All in Charisma (A LitRPG/Isekai Adventure)

As they stepped out of Master Aliendro's shop, Justin adjusted his newly transformed attire. The deep navy fabric felt refreshingly different. He hadn't known such customizations were an option.

"Well," Alistair said, checking the position of the sun, "we have about three hours before you need to depart for the Corrin estate. That should be just enough time for a crash course in noble etiquette."

"Three hours to learn what most people spend their entire childhood mastering?" Justin asked wryly.

"Your Chameleon Charm boon will help considerably," Alistair assured him. "But there are certain fundamentals that can't be picked up through observation alone. You need to know these beforehand, or you'll make costly mistakes."

Justin nodded. "You may have a point there. Following your lead, Sir Alistair."

They made their way to a quieter district and settled at an upscale tavern called The Queen's Rooster. Alistair secured a private booth in the back, away from prying ears. He signaled the barkeep for two ales, which were promptly brought to the table.

"First things first," Alistair began, taking a sip. "Arrival protocol. I'm going to tell you the usual rules, but with a masquerade, where anonymity is key, much of this changes. In normal circumstances, when you reach the Royal Palace, you'll likely encounter a receiving line. The hosts—in this case, members of the royal family or their representatives—will greet guests personally. For a masquerade, it will almost certainly be representatives."

"Will it be all right if I use Atlas as my steed?"

Alistair chuckled. "Well, it will certainly be unconventional. Most guests will arrive in nondescript carriages that cannot be tied to their house if they wish to remain anonymous, which most will. Most will be drawn by horses, but some may use magical beasts, while others might arrive on unusual mounts acquired during their adventures. You may look a bit out of place on Atlas, but you wouldn't be the only one, especially on a night like this when people are trying to disguise themselves. Just be prepared to answer questions about it. My advice is, if Lady Myrelle offers her family's carriage, I would take it. That said, it's not a deal breaker."

"Good," Justin said. "I just don't want Atlas to be misunderstood. So, there's a receiving line. How do I address them?"

"In the rare event it actually is a member of the royal family, greet them with 'Your Royal Highness.' Generally, dukes and duchesses are addressed as 'Your Grace,' while most other nobles are referred to as 'My Lord' or 'My Lady.' When in doubt, err on the side of formality; it's better to be overly respectful than insufficiently so. That said, you may not need to worry about this as much during a masquerade. Lord Corrin, in case you didn't know, is an earl."

"How does that compare to a duke and a count?"

"In Aranthia, an earl outranks a count, not necessarily in power, but certainly in pedigree. Earls are typically old blood, families with lineages tracing back centuries. It's an old rank that is no longer conferred; everyone raised to a similar rank is now a count, along with their descendants. So, earls are strictly old blood. Counts represent newer blood, like Count Aurelian or Count Valdrik. They can be first-generation, like Valdrik, or fifth or sixth-generation nobles. Even so, an earl is always 'my lord.'"

"And how am I supposed to know someone's rank without an introduction? I can't exactly ask, 'Excuse me, are you a duke or just a baron?'"

Alistair smiled. "Excellent question. It takes practice." He counted off on his fingers. "First, and most importantly, observe how others treat them. If you see other nobles bowing or addressing someone with clear deference, that person likely outranks them significantly."

"Okay. Makes sense."

"Second, their positioning in the room. At formal events, seating and standing arrangements follow a strict hierarchy. Those closest to the royal family or at the head table typically hold the highest rank. That said, a masquerade can be different, and seating can follow a different format to mix things up."

"So, there will be food. Do people eat with their masks on?"

"Yes. Typically, masks do not cover the mouth, which allows for eating, drinking, or conversation. Some may choose to wear full-face masks, but during the eating portion, they may wear a second mask that keeps the mouth free and change discreetly."

"I see."

"Expect a sumptuous banquet worthy of the Royal Palace, with multiple courses prepared by the best chefs on the continent. The dancing will follow afterward, along with perhaps some games."

"Dear gods," Justin said, feeling sick. "At least the mask will help me hide better."

"That's why it was easy for Lady Myrelle to invite you," he said. "It's a perfect way for you to dip your toes into society. Less risk, and you can see how things work."

"Yes, I see that."

"It may seem overwhelming at first, but you'll adapt quickly. Just trust your instincts."

"Makes sense. Watch for context clues."

"Exactly. Your Chameleon Charm boon will help you pick up on subtle social cues once you start observing them. And remember, Lady Myrelle will be there to guide you. She knows you're new to the city, and others will too."

"So since this is a masquerade, people won't be using their names."

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"It depends. Some people can't hide who they are if they have distinguishing features, like a certain voice or body shape. Others with more average builds might blend in better. So in short, some will use their names from the start, others once they are 'discovered,' and some won't reveal their identities until the unmasking at midnight."

"Unmasking?" Justin asked, horrified. "I thought I would wear my mask the entire time!"

"Yes, that's the culmination of these events. By then, you should have figured out if Valdrik is among the attendees. His voice is quite distinctive."

"The same logic applies to him," Justin said. "How many people will be at this thing?"

"Several hundred, certainly. It is a risk, but again... one we've deemed worth taking."

Justin nodded, making mental notes. "What about introductions? Should I introduce myself, or wait for Myrelle to do it?"

"Given your rank, always wait to be introduced rather than introducing yourself, especially to those of higher rank. When Lady Myrelle introduces you, offer a respectful bow—not too deep, mind you. She'll likely not use her name; she strikes me as someone who wants to embrace the spirit of the masquerade. In this case, people will often go by defining features that others recognize, such as The Man in the Golden Mask or the Lady with the Peacock Feathers. That's all part of the fun."

"And conversation?"

Alistair leaned back thoughtfully. "This is where it gets tricky. Safe topics include the weather, recent cultural events, travel experiences, and compliments about the venue or festivities. An obvious topic would be masks or costumes. You'll find people mentioning red herrings to divert you from discovering their true identity. It's an environment where anything can happen, especially later in the evening as alcohol loosens tongues and typical social norms. Avoid politics, religion, business dealings, or anything that could be seen as gossip—even if others bring up such topics. It's better to play it safe, at least at first."

"What if someone asks about my background?"

"Stick to your established story, and fortunately, the setting allows for vague responses. Most nobles prefer talking about themselves anyway. Ask thoughtful questions about their interests, estates, and travels. People love discussing their passions with someone who shows genuine curiosity."

"Okay, easy enough."

"Now, about dancing," Alistair continued. "Do you know any formal dances?"

"Absolutely not."

"I feared as much. The good news is that most masquerade dances follow predictable patterns. The waltz is the most common—it's a simple three-count pattern: one-two-three, one-two-three. The gentleman leads, guiding with gentle pressure on his partner's waist and hand."

Alistair stood and demonstrated the basic steps, counting under his breath as Justin watched, impressed.

"The key is confidence, even if you're unsure. Most ladies are accomplished dancers and can follow a novice lead if you're decisive about your movements."

"What if I step on her feet?"

"Apologize gracefully and continue. Don't dwell on mistakes—acknowledge them briefly and move on. Nothing marks a novice more than excessive apologies."

"Okay," Justin said. "Back to food. I've seen movies with those fancy restaurants, and they have about seven forks to choose from."

Alistair chuckled knowingly. "Work from the outside in. The forks and knives farthest from your plate are for the first course. Dessert is on top."

"And the food itself?"

"Eat slowly and engage in conversation between bites. Never reach across the table. Ask for items to be passed, if needed, but you will almost be served directly by a waiter. If wine is poured, it's acceptable to drink, but pace yourself. Getting drunk at a royal function is social suicide. Match your partner's pace."

Justin grimaced. "This is a lot to remember."

"The fundamentals will come naturally with your boon," Alistair assured him. "I'm giving you the framework so you won't panic in unfamiliar situations."

They spent the next hour covering specific scenarios: how to exit boring conversations gracefully, the proper way to ask Myrelle to dance, and compliments that showed sophistication rather than crude flattery.

"Remember," Alistair emphasized, "you're not trying to be the most interesting person in the room. You want to be the most interested. Ask about people's families, their estates, their recent travels; all this can be done under the guide of trying to 'discover' who they are. Most importantly, show that you value what they have to say."

"What about Lady Myrelle specifically? Any particular advice there?"

Alistair smiled knowingly. "She's clearly attracted to your authenticity, so don't try to change who you are. But do show her the courtesy and attention befitting her station. Offer your arm when walking, assist her with her cloak, pull out her chair—these small gestures matter to someone raised with such expectations."

"And if we encounter anyone who might know Valdrik?"

"Well, you can't know who knows him, but I suppose you mean fellow conspirators who might recognize you. You must wear the mask to prevent recognition; none of these people have likely seen you in person. Just be Justin Talemaker of the Wildwood, a minor noble making his way in Belmoran society. Nothing more, nothing less. If that name falls on the wrong ears, perhaps that's not a bad thing."

"You're thinking it could flush out some enemies."

"Perhaps," Alistair said. "It's a dangerous game we're playing, but we chose to play it. You've come far, Justin. I trust you to handle yourself well."

Justin wasn't so sure, but he supposed the key was confidence, as Alistair had said.

"One last thing," Alistair said. "The gift for Lady Myrelle. You mentioned flowers?"

Justin nodded, reaching into his enchanted pack. He withdrew several blooms he had collected on Solanis—fiery red flowers found on the hills leading to Pyrelith. Their petals shifted through subtle color changes as they caught the light.

"Remarkable," Alistair breathed. "I've never seen anything like these. Where did you say they came from?"

"Solanis," Justin replied carefully. "On the road to Pyrelith."

"They're perfect. Unique enough to be memorable, beautiful enough to show thoughtfulness. Certainly befitting a lady like Myrelle and then some. We'll need a proper presentation, though."

"Yes," Justin said. "I've read it's bad form to be without a vase."

"I think I spied one on the way here."

After paying, the two visited a florist who provided an elegant crystal vase that perfectly complemented the otherworldly flowers. The arrangement looked both sophisticated and mystical—exactly right for someone of Myrelle's adventurous nature. The florist remarked on the exotic blooms, demanding to know Justin's source, but thankfully, Justin convinced him they were from Atelinar... far away, but not so outlandish as a separate planet.

With an hour remaining before departure, Justin stood outside the florist. "Well, I'm as ready as I can be. I suppose it's time to set off."

"Yes. It certainly is."

"One more thing," Justin said. "What if some of the Aurelians are there?"

"Oh, they almost certainly will be."

"Then this will be a night to remember. Thank you, Alistair. Wish me luck."

"You don't need luck," Alistair said firmly. "You have talent, experience, and most importantly, character. That's rarer in noble circles than you might think."

"Well, I'll be back at headquarters around midnight."

The Paladin nodded. "Eager to hear how it goes. You've got this."

Justin summoned Atlas. The construct materialized with its characteristic whir.

"Well, my friend," he said, climbing onto Atlas's back, "time to see how well we can blend in with royalty."

Atlas chittered what sounded like encouragement as Justin gave a final farewell and set off toward the Corrin estate.