I only intended to briefly check on the store, but I ended up spending more time there than expected, and by the time I returned home, it was already close to night.
It wasn’t too late for dinner, but since I had eaten sweets at the café, I wasn’t that hungry…… so I decided to have dinner a bit later and visit Lilia first.
Well, I had coincidentally met Eris-san today, who is the daughter of a great noble from Archlesia Empire, so I thought I should properly report this.
When I visited Lilia-san’s office, it seemed like today’s work was already done, and she was casually chatting with Luna-san, looking relaxed.
[Good evening, Kaito. Are you here to invite me for dinner?][Ah no, I was thinking of eating a bit later…… Actually, today…… well, just a little while ago, I happened to meet and befriend a noble lady when I went to Nifty’s store, so I thought I should let you know……]
[A noble lady? ……Since it’s Kaito-san, it’s not strange for you to just happen to meet them, but it does seem a bit rare.]
[It’s true that until now, Miyama-sama hasn’t had many opportunities to meet nobles besides Milady and the royalty, especially since you tend to avoid parties or tea gatherings where you might meet them.]
Actually, as I had thought when speaking with Eris-san, I don’t have many noble acquaintances, so Lilia-san’s and Luna-san’s reactions were understandable.
[So, who did you meet?]
[A woman named Eris from the Hamilton Marquisdom.]
[……Hamilton Marquisdom…… They’re a great noble family in Archlesia Empire, with the Marquis as the Prime Minister and leader of the reformist faction…… You’ve made quite the impressive acquaintance.][Meeting a great noble of Archlesia Empire by chance while in Symphonia Kingdom is strange enough, but since it’s Miyama-sama we’re talking about here, well, it’s somehow believable. What’s more surprising is that Milady seems relatively calm about it.]
[……The last person you met was an Omnipotent God after all. When you compare her to that, well, I at least know this person.]
Lilia-san, who muttered with distant eyes, gave off a vibe as if she had weathered countless storms…… well, she actually had, mostly because of me.
To Lilia-san, learning that I had befriended a Marquis’ daughter seemed to be something she had come to accept with a “Well, since it’s Kaito-san, that kind of thing’s possible.”.
[Do you know Eris-san, Lilia-san?]
[No, I’ve never met her directly. I’ve met her father, Marquis Hamilton, a few times and have heard her name, but I’ve never met her personally. Actually, I’m more curious about how you met her.]
[Ahh, actually, Eris-san was my first customer when I opened a stall in Archlesia Empire some time ago. I didn’t know she was a Marquis’ daughter back then, but I remembered her face, and we happened to run into each other on the street earlier, and our conversation just flowed from there.]
[I see, and that’s how you became friends.]
[Yes, after that, I also happened to run into Camellia-san and the others……]
I briefly explained what happened today———— how I met Eris-san, encountered five of the Seven Princesses, and visited Nifty store, where I gave her early access to a new service.
Of course, I kept it brief to avoid taking too much time, but once I finished, the atmosphere in the room was indescribable.
[……Is it just me, or does Miyama-sama have a strange fetish for causing noble ladies stress to the point of stomachaches?]
[You’re really damaging my reputation there……]
[Well then, let’s ask this noble lady who has likely suffered the most from Miyama-sama’s antics for her thoughts…… Milady, your thoughts?]
[……I deeply sympathize with Lady Eris. No, while I know Kaito-san doesn’t mean any harm, and your actions themselves aren’t necessarily wrong…… considering Kaito-san’s influence, it’s easy to imagine she’s now dealing with stomachaches.]
I…… don’t know how to respond to that. Hmmm…… maybe my comment about wanting to join the tea party was a mistake. Eris-san was clearly flustered at that moment……
As I was pondering this, Luna-san opened her mouth with a slight smile.
[Well, if things start to get complicated, I’m sure Alice-sama will take care of it somehow. I think it’s fine for Miyama-sama to continue deepening your friendship with Lady Eris without worrying too much.]
[……That really puts my mind at ease, but when Luna-sa’s being so straightforwardly kind like this, I can’t help but feel suspicious.]
[How rude! This humble Lunamaria always treats her dear friend Miyama-sama with kindness and compassion…… By the way, since we’re on the topic, I’ve been wanting to visit Nifty café with my mother. However, it’s a high-end place, and I can’t afford it. Plus, reservations are impossible to get…… I wonder if there’s a wonderful gentleman out there who might lend a helping hand?]
[……I’ll talk to Canalis-san about it, so just let me know when you’d like to go.]
[As expected of Miyama-sama! I’m always on your side, so feel free to consult me anytime you’re in need.]
How should I say this…… Luna-san really is just the same as ever…… Her ability to lighten the mood while subtly securing her own benefit was impressive. As both Lilia-san and I couldn’t help but smile, the atmosphere in the room naturally shifted to something more peaceful.
<Afterword>
Serious-senpai : [……Unnn. The fact that he didn’t even mention the table clock at all really makes it seem like Kaito just handed over something he had lying around…… Even though that’s technically a napalm bomb inflicting major stomachaches……]
