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If I interfere any further here, it would not only be ineffective but could also make things uncomfortable. The table is set, so the two will figure it out on their own. By the next time we meet, at least they won’t be acting awkwardly with each other like this.

I returned to my room, patting myself on the back for doing something good after a long time.

“I’m back. Did I take too long?”

I wondered if the others had returned before me, but the lack of response indicated they were still tied up. It seemed like Lindy hadn’t returned from the Information Alliance branch yet, either.

“What’s going on? Where are Luna and Lilith?”

While it was understandable for other friends to not be present, the silence from Luna and Lilith, who were supposed to still be in the room, made no sense.

“Who knows? Maybe they went out for lunch or something?”

“Is that so? I should have sent someone to let them know.”

As for Selian and me, we had a long meeting, but due to the friends’ efforts, the conversation flowed well, and we all had lunch together in a cheerful atmosphere. However, Luna and Lilith wouldn’t know that, and they might have vacated their spots to wait and eat lunch a bit late.

“Well, since there’s not much to do, I’ll just take a short break until my friends come back… Huh?”

“Oh, you’re back, Master?”

But just as I stepped into the bedroom, ready to change into something comfortable, I was startled by Lilith’s unexpected appearance.

“…What are you doing?”

It wasn’t just the fact that I was surprised to see Lilith; it was the sight of her that was truly astonishing.

Lilith was sprawled on the bed, with a plate beside her holding a sandwich that had a bite taken out of it, with sauce smeared around her mouth as she giggled while reading a novel.

Back in our Academy days, I too would sometimes lounge in bed and read books on weekends, but at least I wasn’t such a mess that I would eat on the bed like Lilith.

“Master! Where’s volume 2 of this book? No matter how much I search, it’s nowhere to be found…”

Instead of answering my question, Lilith raised one of the books she had already finished and turned the question back to me. Wait, isn’t that a book I had put away in my bag since I didn’t want to make a mess? When did she take it out?

“That one. The author only wrote the first volume and then stopped writing. There’s no volume 2 forever.”

Although Lilith’s childish behavior was a bit annoying, seeing her gaping in shock at my words put me in a better mood, so I decided to let it slide. She must be bored after all.

“Hey, that book…”

“Oh, so Selian knows about it too. It is quite famous, after all.”

The fact that I started reading was because Selian recommended several books back in our Academy days. So, it made sense for Selian to recognize a book of a similar genre.

“By the way, Lilith, you’re here, but… where’s Luna?”

“…Luna?”

Did the news of the series being discontinued shock her that much? Lilith answered a beat late, returning to reality.

“Now that you mention it, the butler came by earlier and said something to Luna… He mentioned there was a party, and that she was invited by some friends and went out to have fun?”

Did Luna have friends in the Castle, the capital of the Empire? I tilted my head in confusion as I thought about it.

“Oh, those kids from before?”

I recalled how Luna had mingled with kids her age the last time we attended a party to assist the Emperor. They had given me a terrifying glare when I tried to take her away, so they must have become quite close.

Speaking of which, that party was clearly…

Knock, knock.

Just as I was trying to recall the details of that time, a knock sounded at the door. Though the distance from the main entrance of the room to the bedroom was considerable, the sound of knocking was clear enough to be enhanced by magic, typical for a castle where the Emperor resides.

“Who is it? Ah, it’s the butler.”

Upon opening the door, I found the butler who had guided us to the conference room earlier, dedicated to us during our stay at the castle.

“I was informed of your return to the room and have come to visit.”

“Uh… Is there a schedule I’m unaware of?”

Given how the butler looked for me, it seemed there was something in order.

However, I had already had lunch, and there were still several hours before dinner time. I hadn’t heard of any additional information, and the only thing I could think of was that the Emperor might have summoned me.

“Lady Elysia has no official schedule. However, the lady of House Endive has invited Lady Elysia to a party.”

The only person who could boldly be referred to as the lady of House Endive was Lady Rizeria Endive. She was the young lady I had recently befriended during a party aimed at positively shifting the nobles’ opinions toward the Emperor. I still cherished the talisman she had given me, carrying it in my pocket.

“Oh, is it possible that Luna is attending as well?”

“Yes. Lady Luna, your companion, was also invited and has attended.”

I see. Furthermore, the friends Luna had made at that party were precisely those who attended Rizeria’s hosted event. Last time I had brought her along as my plus one, but this time, she was formally invited and attending on her own.

“Since I’ll be stuck at the castle no matter how soon I am, please let them know I will attend. And can I request the dress I wore last time?”

“Of course. I’m here to assist with such matters, so if you need anything, feel free to tell me. I’ll have the maids prepare the dress right away.”

After the butler left to gather the dress, I stepped back into the room and locked eyes with Selian, who had been watching from behind.

“If it’s the lady of House Endive… it must be Lady Rizeria Endive?”

“Well, Selian is the daughter of a marquis, so you might know each other. Of course, since Selian is now a Sword Master and has officially inherited the position of the head of the family, she’s not just the daughter of a noble anymore.”

While ordinary people might recognize Mila Endive, a Sword Master and Grand General, not many would know her daughter, Lady Rizeria Endive. But Selian was not an ordinary person.

Selian and Rizeria were of the same age and shared the commonality of being young ladies from high-ranking noble families. It wouldn’t be surprising for them to know each other, given the family exchanges that must have occurred.

“I know her well, but when exactly…”

“Actually, I attended a party to assist the Emperor before meeting you, and that’s when I made the new friend.”

I took out the talisman from my pocket and showed it to her.

“This talisman is also from when Rizeria warned me to be careful.”

Knock, knock.

“Lady Elysia. I’ve brought the dress you requested. The maids are here to assist you in putting it on.”

While I was chatting with Selian, the butler returned, and since I had worn a dress once before, there wasn’t a need to measure my body, so it didn’t take long to prepare a new dress.

“Yes. Just a moment.”

I opened the door wide to let the butler and maids in, bringing in the dress, which was different from the last time. Despite my ignorance regarding fashion, even I could feel its luxuriousness, fitting for royalty.

“…Butler?”

“Did you call for me, Lady Selian?”

As I was being led by the maid to change into the dress, I overheard Selian calling out to the butler waiting in the drawing room.

“Could I request one more dress, please?”

It seemed like Selian was going to attend the party as well. After all, with the friends still not back, there wouldn’t be much reason to remain alone in the room, so she must have been bored anyway.

*

“How does it look? Does it suit me well?”

Since the party was being held in the same salon as last time, I wouldn’t get lost. Before entering the building, I turned around to ask Selian how I looked in my dress. Of course, the royal maids must have chosen outfits that matched well, but it was still good to double-check. Selian, being the daughter of a marquis, certainly wouldn’t have a poor eye for such things.

“Absolutely. As always, El, you look incredibly beautiful in that dress.”

Luckily, Selian seemed satisfied with my appearance as well. With this, I was sure I wouldn’t face any embarrassment at the party.

“Thanks. You, on the other hand, are beyond pretty—there’s no comparing!”

It wasn’t flattery. Unlike me, who was reserved about dressing up due to my past as a man, Selian had meticulously chosen her outfit for the party, down to the smallest accessory. She was already a beauty, and with the additions, she needed no further explanation.

“Shall we go, my lady?”

Before entering the party, I extended my hand towards Selian, trying to work in a bit of charm, like a knight escorting a lady.

“Hehe… I hope so.”

Selian accepted my little jest and lightly placed her hand on mine.

Thanks to my experience with social parties, I opened the salon door and slowly stepped inside without feeling nervous.

Although there were many people chatting, as soon as we entered, the conversations halted one by one, and soon all eyes in the salon were on us. Quickly scanning the area, I spotted Luna waving at us from afar. But the person I was searching for wasn’t Luna, who seemed to be having fun, but rather Rizeria, who had invited me.

Since it was the same salon as last time, I quickly found Rizeria seated where she had been before.

Confirming her gaze met mine, I slowly made my way to where Rizeria was seated with Selian.

“Thank you for the invitation, Rizeria.”

Since I had received the talisman and had been casually allowed to call her by name, I took the liberty to do so.

“…No problem.”

However, while Rizeria greeted me, she kept glancing at my side.

“Oh, let me introduce you. This is Selian Deretia. You might already know her, but still.”

“Hello, Lady Rizeria. It’s nice to finally talk like this. I’m glad to meet you.”

Selian instinctively raised her right hand to greet but then lowered it as she noticed my hand holding hers, instead raising her other hand to her chest to greet lightly.

It seemed that the two weren’t as familiar with each other as I had anticipated. But so what? They could get to know each other from now on. Given that both were high-ranking nobles of the Empire, it’d be beneficial for them to become friends.

After reconciling Erin and Stella, I was now having my second positive impact today.