As expected of a royal wedding, the reception hall was vast and the tables were expansive. My name card was placed on a large, circular table set for ten.
Between me, Aoi-chan, Hina-chan, Lilia-san, Sieg-san, Luna-san, and Olivia-san, our group accounted for seven people. That left three spots open, and since there were no other name cards on the remaining chairs, I had assumed those seats would be vacant.
Or so I thought. Instead, I found three very familiar people already occupying those "vacant" spots. I stared at them, my mouth hanging open slightly.
"Wait... why are you all sitting here together?"
"Hmm? Oh, this is a matter of international optics," Laguna-san replied casually.
"By having the three of us share a table, we are demonstrating the solidarity and friendship between our three nations," Ryze-san added.
Chris-san followed up with a nod. "In events involving the Demon and God Realms, the three human kingdoms are often treated as a single unit anyway."
Their explanations sounded perfectly reasonable, but I knew them better than that.
"No, I wasn't asking why you’re sitting together. I meant, why are you sitting at this table specifically?"
"Regarding that... well," Laguna-san said with a shrug. "Given that business with the bouquet earlier, the truth is that having you out of our sight is simply too terrifying, Kaito. I mean, it’s not as if being close by would actually allow us to stop you, but being able to sense a premonition of trouble is still much better for my heart."
"……I know exactly what you mean," Lilia-san muttered, nodding slowly and deeply.
There was an unspeakable weight behind that nod, a conviction forged by a long history of being caught in the crossfire of my various exploits. I found myself unable to offer even a word of protest. I simply hung my head and took my seat in silence.
As if she had been waiting for me to settle in, Laguna-san immediately leaned in.
"So, Kaito. There is something I wished to ask. A rumor is going around that Lady Jutia performed a dogeza to you during the Harmonic Symphony after-party. Did some sort of conflict occur between you two?"
"Eh? Oh, no, absolutely not! It wasn't a fight or anything like that. She was just desperately pleading with me because she wanted some of my black tea leaves."
The image of Jutia-sama practically prostrating herself for Nebula’s tea flashed through my mind. I suppose to an outside observer, it really might have looked like she was apologizing for some grave offense. For the sake of her honor, I felt the need to voice a strong denial.
"I see, I see... So it wasn't an apology, but a desperate request. Hmm, tea leaves... Ryze-bo, if I recall, Lady Jutia is quite the famous tea lover, isn't she?"
"Indeed. I’ve heard she is a major authority in the industry. She is involved with many of the famous varieties produced in the Demon Realm and even owns several massive plantations," Ryze-san confirmed.
"And even with that background, she went so far as to perform a dogeza for these particular leaves?"
I knew she liked tea, but I hadn't realized she was such a powerhouse in the industry. In the world of tea—if that was even the right way to put it—she was apparently a figure of immense prestige.
As for Nebula’s tea, I had only ever served it to family or close friends like Ein-san, so it wasn't surprising that Laguna-san hadn't heard of it yet.
"Are those the leaves Orchid was talking about?" Ryze-san asked. "I remember him praising them quite highly not long ago."
"Yes, those are the ones."
"Ah, if they're the same ones he described, I can understand why Lady Jutia would be so persistent," Chris-san noted.
"Wait... am I the only one here who doesn't know about this?" Laguna-san asked, her expression turning slightly sour.
I had served the tea to Orchid when he visited, so Ryze-san knew via his son. Chris-san and I exchanged letters daily, so I had mentioned it to her as well. Laguna-san looked genuinely miffed to be the odd one out.
"They are tea leaves grown by the Spirit of the World Tree who lives at Miyama-sama’s home," Chris-san explained helpfully. "They are truly magnificent. I have sampled many varieties in my time, but those were arguably the best I have ever tasted."
"Oh? Lady Chris, you have already tried this tea?"
"Yes. Miyama-sama and I maintain a regular correspondence, and he was kind enough to share a portion with me after mentioning them. They are extremely delicate and difficult to handle—so much so that only my Head Maid was capable of brewing them properly—but the flavor was truly exquisite."
"Hoho... Now I am genuinely curious..."
"If you'd like, Laguna-san, I can give you some as well?"
"Hmm... though I must admit, I do not drink black tea very often. Besides, if word got out that I had them, it would probably cause a scene. Just let me try a cup next time I visit your home, Kaito."
"Understood."
Now that I thought about it, Laguna-san seemed to prefer Japanese-style teas like green tea. She had also mentioned a fondness for senbei... likely another influence from Noin-san. In fact, the Hydra Kingdom apparently cultivated green tea leaves now; I’d have to try some of theirs someday.
"Still, I see Lady Chris and Kaito are exchanging letters..." Laguna-san mused.
"Yes, we have many pleasant exchanges every day. Perhaps you should try it as well, Your Majesty Laguna?"
"Gunu... You say that knowing full well I am terrible with letters. Besides, the Mermaid race is a species that spends most of its time underwater. We aren't suited to handling paper. It cannot be helped."
"Really? That’s the first I’ve heard of Mermaids being bad with paper," Ryze-san cut in flatly. "And besides, Your Majesty Laguna lives in the Royal Palace. You spend all your time on land anyway..."
"……Quiet, Ryze-bo."
It seemed it wasn't a racial trait at all. Laguna-san just really didn't like writing letters.
Serious-senpai: "The kings of various nations share a profound trust in the fact that Miyama will inevitably cause an incident if left to his own devices."