Had they simply shared a brief nod and walked on, there would have been no issue. But since all three had stopped, silence now felt distinctly unnatural.
Kaori immediately fell into a defensive, wait-and-see stance. Despite her somewhat unique status as an otherworlder, she was still a commoner. Compared to Lilia, the head of a ducal house, or Elis, a daughter of a marquis, her social standing was the lowest. For her to initiate the conversation would have been improper.
This was not a sign of cowardice, but a rational judgment—a defense-oriented tactic meant to weather the impending stress. She certainly wasn't breaking into a cold sweat, nor was she screaming "Kaito-kun, help me!" inside her head.
Across from her, Elis also quietly adopted a standby posture. She was a noble of the Arclesia Empire, a nation where the weight of social hierarchy was absolute.
As long as Lilia—the head of the Albert family and thus Elis's superior—was present, Elis knew she should not speak first. Even if she intended to introduce herself for the first time, it would be a breach of etiquette to address Lilia before the Duchess spoke to her.
With interpersonal skills polished in high society and a calm situational judgment born of her lady's education, Elis’s silent poise possessed a sense of stability reminiscent of the majestic World Tree.
Since two of the three had committed to a passive role, the burden of leading the conversation fell to Lilia.
Lilia understood that as the highest-ranking person present, nothing would move forward unless she acted. She turned to Elis first.
"I believe you are Lady Elis of the Hamilton Marquis House. This is our first formal meeting, isn't it? I am Lilia Albert, Head of the Ducal House of Albert in the Kingdom of Sinfonia."
"I offer my humblest greetings to Sinfonia's Beautiful Lady of the White Rose. I am Elis Dia Hamilton, heir of the Hamilton Marquis House of the Arclesia Empire. It is a profound honor to have this opportunity to speak with you."
Following Lilia’s self-introduction, Elis returned the greeting with a refined, practiced bow. Kaori watched their elegant exchange with a sense of awe, thinking to herself, Is there a chance I’ll just be left out of this entirely? However, Lilia soon turned her attention to Kaori.
"Kaori-san, it has been a while since that shipboard party."
"Ah, yes. It has been quite a long time."
Kaori had visited Kaito's home several times before the shipboard party to offer cooking advice. While she had been introduced to Lilia then, they were little more than acquaintances who had exchanged brief pleasantries.
Elis shared that acquaintance as well. Once the exchange with Lilia reached a natural pause, Elis addressed Kaori.
"Kaori-sama, thank you again for visiting my shop the other day."
"Ah, yes... thank you as well for the wonderful purchase. I-I have to say, even if we are acquaintances, being caught between two high-ranking nobles makes me a bit nervous."
"Please, put your mind at ease," Lilia said gently. "Neither I nor Lady Elis are the sort to take offense over trivial matters."
"Indeed," Elis added. "In this setting, I believe we can disregard titles. We are all here as friends of Kaito-san."
Both Lilia and Elis were kind-hearted by nature, and their reassuring words allowed Kaori’s expression to soften with relief.
The tension between the three dissolved, and it seemed as though a peaceful conversation was about to unfold... until that tranquility was abruptly shattered.
"Lilia, there is something I wish to ask. Do you mind?"
"Sh-Shallow Vernal-sama!?"
"——!?"
The sudden appearance of Shallow Vernal made Kaori and Elis’s eyes go wide with shock.
(Incoherent panicky thoughts: Sh-Sh-Shallow Vernal-sama!? Oh no, oh no, this is the first time I've seen her this close... Her beauty is divine... No, wait, that's not it! I can't stop shaking, I can't breathe!)
(Elis’s internal monologue: How could I... I was so startled that my reaction was delayed. Protocol dictates I should kneel immediately, but Duchess Albert is already speaking with her. Moving now would be lèse-majesté... I have to wait for a break in the conversation... No, I have to coordinate my timing with Kaori-sama...)
Lilia was stunned to be addressed so suddenly, but Kaori and Elis were in a state of total panic. Having the Top of the World appear without warning sent a searing pain through both their stomachs.
Unfortunately, the situation was only getting started.
"...Shallow Vernal, to frighten my child... I cannot overlook this. Step away from her at once."
"E-Eden-sama!?"
The next to appear was Eden. Just as she had during the shipboard party, she arrived alongside Machina, stepping in to shield Kaori while glaring at Shallow Vernal.
"I didn't intend to frighten her specifically," Shallow Vernal replied calmly.
"Do you not understand the concept of suppressing your magic power?" Eden snapped. "If a fragile child of mine is subjected to magic power clad in divine majesty, it is inevitable that they will recoil in fear. I truly wish you would learn some common sense."
"Coming from you, hearing a lecture on common sense is... rather difficult to accept."
It felt as though invisible sparks flew between the two supreme beings. Lilia, Elis, and Kaori all turned deathly pale, clutching their stomachs in unison as they fought to endure the agonizing pressure.
Serious-senpai: "Here it comes: the first sudden world crisis since the housewarming party."
???: "Well, there are plenty of people here who can stop it this time, so the world should be fine. As for our Stomach Pain Warriors' poor guts, however..."