Kaito and Elis took their seats in the cafe area. Kaito had already asked Canalis to arrange a separate table for Elis’s maid, who took her place nearby.
It was the right call. Unlike Lunamaria, whose master, Lilia, treated her as a close friend and allowed her to speak freely outside of formal duties, Elis’s maid was a strict professional. As an attendant of the Marquis House, she could not simply join a conversation between her mistress and Kaito. Even if addressed, she would have provided only the briefest, most polite responses. Sitting at the same table was out of the question unless Kaito forced the issue with his overwhelming authority, so having her own space was likely a huge relief for her.
"I see... this truly is remarkable," Elis noted once they were settled. "The space is soundproofed, and the recognition inhibition barrier makes it impossible to see who is at the other tables. Given the high-ranking guests who visit this establishment, this is an excellent precaution against unwanted attention."
"It was the store manager's idea," Kaito replied. "From my perspective, it makes the place feel much more private and easier to relax in."
"Indeed. Since so many people visiting Nifty are likely to recognize you, Kaito-sama, such discretion is vital."
After they placed their orders, the two settled into a comfortable rhythm of small talk. Sheltered by the privacy barriers, Elis felt her internal panic finally subsiding. She found herself speaking more naturally, convinced she could finally enjoy her tea and sweets in peace. If any of Kaito’s other "victims" had heard her thoughts, they would have laughed at how hopelessly optimistic she was being.
Then, as was only natural, Elis’s faint expectations were shattered.
"Oh, that reminds me, Elis-san," Kaito said, reaching for something. "I wanted to give you this. I feel like I dragged you along today, and I'm sorry for startling you with the Seven Princesses earlier. Please, take this as an apology."
"Oh, no, you don't need to apologize," Elis said, looking slightly flustered as she reached for the card and the small booklet he offered. "Getting to meet the Seven Princesses was a rare honor. But... if you insist, it would be rude to refuse. Thank you for your kindness, Kaito-sama. What exactly is this?"
"It’s a priority right for a new service Nifty is launching soon," Kaito explained with a bright smile. "To put it simply, you can have your family crest engraved on any of the Nifty pottery shown in that catalog. It won't be available to the general public for quite a while, but this lets you use the service early. You can do crests, special marks, or even text."
"Hyuh..."
Elis barely managed to swallow the scream rising in her throat.
Kaito-sama, what on earth are you handing me?! To the nobility, prestige is everything! Nifty is already world-famous; having our family crest on their pottery would be a dream. But if the Hamilton Marquis House were the only ones with such an item, it would look like we have an exclusive, unbreakable link to you! If we were malicious, we could use that connection to flaunt your influence over the entire empire! Of course, we would never do that, but still... have you no sense of danger?! No... I see... even if someone tried to abuse your favor, the Phantasm King would probably just erase them from existence.
The gift offered so casually was an outrageous political landmine, and Elis was spiraling back into a state of total panic.
As she suspected, if anyone tried to use such a right to exploit Kaito, Alice—or in the worst case, Eden—would move to purge them immediately, so there was technically no risk of it being misused.
Still, if you're going to give me something this terrifying, please at least look like you're giving me something terrifying! My heart honestly can't take this casually polite delivery!
If Lilia had been there, she surely would have placed a hand on Elis’s shoulder with a look of profound, weary empathy.
Serious-senpai: "Congrats, Elis-chan! You've got prestige now! ...You okay? No holes in your stomach yet?"