If you were to ask whether the situation was good or bad... it was bad. If you were to ask if it was alright... it was not. There wasn't a single shred of malice involved, and the potential benefits were immense. Nevertheless, the stomach pain was unavoidable.
In a sense, Cornelia was currently facing a crisis.
(K-Kaito-sama’s opinion of me has been strangely high for a while now, but... I wonder if I can survive this c-conversation with World King-sama and the Goddess of Fate-sama...)
Thanks to Kaito’s introduction, Cornelia was now recognized by Lilliwood and Fate as an exceptionally talented noblewoman. Consequently, the person they likely used as a benchmark in their minds was Eris.
Essentially, it was safe to assume that Lilliwood and Fate viewed Cornelia as a lady of the same caliber as Eris. However—as Cornelia was painfully aware—she did not actually possess Eris's level of capability.
(Knowledge, conversation, etiquette... I know I don't measure up to Eris-sama in any of those areas. I might be able to hold my own when it comes to music or art, but meeting the expectations of World King-sama and the Goddess of Fate-sama... It’s i-i-i-impossible.)
At the moment, Cornelia was desperately trying to handle the topics Lilliwood and Fate threw her way. Kaito interjected here and there to help, but Cornelia had no room to breathe; it felt as if she were frantically dodging swords flying at her at high speed.
Even if she were to make a slip of the tongue, it wasn't as if Lilliwood or Fate would take offense. Lilliwood was incredibly gentle and kind-hearted, and Fate’s personality was not one to dwell on trifles.
However, that wasn't the issue. Cornelia was currently at her absolute limit. Her mental state was that of a tightrope walker on a wire stretched taut; one mistake and her barely-sustained composure would collapse, likely leading to a cascade of further blunders.
That was exactly why she had to hold out here... but she was already nearing her breaking point.
"Hey, Conecone, are you and Eririn close? You guys came together, after all."
"Y-Yes. The Hamilton family and mine have had a long-standing relationship, and lately, we've had many opportunities to meet, so we are on very good terms."
"Heh... all that family and noble stuff sounds like a pain."
At some point... an anomaly had occurred without Cornelia even noticing. If she had to pinpoint it, she felt as if she had heard the sound of a string snapping.
『...Kaito-san mentioned you were well-versed in music. Are you familiar with things like the Harmonic Symphony?』
"Yes. Given my age, I have only attended a few times, but I make it a point to go to the Harmonic Symphony whenever it is held. I am more of a listener than a performer myself, but I always enjoy the Harmonic Symphony; it truly is a grand festival of music."
"I attended the Harmonic Symphony too, so maybe we passed each other somewhere."
"That is certainly possible. What a pity. If I had been acquainted with Kaito-sama back then, we might have been able to look around together..."
Before anyone knew it, she had entered a state where she was flawlessly navigating the conversation with Lilliwood and Kaito. In fact, her expression had shifted, becoming remarkably soft and cheerful.
Seeing this, Kaito felt relieved, thinking she was finally starting to relax. In reality, the truth was far different.
(...What is this? Before I knew it, the pain in my stomach vanished. My heart feels so light... my thoughts are flowing so smoothly, and I'm even enjoying the conversation!)
The stomach pain that had been throbbing just moments ago was gone. Her narrowed perspective had expanded into a broad, sharp clarity, leaving her with a sense of pure, refreshing exhilaration.
"It definitely sounds like it would be fun to look around with you, Cornelia-san. Let's go together if the opportunity arises."
"Yes! While not on the same scale as the Harmonic Symphony, the Arclesia Empire also holds music festivals. If it would not be an inconvenience for Kaito-sama, would it be alright if I invited you?"
"Sure, I'd love to."
She stepped easily into a zone of certain death and danced with a light step. Under normal circumstances, she would have been overwhelmed with humility; yet now, far from being daunted, she had even managed to secure a promise to go out with Kaito.
A bright smile graced her face, and she looked genuinely joyful... the answer derived from these signs was simple.
Cornelia, who had been pushed to her limit, had fallen into a state where she was averting her eyes with all her might from anything that would cause her stress. She pushed everything that might make her stomach hurt to the back of her mind and fled from reality with her whole heart and soul.
Indeed, it was the exact same state Marie had fallen into when she previously went out with Kaito. Once everything was over and she came back to her senses, she would undoubtedly either vomit or faint with foam at her mouth. Either way, there was no doubt she would eventually be crushed by the stomach pain she had deferred.
Even so, at this very moment, she was certainly soaring.
Cornelia Sharon... had entered her Invincible State.
Serious-senpai: "There it is! The 'Invincible State'—where you defer everything and go full-throttle into the jaws of death! She's already gone and made a promise to take Kaito out on a date!"