I had only intended to take a quick look at the shop, but I ended up staying much longer than expected. By the time I returned home, night was already beginning to fall.
It was early enough that I could have had dinner right away, but after snacking on sweets at the cafe, I wasn't all that hungry. I decided to hold off on the meal for a while and headed to Lilia-san’s room first.
I needed to give her a proper report. After all, I had happened to run into Elis-san today, and her position as the daughter of a high-ranking noble in the Arclesia Empire wasn't something I could just ignore.
When I entered Lilia-san’s office, it seemed she was done for the day. She looked quite relaxed, likely just finishing up some idle chatter with Luna-san.
"Good evening, Kaito-san. Are you here to invite me to dinner?"
"Ah, no, I was thinking of eating a bit later... Actually, it's not that. Today... or rather, just a moment ago when I went to the Nifty store, I happened to meet a noble daughter and we became friends, so I thought I should tell you about it..."
"A noble daughter? It isn't unusual for you to meet people, Kaito-san, but that does feel a bit rare."
"It's true that Miyama-sama hasn't had many chances to get to know nobles outside of the royal family or this house until now. You have always tended to shy away from the parties and tea ceremonies that would serve as such opportunities, after all."
I had thought the same while talking to Elis-san, so I could only nod at Lilia-san and Luna-san's reactions. I really didn't have many noble acquaintances.
"So, who did you meet?"
"A woman named Elis from the Hamilton Marquis House."
"The Hamilton Marquis House? They are high-ranking nobles who lead the Reformist Faction... and her father is the Prime Minister of the Arclesia Empire. You certainly stumbled upon someone incredible again."
"It's strange enough that you met a high-ranking noble of the Arclesia Empire by chance within the Kingdom of Sinfonia, but what's terrifying is that, because it's Miyama-sama, it doesn't feel entirely impossible. However, setting that aside, Milady, you seem relatively composed."
"...The one before her was an Almighty God. Compared to that, a name I actually recognize is a relief."
Lilia-san muttered this with far-off eyes. She had the aura of someone who had survived countless love triangle dramas... Actually, she had, and most of them were my fault.
From Lilia-san's current perspective, hearing that I had met a Marquis's daughter was something she could accept with enlightened detachment. She seemed to be taking it in stride, thinking, "Well, if it's Kaito-san, I suppose that happens."
"Lilia-san, do you know Elis-san?"
"No, I've never met her in person. I've spoken with her father, Marquis Hamilton, several times, and I've heard her name before, but I've never met the lady herself. I'm actually more curious about how you two met, Kaito-san."
"Oh, actually, Elis-san was my very first customer when I opened the stall in the Arclesia Empire. I didn't know she was a Marquis's daughter back then, but I remembered her face. We just ran into each other on the street, and the conversation flowed from there."
"I see, so that's how you became friends."
"Yes. After that, we happened to run into Camellia-san and the others too..."
I went on to explain the day's events—how I met Elis-san, then encountered five of the Seven Princesses, went to the Nifty store together, and gave Elis-san a priority right for new services.
Explaining every little detail would have taken too long, so I kept it to a rough summary. However, by the time I finished, the atmosphere in the room had become indescribable.
"Is this your thing now? Do you have some kind of special fetish for thoroughly inflicting stomach pain on every noblewoman you meet, Miyama-sama?"
"That is a terrible way to put it..."
"Then let us hear the opinion of the Representative of Noblewomen Likely Suffering from Stomach Pain—the woman in this world most qualified to speak on the distress caused by Miyama-sama. Milady, your thoughts?"
"...I sympathize with Lady Elis from the bottom of my heart. I know Kaito-san doesn't mean any harm, and his actions themselves aren't wrong, but... considering Kaito-san's influence, I can easily imagine the stomach pain she's dealing with right now."
It was a complicated reaction. Hmm... I suppose my comment about wanting to attend her tea party might have been a slip of the tongue. Elis-san was clearly very flustered at the time.
As I was reflecting on that, Luna-san spoke up with a wry smile.
"Well, if things look like they might turn into a hassle, Alice-sama or someone like her will probably handle it. I think Miyama-sama can deepen his friendship with Marquis Daughter Elis without worrying too much."
"Hearing you say that makes me feel much better, but when you're being that straightforwardly kind, Luna-san, I find myself looking for the ulterior motive."
"How rude of you. I, the humble Lunamaria, treat the Miyama-sama I am so close with only with the utmost kindness and affection... By the way, since the subject has come up, I would love to visit the Nifty cafe with my mother. However, high-end shops are a bit much for my current finances, and it's impossible to get a reservation anyway. I wonder what I should do... I don't suppose there's a wonderful man somewhere who would lend a helping hand?"
"I'll talk to Canaris-san for you, so just tell me your preferred date and time."
"As expected of Miyama-sama! I am always your ally, so feel free to consult me whenever you're in trouble."
It was so typical of Luna-san. While her intention was to soften the mood and put me at ease, the way she made sure to secure a personal benefit was truly impressive. Both Lilia-san and I couldn't help but let out wry smiles, and the tension in the room naturally dissolved into a peaceful silence.
Serious-senpai: "...Yeah. The fact that he didn't even mention the tabletop clock proves he really thinks he just gave away some scraps... even though that napalm bomb is currently tearing her stomach to shreds..."