C102
Usually, most of the time, the majority quickly averts their gaze, but the young lady suddenly walked slowly towards me.
"Hey... why are you coming?"
I wonder what Deborah did to that young lady in the past.
Frustrated by the unexpected situation, I took another sip of champagne.
"Good evening, Princess Deborah."
Fortunately, she didn't seem hostile.
"But what kind of conversations do regular young ladies have here?"
I don't think they are conversations like analyzing the current situation of changes in mana density or research trends.
I'm only used to talking with the Fifth Princess, so I swallowed hard and looked at her.
She introduced herself as Leah Lawrence. Perhaps that's why there was a slight sympathy in her nervous gaze.
"She's the young lady who had problems with the conference last year because of Princess Emmanuelle."
I think I heard that from the Fifth Princess.
"The enemy of my enemy is not always a friend."
"It's an honor to meet Princess Deborah."
"The feeling is mutual."
"Oh! And congratulations on successfully completing your first presentation."
"Success? It was a complete disaster."
So, I asked Isidor to put my presentation at the end.
"I heard that social clubs often bite each other at academic conferences, but once they win, do they succeed?"
There was silence as I thought of something worthwhile to say.
"Um, yes."
In the end, I replied unconvincingly and took another glass of champagne.
Miss Leah also responded with an awkward smile.
While she and I took one glass at a time, a young man, who was nearby, approached me and greeted me.
"Princess, I'm Max Fournier. At this conference, I presented a thesis on the relationship between spirit power and the environment. Do you remember the second presentation?"
"I was very impressed with that thesis."
Remembering his announcement that the Spirit of Light should perform photosynthesis, I carried my Holy Spirit in my arms in the form of a tattoo on a clear day.
And the weather was nice today.
As he casually touched my arm, Max picked up the champagne from the corner with a puzzled expression.
It's probably due to my mood, but I felt like the other person also borrowed the power of alcohol to talk to me.
"I was also very impressed with the princess's magical tools."
"That's right. I thought it was really innovative. How impressed I was along with Sir Max."
Apparently, the two of them were acquaintances, and Max seemed to step in to help Leah (?).
While the three of them stood awkwardly and exchanged formal conversations, the inside suddenly buzzed, and their eyes automatically turned to the entrance of the hall.
Although he was surrounded by many people, I was able to spot Isidor immediately.
Because he was very tall and had a strong presence that changed the atmosphere. Naturally, he revealed his position among the crowd and entered the hall with his retainer.
"You arrived early."
He, whom I thought would talk to the gathered nobles around him, smiled cheerfully and walked directly to where I was, waving his hands unconsciously.
Numerous eyes, which couldn't be compared to before, focused on them.
"I have a bit of attention phobia."
I quickly took a glass of red liquor.
The sweet cherry taste instantly relieved the tension.
"Princess Deborah, this is your first group meeting since joining, right? It seems you already know Miss Leah and Sir Max."
"This is the first time I've met Princess Deborah."
"We were just talking about the thesis."
"It's nice to see them in a friendly environment. It's late, but shall we make a toast to congratulate the princess on her initiation?"
As he naturally delivered a congratulatory speech and drank champagne, even those in the hall gathered and clinked their glasses.
In an instant, my surroundings were filled with people, and someone brought expensive champagne.
Cheers!
The sound of glasses filled with golden liquid clashing strongly echoed in my ears.
The eyes of <Epsilon> members who were looking at me weren't hostile.
"It feels strange."
I'm used to being hated.
"From formulas to magical tools. We welcome Princess Deborah, who was the most active this year."
"Pleasure to meet you."
The sight of champagne bubbles rising upward with welcoming greetings all around seemed surreal.
I felt like I was at an elegant party you could see in a movie.
As I blinked slowly like Alice in Wonderland, Isidor spoke softly.
"Have you eaten?"
"Oh, yes."
"That's good. Don't drink too much on an empty stomach. It's actually quite strong."
Isidor said, holding the same red drink as mine.
"It's like a delicious cherry drink."
As I looked around the red glass, the Fifth Princess approached behind Isidor.
"Sir Isidor, I can't believe you're drinking champagne without me. I'm so sad. I told Princess Deborah that I would introduce everyone."
"Wait a moment."
After that, executive members like Thierry and Guillaume entered one after another, and the atmosphere became even more lively.
It turns out that Max Fournier, whom I spoke to earlier, was also an executive member.
Out of the six executive members, only one seemed unable to attend due to work.
I heard from the Fifth Princess that it's not common for the leader to attend, and only five executive members gather.
"The senior students sent me many gifts because I finished the conference well."
In no time, a large three-tiered cake and expensive wine appeared, making the hall increasingly noisy. If they didn't speak loudly, I could hardly hear other people's voices.
And I was introduced to all the members of <Epsilon> who attended today.
As it is a place that values capability, there were some talented individuals who had already been promised employment at the Spirit Company, the magic tower, or the Knights' Circle.
"Now it feels like I'm at a social club."
But as time passed, I couldn't concentrate well on the conversations, so I squinted my eyes a bit.
"I wonder if the alcohol is taking effect."
Now that I think about it, whenever I was nervous, I would drink champagne or wine.
"I'm still fine."
I thought this was fine because I didn't drink much of the strong wine I had been given.
Strangely, Isidor's gloved hands continued to catch my attention, but I ignored it.
I'm not drunk yet!
I didn't get drunk.
------------------------
"Princess Deborah is really fine."
As Miguel looked around the hall, he spotted Princess Deborah standing upright.
He felt it every time he saw her, but she is a very beautiful person and at the same time, cold.
"Irradiating that atmosphere from the beginning of the party to the end. After all, that's Princess Deborah."
"... I think she's drunk."
Then the teacher beside him frowned and muttered.
"Where the hell are you looking?"
Princess Deborah had a cold look on her face that would sober up a drunk person, and she seemed the most sober of everyone in the hall.
He felt like he would have to bow if he were in front of her.
"She's definitely different from usual."
Isidor squinted his eyes abruptly like a veteran expert.
First of all, her complexion.
Her face is paler than usual, but only the lobes of her ears are red.
Above all, she only stepped on the golden part of the marble floor decoration with the heel of her shoe.
"And... I somehow feel like she's looking at me over and over again."
Unexpectedly, he felt chills in his gloved hands.
"Huh? I think she's looking this way."
While Miguel tried to figure out where Princess Deborah's gaze was directed, Thierry approached her with a gentle smile.
"It's amazing that those two are so close, but they seem to get along quite well... Master?"
At the same time, Isidor, who was by her side, also disappeared.
Meanwhile, Thierry was talking to Princess Deborah with a sad feeling.
"Why don't you come to the music room these days? I've been practicing a difficult song lately."
"... I'm busy."
If she's going to respond so coldly and concisely, why did it take her 3 seconds to answer?
"She's quite popular."
Thierry swallowed his tears and spoke again.
"So now, are you free? No matter how busy you are, can't you give me five or ten minutes of your time? There's loyalty between us."
"... ten minutes?"
She licked her red lips.
"Can you come and listen to me play?"
As he held his breath waiting for a response, Jack suddenly shouted, and the back of Thierry's pants got wet.
Guillaume spilled champagne from behind.
"What the hell are you doing? I'm all wet! And, moreover, the area you spilled on is prone to strange misunderstandings."
"Ah, who just stepped on my foot! Was it a ghost?"
The knight mumbled with a pale and tired face.
"How are you going to take responsibility for my pants? I was planning to stay out until dawn."
While the two of them argued, Princess Deborah suddenly left.
Behind the Fraternity House, under a large tree, she gazed at the stars visible through the leaves.
"Drink."
Isidor, who had just approached, handed her a glass of water.
Princess Deborah's red eyes once again fixated on the hand holding the glass of water, so Isidor tilted his head.
"Well, do you have something to talk to me about?"