Now then, the venue of this wedding reception party was a large hall and the tables were large, typical for a noble’s wedding. The table with my name written on it is a large round table that seats 10 people.
Me, Aoi-chan, Hina-chan, Lilia-san, Sieg-san, Luna-san and Olivia-san make 7 people…… That means there were 3 seats left over, but since there were no tags on them, those should be open seats.
……is what should be…… but there were three people sitting on those supposedly open seats, and looking in their direction, I spoke.
[……Why is everyone sitting here together?]
[Unnn? Ahh, it’s because there are also external problems.][The fact that we’re all sitting together at the same table shows that the three countries are on friendly terms.]
[In fact, when events involving the Demon Realm and God Realm are held, we are often lumped together as the three representatives of the Human Realm.]
To my words, Laguna-san, Chris-san, and Ryze-san responded…… but that’s not what I mean.
[No, I’m not asking why you three are sitting together, what I wanted to ask is why you’re at this table……]
[It’s just because of that, you know? That incident with the bouquet happened, so to be honest, it’s more about the fact that it’s frightening to keep Kaito out of sight. Well, it’s not like we could do anything to stop you even if we were nearby, but just the fact that sitting here would allow us to sense an omen of something happening would be gentler to our hearts.]
[……I understand.]
Hearing the words Laguna-san said with a wry smile, seemingly implying “they don’t know what I’ll do if they leave me alone”, Lilia-san profoundly nodded.I was so impressed by the indescribable weight of that nod, which was backed up by her experience to date…… that to be honest, I couldn’t find the will to complain anymore and just meekly sat down.
Thereupon, as if she was waiting for me to sit, Laguna-san started talking to me.
[So, Kaito. I’d like to ask you something…… There is this rumor that Jutia-sama knelt in a dogeza to you at the tea party after the Harmonic Symphony, but did you have some sort of dispute?]
[Eh? Ahh, no, that’s not it! It’s not like we had any disputes, she just asked me for some tea leaves.]
What comes to mind when I hear Laguna-san’s words is the exchange I had with her at the tea party when Jutia-san asked for Nebula’s tea leaves…… Indeed, to the unknowing observer, it might appear that some kind of trouble happened and Jutia-san was apologizing.
For the sake of Jutia-san’s honor, I strongly deny that there was any trouble.
[Fumu, I see…… It’s not an apology, but a plea. Fumu, tea leaves…… Ryze boy, isn’t Jutia-sama famous for her love of tea?]
[Yes, I have heard that she’s an avid lover of tea, having been involved in the production of many famous teas from the Demon Realm, as well as owning a large tea plantation.]
[And you have tea leaves that would make such a Jutia-sama kneel in a dogeza?]
I knew that Jutia-san was a tea lover, but I had no idea that she was even involved in so many different kinds of tea leaves or that she owns a large tea farm.]
Tea society…… It may be strange to refer to it as that, but she may have quite an authority in this area.
And as for Nebula’s tea, it’s not surprising that Laguna-san doesn’t know about it, since I basically only showed it to the members of my family and the tea lovers I’m close to like Ein-san.
[I wonder if those are the tea leaves that Orchid talked to me about before? Orchid was raving about it, and even though it was still fresh from my memory……]
[Yes, it was those tea leaves.]
[Ahh, if it’s those tea leaves, it’s no wonder Jutia-sama would want it.]
[Mnhh, is this something only I don’t know about?]
I know Ryze-san knows about it because I had served Orchid the tea made with Nebula’s tea leaves, and Chris-san knows about it because we usually exchanged letters and I told her about it.
Perhaps slightly frustrated that the two of them knew about it and only she didn’t know about it, Laguna-san had a slightly complicated expression on her face.
[The tea leaves were made by the Spirit of the World Tree in Miyama-sama’s home, and they are a truly wonderful product. I have had many teas myself, but I can say that that was the best tea I have ever tasted.]
[Unnn? You’ve drank that tea before, young Chris?]
[Yes, I have been regularly exchanging letters with Miyama-sama and he has graciously shared some of his tea leaves with me. They’re very different tea leaves to handle and only the Head Maid could handle it, but it tasted wonderful.]
[Hoho…… Now ain’t that interesting……]
[Would you like some too, Laguna-san?]
[Hmmm, I don’t really drink much tea…… It would also cause a fuss if anyone else knew about it…… I’ll just have some when I get the chance to visit your house again.]
[Alright.]
Speaking of which, I remember that Laguna-san likes Japanese tea like green tea. She also said she likes rice crackers…… it seems that Neun-san had influenced her a lot.
In fact, tea leaves are being cultivated in Hydra Kingdom, and I would like to try their tea if I have a chance.
[Even so, young Chris is exchanging letters with Kaito huh……]
[Yes, I’ve been enjoying our daily exchanges. Would you like to try it out too, your Majesty Laguna?]
[Mnhh…… You yourself should already know it. I’m not good with letters…… I mean, us Mermaids spend most of our time underwater, so we’re not very good at handling paper.]
[No, I’ve never heard that Mermaids aren’t good at handling paper though? Rather, your Majesty Laguna lives in the royal palace, so you live on land……]
[……Hush it there, Ryze boy.]
It seems that it isn’t the Mermaids…… but Laguna-san herself that isn’t good at writing letters.
<Afterword>
Serious-senpai : [The rulers of each country have deep trust in Kaito. Trust that if he left him alone, he will do something again.]
