As Marquis Hamilton listened to the details from Eris, his desire to bury his head in his hands grew stronger. Meeting five of the Seven Princesses was obviously a significant matter, one that could greatly affect their future.
However, the bigger problem was that Kaito had expressed a desire to attend the tea party hosted by Eris.
[……It’s hard for us to make a decision on this matter on our own. We need to inform Her Majesty the Emperor about this. But if the tea party does happen, the real issue will be whom to invite.]
[That’s right. Kaito-sama’s influence is unparalleled, and there are many nobles who are eager to engage with him. Though Phantasmal King’s warnings and the Otherworld God’s threats have prohibited nobles from making overtures toward him, if Kaito-sama himself wishes to attend, the situation changes.]
Kaito was extremely famous among the nobility, and the reason they had not approached him, despite his overwhelming influence, was the warnings issued by the Phantasmal King———— who holds the world’s secrets and could be called the shadow ruler.Furthermore, the Otherworld God, Eden, had already sent threatening warnings to all nobles in the human realm…… These two forces prevented the nobles from making any moves toward Kaito, despite their desire to associate with him.
However, now that Kaito wished to attend a noble-hosted tea party…… the number of nobles wanting to participate would be endless.
[……Father, may I suggest something…… If the tea party is held, how about excluding the heads of noble houses from participating?]
[……Fumu. I see…… So the tea party would not be hosted by the Hamilton family, but as a socializing party personally hosted by Eris. This being the case, the participants would be limited to your friends…… those we can trust from within our faction…… This way, we can emphasize that the connection with Miyama Kaito-sama is personal, not a noble engagement. That might be the best option…… Hosting it at a separate residence could further demonstrate that we, the Hamilton family, are not directly involved……]
[Yes. I plan to limit the attendees to only a few individuals whom I deem suitable to meet Kaito-sama. There’s no need to rush; taking our time to plan carefully will be the best approach.]
As Marquis Hamilton and Eris discussed the matter seriously, the Marquis’ wife, who had been quietly pondering, spoke up with a suggestion.
[If possible, how about inviting the Seven Princesses that you met? We can’t be sure if they would attend, but some nobles in Symphonia may have already heard about your meeting with them. You could use that connection as the pretext for organizing the tea party.][I see. That’s a good idea. We can’t set it as a definite plan, as we don’t know the Seven Princesses’ schedules, but it’s worth considering.]
With Eris agreeing and Marquis Hamilton nodding, the direction of their plan was decided. This settled the matter for the time being. Afterward, Eris placed the gift-wrapped box that she had received from Kaito on the table.
[……So, this is the item Miyama Kaito-sama gave you.]
[Yes. He mentioned it was a table clock. Apparently, it was a leftover from a batch Kaito-sama ordered for himself…… But since it’s connected to Kaito-sama, it has immense value, and it’s apparently made by the same creator who crafted the Nifty Cups…… While ceramics and woodworking are different fields, I imagine that since Kaito-sama commissioned it, it must be of high quality.]
Eris decided to unwrap the gift to check the table clock right away. She carefully unwrapped the packaging, opened the beautiful wooden box to inspect the contents, and then…… “closed the box in silence”.
A moment later, trembling with a pale, horrified expression, Eris desperately tried to convince herself amidst the chaos in her mind.
(……I- I must be seeing things. I must have just been seeing things. Please, let it be me just seeing things. Y- Yes, the way I opened the box must have been the reason I just saw things wrongfully. If I open it properly, look…… look……)
Praying within her heart, Eris opened the box once more, though, of course, the contents hadn’t changed. Inside was a wooden clock, so intricately adorned it could be mistaken for a work of art.
Even from its appearance alone, the clock was clearly an extraordinary piece, but what truly caught Eris’ attention was something else. In a trembling voice, she muttered:
[……F- Father…… Right now, I am praying from the bottom of my heart that I’m simply ignorant. I want to believe…… that my aesthetic sense is mistaken…… but what do you think?]
[……This dark hue, yet with an entrancing glow…… the hands of the clock…… they’re made with Midnight Crystals.]
Hearing her father’s pale-faced response, Eris looked to the heavens in despair.
(Isn’t that the legendary gemstone that rarely appears even once in ten yeeeeeears!? A treasure worthy of being kept as a family heirloom…… h- has been made into the hands of a clock!? Wait a moment, eeeehhhh…… K- Kaito-sama, are you sure you didn’t mix this up with something else? No, rather, please let this be a mistake……)
<Afterword>
<Materials Kaito gave to Nebula>
Since what was being made was originally meant for Kaito himself, Kaito gave a variety of leftover gemstones and materials, such as those from making music boxes and accessories.
- Numerous rare gems, including Midnight Crystal and Rainbow Diamond.
- Leftover branches from Lillywood’s World Tree, leftovers from the ones used for making music boxes.
- A black magic crystal from Tre, used as the clock’s power source.
- Scraps that Alice nonchalantly tossed in during the process.
<Final Product>
A luxurious table clock made from two types of World Tree wood, decorated with such skill that even Lilia remarked it should be displayed in the national art museum. The clock is adorned with rare gemstones all over, powered by a black magic crystal, and Nebula added her playful magical touch, creating special effects at certain times.
