After finishing my conversation with Chris-san and thanking her—along with a promise to visit her again sometime—I stepped out of the room.
"I’m sorry to have kept you waiting."
"Not at all. Is your business with Empress Chris concluded?"
"Yes."
The room was exactly as one would expect of the Empress’s accommodations; its soundproofing was impeccable. Lilia-san, who had been waiting in the hallway, didn't seem to have overheard a word of our conversation. I didn't think there was anything particularly problematic if she had, but since she had been the subject of our discussion, I felt a bit awkward regardless.
I set off again with Lilia-san, eventually arriving before a set of doors that were notably larger than any others in the royal palace. It seemed the former royal couple—Lilia-san's parents—were waiting behind them. I wasn't sure why, but despite not having done anything wrong, I felt my nerves begin to fray. Lilia-san, however, appeared perfectly composed; she knocked on the door and then pushed it open.
"Excuse us."
"Ex-Excuse us."
I followed Lilia-san inside to find four people waiting for us.
"Welcome home, Lilianne... No, it is Lilia now, isn't it? It has been quite a while since the New Year's Evening Party."
"It has been a long time, Mother."
The woman who addressed us had a gentle smile and the same brilliant blonde hair as Lilia-san. She looked like a slightly more mature version of her—a breathtaking beauty radiating a sophisticated, womanly charm.
Wait, what? That’s Lilia-san’s mother? She’s way too young! Hold on a second—Lilia-san is twenty-two, right? And the former Queen hadn't been blessed with children for a long time... At the very least, she must have already been the Queen when Ryze was born. That would put her around fifty, wouldn't it? No way. She looked like she was in her thirties—heck, I’d believe it if someone told me she was in her twenties.
"It has been too long, Lilia. I am glad to see you."
"I am relieved to see that you are also doing well, Father."
The next to speak was a white-haired man with a magnificent beard. He was a refined, "dandy" gentleman whose presence exuded a wealth of experience. It was easy to imagine that he had been quite the heartbreaker in his youth.
Lilia-san’s family had incredibly high specs across the board. I suppose that was only to be expected of royalty. After greeting Lilia-san, the former King turned toward me and slowly bowed his head.
"Thank you for coming, Miyama-dono. It is an honor to meet you. My name is Lotus Rea Sinfonia. I hope we may get along well from this day forward."
"My name is Dahlia Rea Sinfonia. I have heard many rumors about you, Miyama-sama. It is a true honor to finally meet you in person."
"Ah, yes! I-I'm Kaito Miyama. It's a pleasure to meet you."
I straightened my posture and replied nervously to the former royal couple, who had greeted me with extreme courtesy. Then, as if waiting for the perfect moment, the remaining two individuals stepped forward.
"Sister Lilia, welcome home. And Miyama-sama, it is a pleasure to meet you for the first time. I am Amalie Rea Sinfonia, First Princess of the Kingdom of Sinfonia and the first in line for the throne. I am Sister Lilia’s niece."
The beautiful girl who greeted me gracefully while pinching the hem of her elegant dress had long, dark brown hair styled in loose curls. Her bright red eyes were a clear reminder of His Majesty the King. So this was Princess Amalie, the first successor to the throne. It felt a little unusual to me, but the idea that a Prince must always be the first successor was just my own prejudice. In this world where women were so influential, a female monarch like Chris-san clearly wasn't rare at all.
"Lastly, welcome home, Sister Lilia. Miyama-dono, it is an honor to meet you. I am the First Prince, Orchid Rea Sinfonia."
Another incredibly handsome young man with the same dark brown hair as Princess Amalie bowed politely and introduced himself. It was almost ridiculous how attractive Lilia-san's entire family was. I felt completely out of place, like some random guy who had accidentally wandered onto the stage of an idol group's concert.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Princess Amalie, Prince Orchid."
"Miyama-sama, there is no need for titles like 'Princess.' Please, simply call me Amalie."
"I feel the same way."
"Ah, yes. Then, Amalie-san and Orchid-san... Oh, and it's fine for you to call me Kaito without any titles as well."
I couldn't quite settle down. Even though they were royalty and incredibly important people in this country, they spoke to me with such deference that it made me feel like I was the one with the higher status. It was a very uncomfortable feeling. After all, the only reason I was being treated this way wasn't because I was special, but because Kuro and Isis-san were. I felt like a fox borrowing the authority of a tiger, and it made me feel quite guilty.
Since the former royal couple also requested that I call them by their names, I felt a bit intimidated but agreed to address them as Lotus-san and Dahlia-san.
"...Miyama-sama, Lilia is always in your care. As her mother, please allow me to offer my thanks."
"N-No, if anything, I'm the one who's in her care..."
"This child possesses a genius-level intellect and martial skill, but she has been a bit of a tomboy since she was young... She has yet to enter into a marriage, and as her mother, I have been quite worried."
"...W-Wait just a moment, Mother... What on earth are you saying...?"
Just when I thought the introductions were over, Dahlia-san spoke in a gentle tone with a serene smile, while Lilia-san’s expression turned to one of pure panic.
"Please, would you be so kind as to cherish Lilia as your 'second wife'?"
"...Huh?"
"Mother?! What are you saying?!"
"It’s alright, Lilia. Mother understands perfectly. Even speaking with him for just a short while, I can sense Miyama-sama's character... You must find happiness."
"You haven't understood a single thing!"
Hearing the shocking proposal Dahlia-san made so calmly, Lilia-san shouted, her face turning a vivid shade of red.
"Speaking as her father... no matter how old she gets, seeing my daughter marry is a bittersweet thing... but if it is for Lilia's happiness, I can endure it. Lilia, make sure to come visit every once in a while."
"Father, you too?!"
"Miyama-dono, I leave Lilia in your hands."
"Eh? Ah, um, yes."
"Kaito-san, please don't just go along with them!"
When I instinctively nodded to Lotus-san, who had taken on the full gravitas of a father and bowed deeply to me, Lilia-san immediately snapped at me. I wasn't sure what was happening—I had a feeling there was a massive misunderstanding unfolding...
"I'm jealous, Sister Lilia. To think you would capture such a wonderful gentleman as Kaito-sama..."
"Amalie... listen to me, you're making a huge mistake..."
"Ah, Kaito-sama! Of course, if Kaito-sama so desires, I too am prepared to devote my very body to you!"
"What are you saying?!"
I felt like I was being completely left behind. As I stood there in a daze, watching Lilia-san desperately shout to clear up the misunderstandings of her family—who had already started jumping to wild conclusions—Orchid spoke up.
"Kaito-dono, please have a seat over here. When they get like this, it lasts for a while..."
"Ah, th-thank you, Orchid-san."
"You can just call me Orchid, you know? It seems our ages aren't that far apart, so there's no need for formalities."
"...Um, okay, I'll call you Orchid then. In exchange, I want you to call me by my name too."
"I understand. From now on, I shall call you Kaito."
Flashing a picture-perfect handsome smile, Orchid moved to a small table and sat down across from me. Lilia-san and the others were still arguing; their raised voices carried easily across the room.
"...Is it always like that?"
"Yes, well... Lord Lotus and Lady Dahlia are constantly fretting over the fact that Sister Lilia isn't married... and as for Sister Amalie... well, she's someone who enjoys meddling in other people's romances."
"...I see."
Since we were effectively the two people left out of the fray, I decided to wait for the others to calm down while chatting with Orchid. Orchid was exactly like a prince out of a storybook—a refreshing, good-natured, handsome guy. He was practically a walking collection of popular traits... Is he a "normie"? A total success? Maybe he should just explode... Wait, no. Given that a girl as staggeringly beautiful as Isis-san has feelings for me, I suppose I’ve officially joined the ranks of the normies myself.
Dear Mother, Father—I met Lilia-san’s family and talked with them for a bit. I think I really hit it off with Orchid in particular. But honestly, every single one of them is incredibly attractive. Lilia-san’s family is just... high-spec.
Eh? Serious-senpai? Who’s that?