It was a beautiful day. Having finished brushing Bell, I was strolling through the garden when I spotted Lilia-san drinking tea on the terrace. It might have been my imagination, but she looked completely exhausted.
"Lilia-san, are you feeling alright? You look a bit tired."
"..."
"Wait, is this... somehow my fault?"
When I spoke, she turned toward me with an expression that defied description. I sensed a silent accusation radiating from her: "Just whose fault do you think this is?"
After a moment of awkward silence, Lilia-san let out a heavy sigh and managed a wry smile.
"...No, well, it’s difficult to say if this is entirely your fault, Kaito-san. You are certainly the primary factor, but..."
"Uh-huh? Oh, thank you, Luna-san."
I tilted my head at her ambiguous phrasing as I took the seat opposite her. Luna-san had already prepared a cup of tea for me. I took a light sip and waited for Lilia-san to continue.
"...It seems that since the Arclesia Empire’s Founding Festival, a pottery craze has taken hold, primarily among the Imperial nobility."
"...Wait, does that mean...?"
"Yes. In particular, the pieces you sold with your brand mark have become the ultimate status symbol. On top of that, that crafted sugar has also become quite a trend."
Going by that, it really sounded like it was almost entirely my fault. The pottery was definitely down to my stall. Then again, I didn't think I saw many noble-looking people buying from me... though I suppose they could have sent their servants.
While I was lost in thought, Luna-san cut in with a wry grin.
"Normally, Miyama-sama, the inquiries would be flooding your way. However, since your situation is... unique, they can't exactly pester you directly without risking offense. So, as for where those inquiries inevitably end up... well, they come to Milady."
"...So it really is my fault."
"Oh, it's not like that! Kaito-san didn't do it out of malice, and this house has always acted as your primary contact anyway... In a way, it was bound to happen."
Wait, something was off. Lilia-san was being unusually defensive of me. It felt strange.
I knew Lilia-san was a kind person, of course, but given everything that had happened in the past, I had a very strong mental image of her scolding me in these situations. This felt inconsistent.
Granted, I had told her in advance that I’d be selling branded pottery, so she probably had some idea of what was coming. Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was different.
As if reading my mind, Luna-san chuckled.
"I can see you're confused, Miyama-sama, but the truth is that Milady is in a bit of a bind when it comes to blaming you for this one."
"How so?"
"Well, you are certainly responsible for the pottery. However, the crafted sugar trend started because Milady used the pieces she’d begged from Illness-sama and the others as gifts for other nobles. She effectively started that fire herself. Now the rumors have combined, and the nobility is convinced that Miyama-sama is the source of all high-quality luxury goods..."
"Ah... right. I think I get it now."
In short, the current craze among the nobles involved all the luxury goods associated with my household—pottery and sugar included. Since Lilia-san had played a part in fanning the flames, she felt she didn't have the right to complain to me.
Personally, I still felt the lion's share of the blame rested on my shoulders, but Lilia-san’s sense of integrity made her feel like an accomplice.
"Though technically, the ones actually making the stuff are Illness and Nebula-san..."
"They’ve really taken to their crafting hobbies lately, haven't they? I saw them working on a wooden clock together the other day."
"Illness seems to be having a wonderful time, so I can't exactly find fault with it. But honestly, the quality of their work is staggering. Truly beyond words."
Lilia-san’s wry smile softened as she spoke. She seemed genuinely happy that Illness-san, who hadn't really had many interests before, was enjoying herself so much with Nebula.
"...By the way, Kaito-san, putting that aside, there is one more thing I wanted to ask."
"Yes?"
"I’ve heard a rumor that during the festival in the Arclesia Empire, someone was selling weapons crafted with such skill that they left even the Dwarves speechless... Would you happen to know anything about that?"
"............"
It looked like I was about to get scolded for something else entirely.
Serious-senpai: "But the stuff you sold wasn't even top-tier quality, right?" ???: "Well, Alice-chan is also called the Legendary Blacksmith and such." Serious-senpai: "I'm starting to suspect that every producer in the Legendary Series is actually just you..."