On the way from the reception room to the guest dining hall, Catherine accompanied Jin while Norma escorted Maquina.
(So they weren't just keeping us company to pass the time...)
In truth, both young women were noble daughters serving as senior lady's maids in the Royal Palace as part of their etiquette training.
Typically, such positions were filled by second or third daughters from baronet or baron households, though daughters of viscounts served as well, and on rare occasions, even those from count families like these two. Naturally, none ever came from marquis houses.
Of course, their families' true motives were more than half about catching the eye of a nobleman in a key state position or currying favor with influential foreign aristocrats...
And so, the lot had fallen upon the two count's daughters, Norma Dope Harcourt and Catherine Pillar Grossin.
Another major reason for their selection was their ability to use magi-craft, even if only at a beginner's level.
It was not intended as a honey trap. They had simply been chosen under the assumption that few guests would mind being attended by young, attractive women who walked the same path, even as absolute novices.
And fortuitously, even if purely by coincidence, that approach worked.
Had they been subjected to any heavier-handed hospitality, Jin would have felt nothing but disgust.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Once again, welcome: Sion-dono of All-Creation, Third Generation Magi Craft Meister Jin Nidou-dono, Honorary Squire Reiko-dono, and Deus Ex Machina-dono."
King Melikalans I of the Klein Kingdom offered his words of welcome to Jin's party.
Because Sion had vouched that Reiko was the very same Reiko who had accompanied the Second Generation Magi Craft Meister four hundred years ago, she would continue to be addressed by her historical title of "Honorary Squire."
In terms of foreign protocol, Sion of All-Creation was the wife of the Clan Chief, which gave her a rank equivalent to a queen, so the King personally hosted her.
Had this been the Sion of her youth, the Queen seated across from the King might have had good reason to feel jealous, but given Sion's apparent age, it posed no issue.
Next in precedence was the Magi Craft Meister, Jin, attended by a count's daughter.
Third was Deus Ex Machina, attended by a count's daughter just like Jin.
As for Reiko, since her nature as an automata was common knowledge, she sat on the side of Jin opposite the young noblewoman. A formal place setting had been laid out before her for appearances.
Incidentally, Maquina's squire, Rei, had not accompanied them on this trip.
"To our esteemed guests, and to the prosperity of both the world and our kingdom—cheers!"
"Cheers!"
With Melikalans I leading the toast, the dinner party commenced.
"Oh, this is quite delicious."
Rather than a structured multi-course meal, the food was served family-style from large platters onto individual plates, with the noblewomen serving Jin and Maquina.
In Sion's case, the King could hardly serve her himself, so a senior lady's maid handled it instead.
Unlike their magi-craft, the cuisine of the Klein Kingdom appeared to have evolved continuously over the past four centuries, boasting a far more refined flavor than what Jin remembered eating long ago.
There was proper white rice, cooked to just the right consistency.
There was miso soup as well, filled with small clam-like shellfish.
Grilled fish—or rather, dragonic eel kabayaki—was served alongside oshinko.
Then there was Pashta—the historic specialty of Toka Village—along with stew, deep-fried cutlets, and tempura. To Jin's eyes, the spread was absolute chaos, but it seemed this eclectic mix was the modern standard.
The proof was that every guest at the table was eating with evident relish.
"Now then, forgive the interruption while you dine," King Melikalans I spoke up. "Our guests are welcome to continue eating... I would like to introduce the members of our court who are present. First..."
At a nod from Melikalans I, the man seated just below Jin and Reiko stood up.
"I am Philistel ban Todes, Chancellor of the Klein Kingdom."
He was a gentle-faced man around the same age as King Melikalans I, with brown hair and brown eyes.
Next to stand was the man seated below Maquina.
"I am Auburn Today Souyou, Minister of Finance of the Klein Kingdom."
He was a stockily built man with brown hair and gray eyes.
"I am Bean Show Border, Minister of General Affairs."
He was a rather timid-looking man with dark brown hair and brown eyes.
Next came Magic Technology Minister Cowen Lacca Kido.
Then, a woman rose.
"I am Eliza Ishe, Reichsarzt of the Klein Kingdom."
She was a sharp woman in her mid-twenties sporting a short red bob.
Next was a burly, martial-looking man.
"I am Dan Kische, Commander of the Klein Royal Ritter Corps."
He was a rugged man with closely cropped brown hair, side whiskers, and stern gray eyes.
About four others were introduced in turn before the dinner resumed.
"Truly, it is a relief to finally welcome the Magi Craft Meister to our kingdom," Melikalans I said in a plain, unvarnished tone. "I am well aware of your deep ties to the Shouro Empire. And that there are complicated circumstances involved."
Even so, he pressed on.
"I promise we will not pry into unnecessary matters, so would you consider fostering closer ties with our kingdom as well?"
"Your Majesty!"
At these overly candid words, the Chancellor grew slightly flustered, but the King remained entirely unperturbed.
"Come now. No matter how we dress our words, it does not change the fact that our kingdom has fallen behind in magi-craft."
During the rise of the Magic Federation, their inner circle had been thoroughly compromised, and the loss of so many skilled engineers and scholars was a reality that could not be undone, Melikalans I noted with a touch of self-deprecation.
"I heard about the golem exhibition held at Avalon the other day."
He referred to it as an exhibition, but in truth, it had been a performance evaluation.
The golem entered by the Klein Kingdom—Great Rock, developed by the National Magi-Engineering Laboratory—had turned in a performance that was practically dead last, even if no formal rankings were assigned since it was not an official competition.
Melikalans I had found the result deeply disheartening.
"When the lectures on the Adriana-style were held at Avalon, our kingdom dispatched engineers to attend. Please look forward to our future progress."
As the Magic Technology Minister, Cowen felt obliged to speak up in defense of their efforts.
Hearing this, Sion chimed in.
"Jin-dono, could you perhaps ask Lady Reiko to favor us with a demonstration?"
Given the formal setting, her tone was impeccably polished.
"Ah, of course."
Jin replied, matching her formal register.
"Reiko, would you sing a song for everyone?"
"Yes, Father."
At Jin's request, Reiko rose from her seat and began to sing.
"...Shining in the autumn evening sun, taking the shape of little birds, where do the fluttering fallen leaves go?"
"Surely to your window, carrying my feelings with them."
"Tomorrow morning, if there are fallen leaves, that is a message from me."
"...Oh."
Reiko sang out clear and resonant without any instrumental backing, holding the entire room spellbound in silence.
The piece itself was a late Showa-era pop tune Jin had taught her, but...
"If the leaf is red, I am doing well; if the leaf is yellow, I am lonely."
"If it is a brown fallen leaf, I miss you so much that I wet my pillow night after night."
"Carried on the fallen leaves, if only these feelings could reach you..."
As her song came to an end, Reiko offered a graceful curtsy.
The dining hall instantly erupted into applause.