The tea party that Kaito attended ended safely…… well, somehow safely…… aside from the participants’ stomachs, it concluded without incident. After seeing off all the guests, Eris gave instructions to the maids to clean up, then returned to her own room and finally let out a sigh of relief.
(F- For now, I managed to get through it. Of course, there are still worries about the future, but at least the tea party is over, and it seems Kaito-sama was satisfied, so that’s good. Still, with Kuromu-sama having participated as well, people might now assume that, on top of being close with a Supreme God, I’m also on good terms with one of the Six Kings. Considering the future, I’ll need to think carefully about this.)
First and foremost, Eris herself had bee the center of attention in high society, which was already a fundamental problem. News of this tea party would undoubtedly spread quickly.
Even if they claimed to be from the same faction, there were 16 outsiders including the panions, the servants involved in preparing the tea party, and the servants who had seen Kaito and Kuromueina being guided……. Eris understood all too well that she can’t keep people from talking.
(Negotiations with the Death King camp were already moving forward, and I also have ties with one of the Seven Princesses. I’ve never directly met or spoken with Death King-sama or World King-sama, but given Duchess Lilia’s precedent, it’s entirely possible people will assume I’ve met the Six Kings as well.)
Up until now, the only two of the Six Kings Eris had personally spoken with were Kuromueina and Alice. As for Alice, there was no need to worry about rumors. If Alice wished, she could control gossip among the nobility however she liked, so Eris’ speculations on that front were meaningless.
(The real question is whether people will view these ties as mine personally, or as belonging to the Hamilton Marquisdom as a whole. In truth, it all stems from Kaito-sama and my personal connection with him, but the story of Kuromu-sama visiting the Hamilton household will certainly spread. And since dealings with the Death King camp will be carried out through the Hamilton household…… There's no doubt those seeking favor will increase. That said, countermeasures on that front will primarily be handled by Father, so I’ll likely need to arrange another discussion with Father and Mother.)
Since meeting Kaito, Eris reflected, the number of family councils had increased drastically. With that thought, her mind shifted toward the future…… toward what lay ahead.
(Without a doubt, Kaito-sama’s tea party will bee a major issue…… Just imagining it already makes my stomach hurt. But if I attend without any preparation, who knows what might happen. And then there’s the matter of my promise to visit Kaito-sama’s home…… That’s already been decided for next month, so I should think of it separately from the tea party.)
During the previous party, Eris had accepted Kaito’s invitation to visit his home. After further discussion, they set a schedule, and it was decided she would visit next month.
She would be the first foreign noble to visit Kaito’s residence. Thinking about what might happen…… and about her stomach, which was already beginning to ache a little, she could only hope and pray that nothing would go wrong.
After returning home to the Sharon County estate from the tea party, Cornelia immediately headed for her father’s office. Inside, Count Sharon was working through a stack of documents, but he warmly weled his daughter when she arrived.
[Oh, wele back, Cornelia. How was the tea party hosted by Hamilton Marquisdom…… ah, no, rather, the one hosted by Lady Eris?]
[I’ve just returned. Yes, as expected of Eris-sama, it was a splendid tea party…… but, um, there’s something I must report to you immediately……]
[……Is this about that esteemed person?]
[Yes.]
At Cornelia’s words, Count Sharon’s gentle expression hardened into one of seriousness. With a small wave of his hand, a prearranged signal, the aides and servants present in the office quietly excused themselves, leaving only Cornelia and her father inside.
[……First, let me confirm. There’s no denying that forming a connection with Miyama Kaito-sama would be highly advantageous for our house. However, the risks of overreaching and earning his displeasure are far too great in parison. You understood that well and acted accordingly…… I can trust that, yes?]
[Yes. I didn’t try to push our name upon Kaito-sama, nor did I recklessly try to close the distance, and certainly, I didn’t attempt anything underhanded like using my feminine charms to curry favor.]
[I see. And…… what happened?]
[……The Underworld King, Kuromueina-sama, attended the tea party.]
[……………………]
Upon hearing his daughter’s report, Count Sharon slowly raised his gaze toward the heavens. The only thought swirling through his mind was a single question…… "Why did things turn out like that?"
Serious-senpai : [So, the time has e for the stomachache flag set at the tea party…… for the landmines scattered around to detonate……]
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