Lilliwood waved her hand lightly, and a wooden table and chairs materialized before us. At her invitation, I took a seat while she produced a teapot and cups to prepare some black tea.
It must have been ages since she lived with Kuro, yet Lilliwood’s movements were remarkably fluid and practiced. She was clearly far more adept at the craft than I was.
"Here you go," she said, offering me a cup.
"Thank you. You’re very skilled at this."
"Fufu, thank you. I rarely have the chance to drink black tea myself, but since Isis loves it, I have often watched her prepare it. Though in her case, I suspect it isn’t the tea itself she loves, but rather the time spent sharing a cup with someone else."
"She certainly seemed to be enjoying herself today."
Just as Lilliwood said, I didn't think Isis was particularly attached to the tea itself; she simply cherished the time spent conversing over a warm drink.
"I have always sent Isis an invitation to these tea parties," Lilliwood continued. "I thought that even if mingling with others was difficult, it would be nice for her to share a cup with me here on the balcony. But until now, she always declined. I imagine being in a place like this only made her feel her loneliness more keenly."
"I see."
"Yes. But it seems meeting you has brought a change to her heart. This is the first time she has actually attended."
"Her circle of subordinates seems to have grown to four without me even realizing it. She really did look happy."
Isis truly had seemed to be having a wonderful time. It wasn't just her, either; Iris and the other subordinates seemed to be enjoying themselves as well. Somehow, Isis’s group felt less like a formal organization and more like Kuro’s family. Whether it was due to Isis’s own personality or the bond they shared, they felt like a close-knit family, which I found very heartening.
As I mused on this, I happened to glance down at the venue from the balcony. There, I spotted two people sitting at Isis’s table who weren't part of her usual retinue.
"Oh, it looks like there are guests at Isis’s table."
"Oh? You’re right. Those are... Clea and Vera. They are my subordinates."
"So they’re from the World King’s camp? If they’re able to speak with Isis, does that mean they are Peerage-class?"
"Yes. They are the Cleome Spirit and the Gerbera Spirit, respectively—both capable individuals of the Viscount-class. I don't believe they had any prior acquaintance with Isis. Clea is a social girl who loves to talk, so she likely suggested they go over and greet her."
Lilliwood explained this with a slightly thoughtful expression.
"The pressure from her Magic Power of Death does fluctuate based on her mental state, but even so, the fact that they felt comfortable enough to approach her directly is a testament to how much Isis has changed. Ever since meeting you and finding peace in her heart, she has lost that sharp, prickly edge. She now exudes a gentle, reassuring warmth."
"I agree. Setting aside the Magic Power of Death, she has a very approachable aura now."
"Indeed. As Viscount-class spirits, those two can withstand the pressure of her magic, so they were likely drawn in by her gentle nature. It looks like they’re having a lovely conversation."
It was exactly as Lilliwood said. Isis had a very kind presence. The brittle, anxious, and fading atmosphere she’d had when we first met was steadily being replaced by something else. It was as if she had finally found confidence in herself. Or perhaps more accurately, she had finally learned to like herself. Because she had finally accepted who she was, her natural charm was finally able to shine through.
"Kaito... you really are quite remarkable."
"Me? What do you mean?"
"When you saved Isis, and when I first met you in Rigforresia... I thought that if you would simply stay by her side as an ally, that would be enough. But the change you’ve brought about in her is far greater than I ever imagined."
"No, I didn't really do anything special. Isis was always an amazing, charming person. She’s just finally able to show that side of herself. It’s her own strength that changed things, not mine."
"Is that so? I suspect if you asked Isis, she would say exactly what I am about to say... that it is all thanks to you."
Lilliwood turned to me with a deeply tender smile.
"I truly, from the bottom of my heart... am so glad you came to this world."
Her words were filled with such earnest, direct affection that I felt a bit bashful, but the sentiment warmed me through. It wasn't a bad feeling at all.