We set out early on the morning of Mitsunaga-kun and Cattleya-san’s wedding. Since the ceremony was taking place in Vahren—the region where Mitsunaga-kun serves as Lord—rather than the Royal Capital, we needed to allow plenty of time for the journey.
That said, it wasn't so far from the capital that we needed to arrive the night before. Taking a wyvern flight on the morning of the event was perfectly sufficient.
We could have been more leisurely if we were only attending the reception, but since we were participating in the ceremony itself, we had to make an early start.
Just as we had when traveling to Rigforresia, we used the wyvern service owned by Mary-san, of which Lilia-san is a partial owner. I suspect the reason we didn't head to Vahren a day early was partly because Lilia-san simply wanted an excuse to fly.
After admiring the view from the clouds for a while, a city with the distinct bustle of a trade hub finally came into view.
"Is that Vahren?"
"Yes. It isn't an exceptionally large city, but it prospers as a major crossroads for trade between the East and West. Given his engagement to Princess Cattleya, I suppose he was granted a very fine piece of land."
"I see... By the way, seeing you out of your maid uniform is a refreshing change, Luna-san."
"Since I had many interactions with them through Milady back when I was in the Order of Knights, I've been formally invited as well. It wouldn't do to show up in my work clothes."
Luna-san, who gave me the brief explanation, wasn't wearing her usual maid uniform today. Instead, she was dressed in a slightly casual gown—the sort of outfit a woman might wear to a close friend's wedding.
Since that style of dress was apparently acceptable, Sieg-san was wearing something similar. I was told that in formal settings, the two of them are recognized as members of the Ducal House of Albert—specifically as Lilia-san’s attendants—so they had intentionally chosen outfits several ranks lower than hers to maintain the proper social hierarchy.
As nobles, they apparently had to be mindful of such minute details, which sounded like quite a headache. Since Aoi-chan, Hina-chan, and I were all participating as individual guests, I was glad we didn't have to deal with anything so complicated.
Before long, we arrived in front of a massive church that would serve as the venue. It was of a size better described as a cathedral or a temple, and if the ceremony was being held here, it was clearly going to be a large-scale affair.
We landed at a temporary landing zone prepared a short distance away and walked to the cathedral entrance. There, after registering the location on my Teleportation Magic tool, I spoke to Lilia-san.
"Well then, Lilia-san. I’m going to go pick up my companion now..."
"...Companion?"
"Eh? Wait... Huh?"
Lilia-san wore a blank expression at my words. That was strange. I could have sworn I told her in advance so she wouldn't get angry...
Yes, I was supposed to report it right after the reply came from Mitsunaga-kun... report... it...
"—Ah."
Aaaaaah! I remember now! That’s right. I did go to find Lilia-san to tell her, but she wasn't in her office. I ended up heading back to my room without saying anything.
Then I ran into Illness-san, we went to the Night Market... and I completely convinced myself that I’d already finished the report!
"Kaito-san? Please, enlighten me. What exactly do you mean by... a companion?"
"Hieee!"
Lilia-san spoke with a pleasant smile, but her eyes were completely void of mirth. I could have sworn I saw a fierce vengeful god looming behind her.
The aura of "You've gone and done it again, haven't you?" was being transmitted loud and clear.
"I'm so sorry!"
Realizing that a clumsy excuse would be a fatal mistake, I immediately bowed my head in apology and gave her a rapid-fire explanation of how the oversight happened.
Lilia-san remained silent after hearing me out. I made myself as small as possible, feeling like a prisoner awaiting execution.
After a heavy, suffocating silence, Lilia-san let out a long sigh.
"Sigh... Well, just be more careful next time."
"Eh? Oh, okay."
"My, Milady? Are you sure you don't want to give Miyama-sama a lecture while he's half-sobbing with an expression like a cornered ogre?"
"I don't usually make a face like that, Luna..."
That was debatable. She certainly wasn't making a face like that now, but the demonic pressure behind her was still terrifying. However, like Luna-san said, I had been absolutely certain I was going to be scolded.
"It’s true that he forgot to report it, but he did intend to do so in advance. Besides, if he already has permission from Katy and Seigi-san, it isn't my place to interfere. Kaito-san didn't have any ill intent, so I see no reason to get angry."
"L-Lilia-san..."
"At any rate, you’re going to pick them up now, correct? With Teleportation Magic, it shouldn't take long. We'll head inside to greet Katy and Seigi-san first, so please join us afterward. If you speak to one of the attendants, I'm sure they will guide you."
"Right. Understood."
Relieved that I had escaped her wrath, I nodded and vanished with Teleportation Magic to fetch my companion.
After Kaito disappeared, Lilia and the others headed into the cathedral. Along the way, Lunamaria spoke up.
"Come to think of it, we forgot to ask who the companion is."
"We did, didn't we? However, I'm sure it isn't anyone like one of the Six Kings or a Supreme God. They have no connection to Katy or the others, and I can't imagine them wanting to attend the ceremony itself rather than just the reception. Most likely, it's one of the migrants Kaito-san has met recently."
"Ah, I see. That makes sense. It wouldn't be strange for someone from Earth to want to see a wedding for someone from their own world. So that's why you were so composed, Milady? You were certain no big names were involved?"
"As I said, there would be no reason for them to attend Katy's wedding," Lilia replied with a gentle smile.
Lunamaria watched her for a moment, her expression growing dubious.
"I wonder... Your logic is sound, but in my experience, whenever Milady acts this confident, Miyama-sama usually hits her with an unexpected move that sends her stomach into knots."
"Please don't say such ominous things. It will be fine."
"I certainly hope so..."
Serious-senpai: "That is a massive flag... She’s wrong. It’s definitely not someone from the migrant group. It's absolutely a heavyweight."