On the day of the tea party Kaito was scheduled to attend, Eris was in her private chambers at the Hamilton estate, her expression grim with focus as she conducted her final walkthrough. Although the event wasn't until the afternoon, her role as organizer demanded she start early, meticulously re-checking every detail.
(Black tea, sweets... everything is in order. I can’t claim perfection, but based on his habits at Nifty and when he visits my shop, these should suit his tastes. Given Kaito-sama’s nature, he won’t care for gaudy displays, so I’ve kept the decorations minimalist. The weather is clear, so the terrace overlooking the garden is a go. The custom barrier tools are active, and the teleportation interference field is the strongest our house can muster. Security against scrying and eavesdropping is airtight, and every servant involved has been thoroughly re-vetted...)
Kaito's debut at a noble tea party was an earth-shaking event within high society. Unless one was Alice herself, keeping such a secret was impossible; by now, news of the gathering had trickled through the ranks of the nobility.
She had been inundated with letters from those "wishing to participate if possible," but she had remained firm. After a ruthless vetting process, only a hand-picked group of scions remained on the guest list.
"Milady, excuse me. Cornelia Sharon-sama has arrived."
"Thank you. Please show her to my sitting room."
Shortly after, a maid escorted the visitor in. She was a young noblewoman with an air of refined composure, though the quality of her dress was immediately apparent. Cornelia Sharon, daughter of the Sharon Count House—a family of the Arclesia Empire—was striking, with fluffy, dark-gray hair cut to a semi-long length and pale green eyes.
"Good day, Eris. My deepest thanks for inviting me to such a prestigious gathering."
"Good day, Cornelia. My apologies for asking you to arrive so early."
"Not at all. I actually wanted the chance to speak with you privately before the party began, so I appreciated the early call."
The two women spoke with gentle smiles. They were close enough to be considered childhood friends; since the Sharon family was a powerful house within the Hamilton faction, their families had long-standing ties.
"...Regardless, Eris, your attire and accessories are magnificent. You’ve opted for a subdued design, but the craftsmanship is undeniable."
"Yes, well... my parents grew a bit over-enthusiastic. Since this isn't a ball or a gala, they couldn't justify a flamboyant gown, so they focused entirely on the quality of the materials instead. It makes my head spin to think how many standard evening dresses could have been made with the cost of this single outfit, but I suppose I understand their perspective."
The Sharon family held a lucrative stake in the magic tool trade, making them one of the wealthiest houses among the Arclesian nobility. For Cornelia's appearance at this party, they had spared no expense, commissioning an ensemble that blended the latest Hydra Kingdom trends with the rarest materials.
To a casual observer, it was merely an elegant, modest dress. To a professional, its staggering price tag was painfully obvious.
"Of course, my family isn't suggesting I vulgarly use my charms to win him over. But they are certainly hoping I might find favor with him today. The spotlight on the Hamilton family—and on you in particular, Eris—is blinding. They can't help but envy your meteoric rise."
"I suppose so. From the outside, the blessings I've received in such a short time must seem incredible. I can understand the jealousy. Do you feel the same, Cornelia?"
"...I feel a touch of it, perhaps, but mostly I feel a sense of dread. We've known each other a long time, and I believe I understand how you think. If it were anyone else, I’d expect you or the Marquis to purposefully dampen this momentum for the sake of political balance. But the fact that your fame is only accelerating suggests... it isn't that you're refusing to slow down, but that even the Hamilton family can't stop it."
"That's correct."
"Um... Eris? Why are you smiling like that? It's as if... as if you've survived a thousand battlefields. Is it truly that bad?"
"............It is."
It was a beautiful smile, yet it was haunted by an aura of profound, tragic weariness. As Cornelia watched her friend, who looked as if she were carrying the weight of a world-ending sorrow on her shoulders, she felt a cold sweat break out. The tea party was going to be far more terrifying than she had ever imagined.
Serious-senpai: "And here comes another victim destined to get caught in Kaito's habit of metaphorically punching noble ladies in the gut with social stress. A house strong in magic tools, huh? They’re high-tier, sure... but is her stomach ready for the impact?"