In one of the magic ship’s VIP rooms, specifically the one allocated to the World King Faction, the Seven Princesses—the subordinate executives serving the World King—had gathered. While they had all been given their own private quarters, they had congregated here to idle away the time with some conversation before the festivities officially began.
"This big ship is incredible! I wonder what kind of party it will be? Til is looking forward to it so, so very much!"
"Agreement... meaning, I am also looking forward to it."
Erial nodded in concurrence with the excitedly frolicking Tiltania. Watching them with a warm smile, Camellia sat in a chair at a nearby table and spoke to Rosmiel, who was standing close by.
"As one might expect, the guest list is quite a distinguished group. Are you doing alright, Elly?"
"I-I’m okay... Or rather, since there are fewer people here that I don’t know, I actually feel more at ease than I would at a normal party. I-I mean, even if I only know of them and haven't really spoken to them, it's still better..."
Rosmiel suffered from extreme shyness and tended to be particularly fearful of strangers. However, since this party was populated by the Six Kings and their executives—people she was at least familiar with—she seemed much more relaxed than she would have been at a gathering full of complete unknowns.
"You're as wary of strangers as ever, Rosmiel."
"Strangers are scary... I wish I could see someone about a hundred times before finally moving on to the stage where we actually speak for the first time. Til, you and the others are so amazing for being able to talk to people you’ve just met so easily."
"Til loves talking to people she meets for the first time! When Til makes new friends, Til’s world expands just a little bit! Raz-sama taught me that!"
Rosmiel replied with a wry smile to Tiltania, who had skipped over to them. The painfully shy Rosmiel and the highly social Tiltania, who could befriending anyone instantly, were essentially polar opposites. Despite that, as fellow members of the Seven Princesses, they were on quite good terms.
"Indeed! New encounters are a wonderful thing! I heard that otherworlders have been invited to this party as well! This humble one's spirits soar at the thought of potentially hearing stories about samurai!"
"...Blossom?"
"Ah, yes. I shall lower my volume."
Blossom had been shouting with her usual high-tension energy, but she immediately lowered her voice upon hearing Lilie’s quiet, dignified admonition.
As they chatted harmoniously, another of the Seven Princesses, Jutia, was staring out the window with a troubled expression.
"Aya? Jutia, is something the matter? You have a very serious look on your face."
"...Eh? Oh, sorry, sorry. I was just lost in thought, ze-i."
"Lost in thought about what?"
Jutia’s usually gentle face was set in a serious expression she rarely showed, which had prompted Tiltania to check on her. Jutia turned around with a sheepish, wry smile.
"...It's only a rumor, but I heard that a commemorative blend of black tea will be handed out as a souvenir for this party. I’ve been so curious about it, so curious, that I can't seem to focus on anything else, ze-i."
"Black tea? Well, Kaito-kun-san did launch a black tea brand, so that seems very likely. You're really looking forward to that blend, aren't you, Jutia?"
"That's right, that's right. Kaito's brand... or rather, the tea leaves Nebula produces always manage to surprise me. I've become quite a fan, ze-i. And so, and so, I can't help but wonder if there's a new variety of tea leaves included... I mean, the promotional effect would be massive, so distributing a new product here would be very logical, right?"
In truth, just as the rumors Jutia had heard suggested, items from the black tea brand Nifty and a commemorative blend were scheduled to be given to the guests upon their departure.
As a dedicated lover of black tea, Jutia simply could not get the commemorative blend out of her head. After all, considering it was being distributed at a party attended by the Six Kings, the Supreme Gods, and even the Creator God, she predicted it would be an extraordinary product and was looking forward to it immensely.
That said, Jutia was a woman of common sense. She knew that it would be rude to let her mind wander so much, so she was desperately trying to calm her heart by watching the sea. At the very least, she was determined to ensure she didn't end up pestering Kaito about it during the party.
Meanwhile, at that exact same moment... a certain maid who had heard the same rumors and had been on the verge of rushing to Kaito’s side was being scolded by the Underworld King and forced to promise to behave until the party concluded.
A Certain Maid: "I must get on board! With this Maid Wave—this new era of black tea!"
Underworld King: "...Stay."
A Certain Maid: "...Ah, um... just for a moment... I-I just want to offer Kaito-sama a quick word of greeting beforehand..."
Underworld King: "...Do you want me to ban you from wearing your maid uniform?"
A Certain Maid: "...Uuuu... I-I will hold back until the party is over."