Setting the fanatic, Lunamaria, aside for the moment, the conversation resumed between Kuro and our host, Lilia.
Kuro had already shifted from her "Serious Mode" back to her usual self. She flashed a bright, cheerful smile at Lilia, who was still stiff with tension.
"Duchess Albert... would it be alright if I called you Lilia-chan?"
"Eh? Oh, yes! Of course!"
"Then let's try this again. It’s nice to meet you. Honestly, I’m sorry for dropping in so suddenly today. You really didn't need to go to such lengths to welcome me, you know?"
"N-not at all! To welcome the Underworld King with such meager hospitality is a failure on my part. I am deeply sorry for my lack of consideration."
"No, no, please don't worry about it! In fact, you don’t need to call me the Underworld King either. Just use my name, okay?"
"I… I couldn't possibly. That would be far too presumptuous."
Kuro continued to chat with her usual sunny disposition, while Lilia remained visibly fraught with nerves.
"Oh, and these girls must be from the same otherworld as Kaito-kun, right?"
"Ah, yes! I'm Aoi Kusunoki."
"I-I'm Hina Yuzuki."
"Aoi-chan and Hina-chan, then. I’m Kuromueina. Nice to meet you!"
Kuro addressed Aoi and Hina, and both girls bowed their heads in a frantic rush. They seemed completely bewildered—and I couldn't blame them. I knew exactly how they felt. Even if Kuro didn't give off the aura of a high-ranking official, she was still one of the Six Kings.
I had grown accustomed to her ways, so I was fine, but from Lilia’s perspective, it was as if a supreme monarch had suddenly started talking to them like a casual friend. They simply didn't know how to react.
"Oh, and one more thing. Lilia-chan, you might have heard this from Kaito-kun, but I’m sorry for sneaking into your mansion all those times."
"A-ah, no! Please, don't apologize! It was my own failing for not providing a proper welcome sooner..."
"If it’s alright, I’d like to keep visiting every now and then. Would that be okay?"
"Y-yes! If that is what the Underworld King desires, you are welcome at any time!"
Lilia was starting to unravel. It felt like she was reaching her absolute limit. When Kuro had bowed her head to apologize for her previous intrusions, Lilia’s face hadn't just turned pale—it had gone completely white. Kuro’s rapid-fire pace was leaving her unable to keep up with the situation.
As if to rescue Lilia, tea and sweets were brought in at that exact moment.
An assortment of vibrant delicacies lined the table, led by cakes that were literal works of art, clearly crafted by a world-class pastry chef. They were the kind of treats prepared specifically for a guest of state. Looking at them, Kuro leaned in and whispered softly so only I could hear.
"Yikes... those look like a chore to eat..."
"..."
Yeah, I had a feeling. Magnificent, high-class sweets didn't really seem like Kuro’s style. Thinking back, she usually ate baby castella, and since her hobby was visiting food stalls, I’d always suspected she preferred commoner snacks.
My hunch proved correct. Kuro took a single bite of each sweet out of politeness but didn't touch them again. They clearly didn't suit her palate.
Lilia seemed to sense this as well. Cold sweat began to pour down her face, making her look truly pitiful. Then, as if to deal a finishing blow, a servant entered the room, whispered something to Lunamaria, and quickly departed.
"My Lady, a messenger from the Royal Palace has arrived with a letter from His Majesty the King."
"Oh, he likely wishs to offer a personal greeting to the Underworld King... Underworld King-sama, a letter from His Majesty—!?"
Judging by the conversation, it seemed the King—Lilia’s older brother—wanted to meet Kuro. However, since Kuro was technically a guest of the Ducal House of Albert and not visiting on official business with the crown, he had sent a messenger to request permission first.
Lilia understood the King’s intent immediately and turned to check with Kuro, but as she spoke, the smile vanished from Kuro's face.
"...Hmm? Wait, Lilia-chan?"
"Y-yes!?"
"...What was that about the King of Sinfonia? The one who excluded 'my favorite Kaito-kun' from the evening party?"
"...Ah, well, you see..."
Kuro dropped her smile entirely, radiating an unmistakable aura of displeasure. Lilia began to sweat buckets.
"I didn't quite hear you. Would you mind saying that again?"
"...My apologies. It seems I was mistaken. Luna... drive them back."
"As you wish."
Recognizing that Kuro’s intent was crystal clear, Lilia immediately acted as if the previous topic had never existed. She gave the order in a voice that sounded almost murderous. Lunamaria, her eyes completely dead, cracked her knuckles and left the room.
"...That idiot brother of mine... he never does anything right..."
Averting her eyes from the chilling atmosphere surrounding Kuro, Lilia clutched her head in both hands and muttered in a low, resentful voice. She really did have a hard life.
In any case, the flow of conversation had been severed, and the air in the Great Hall turned heavy. Lilia looked like she was on the verge of tears as she cast pleading glances in my direction, begging for help.
She wanted me to do something about Kuro’s mood. Well... what could I do? Ah, right. I still had that.
"Come to think of it, Kuro, I found some sweets yesterday that looked like something you’d like, so I bought them."
"Eh? For me, Kaito-kun?"
I couldn't ignore Lilia’s desperate SOS. I reached into my Magic Box and pulled out the cookies I’d purchased the day before.
"Oh! Jam cookies!"
I’d successfully piqued her interest. Kuro stared at the cookies with curiosity before picking one up and popping it into her mouth.
"Wow! These are amazing! Kaito-kun, where did you find these?"
"At a shop on West Street, near the Fountain Square."
"West Street? Um, the one next to the bookstore?"
"No, I think there was a bakery next to it..."
"Ah! That way! I can't believe they sold something this good. Hey, did they sell the jam there too?"
"Yeah, they had several different kinds."
"Ooh, I’ll have to go buy some later!"
She clearly liked them. Kuro’s face broke into a wide grin as she began devouring the cookies one after another. She really did prefer commoner snacks; her eating pace was night and day compared to the fancy cakes.
With her mood restored, she resumed her conversation with Lilia with a bright smile.
Though Lilia had been overwhelmed at first, Kuro was a master of conversation. She kept the topics light and engaging, and gradually, Lilia began to relax. Her stiffness faded, and she was soon laughing and chatting along.
The time passed in a flash. Soon, it was time for Kuro to depart, and we all gathered at the entrance to see her off.
"Well then, Lilia-chan. Today was wonderful. Thank you."
"No, the honor was all mine, Kuromueina-sama. Please, do come again."
"Sure. And next time, you really don't have to be so formal, okay?"
"Fufu, I understand."
Lilia had truly warmed up to her, even calling her by her name instead of her title. Kuro’s social skills were honestly incredible; in just one afternoon, she had befriended not only Lilia but Aoi and Hina as well.
"Aoi-chan, Hina-chan, let’s talk again soon."
"Yes, Chrome-sama."
"Chrome-sama, please tell us more stories next time!"
When Kuro spoke to them, both girls nodded with happy smiles. They used the "-sama" honorific, likely because they were still very aware of her status as the Underworld King. If I had known who she was when we first met, I might have done the same... though by now, I was so used to calling her Kuro that I didn't see any point in changing.
"The tea you brewed was delicious, Lunamaria-chan. I’d love to have it again."
"Y-yes! At your command!"
Lunamaria, meanwhile, was her usual self. Given that her devotion to Kuro was already off the charts, she looked like she was experiencing a state of religious ecstasy every time Kuro spoke to her. It was actually a little terrifying.
"Oh, right. I almost forgot. Lilia-chan, here."
"Eh? This is—!?"
After saying her goodbyes to everyone, Kuro remembered something and pulled a single sheet of paper from her coat. Lilia took the paper, tilted her head in confusion, and then her eyes went wide as she read the contents.
"...I’ve already handled things on the Demon Realm side. Can I leave the Human Realm to you?"
"Yes. Leave it to me."
"Great. I’m counting on you!"
I didn't know what was written on that paper, but it was clearly something significant. Lilia nodded with a look of absolute seriousness.
Kuro had hit it off with everyone, and she’d be able to visit whenever she wanted now. It was a good thing—I knew it was—but I felt a strange, complicated knot in my chest.
Looking back on the day, I realized I hadn't actually talked to Kuro much myself. Was I... feeling lonely?
It felt pathetic to admit it, but I couldn't deny it. I knew Kuro was the type of person who could get along with anyone; that was probably why we had become friends in the first place. Yet, seeing her hit it off with Lilia and the others made me feel as if my own "special" status had vanished. It was a petty, small-minded thought.
To Kuro, I was just a friend. I wasn't anyone special. Perhaps because I’d been a loner for so long, I had developed a bad habit of over-interpreting any kindness shown to me. I was just some delusional guy... God, even thinking about it made me feel miserable. I needed to get my head on straight.
"...Kaito-kun. Kaito-kun."
Kuro was beckoning me over. When I approached, she stood on her tiptoes and whispered directly into my ear.
"Thanks for the cookies. I was really happy. I felt a little lonely today because we didn't get to talk much, so next time, let’s go somewhere 'just the two of us,' okay?"
"...Huh?"
She spoke in a sweet, melting whisper before flashing me a smile as bright as a blooming flower. With a final, energetic wave, she turned and walked away.
Dear Mother, Father—Kuro became friends with everyone. I had my moments of doubt, but in the end... it seems she knew exactly what I was thinking all along.