After exchanging a brief greeting—if you could even call it that—with Rosmiel-san, Camellia-san explained the situation to her.
"Elly, about the exhibition hall... It seems prior reservations are mandatory, and every single slot is already filled."
"..."
Rosmiel-san's expression didn't appear to change at all. However, I wasn't about to be fooled. As someone who took pride in being the person most capable of reading Shiro-san's subtle facial cues, I noticed the infinitesimal shift in her features.
(My child knows me best... I'm blushing at such a sudden, passionate confession.)
No, that’s not what I said... Anyway, back to Rosmiel-san.
Her eyebrows had dropped slightly and the tension had left her shoulders; she was clearly quite dejected. Well, unlike Shiro-san, Sympathy Magic worked on her, so I could tell exactly how she felt regardless.
"But Kaito-san suggested we go together. Since he carries the Blessing of Shallow Vernal-sama, I think it's highly likely we can get in as his guests."
"!"
Rosmiel-san shot a sharp look in my direction. Her internal state was radiating joy, though, so I knew she was happy.
"But Elly, listen. Going with Kaito-san means we'll be joining his group. There are about ten of them... Are you sure you're up for that?"
"..."
She was agonizing over it. To Rosmiel-san, interacting with ten strangers at once seemed to be a task of legendary difficulty. Given her extreme social anxiety—to the point where it took days for her to even speak to someone new—it was only natural.
After a long silence, she leaned toward Camellia-san's ear and whispered a few words.
"...She says she'll do her best."
"Understood. Don't push yourself too hard."
"Elly truly loves flowers. She must want to see the Sanctuary exhibition no matter the cost."
I see. She was willing to endure the terror of her social anxiety just to see the flowers. It spoke to a deep, genuine passion.
With the plan settled, we headed back toward where Lilia-san and the others were waiting. Rosmiel-san walked with a stern, imposing aura, looking every bit the haughty noblewoman, but my Sympathy Magic picked up on how much she was actually trembling inside. It was a bizarre contrast.
When we arrived and I explained the situation, Lilia-san covered her eyes and looked up at the heavens.
"...I look away for one minute, and you return with two Six Kings' Executives in tow."
"Milady, steady yourself. This is just the usual Miyama-sama," Lunamaria said.
"The fact that this is 'the usual' is exactly why my stomach hurts..."
I could only offer a wry smile in the face of Lilia-san's dejected lament. Honestly, I was surprised too. Meeting so many important people in such a massive venue was genuinely unexpected—though I recall the same thing happening during the Six Kings Festival.
"I see, I understand. Bringing the two of them along won't be a problem at all. I'll make the necessary arrangements," Sky-san said.
"...Thank you. And, regarding before... for striking you with everything I had..."
"I am not so petty as to hold a grudge against someone for fighting with their full strength in battle. We fought fairly. Now that it is over, I have no lingering resentment," Sky replied.
"I appreciate you saying that."
Sky-san and Camellia-san were having a rather intriguing conversation. I found out later that they had apparently clashed during a past incident in the God Realm. Both were kind people, however, so there was no lingering tension; only a calm atmosphere between them.
Then, the attention turned to Rosmiel-san. My two juniors seemed a bit intimidated by her fierce expression, and even the others looked somewhat cowed.
"L-Lilia-san..."
"...I've heard that Rosmiel-sama, often called 'The Solitary Rose,' is quite a difficult and prickly person. Be careful not to be rude," Lilia-san whispered back to Hina-chan.
That was definitely a misunderstanding. She looked stern, and her posture was certainly intimidating, but the emotions swirling inside her were pure panic.
After Sky-san finished talking, Rosmiel-san grabbed Camellia-san's shoulder and leaned in close to her ear again. Since I was standing nearby, I could actually hear what she was whispering this time.
"...S-S-Strangers... one, two... s-so many... I'm scared... They're looking, they're looking at me... H-Help me, Lia..."
I felt a strange sense of awe. How could someone sound so much like they were about to burst into tears while maintaining such a terrifyingly stern face?