I accepted the stack of letters Anima had sorted for me, and tucked among them was a note from Elis-san. It arrived in a sturdy, high-quality envelope that practically radiated luxury. When I broke the seal, I found an invitation inside.
Right, the tea party. I had mentioned wanting to attend one back when I first met Elis-san, and she had promised she would arrange an opportunity eventually. It looked like the time had finally come.
The letter accompanying the invitation broke down the details. The venue was the Hamilton Marquis House Villa. It was apparently going to be an event centered on the children of noble families, specifically excluding current heads of houses or those holding official positions.
She had probably done that for my sake, cutting out the intimidating high-ranking lords. Elis-san was incredibly perceptive; she likely accounted for my status as a total novice to ensure I wouldn't be overwhelmed.
But as I read further, a specific line jumped out at me.
"Please note: Each guest may bring only one companion. Furthermore, for this particular event, nobles will not be permitted to serve as companions. Kindly bring someone of non-noble status."
A companion? I wondered if it was common to bring someone along to noble tea parties. Maybe people brought their fiancés? In noble circles, it wouldn't be unusual to have one, and since the host might not know every partner personally, that kind of consideration made sense.
The fact that it specifically barred nobles this time implied they were usually welcome. Or perhaps she was being considerate because she knew I didn't know anyone there besides her. Bringing a friend would definitely take the edge off my nerves. But who? If nobles were allowed, Lilia-san would have been the ideal choice.
She was well-versed in high-society etiquette, and she had mentioned hitting it off with Elis-san at a previous party. She would have been perfect... but with the "no nobles" rule, she was out of the question.
As I sat there brooding over it, a familiar voice called out.
"Kaito-kun! I'm here to hang out!"
"Oh, welcome, Kuro. You're here early today."
"Yeah! I’ve finally caught a break now that the development on those new instant food products has settled. I've got plenty of free time. Oh? Kaito-kun, is that an invitation?"
Kuro tilted her head at the fancy envelope in my hand. It reminded me of the one the Seditch Magic Tool Trading Company had sent for the barbecue. There was probably a standardized format for these high-society invitations.
"Yeah, I got an invitation to a tea party from Elis-san. I’ve been wanting to see what one was like... and it says I can bring a companion. But it looks like I can't bring a noble, probably so I don't feel pressured. That means Lilia-san is out, so I was just trying to figure out who else to ask."
"Heh, in that case, why don't I go with you?"
"Wait, you, Kuro?"
"Sure! I met Elis-chan at your birthday party, and we became pretty good friends."
"I see... Well, in that case, I'd love for you to come along."
Apparently, Kuro and Elis-san were already on friendly terms. That worked out well. Elis-san would likely feel more comfortable with a familiar face like Kuro's than a complete stranger, and having Kuro by my side would certainly put my mind at ease.
"Yup, leave it to me! I know the World Coordinates for the Hamilton Marquis House, and I can just take you there with Teleportation Magic. It'll be a breeze."
"Have you ever actually been to a noble's tea party before, Kuro?"
"Hmm, almost never. I get invited to big banquets and parties all the time, but formal tea parties are rare. I suppose I’ve been to the ones Lilliwood hosts after the Harmonic Symphony? I have tea with Chris sometimes, too, but that's not really a tea party per se."
"Well, it might be a fresh experience for you then."
"I think so. I do know a lot of the local nobles through the trading company, though, so I might recognize a few of the younger ones. Regardless, as long as I'm with Kaito-kun, I know I'll have a great time. I'm excited!"
I smiled back at Kuro. The idea of attending with my lover was a huge relief. Between the two of us, I was sure it would be a pleasant afternoon. I found myself looking forward to it.
Current Summary
The Baby Castella Devil: "So, it's another stomach blow after all... When are we departing? I'm coming with you."
The Stomach Pain Devil: "Stomach Pain Personnel (Cause)"