The party venue was at the residence of Baron Bolograd, located a short distance from the inn where we were staying.

We rode the carriage that had been arranged for us and headed toward the venue.

Katya’s face, as she gazed out the window, was tense with nervousness.

Watching her profile, I reminded myself of an important fact.

Despite her behavior sometimes making me forget, she was just an ordinary girl.

It was only natural to feel nervous when talking with influential figures from another nation.

That’s why Shannon and I, as the older ones, needed to support her.

“It’s going to be fine. We’re here with you.”

“Mii!”

Ivy, perched on my shoulder, nodded in agreement.

For reasons unknown, she activated a spell.

What appeared were... floating bubbles.

The water magic-formed bubbles drifted through the air, shimmering with light.

“How beautiful...”

“Wow! Look! That’s me and Bruno!”

As Shannon admired the bubbles, Katya pointed at something.

It was a bubble with slightly caricatured faces of me and Katya, like the kind of masks you’d see at a festival.

“Mii!”

With a burst of energy, Ivy created more bubbles beside the first ones.

Shannon, Sanshita, and even Ivy herself appeared in bubble form.

While the others were just floating faces, Ivy’s was a full-body representation.

And, for some reason, Ivy’s bubble version was significantly beautified.

Ivy, you don’t have sparkly eyes like that or legs that long, do you?

“...Mii!”

When I turned to look at her, Ivy quickly averted her gaze.

Her cheeks puffed up in what appeared to be a sulk.

Seeing this exchange, Katya burst out laughing with an unladylike snort.

“Pfft...”

After calming down a little, she placed a hand over her mouth and let out a refined chuckle.

It was her usual, lively smile—natural and charming.

It seemed the tension had eased from her shoulders.

I pressed Ivy’s puffed-up cheek, and it let out a pitiful “pohyuu” sound.

Apparently mollified, she turned to face me.

Her expression now resembled that of a tired, middle-aged salaryman.

“Sudden funny face?!”

“Pfft...”

Shannon, who had been holding back, finally broke into laughter.

Seeing me and Shannon laugh, Katya clutched her stomach and began laughing again.

“Hahaha... Thank you, both of you!”

It seemed her nervousness had been completely dispelled.

I gave Ivy a thumbs-up, and she lifted a front leg in response.

Taking the cue, I gave her a high-five.

We did it, Ivy—victory was ours!

As I savored the triumph and exchanged a glance with Shannon, she inexplicably winked at me.

...What was that supposed to mean?

The atmosphere inside the carriage had become relaxed and cheerful all at once.

If only we could stay in this cozy space forever without ever reaching the party...

The thought crossed my mind, given how comfortable the carriage had become.

“That outfit really suits you,” Katya remarked.

“Oh, you flatter me...”

“Not you, Bruno. I meant Ivy!”

“Men who assume everything is about them are just pathetic,” Shannon added with a smirk.

Katya, Shannon, and Ivy all fixed me with flat stares.

P-please don’t look at me like that!

I-I admit I was wrong!

And so, as I alternated between being the bad guy and not, we enjoyed the ride.

I hoped the party itself would pass as uneventfully as this journey.

“Well met, Sir Bruno and Lady Ivy. I am Radgrion VII, Pope of the religious state of Célie. Please, feel free to call me Raddy.”

—Why is the Pope here at this party?!

And why... why is he so casual?!