Elis Dia Hamilton was a noblewoman of the highest pedigree. Her lineage traced back to the imperial blood of old, marking her as the heir to the Hamilton Marquis House—one of the legendary Four Great Noble Houses of the Arclesia Empire. She had been forged by a rigorous lady’s education since her earliest childhood.
It was perhaps because of this lifelong discipline, and her pride as the heir to a high-ranking house, that she managed to hold her composure. Her spirit clung to its poise by the narrowest of margins.
Miyama Kaito possessed Sympathy Magic, which allowed him to sense the general emotions of those around him. At this moment, Elis was in a state of absolute, frantic confusion following their sudden encounter. Yet, beneath the steel of her will, she refused to lose her cool. Even when probed by Kaito’s magic, her outward agitation was suppressed so thoroughly that only a sense of professional tension and humility reached him.
It’s all right. I can do this, Elis told herself. I am a daughter of the historic Hamilton Marquis House. Even if this meeting was entirely unexpected, I will see this conversation through without causing Kaito-sama even a moment of displeasure. I have been trained for exactly this kind of situation. He only spoke to me because he happened to remember my face from the stall; he usually avoids active involvement with the nobility. That means this exchange will be brief.
Elis was well aware that Kaito rarely participated in tea parties or balls and had virtually no interaction with the aristocracy outside of the Royal Family and the Ducal House of Albert. In fact, he seemed to avoid them quite intentionally.
Because there were even rumors that Kaito hated nobles, Elis predicted that their conversation would conclude quickly. However, she was profoundly mistaken.
Kaito only turned down invitations from nobles because he wanted to avoid the calculated schemes of those seeking his influence, as well as the suffocating, formal posturing of the social circle. He did not actually dislike individual nobles, nor did he avoid them purely based on their status.
When Kaito found someone likable, he naturally felt a desire to be friendly and would try to keep the conversation going. In his eyes, Elis was someone he felt positively toward, thanks to their polite interaction and self-introductions at his previous stall.
"Are you in the Sinfonia Royal Capital on business, Elis-san?" Kaito asked.
"Yes. I was fortunate enough to win the reservation lottery for the Nifty boutique, so I was just heading that way," Elis replied. She spoke with a gentle, practiced expression, though the chaos in her mind was only intensifying.
Wait... what? His reaction is far more favorable than I imagined. Doesn't he realize I'm a noble? A Marquis's daughter?
Elis had been certain Kaito would find an excuse to leave, and she was left utterly bewildered by his warmth. While she lacked special powers, her experience in the social circle—navigating the hidden agendas of others—gave her a keen sense for tone and expression.
Kaito’s friendliness was genuine. He looked as if he were simply enjoying a chat with a new friend.
"Oh, really? Actually, I was just on my way to Nifty myself," Kaito said.
"Is that so? Are you heading there for an inspection as the owner?"
"Oh, no. It’s more out of simple curiosity. I also have a bit of business with the manager... Well, it’s a bit awkward to keep standing here talking. Since our destination is the same, would you like to walk there with me, Elis-san?"
"Eh? Ah, y-yes. I would be delighted."
Kaito offered a smile that radiated nothing but friendly goodwill. Elis accepted with an ironclad lady’s smile, even as her mind filled with a million frantic questions.
As she moved toward Nifty alongside Kaito, she fought to keep her panicked thoughts from showing on her face.
How did this happen?! At this rate, people will think I'm truly close to Kaito-sama... I mean, that would be an immense honor, but why? When did I even win his interest?
Because Kaito had so few chances to interact with someone like her, Elis never dreamed that he simply found her "noble lady" aura to be a refreshing change of pace. She agonized over why he was treating her so kindly.
Of course, given her position, a friendship with Kaito would be incredibly beneficial for both herself and the Hamilton Marquis House, but she still felt like she was struggling to keep up with the pace of events.
I don't understand it, but there is no doubt this is a good thing. If I can, I should try to build a friendly relationship...
Elis was just starting to regain her calm through the sheer force of her training—only to have it shattered instantly.
"Ah! It's Kaito-kun-san!"
"Eh? Ah, Til-san... and everyone else is here too. What a coincidence."
Elis turned with Kaito toward the voice. Standing there were five figures: Fairy Princess Tiltania, Sky Princess Erial, Rose Princess Rosmiel, Floral Princess Camellia, and Great Tree Princess Jutia.
The moment she recognized them, Elis’s face went beyond pale and turned a ghastly, deathly white.
W-w-w-why are the Seven Princesses here?!
Serious-senpai: "First, a sudden stomach blow in the form of a chance encounter. Then, a follow-up blow with a walk that’s basically a pick-up line. And then, just when she manages to pull herself back together, a five-person set of Six Kings' Executives shows up—a stomach blow so powerful it goes straight through the gut. Seriously, Kaito is a master of the stomach blow, dedicated to destroying the poor girl's insides no matter what."