"How do I look, Natsuki-chan?"
The pristine white gown accentuated the girl's delicate, fair skin, her crimson eyes brimming with delight.
Her short golden hair glittered under the light, revealing elegantly curved shoulders exposed to the air.
A blue silk ribbon adorning the neckline of the dress swayed gently in the room. Below the gown's front opening, her slender, long legs were sheathed in black stockings, and her silver high heels tapped the floor with a clear, crisp sound.
"Different from my usual self, right? Cute?"
Arcueid leaned forward slightly, playfully closing her right eye.
"Excellent."
This went far beyond just cute.
Minamiya Natsuki looked at her, the latter's figure reflected in her own blue eyes, and gave a satisfied nod. "Beautiful."
In good spirits, the corners of her mouth lifted as she held a delicate folding fan.
"Something good happen?" Arcueid took the gloves handed to her by Trimmau, tilting her head as she watched Natsuki's smiling face.
"Not really." Natsuki replied softly.
Being able to admire such a lovely girl was joy enough.
Honestly, who could keep from smiling when faced with an Arcueid like this?
"Then why are you grinning so much?" Arcueid asked skeptically, narrowing her eyes. "Is Natsuki-chan wearing that to the party?"
"I'm going?" Natsuki tilted her head in confusion. She hadn't received an invitation.
"Of course." Arcueid gently unfolded the invitation, her gloved fingertip pointing to a line of text. "It says here to bring a partner."
So she was the stand-in?
Right, Western parties were typically attended by couples.
Though, even without one, no one would dare refuse her entry.
"Fine." Natsuki gave a slight nod, her fan snapping shut with a soft click.
She didn't have anything pressing anyway. Might as well accompany the princess for some fun. And see what that snake-obsessed fellow was plotting.
"What I'm wearing now is fine."
"Natsuki-chan looks absolutely adorable in that."
Gazing at the black-haired girl in her lavish, lace-trimmed dress, Arcueid spread her arms and pulled her into a hug. "Natsuki-chan really is the best."
"Don't just cling to me like that." Natsuki sighed, pushing at the playful vampire. "You get plenty of party invites normally. What's so interesting about this one?"
"I have a feeling something fun's going to happen."
Arcueid sidestepped Natsuki's attempt to block her and hugged her tightly.
"Is that snake-charmer planning something again?" Natsuki frowned.
That battle maniac only ever thought about fighting.
"Weren't there reports of some smuggled beastmen recently?" Arcueid mentioned casually, recalling a previous briefing.
The Black Death Emperor Front—a group of beastmen supremacists with discriminatory views, dedicated to overthrowing the Primogenitors and destroying the Holy Ground Treaty, a symbol of peace between humans and demons.
The organization had already been crushed by Vatler. What remained were just scattered remnants.
But like the beastmen who attacked the Fairy Coffin before, they never gave up on resurfacing.
"Leftovers from the Black Death Emperor Front. Underlings of Christoph Gardos." Natsuki said dismissively. "All the infiltrating members have been captured by the Neco-Arcs."
She gently smoothed the wrinkles on Arcueid's gown caused by the earlier tackle. "It seems to be retaliation for past events. Destroying this island would also be enough to bring that long-dead organization back into the public eye."
Natsuki paused suddenly, connecting it to what Arcueid had called 'fun.'
Could it be…
Vatler would bring them in?
"Is that snake-charmer really that reckless?"
This was Arcueid's island. Bringing terrorists in so casually…
The princess wouldn't be pleased.
Tap tap.
A light knock interrupted their conversation.
A blue-haired girl gently pushed the door open, peeking her head through the gap.
"Instructor, Himeragi Yukina is here to see you."
"The Sword Shaman? What does she want?" Natsuki narrowed her eyes curiously, lightly tapping her fan.
Since arriving here, this was Yukina's first visit.
Usually, their interactions were limited to school. Beyond that, they hadn't bothered each other in daily life since that café incident.
Now, Yukina got along quite well with Avrora and the others, like normal classmates.
"Let her in." Arcueid said casually, resting her chin lightly atop Natsuki's head.
Holding the petite girl in her arms, her red eyes narrowed with amusement. "Is the Lion King Organization trying to play matchmaker again?"
"Who knows."
Natsuki gently pushed the vampire off her head. "Let's go see."
In the living room, Yukina sat quietly across from Avrora.
"Arcutie-sensei, Minamiya-sensei." Seeing Arcueid and Natsuki appear, she bowed her head in greeting.
Avrora, now dressed in a gown by Trimmau, tugged uncomfortably at her skirt. She had received an invitation too.
"What's this?" Her gaze fell curiously on the package Yukina had placed on the table.
"The Lion King Organization sent it today. They said it's best if Avrora and I open it together."
Yukina began unwrapping the package as she spoke. "I've already checked. It's not a bomb."
…Do you remember which side you're on?
Shooting a glance at the casually informative Yukina, Arcueid looked curiously at the package.
As the box opened, a gown came into view.
The high-quality fabric gave off a faint glow under the light, the dress's silhouette becoming clearer in the soft illumination.
Matchmaking it is.
Arcueid casually picked up the packing slip from the corner of the box.
"Hmm… custom-made party gown? Height 156 cm, B76·W55·H78·C60… Addressed to Miss Himeragi Yukina, payment received."
She blinked, looking at the slip that had just exposed certain personal details of the Sword Shaman.
Typical matchmaking agency.
"A C-cup, huh? Not bad, Yukina-san." Arcueid's red eyes curved with amusement, a sly smile playing on her lips.
"A-Arcutie-sensei… please stop…" The girl's small shoulders trembled slightly, her face flushed red as she hung her head low.
Yukina clutched the fabric in her hands tightly, her mind filled only with the desire to bury herself in a hole.
And… throttle whoever came up with this idea.
"Is Yukina coming to play with us?" Avrora tilted her head.
Arcueid had told her a party was a place to eat.
"Huh? I'm going too?" Yukina blinked in confusion, her eyes seeking confirmation from Arcueid.
She hadn't received any such orders.
"You can come along if you want." Arcueid gave a slight nod, raising a finger with mock seriousness. "After all, us adults have adult things to do. You kids should stick together and have fun."
Adults…
Natsuki shot an almost imperceptible glance at her.
You'd blend right in with the kids.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.