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“May I take a seat?”

I couldn’t just stand there, and aside from Rizeria, there was nowhere else to go. After all, I had been invited by her, so I thought I should ask for her permission. Of course, since we had grown close, it would probably be fine to sit without asking, but it wouldn’t hurt to uphold the dignity of the party’s host.

“Of course, feel free to sit. But what to do? As you can see, there’s only one seat available… I apologize, Marquis Deretia, but I must ask for your understanding.”

It was quite the coincidence that there was only one seat left, right next to Rizeria. The other chairs were already occupied by her entourage. Even if I were to grab a chair from another empty table, it would certainly feel cramped since the table was already full.

“Understanding? No need to say that. With so few seats, there’s no need for us to intrude. Our other companions are here too, so we can just go to another table.”

Selian immediately took my hand, trying to lead me away to another seat. But no matter what, having come this far, I couldn’t just leave Rizeria behind without saying anything. So instead of letting Selian drag me away, I tightened my grip on her hand and pulled her back.

If we weren’t going to another table, then there were only two choices left: either one of us would have to stand awkwardly, or we’d have to squeeze in and ask those already seated to bear with us.

I certainly didn’t plan to leave Selian standing there with everything going on. But I also couldn’t impose myself on Rizeria’s group, who were already comfortably seated and chatting. In the end, there was only one choice.

“Selian can sit down. I’m fine.”

“No, we can just go back together; there’s really no need…”

“Come on now, no need to refuse.”

I pressed down on the hesitant Selian’s shoulder, half-forcing her to sit down. After all, I had intended for us to introduce each other and establish connections, so this worked out nicely.

“…Tsk.”

However, seeing this, Rizeria clicked her tongue and called over a nearby servant to bring an extra chair. She must have felt sorry for me standing. Though Rizeria often showed a prickly exterior, deep down, she was quite gentle and kind.

“It’s only a simple matter of bringing one more chair. Do you really need to change tables? I just asked you to wait a moment while I get the chair.”

“Oh my, I thought it was Rizeria who wanted us to change tables.”

“As if! I’m the one who invited Elysia; why would I want you two to go somewhere else?”

Once misunderstandings were cleared away, the two began chatting happily and smiling at each other. Seeing this, I couldn’t help but feel delighted, as it seemed they were already warming up to each other.

“By the way, what were you talking about? You seemed to be having a great time.”

To continue the lively mood, I casually joined their conversation about the topic they were discussing.

“Actually, Rizeria has been bragging so much about Elysia that we’re all about to memorize everything! She kept glancing at the entrance, worrying whether Elysia would arrive or not…”

“L-Lydia! When did I ever…! Absolutely not? So why is everyone snickering like that? Elysia, you too!”

Lydia’s words made Rizeria vehemently deny it, but the other ladies were giggling, clearly enjoying the show. It wasn’t all made up, after all.

“Why would I ever reject Rizeria’s invitation? In fact, I should have visited her sooner, but I got caught up in meetings yesterday and today, so I’m sorry for showing up late.”

I even helped Erin and Stella make up during that time.

“Speaking of meetings, I believe your mother mentioned she would attend…”

“Yes, the Emperor called me there too.”

“Then you should have told me earlier! If it was for Elysia, I could just mention it to my mother, and she would gladly agree!”

Now that I think about it, Grand General Mila was Rizeria’s mother. If I had asked Rizeria to do that, I might have convinced her long ago.

“Of course, I worried that Elysia would waste time on something strange, and if she couldn’t attend the party, it would ruin my reputation! Don’t misunderstand!”

Even while saying all that, Rizeria still felt the need to add a bit more, making her sound less than completely honest. It was cute though, how transparent her feelings were.

“Ah, well, that would be no different from asking for a favor. I wouldn’t want to burden Rizeria.”

Sure, I had my sights set on solidifying the Emperor’s position through my closeness with Rizeria, but that was a different story.

“Burden? It’s nothing like that.”

“Well, Yuli was able to persuade her, so it truly is nothing.”

As I listened to Selian, who had been quietly observing the conversation, she chimed in.

She was right; it was something I hadn’t expected, but thanks to Yuli stepping in, I didn’t have to trouble Rizeria. She looked at Selian, then spoke again.

“By the way, Elysia, do you still have the charm I gave you last time?”

“Of course.”

Since she called my name, I wondered what she wanted to say, and apparently, she was curious about the charm she had given me. Naturally, I wouldn’t have thrown it away, so I pulled it out from my pocket to show her, just as I had shown Selian earlier.

“Thank you for cherishing it. Please continue to treat that charm as a part of me and keep it close…”

“Who gave it to me, so of course! I always keep it deep inside.”

Unlike her usual teasing tone, she spoke seriously as if making a sincere request. However, even without her asking, I had no intention of treating that ring carelessly.

“Ugh…”

As I received the charm, Selian let out a sound of envy beside me. After all, being a woman, she’d likely be interested in a charm or something superstitious.

But perhaps finding it amusing, Selian let out a small chuckle and lifted the teacup in front of her slowly to her lips. It seemed she was trying to hide her envy, as her hand holding the cup refused to come down.

I likewise stowed the charm back in my pocket and took a sip of tea, following Selian.

“That’s a ring I’ve never seen before…?”

“Oh, this?”

Just as I was bringing the cup to my lips, Rizeria asked me. I hadn’t worn a ring back when I first reunited with Selian, so it was understandable.

After all, Rizeria had a keen eye, being someone leading the social scene for the younger generation; she picked up on small accessories worn by others immediately.

She even swiveled her head slightly, alternating between looking at Selian and me, as if she had noted that Selian also wore the same ring on her finger.

“It’s a ring we all got together when we attended the Academy. I couldn’t wear it back then due to circumstances, but fortunately, those issues were resolved, so I can wear it again now.”

I proudly extended my hand to show her the ring in detail. Though it might be trivial for her, it was a ring filled with meaning for me.

As I averted my gaze while rubbing the ring, I caught sight of Selian glowing with pure joy. She wore the same ring on her finger, as did Yuli and Anne.

This ring represented not only my friendship with them but also served as a psychological handcuff of sorts to keep me grounded.

“Indeed, it’s a truly precious ring. Nothing else can compare. What do you think, Rizeria? Isn’t it a fantastic ring?”

Selian, as if wanting to boast, extended her hand toward Rizeria for her opinion.

“…Hmph.”

Rizeria, true to her nature, scoffed and displayed her usual reluctance. But I knew her teasing wasn’t born out of malice. However, Selian likely wouldn’t understand that, so I quickly checked her expression.

Fortunately, Selian looked completely at ease, her satisfaction evident in her smile, needing no explanation to clear up Rizeria’s misunderstanding.

After all, despite not knowing each other well, they had surely crossed paths numerous times and must have gleaned enough about each other.

“Well… Taking that into account, your hands seem to have had quite a bit of sword practice. I can tell just by the calluses and scars how much effort you’ve put in. They look like a man’s hands.”

“Oh my, these scars are only to be expected for a swordswoman. Conversely, Rizeria’s hands are incredibly neat. It’s as if you’ve never even touched a sword. No, not just swords; your hands are so clean, there isn’t even a trace of time on them. Honestly… I envy you.”

As the two commented, Selian’s hands appeared rugged, while Rizeria’s were delicate and pristine.

They had completely contrasting hands.

Each type of hand possessed its own beauty—Selian’s hands had their own charm, while Rizeria’s held a distinct allure. There could be no way to declare one more beautiful than the other; they were each beautifully unique.

Thus, it was only natural that Selian and Rizeria praised each other’s hands.

“Well, considering that—that means Elysia’s hands are also quite clean, aren’t they? Right, Marquis Deretia?”

Both turned their gazes toward my hands. Just as Rizeria said, my hands were incredibly clean and soft, as if I had never held a sword in my life.

Of course, I hadn’t always had hands that looked like this. Before, I had hands just as rough and firm as Selian’s. But after receiving the TS magic, my body, as the mage said, became the perfect form of a woman.

My hands were no exception; hands that had never seen even a drop of water were now as soft as a lady’s.

Fortunately, the training had not changed, and I didn’t feel discomfort when holding a sword despite the absence of calluses. Even if calluses returned, they’d only be the level of everyday wear. Truly, there was a reason the mage had boasted that way.

So it would not be right to compare my hands with those of Selian or Rizeria.

“Ah, well, mine are an exception…!”

Seeing the two compliment each other made me swell with pride.

Truly, even though they were the same age, they simply hadn’t had a chance to grow close, but now that the opportunity was here, they would soon become friends.