Case 85: At an old friend’s tea party.

''Achoo...!''

Mhm... well, it probably wasn't a good idea to stay naked this long, even if the room had heating.

''So cold...''

Quickly shaking off the strange feelings I had about Lyra, I crawled into my clothes and draped the quilt over my body. Almost instantly, the fuzzy warmth enveloped my being, providing a brief moment of respite.

Following my habit, I reach for the remote and turn on the television.

After several years, this medium had become quite favored, and rightfully so. With the world largely at peace and the population relatively well-off, it wasn't too hard to acquire one. Many programs aired had immense entertaining value thanks to the existence of magic, or rather, people who can use magic.

There were just so many more options for creating a show at this point. I thought that was great.

Oh, and the imperial family had started to heavily utilize the widespread use of televisions to deliver news more quickly. Seeing people going wild on forums every time those pretty imperials went on air was hilarious.

Everybody had become rather comfortable with this virtual space now, and some sort of a culture was developing. Although it couldn't be compared to that of Earth, I still found it a tad homey.

As I quietly listened to the television and dozed off, the door once again clicked open.

''...Big sis.''

''That was quick, Lyra.''

Nodding slightly, my little sister glanced at what I was watching and approached me.

''Can't fall asleep?'' She asked.

''I was about to.''

I felt my eyelids getting heavier, but since Lyra was here, I pried open my tent and smiled at her, nudging her to get inside. Perhaps moved by the gesture... or not... but her brows relaxed as she also climbed onto the bed.

In the end, we shared warmth.

Even now, I could not get used to seeing my little sister like this. She grew up almost too fast for me to comprehend, and when I finally took a step back to see... she was already bigger than me.

I couldn't hold her like I did anymore. If anything, it would be the other way around.

''Hah...''

Time is cruel.

Feeling sad all of a sudden, I leaned on Lyra's firm shoulder. I thought she flinched for a moment, but it must be my imagination. Realizing my intention, she wrapped one hand around my waist so as not to let me fall over.

''Nn...''

And then... I just drifted into the dreamland.

I got an invitation.

''It's from Lady Marina, miss.''

Mary handed me a pretty letter with the Baux Marquise's seal firmly attached. As I tore it open, I couldn't help but think that a single text might have been much faster. Alas, inviting someone to a formal event with an online message just didn't seem so proper for the nobles, I suppose.

But Marina de Baux was a lady whom I befriended during the past two years. She used to stick with the little villainess, Blaire, but after that incident, she rightfully distanced herself. Even then, she didn't seem like a subordinate to Blaire like many others, instead choosing to adopt a more equal, friend-ly approach to everybody.

As I got to know her more, I also realized that she merely loved dramas, and I was just the perfect target. Perhaps that was why she so eagerly wanted to get close to me while other ladies feared my reputation.

In any case, it was an invitation to a tea party.

This was one of the scheduled events Marina organized throughout the year. There shouldn't be any problem attending it.

''I'll go.''

Thinking so, I put it aside for the moment, and when the time came, I traveled to her family's estate as usual. I was a bit nervous the first time around, but it was all familiar now.

Passing that same hallway I'd been through many times, I soon arrived at the garden. I came neither soon nor late, and when my presence was known, some five or six of them fell silent—all but one girl.

''Cecily~!''

At the end of the long table sat a cheerful noble lady—my friend, Marina. Despite her initial sharp impression, she proved to be more jovial than most.

Being an Earthling, I wasn't at all used to high society where what mattered the most was one's status and connections. Even so, it wasn't to say that I was bullied. If anything, I was feared thanks to my public relationship with two princesses and one powerful noble heiress.

But Marina treated me as an equal anyway. I found comfort in that.

''Wanna hear something interesting?'' She whispered, giggling as I settled down beside her.

''Tell me.'' I replied.

''You know the son of Viscount—''

These days, she was my primary source of insider information regarding the Libre Empire's central politics. She somehow wielded a dangerous amount of gossip, some of which was useful, but most was not.

I still liked to listen nonetheless since they were, as she said, interesting.

''So then, the guy said—''

I'd made some efforts to befriend other ladies of my age, and I promptly got rejected each time. Before, it was because Blaire hated me. Now... they didn't want to get involved in the catfight between my three lovers.

Was this what they called 'suffering from success'?

''Hey, are you listening?''

''Hm? Ah, of course.''

''Hm... Cecily, something's on your mind, isn't it?''

Marina poked at my cheek, grinning. She gave me these suspicious faces every time, but fortunately, she never spread strange rumors about me... not yet.

In response, I smiled back at her, shaking my head, ''Nothing much. Everything is peaceful.''

''You're no fun...''

''Well, well—''

Just as I was about to change the topic for the better, I noticed the girls began to stand up. Looking toward the entrance, I immediately knew why.

'''' We humbly greet Her Highness, the imperial princess. ''''

An imperial princess.

It would have been a godsend if she were Rachael, though. Instead, it was the smaller, cuter fourth princess who showed up with several bodyguards, seeming quite intimidating.

More troublingly, her strong gaze immediately fell on me the moment she entered the garden. I briefly wondered if I had done something wrong, but... I barely met her in the first place.

If she wanted to stir up some problems, I couldn't easily deal with her either. Valerie de La Fayette was, obviously, a La Fayette—Rachael's little sister. Every kid except Lyra was troubling.

''Lady Orleans.''

She approached me.

Folding her arms, Valerie pondered for a few seconds before opening her mouth again, ''Why are you doing this?''

''...Yes?''

It was incomprehensible. Yet, I instinctively felt this wasn't something I should take lightly. Valerie was a child, but also a sharp child, so even if she struggled to expertly convey her thoughts, she still had the intent.

''Ahem, let me rephrase the question...''

''...''

''Why do you insist on dating my sister when you already have two more?''

On this sunny day, at this supposed harmonious location, my lover's little sister confronted me with perhaps an overly aggressive attitude. It should have been a tense moment for me.

Well, should have been.

I didn't know why, but my heart was rather stoic.

''Because I...''