Novel Full Chapter 2334: The Promised Tea Party ③
On the day of the tea party to which Kaito had been invited, Eris was in her room at Hamilton Marquisdom, wearing a serious expression as she carried out her final checks. Although the tea party itself would begin in the afternoon, as the host she had naturally been busy from early on, thoroughly confirming every detail.
(Tea, sweets…… no problems there. While I can’t say it’s absolutely perfect, based on what I saw when visiting Nifty’s shop and when Kaito-sama came shopping at my store, I’ve gathered items I believe will suit his tastes. Given his personality, he likely doesn’t care for excessive decorations, so I’ve kept the adornments simple. The weather is clear, so holding it on the terrace with a garden view as planned will be fine. The custom-made Barrier magic tools are in place, and the anti-teleportation barrier is the finest our house can provide…… There are no issues with countermeasures against spying or eavesdropping, and I’ve re-investigated the backgrounds of everyone who will be entering the venue, including the servants……)
In any case, Kaito attending a noble’s tea party was a major event within noble society. Unless one was Alice, it would be impossible to completely conceal the information, and many nobles had already heard about it.
Naturally, there had been many letters expressing a desire to participate as well, but Eris had firmly refused them, carefully selecting only a few young men after a strict screening process.
[Eris-sama, pardon me. Cornelia Sharon-sama has arrived.]
[Understood. Please show her to my room.]
Before long, guided by a maid, a woman entered Eris’ private chambers. She had a refined and composed demeanor, wearing a clearly high-quality dress. Her distinctive features were soft, dark gray semi-long hair and pale green eyes. She was Cornelia Sharon, the young lady of the Sharon County, a noble of the Archlesia Empire.
[Good day to you, Eris-sama. I am truly grateful for the honor of being invited to such a wonderful gathering today.]
[Good day to you as well, Cornelia-sama. I apologize for calling you at such an early hour.]
[Not at all, in fact, I had hoped to speak with you once before the tea party if possible, so I was thankful for the invitation.]Speaking with gentle smiles, the two were close enough to be considered childhood friends. Sharon County was also an influential noble house within Hamilton Marquisdom’s faction, so the two houses had many dealings with each other and could be said to be on close terms.
[……Still, that is quite a fine dress and accessories you’re wearing. You’ve gone for a deliberately subdued design, but the quality is exquisite.]
[……Yes, well…… my parents got a bit carried away. Since this is not a ball or evening party, they avoided anything too extravagant and instead focused entirely on the quality of the materials. When I think about how many evening gowns could be made from just the fabric of this one dress, I do get a bit of a headache, but I can’t exactly fault my father and mother for their feelings.]
Sharon County was strong in trade related to magic tools, and among the nobles of the Archlesia Empire, they were wealthy enough to be counted among the upper ranks. This time, for the tea party their daughter Cornelia is attending, they had prepared clothes and accessories that incorporated the latest trends from the Hydra Kingdom, using expensive materials without restraint.
At a glance, they gave the impression of calm and refined attire, but to those who knew what to look for, their high cost would be obvious.
[Well, of course, they don’t mean anything as vulgar as having me use my femininity as a weapon to ingratiate myself. It’s just, embarrassing as it is to admit, I imagine they’re hoping for me to be at least somewhat liked by that gentleman at this gathering. Lately, the Hamilton Marquisdom, especially Eris-sama, has been drawing an extraordinary amount of attention, and I suppose part of them does feel envy towards your rapid rise.]
[That’s true. From the outside, the benefits our Hamilton Marquisdom and I have gained in such a short period are indeed remarkable, and I can understand feeling envy. Does Cornelia-sama feel that way as well?]
[……Of course, there’s some envy, but more than that, I’d say I feel wariness and astonishment…… I’ve known Eris-sama for a fair amount of time, and I believe I understand the general direction of your thinking. If it were Eris-sama or the Hamilton Marquisdom, I would expect that when rumors among the nobility grew too large, you would deliberately hold back your momentum, considering the overall balance, but from the way Eris-sama’s fame is only rising and rising without pause…… it seems less like it’s not that you’re choosing not to hold back, and more like…… even Eris-sama and the Hamilton Marquisdom are unable to hold it back……]
[……Yes.]
[……Umm, Eris-sama? I know I’m the one who brought up the topic, but why are you smiling at me with that look……? It’s as if you’ve overcome countless trials…… Eh? W- Was it really that much……?]
[………………………………Yes.]
Though it should have been a beautiful smile, an air of melancholy, as if she bore an immense sorrow behind her, drifted about Eris. Seeing this, Cornelia had an indescribable expression on her face, feeling a growing unease that this tea party might turn out to be far more outrageous than she had imagined.
<Afterword>
Serious-senpai : [Looks like someone’s about to get dragged into Kaito’s fetish for striking noble ladies in the stomach again…… I see, a noble house strong in magic tools, huh…… I see…… They’re top-tier, sure, but…… will their stomach be okay?]