The next day, morning.
Hahn had already left the manor and headed to the outskirts to arrange the banquet matters.
According to him, although there were specialists managing it, this banquet was of great importance, and he feared some small Errors in detail, so he went early to supervise them... Altair, on the other hand, was still slowly enjoying today's breakfast.
After finishing the meal and standing up to return to the bedroom door to change, the voices of three people talking could be heard inside.
"This gown won't do; the size is no longer right."
"The size of this one is right, but the color doesn't match."
..."This tea dress won't do; the color is too dull."
"This one won't do either; the color is too dark."
..."You could try this one."
"That one won't do either; Earl Altair wore it to the last banquet."
..."How about this one?"
"Also no... keep it as a backup. What about the jewelry?"
After pushing open the bedroom door, the scene was revealed. The room was in a mess, with coordinated clothes and jewelry scattered everywhere.
The three heard the sound of the door opening and looked back to find that Altair had already entered the bedroom.
The two sides looked at each other, and the scene was quite awkward.
Looking at their actions, Altair asked, "What's the matter? Are the clothes for today's outing not ready yet?"
Seeing the guilt of those around her, Irene lowered her head and took a step forward, saying, "Earl Altair, among the existing clothes in your wardrobe, very few are suitable for today's banquet."
"Perhaps it's also because of your recent physical development; I just discovered that some of the clothes are no longer a good fit. Additionally, today is an outdoor banquet, so we haven't selected a suitable gown yet."
Altair, the person involved, felt helpless at Irene's words.
Since his 'father' passed away, attending the public Memorial Service, sending him back to the fief for burial, returning to Backlund to take the potion and starting to dress in disguise, three months had already passed.
Perhaps because of the potion, the body had begun to grow rapidly, from 1.65 meters to 1.74 meters now, while all the clothes were still tailored according to the measurements from three months ago.
Usually being at home, there were no requirements for dress; as long as it could be worn, it was fine.
Because not many banquets had been attended during this period, it wasn't clear that some clothes had started to become ill-fitting, especially something like a formal gown.
Everyone had forgotten about this issue. Altair himself didn't have many requirements for clothing, so he hadn't paid attention to it.
Hahn, being a male butler, wouldn't ask about it either.
Freya and Irene—one a female housekeeper and the other a personal maid—had both just joined this household and hadn't been working for long; both thought the Earl had ample preparations for clothing.
Regarding the current problem, Altair said calmly, "Find some clothes that are barely acceptable. There's no need to deliberately choose light colors; dark clothes are also fine. As for the gown for tonight, there's no need to prepare one specifically."
"After this banquet is over, just call a clothing designer to redo them."
After saying that, Altair entered the washroom to put on undergarments alone. Having not yet reached sequence 7, letting them help would definitely reveal the secret, so during this time, Altair always put on undergarments personally.
After walking out of the washroom, the three hurried forward to assist in putting on a deep blue garment. Through broad shoulders, a slender waist, and an expanded skirt, it presented an X-shape, with voluminous leg-of-mutton sleeves and puff sleeves, paired with a corset and multiple layers of petticoats.
After pairing it with some appropriately colored accessories and putting on a flat-topped hat, the ensemble was considered complete.
After taking some spare clothes, the three followed Altair into a carriage and left the manor.
The mood of the three along the way was not high. If this had happened in another household, the minimum punishment they would face would be immediate dismissal; some narrow-minded nobles would even retaliate against them.
This era was just like that; all nobles cared about appearances and had requirements for daily dress, let alone for participating in large-scale activities.
As for the fact that it was essentially because of Altair that such an Error occurred, others should not have to bear the responsibility.
Wishful thinking; the nobles here were unreasonable... From the manor in Empress Borough to the manor in the outskirts, it was already close to noon.
When the carriage stopped at the door and Altair stepped out, he found Hahn and Simon already waiting for him at the entrance.
Altair walked up and asked, "Simon, is the shooting range ready over there?"
Hearing the question, Simon nodded directly and said, "Earl Altair, please rest assured. The shooting range has been prepared, all weapons have been checked and will not have problems, and they have been placed properly. The performance stage has also been erected."
"After the noon banquet ends, the trial shooting performance can be held in the afternoon."
After hearing Simon's words, Altair nodded in approval. Then he turned to look at Hahn, who also said, "All matters for the banquet have been properly arranged. The kitchen is currently preparing the food for the luncheon."
"After the luncheon is over, we can head to the shooting range to watch the performance."
"After the performance, it will be tea time. Earl Altair, you can use this time to discuss cooperation with other Earls."
"As for the dinner, because the location for this banquet was chosen in the outskirts, it will be held earlier. It can proceed after the tea time ends."
"After the dinner, the ball can take place. The ball will end early at about ten o'clock."
Altair was pleased to hear Hahn's arrangements for the banquet. As expected of someone who had been a butler for over a decade, not a single flaw could be found in things like the banquet schedule... When the time approached nearly 12 noon, Altair, sitting on the sofa in the hall, saw carriages starting to enter through the manor gates via the window.
He then stood up to wait for the guests in the living room.
Seeing the arrivals, Altair bowed directly and said,
"Good afternoon, Earl Donovan, Mrs. Donovan."
The two also replied politely,
"Good afternoon, Earl Altair."
"Good afternoon, Sister Altair."
Owen looked around and said directly, "It seems the two of us have arrived quite early, since we are the first guests to arrive."
But Heather Grant directly undermined him, "Altair, don't listen to his nonsense. If it weren't for me, he would probably still be on the road right now."
...Watching their cheerful banter, Altair also envied the relationship of this couple, who were still so sweet after more than ten years of marriage.
But he always felt that he was currently being fed 'dog food' by the two. Helplessly, he could only invite them to sit down and start tasting tea and desserts.
The three hadn't chatted for long before the manor gates opened again.
This time, Uncle-Grandfather Leif and Brigadier General Karel entered.
Uncle-Grandfather Leif came alone as Cousin Charles was still in the Southern Continent for business.
'Karel' came together with his fiancée, 'Tiffany O'Neal'.
Karel Duarte was the superior of Altair's original father. He was a Colonel before returning from the Southern Continent, and after returning, he was promoted one level to Brigadier General.
After greeting each other, the two also joined the small talk.
Uncle-Grandfather Leif gave Owen a cold face, but had mostly praise for Heather.
Karel Duarte, on the other hand, had mostly praise for Owen, this legendary figure.
This resulted in Uncle-Grandfather Leif's expression starting to turn sour toward him as well...