dinner together, there's no such thing as tension in Ray anymore.
　In this case Ray was nervous to escort Elena.

"Even so. First of all, Elena is sure to keep all eyes on the hall, right? And if I were there... I'm sure I'd get attention, too."

　Say so, Ray turns his eyes to Elena, who is arm in arm with him.
　I can't see the whole Elena as a matter of course, because I'm looking sideways from close contact.
　But even if you wear a party dress... you can tell from the fact that you wear it.
　It makes Ray asserts himself overwhelmingly because he's close at hand.
　This is what happens to Ray, who is used to seeing Elena, if he rarely has access to her.
　You won't even have to think about it.

"I'm glad to hear Ray say so,"

　At Ray's compliment, Elena really... gave me a hearty, happy smile... as if to interrupt that smile, a knock echoes through the room.

"Excuse me. Miss Ray. It's almost time for you to come to the party."

　It was a maid who said so.
　However, Ray is not in charge of Miranda, but Ray is the first person I've seen.
　a veteran maid in her forties and fifties
　Such a maid makes Elena smile a different kind of happy smile than when she was praised by Ray.

"Jalana, have you come back? I was sure you were busy today, so I thought you'd come."
"Ho-ho. It's your daughter's presentation. She's back with a little effort."

　Elena's white cheeks turn pale red at the word "the wedding of her daughter."
　This is because I understood the meaning of the maid named Jalana.
　Basically Elena rarely attended parties, but that doesn't mean she didn't attend all parties.
　As with today's New Year's parties, there are some parties you really have to attend.
　That's why the word "show" isn't appropriate... but when Ray is there, the story changes.
　That means that if there is Ray to Elena, she'll let him know.
　Elena's cheeks turned red because she was told about her relationship with Ray.
　There was no excuse for me when I was still arm in arm in the waiting room before I went to the party.

"Now, my dear lady, it's time for you to leave." ... Mr. Ray, I'd like a lady, please."
"Oh, I know,"

　Ray nods straight to Jalana, who sees herself as a notorious person.
　If you don't know much about Ray and don't know his nickname, it's not uncommon to do so.
　But Jalana, who works in the Duke of Kelebel's residence, could not have known the circumstances.
　Still, he looked Ray in the eye without fear, and his courage was clearly better than the adventurers around him.

"Then... shall we go?"
"Yes,"

　When Ray asks with his arms crossed, Elena nods short, but reassuringly.
　Ray and Elena then leave the room and start walking.
　Of course, it's the party hall.
　They dress appropriately for each other's party, and it seems to the viewer to be the best combination.
　...however, Ray and Elena are taller than each other, so they are not the ideal lovers for everyone in terms of appearance.
　Nevertheless, they walk down the corridor arm in arm, not particularly concerned about each other's height.
　At first, there were no people around, but as we approach the venue of the party, more and more aristocrats are speaking in the hallways.
　Such nobles, of course, are blinded and unable to move when they see Elena, and it is not until they come to themselves that they find Ray next to them.
　Naturally, the aristocrats here know who Ray is, but... what they know is Ray, the adventurer, in his dragon robes.
　That's why at first I didn't think it was Ray to be with Elena.

"Hey, hey, man with Elena... do you know who he is? I've never seen him before."
"Oh, yeah. I've never seen such a guy before. Who the hell is that?"
"Perhaps... it's a lot, but I think it's a crimson ray."
"What? Are you a notorious adventurer? Oh, but now that you mention it, I feel like I was about the same height, and my facial expression..."

　People watching it up close say so, but Ray and Elena go down the hall without a trace of concern.
　That'surely...

"What? Can't you think of a balance with Mr. Elena? That's why people of low birth are like this."
"Look, Mr. Elena is taller, isn't she? She wouldn't normally be too embarrassed to come out here with Mr. Elena. What the hell are you thinking about?"
"Well, it's common for such people to dream about something they don't know."

　Not only did many people say that they were genuinely surprised when they first saw the Rays, but many also exchange malicious words.
　What's more, it's even worse to say it in a way that sounds slightly like Ray.
　Ray actually has so many senses that he doesn't have to imitate them like that.
　Ray knows it's ugly jealousy.
　He is jealous and bitter of Ray, who is in a place where he can't get there himself.
　Even if you know that, jealousy from someone like that is not interesting...

"Don't worry, Ray. All they can do is envy. They are not making any efforts, and yet they are full of jealousy and pathetic incompetence."

　Elena tells Ray so.
　in a voice that only Ray could hear... but in a loud voice that only the men who were malicious toward him could hear.
　Naturally, the aristocrats who had been sarcastic towards Ray can hear the voices and complain, but under the present circumstances they can't say anything.In fact, these nobles are not particularly good at anything.
　Some of the other aristocrats in the hallway looked at them, and they were no longer there, and left.

"Not at all,"

　As he said so, Elena's mouth was filled with a satisfied smile.
　It's only natural that you get angry when your lover is spoken ill of, and that you feel better when you beat him.

"Well, let's go. A lot of people will be waiting for us at the party."
"I hope so. As far as I'm concerned, Elena is the only one waiting."
"I was looking forward to attending today's party with Ray."

　He says so and puts his strength into Ray's arms.
　Then, naturally, Elena's rich twin hills would be twisted in Ray's arms, and if anyone had seen the scene, he would have definitely opened his eyes wide.
　That would have been a sure thing to do with the present scene, regardless of gender.
　Fortunately, though, -- or unfortunately -- Ray and Elena are the only two to see the scene.
　Others don't want to be the target of Elena's verbal attack... and now that Elena is here, they've already left the party in earnest.
　As a result, it would have been best for everyone.
　If you look at the scene now, it's likely that you didn't make it to the start of the party.

"Yes, here,"

　Elena goes down the corridor, turning palely red at her actions, but still pretending not to let go of Ray's arm.
　As the parties get closer to each other, naturally there will be more aristocrats gathering there.
　Curiosity, jealousy, goodwill... ...with all eyes on them, Ray and Elena finally arrive at the party.
　When you enter the party hall, the aristocrats there make an instant noise.
　I've heard from the nobles who came to the party before Ray and Elena. I've heard... many people are still surprised to see Ray and Elena.
　It is only natural for aristocrats to know that Elena is an unparalleled beauty.
　But he who, knowing it, sees Elena in this way, is captivated.
　Even those who knew Elena could understand that her beauty was different from usual when they looked at her again.
　And the biggest reason why it's definitely unusual is...

"Is that Ray in crimson? ... From what I can see, he doesn't look like the sort of guy who is rumored to be."
"No, no, it doesn't look like that right now, but in the last mock battle, I beat dozens of people by myself. That's the nickname crimson."

　One of the nobles sees Ray and doubts his appearance, but the aristocrat nearby tells the story of a mock battle he saw.
　Unusual... that's really rare, the aristocrat explained to Ray with a rather favorable air.
　It's unusual for a nobleman to be friendly to Ray, and everyone around him listens to him.
　Somebody who thought of Ray listened with an abominable expression to such an aristocrat.
　However, as long as Ray demonstrated his power in a mock battle, he can't meddle carelessly.
　What's more, if you carelessly meddle in the matter, you'll end up playing second fiddle to Count Caselez, who was expelled from the nobility.

(Wow, I'm being watched.)

　Ray, who entered the party with Elena, is keenly aware of that.
　Originally, it's not unusual to be seen by others, and I'm used to it.
　But... this is the home of the aristocracy, and many of the people at this party are aristocratic aristocrats.
　That being the case, Ray's natural appearance is unusual.
　Many people usually see Ray, but today he's seen in what we call Elena's appendage.
　I'm not quite used to it, and I feel like I can't say anything about it.

"Here we go, Ray. My father and mother are waiting."
"Huh? Oh, I see."

　Following Elena's gaze, Ray could see her talking to the nobles beyond.
　Only Liberte and Arcadia, the organizers of this party, will they often talk to the nobility.
　Ray and Elena approach each other.
　Then, naturally, the eyes of those around them follow them, and Liberte and Arcadia, who are talking to the nobility, also notice Ray and Elena's presence.
　Arriving in front of them, Elena opens her mouth with a smile.

"Father, mother, I'm late."
"I wasn't used to this kind of party, so I was talking to Elena for a while and I was late."

　Elena and Ray would call out to Liberte and Arcadia.