After finishing giving Shiro-san's accessory to her, I wondered who I should give to next time, but I guess it wouldn't be any trouble if I handed it over based on who is the most nearby.
First, I checked to see if Anima was home, but it seemed that she went outside, so I couldn't give it to her right away.
In that case, the next closest would be Lilia-san and Sieg-san. No, it's true that Alice would technically be the closest, but since she asked me to give hers later, I decided to consider her miscellaneous goods store as her location.
And so, I went to visit Lilia-san first... but for some reason, Lilia-san looked very tired.
[...Arehh? Lilia-san? You look kind of tired...]
That's strange? Lilia-san hasn't been busy with work lately, and last I heard, she should have been talking a little while ago that she was relatively free and could relax for a while. It was like, the expression on her face is also questioning where that cheerful face at that time disappeared to.
[...Ahh, Kaito-san. No, ummm, it was hurriedly decided that I would participate in Archlesia Empire's Founding Festival, so I was a little tired after confirming and completing various procedures.]
[Eh? Arehh? Lilia-san, didn't you say that you wouldn't be participating in Archlesia Empire?]
[That was the plan but...]
Of course, I have told Lilia-san in detail that I will be opening a stall with Amel-san at Archlesia Empire's Founding Festival. If she finds out about this later, she will definitely get angry, so I intend to thoroughly inform her in advance.
I remember that Lilia-san also told me that she had no particular plans to participate in Archlesia Empire's Founding Festival, and she even kindly told me "Please enjoy yourself".
I asked her why her plans had suddenly changed, and to my surprise... She told me that Eden-san had come and asked her to visit my stall in her stead.
According to Lilia-san, she wasn't forced to do this by Eden-san, it was just a request, but even if that's so, I don't think Lilia-san could refuse Eden-san. Seriously, even though she isn't someone I could have told her about, but even without considering that, she sure attracts trouble like a black hole...
[...However, that's surprising. I honestly thought Eden-san would come to my stall herself.]
[Yes, I was a little skeptical, but it seems that she had a contract with Shallow Vernal-sama, so she couldn't go there directly.]
[I see...]
Certainly, if someone is able to control Eden-san, it would be someone like Shiro-san... I also felt like she was reprimanding Eden-san during my housewarming party, so she may have stopped Eden-san from going on a rampage without my knowledge.
[...I see, if Eden-san isn't going to directly come, I think it would be better if I give this to Lilia-san.]
[Unnn? What is it?]
[Well, I actually expected Eden-san to come to our stall. And so, while Amel-san and I were making original accessories for the stall, I thought that Eden-san would definitely want it, so I made a separate one for her.]
Yes, I was wary of Eden-san's visit right from the start. Considering who the most dangerous person in terms of damage to Chris-san would be, no matter how I thought about it, it would be Eden-san. And if I were to make original accessories, I was sure that there was no way Eden-san would not want it, so I made an accessory for her.
Alice recommended a necklace in the shape of a gear, so I prepared a necklace in that shape, planning to give it to Eden-san when she comes to my stall. However, since she had asked Lilia-san to go to my stall in her stead, it would be best to have her hand it over along with other products.
That way, Eden-san's impression of Lilia-san would improve and she might be less likely to drag Lilia-san around her absurdities in the future.
Also, the purpose of having Lilia-san give it to her instead of me is to prevent Eden-san from going on a rampage.
[And so, please give this to her.]
[Thank you. Indeed, with this, Eden-san will certainly be pleased, and it will be easier for me to give her the item.]
[Also... This is for Lilia-san...]
[Eh? For me?]
[Yes. I made it with Lilia-san's image in mind. I tried making you a brooch, but I apologize for it being amateurish. If it's alright with you, please accept my gift.]
[Kaito-san...]
The brooch I made for Lilia-san is one made with a rare gemstone called Imperial Twin Topaz, which has two colors of blue and yellow at the same time... as if there's a blue sea trapped inside a yellow gemstone.
I made it with the image of a dragon-like feather, and I think I was able to do it relatively well thanks to Alice's guidance. However, it isn't of a quality that would allow one to wear it to a social occasion, so I think it would be used more in a casual setting...
[...Thank you. This makes me happy. Also, if Kaito-san is alright with it, would you like to go to a ball together with me next time? If possible, I would like to wear this brooch when I'm with Kaito-san...]
[Eh? Yes, if you're alright with me, I'll go with you anytime.]
[Fufu, I'm looking forward to it. Seriously, blowing away the tiredness I had just before as if it was a lie... Somehow, I suddenly found myself feeling really happy.]
Lilia-san's expression as she said that with a smile wasn't like the tired one she had before, giving me the impression that she was really happy. I also want to fulfill Lilia-san's request as much as possible, so I'll practice dancing so that I'll be ready whenever she invites me again.