After speaking with Amel for quite a while, I set off once more to find Lilliwood, moving toward a different set of tables. As I scanned the area, I spotted a few familiar faces sitting together nearby.
It was Camellia, sipping her tea with a serene expression, and Rosmiel, whose face was so stiff with nerves she looked practically paralyzed.
"Hello, Camellia-san, Rosmiel-san."
"Hello, Kaito-san. Are you enjoying the tea party?"
"I am, thank you."
When I called out to them, Camellia replied with a gentle, graceful smile. Rosmiel stood up from her chair and leaned in close to whisper in my ear.
"H-Hello, Kaito-kun. I... I'm glad to see you."
"Hello. You, uh... you seem to be having a rough time."
"T-There are so m-m-many strangers... It's terrifying."
Just as she had warned me before, Rosmiel was clearly out of her element. She seemed even more wound up than usual. For someone as socially anxious as her, an event like this was a gauntlet.
As one of the World King's Subordinate Executives, she probably didn't have the luxury of skipping out, but she certainly looked like she was suffering for it.
Then again, she could talk to me, Camellia, the other Seven Princesses, and most of the World King's camp, so it wasn't as if she were surrounded entirely by people she didn't know.
"Please, join us if you like," Camellia offered. "Are you making your rounds, Kaito-san?"
"Thank you. Yes, I've been looking for Lilliwood-san because I wanted to speak with her, but I haven't been able to find her anywhere."
Camellia prepared a cup of tea for me, and I sat down with a word of thanks, mentioning my search for their King.
I figured Lilliwood would be hard to miss, yet I hadn't caught a glimpse of her since even before I ran into Amel.
Sensing my confusion, Rosmiel—who had shifted to the seat directly next to mine—spoke up in a low voice.
"...Um, Kaito-kun... Lilliwood-sama usually retreats to her castle once the opening ceremony is over. She isn't actually in the venue."
"Wait, really?"
"Y-Yeah... If she stayed, everyone would try to greet her at once. Even if they didn't, her table would just get completely overwhelmed. She only comes out for the opening and closing remarks, and maybe a few brief appearances in between."
"I see... No wonder she was nowhere to be found."
It made perfect sense when I thought about it. Even if she explicitly told everyone that formal greetings weren't necessary, people would naturally gravitate toward one of the Six Kings.
Lilliwood's goal wasn't just to host a post-festival party; she wanted to facilitate genuine interaction between her subordinates and the guests. Having a massive crowd constantly swarming her would defeat that purpose.
"...Lilliwood-sama is watching the festivities from the balcony one floor up. You can meet her if you head that way," Camellia explained. She pulled a small card from her pocket, scribbled something on it with a pen, and handed it to me.
"Give this card to the guard at the entrance. I've written instructions for them to guide you to her location."
"Thank you, I appreciate the help. Once I finish this tea, I'll go pay her a visit."
I offered Camellia my thanks for the consideration. Since she had gone to the trouble of brewing the tea, I decided to take a moment to enjoy it.
"K-Kaito-kun... please, have some of these."
"Thank you. Ah, these are the rose cookies you made before. They were delicious—I'm glad I get to have them again."
"R-Really? If you like them that much, I'm happy. I... I'll make them whenever you want, so just let me know."
Rosmiel pushed a plate toward me containing the cookies infused with rose petals she had baked during her previous visit. They had a refined, elegant flavor that set them apart from standard sweets. They were truly excellent.
"Oh, that reminds me. Kaito-kun, there was something I wanted to ask you."
"Something you wanted to ask?"
"Y-Yeah. You live in the Sinfonia Royal Capital, right? I heard there’s a classical art exhibition starting soon at the Royal Art Museum. Do you happen to know the dates?"
"Hmm... unfortunately, I don't. I'll look into it and let you know, though."
I hadn't even been to the Royal Art Museum, let alone kept track of their exhibition schedule. However, since there was no such thing as the internet here, I understood why she’d ask someone who lived in the city. Since she was relying on me, I wanted to do what I could to help.
"Eh? N-No, I'd feel bad making you go to the trouble..."
"It’s no trouble at all. I’m sure I can find out with a little digging. I'll send you a message via Hummingbird once I have the details."
"T-Thank you... You’re really kind, Kaito-kun."
Rosmiel gave a small, bashful laugh. Although her face quickly reverted to its rigid, nervous state, seeing her smile—even for just a second—made me feel good. It felt like a genuine sign of the trust she had placed in me.
Serious-senpai: "Just when I thought he’d skyrocketed the new heroine’s affection, he goes and raises the others' levels too... Seriously, give it a rest, Protagonist. And now he’s gone and locked in a flag for a private meeting with Lilliwood... He’s unstoppable."