In the royal audience chamber of the Hydra Kingdom, a place not often used due to both King Laguna’s nature and Hydra Kingdom’s stance, preparations were made for an important visit. This visit was significant not only for Hydra Kingdom but globally…… as it was to welcome the representative of Kaito’s prestigious tea brand.

King Laguna was already present in the audience chamber…… two hours ahead of the scheduled time……

[Your Majesty, there is still quite a lot of time before the visit……]

[Yeah, I know. Don’t worry about it, I just want to think about a few things……]

Laguna knew that Canalis, who was visiting, was an Omnipotent God. However, this was not common knowledge but rather something she knew personally due to their direct acquaintance. For others, Canalis was just a mysterious individual representing Kaito’s brand.

(……To be honest, it’s a bit disconcerting to welcome Canalis-sama while acting like I’m at a higher status like this. I should be the one kneeling to greet her…… Nngh, I’m starting to understand now why young Lilia was having those stomachaches. However, with only myself knowing Canalis-sama’s true identity, I can’t afford to act recklessly…… This is troubling.)

For Laguna, who had great gratitude towards Canalis and knew that she’s an Omnipotent God, it would be more appropriate for her to kneel in greeting. However, from the perspective of others, despite Canalis being entrusted with the role of being the representative of Kaito’s brand, her position was below that of King Laguna, making it impossible for Laguna to kneel.

Feeling quite conflicted, Laguna spent time in the audience chamber…… until Canalis arrived at the scheduled time, and the audience began.

[I bid you welcome, C- Canalis-dono…… My kingdom is not so ceremonious, so please be at ease.]

[Thank you for your kindness. As the representative of Nifty and the overall manager of the upcoming stores opening next month, I offer my greetings to Your Majesty Laguna. I believe there will be opportunities for me to ask for your support in the future, and when that time comes, I will be in your care.]

[I, too, hope to build a good relationship with Nifty. I pray for a long-term relationship…… Now then, Canalis-dono, we’ve completed the formal greetings, but to deepen our friendship, I have prepared tea in a separate room, so would you be interested in drinking them with me?]

[That’s a very gracious offer. I’ll gladly accept Your Majesty’s kindness.]

After the brief exchange of greetings, Laguna guided Canalis to a separate room. Once inside, Laguna informed the palace guards and staff to return to their posts, confirmed she was alone with Canalis, closed the reception room door, casted Barrier Magic, and then hurriedly bowed before Canalis.

[I’m terribly sorry, Canalis-sama! For me to have acted in such a rude way……]

[Eh? Ah, no, please don’t worry about it. Actually, Your Majesty’s status is higher, and considering the circumstances, it’s understandable. Rather, I should thank you for taking care to keep my true identity a secret. Please, accept my thanks. Ah, my facial muscles are completely paralyzed, so I may look like this, but I’m not angry at all, so please don’t worry. Tahaa~~ I’m sorry for the confusing expression! As I said earlier, I hope we can continue to build a good relationship, so once again, I’m in your care.]

[Your words are too kind…… I am pleased to have met you again, Canalis-sama.]

Although Canalis’s expression didn’t change, her tone was gentle, and Laguna, relieved, raised her head.

[However, I was quite surprised when I received your letter. I never imagined that Canalis-sama would become the representative of Kaito’s tea brand……]

[Tahaa~~ Kaito-sama suggested it to me, and I ended up being entrusted with that role. Well, I do worry sometimes———— His guard is just too low, trusting someone like me, who’s almost a stranger to him, a bit too much. But at the same time, it’s flattering to be trusted like that. It’s quite a complicated feeling.]]

[Kaito has a remarkable eye for people, so he must have instinctively judged that you were someone worthy of trust, Canalis-sama. Still, it’s quite a bold decision to entrust you with the brand so suddenly……]

[Good gracious, you said it. But well, I suppose it’s that kind of boldness that has allowed him to accomplish so many great things. Tahaa~~ Sorry about that, I’m a big fan of Kaito-sama, so I tend to steer the conversation in that direction……]

[No, talking about Kaito is a topic that’s easy to expand on, so talking about him is good for me as well.]

As the tension eased somewhat, Laguna continued chatting with Canalis, now appearing more relaxed and enjoying their conversation.

<Afterword>

Serious-senpai : [Laguna seems like the type who never forgets a favor and is pretty serious about her sense of duty. She also seems to have a strong sense of faith]

? ? ? : [Right. By the way, Serious-senpai…… Have you rested enough?]

Serious-senpai : [Eh? Why are you asking that…… I’m having a really bad feeling here…… Is the story gonna lead to a sweet development?]